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UNIT 06 · Experiences and connected conversationsMy review
LESSON 27 OF 30

Give reasons and compare choices

Use から, けど, より, and ほう to make a preference clear.

Beginner · Japanese foundationsAbout 15 minutesNot started

What you’ll work on

  • Give a short reason with から
  • Contrast two ideas with けど
  • Compare two choices
READ & LISTEN

A short conversation

Google voice when available; device voice as a fallback. Kana readings help you read the written words; they do not show pitch accent.

Aki
, the or the ?
Tap matching words · or open the guide below
How the words match

Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.

  1. でんしゃdensha
    train
  2. とto
    with / and
  3. バスbasu
    bus
  4. と、to
    with / and
  5. どちらdochira
    which of two
  6. がga
    subject / focus markerMarks the subject or the item described with expressions such as 好き and わかる.
  7. いいii
    good / betterIn a comparison, いい is naturally translated as “better”.
  8. ですdesu
    polite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.
  9. か。ka
    question markerMakes the sentence a question; English often changes its word order instead.

The two と particles present the alternatives to compare. English asks “the train or the bus”; it does not give each と a separate translation.

Sam
The .
Tap matching words · or open the guide below
How the words match

Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.

  1. でんしゃdensha
    train
  2. のほうがnohouga
    the preferred / compared optionMarks the option singled out in a comparison.
  3. いいii
    good / betterIn a comparison, いい is naturally translated as “better”.
  4. です。desu
    polite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.

のほうが singles out the train as the compared option. English expresses this with “better”.

Aki
?
Tap matching words · or open the guide below
How the words match

Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.

  1. どうしてですか。doushitedesuka
    why?
Sam
it the .
Tap matching words · or open the guide below
How the words match

Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.

  1. バスbasu
    bus
  2. よりyori
    than
  3. はやいhayai
    fast / faster
  4. ですdesu
    polite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.
  5. から。kara
    because

Put the reason before から

A reason can end with から: 雨ですから, because it is raining. A complete sentence can put the reason before the result: 雨ですから、行きません. Polite です and ます can appear before から.

けど connects a contrast and is common in conversation: 高いですけど、おいしいです. Do not translate every English “but” or “because” by placing a Japanese connector at the beginning in English order.

I I .
Tap matching words · or open the guide below
How the words match

Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.

  1. きょうkyou
    today
  2. はwa
    topic markerPronounced wa. Marks what the sentence is about; it does not mean “is”.
  3. いそがしいisogashii
    busy
  4. ですdesu
    polite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.
  5. から、kara
    because
  6. いきません。ikimasen
    do not / will not go

The subject is understood from context in Japanese. English adds “I”, “you”, or “we” as needed. Match meaningful word groups, not individual characters.

It , .
Tap matching words · or open the guide below
How the words match

Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.

  1. たかいtakai
    expensive / high
  2. ですdesu
    polite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.
  3. けど、kedo
    but
  4. おいしいoishii
    delicious
  5. です。desu
    polite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.

Both descriptions concern the same thing, understood from context. English states “It is” only once.

Name the comparison clearly

AはBより + adjective states that A has more of the quality than B: 電車はバスより速いです. より marks the comparison point.

Aのほうが + adjective highlights A as the preferred or stronger choice in a comparison. To ask between two options, use AとBと、どちらが…ですか. These are comparisons between the stated options, not absolute rankings.

The the .
Tap matching words · or open the guide below
How the words match

Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.

  1. でんしゃdensha
    train
  2. はwa
    topic markerPronounced wa. Marks what the sentence is about; it does not mean “is”.
  3. バスbasu
    bus
  4. よりyori
    than
  5. はやいhayai
    fast / faster
  6. です。desu
    polite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.
I .
Tap matching words · or open the guide below
How the words match

Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.

  1. おちゃocha
    tea
  2. のほうがすきです。nohougasukidesu
    preferThe comparison のほうが and the description 好き combine naturally as “prefer” in English.

Literally, tea is the more liked option. English combines のほうが好き into “prefer”; “I” is understood.

VOCABULARY

Lesson vocabulary

Listen once, say it aloud, and try to recall the Japanese before looking.

Japanese vocabulary and English meanings
Japanese / readingEnglishListen
速い
はやい		fast
忙しい
いそがしい		busy
雨
あめ		rain
どうして
どうして		why
どちら
どちら		which of two
より
より		than (comparison point)
EXERCISES

Practice questions

Try every question, then check your answers. Punctuation and spacing do not affect your score. Use the displayed Japanese spelling or the complete kana reading; mixed spellings are accepted only when explicitly listed. Long vowels, small kana, and verb endings matter.

Showing an answer makes that question a practice item worth zero for this attempt. Retry with the answers hidden when you’re ready. If audio cannot play, use Show answer / text to practice by reading.

01Which introduces the reason in the taught pattern?
02In 電車はバスより速いです, which is faster?
03Write “why” using this lesson’s question word.
04Listen, then type the phrase using the displayed spelling or the complete kana reading.
Generated voice · You can listen again.
05Which connects a contrast?
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SPEAKING AND WRITING

Independent practice

These are independent practice tasks. The site does not record your voice, save your writing, or grade open-ended answers. Ask a teacher or conversation partner for feedback when you can.

01 / SPEAKING

Speaking practice

Compare two ways to travel or two drinks. State your choice and give one reason.

02 / WRITING

Writing practice

Write a comparison with より, then a reason with から and a contrast with けど.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

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