〜ので
Reason 〜ので (formal because)
Meaning
A more formal / softer "because" than から. Used in polite speech, business, and writing. Sounds more objective.
Formation
[plain form] + ので / [noun / na-adj] な + ので
Notes
For nouns and na-adjectives, insert な: 学生なので, 静かなので. N5 students may use から and ので interchangeably; 〜ので is preferred in formal contexts.
Examples
寒（さむ）いので、家（いえ）にいます。
Because it's cold, I'll stay home.
Breakdown
学生（がくせい）なので、安（やす）いです。
Because I'm a student, it's cheap. (noun + な + ので)
Breakdown
静（しず）かなので、ここで勉強（べんきょう）します。
Since it's quiet, I'll study here. (na-adj + な + ので)
Breakdown
時間（じかん）がないので、急（いそ）いでください。
Since we don't have time, please hurry.
Breakdown
雨（あめ）が降（ふ）っているので、出（で）かけません。
Because it's raining, I won't go out.
Breakdown
頭（あたま）が痛（いた）いので、少（すこ）し休（やす）みます。
I have a headache, so I'll rest a bit.
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
〜から
Reason 〜から (because)
Gives a reason or cause — "because ~ / since ~". Subjective and conversational. Comes afte...
〜以上（は）
Now that 〜以上は
"Now that ~", "since ~" — given this fact, a duty or resolve follows.
〜だけあって
As you would expect 〜だけあって
"As you would expect of ~", "no wonder, given that ~". Admiring.
〜ことから
Judging from 〜ことから
"From the fact that ~", "judging from ~" — states the evidence a conclusion rests on.
〜につき
Due to / per 〜につき
"Due to ~" in official notices; also "per ~" for rates.
〜ゆえ（に）
Owing to (literary) 〜ゆえ（に）
"Because of ~", "owing to ~" — a stiff, literary statement of cause.
〜とあって
Given the occasion 〜とあって
"Because it is (the special occasion of) ~" — a special situation produces a natural resul...
〜ばこそ
It is only because 〜ばこそ
"It is precisely because ~ (and nothing else)" — an emphatic, positive reason.
〜あっての
Made possible only by 〜あっての
"Which exists only thanks to ~", "~ is what makes it possible".
〜手前
With others watching 〜手前
"Since ~ (and with people watching), I have no choice but to ..." — social face forces the...
〜こととて
Seeing that (apologetic) 〜こととて
"Because it is ~ (please excuse it)" — a humble reason offered with an apology.
〜にかこつけて
Under the pretext of 〜にかこつけて
"Using ~ as an excuse", "under the pretext of ~".