Want to make your Japanese sound more natural and connected? Mastering conjunctions is one of the best ways to level up your conversation skills. Conjunctions help you link ideas smoothly and express yourself more clearly—just like how we use “and,” “but,” or “because” in English.

In this post, we’ll look at 10 useful Japanese conjunctions you can start using right away to improve both your speaking and writing. Let’s dive in!

1. そして – And then / And also

Meaning: Adds information or links two actions in sequence.

Example: 今日きょうは友ともだちと会あいました。そして、映画えいがを見みに行いきました。 (I met my friend today. And then, we went to see a movie.)
Use this to connect actions smoothly, especially when telling a story.

2. でも – But / However

Meaning: Contrasts two ideas.

Example: 日本語にほんごはむずかしいです。でも、おもしろいです。 (Japanese is difficult. But, it’s interesting.)

Great for casual conversations. For more formal situations, try しかし.

3. だから – So / Therefore

Meaning: Expresses a reason and a result.

Example: 今日きょうは雨あめです。だから、うちにいます。 (It’s raining today. So, I’m staying home.)

Use this when explaining the reason behind your actions.

4. それに – Moreover / Besides

Meaning: Adds extra information in support of what was just said.

Example: このレストランは安やすいです。それに、おいしいです。 (This restaurant is cheap. Moreover, it’s delicious.)

Use this to emphasize positive (or sometimes negative) points.

5. それだけじゃなく(て) – Not only that, but also…

Meaning: Adds surprising or additional information.

Example: 彼かれはイケメンです。それだけじゃなくて、頭あたまもいいです。 (He’s handsome. Not only that, he’s also smart.)

Makes your speech sound more expressive and natural.

6. それで – So / Because of that

Meaning: Shows cause and effect, often used in stories or explanations.

Example: 熱ねつがあります。それで、学校がっこうを休やすみました。 (I had a fever. So, I took the day off from school.)

Frequently heard in conversations and narratives.

7. けど / が – But / Although

Meaning: Used in the middle of a sentence to contrast or soften the tone.

Examples: 行いきたいけど、時間じかんがないです。 (I want to go, but I don’t have time.) ちょっと高たかいですが、おすすめです。 (It’s a little expensive, but I recommend it.)

Sounds natural and helps conversations flow smoothly.

8. それにしても – Even so / Nevertheless

Meaning: Emphasizes surprise or contrast despite the situation.
Example: 彼かれは毎日勉強まいにちべんきょうしています。それにしても、上達じょうたつが早はやいです。 (He studies every day. Even so, his improvement is fast.)

A slightly advanced phrase, perfect for deeper conversations.

9. つまり – In other words / That is to say

Meaning: Used to rephrase or summarize what you just said.
Example: 来週らいしゅうからテストが始はじまります。つまり、今週こんしゅうはたくさん勉強べんきょうしないといけません。 (Tests start next week. In other words, I have to study a lot this week.)

A smart way to show understanding or clarify a point.

10. たとえば – For example

Meaning: Introduces an example to support or explain your point.

Example: 私わたしは果物くだものが好すきです。たとえば、りんごやみかんが好すきです。 (I like fruit. For example, I like apples and mandarins.)

Perfect for listing examples in both casual and formal conversations.

Quick Recap

Here’s a summary of the 10 conjunctions:

1. そして – And then
2. でも – But
3. だから – So
4. それに – Moreover
5. それだけじゃなく(て) – Not only that, but also
6. それで – So / Because of that
7. けど / が – But / Although
8. それにしても – Even so
9. つまり – In other words
10. たとえば – For example
    

Practice Time!

Try using some of these in your own sentences! For example:

日本語にほんごは楽たのしいです。それだけじゃなくて、新あたらしい友ともだちもできました。
(Japanese is fun. Not just that, I made new friends.)

宿題しゅくだいが多おおいです。つまり、今日きょうはゲームできません。
(I have a lot of homework. That means, I cannot play games today.)

アニメが大好だいすきです。たとえば、『鬼滅きめつの刃やいば』や『スパイファミリー』が好すきです。
(I love anime. For example, I like Damon Slayer and Spy Family)

Share your examples in the comments!
Join NanaFam and level up your Japanese naturally with fun, useful content every week!

If you want to learn Japanese, improve your skills, or connect with native speakers and other learners, we can help. We offer one-on-one lessons, a supportive community, and on demand courses.

Website: nihongonana.com
Email: support@nihongonana.com

Book 1-on-1 lessons: https://nihongonana.com/lessons/
Join our Speaking Club: https://nihongonana.com/community/
Join our Course Waitlist: https://nihongonana.com/courses/