だって: This word gives a reason. It can sound like 'because' or 'but'. You use it when you explain something casually.

Dictionary

だって

This word gives a reason. It can sound like 'because' or 'but'. You use it when you explain something casually.

N3 KMT4CasualDiscourse MarkerSpoken OnlyDiscourse Markers And ReformulationGrammar

だって + SentencePrimary

This word gives a reason. It can sound like 'because' or 'but'. You use it when you explain something casually.

「ケーキ、もう食べちゃったの？」「だって、お腹が空いてたんだもん。」

"You already ate the cake?" "Because I was hungry!"

CasualPastAffirmativeClause InitialDeclarativeFood & Dining Daily Life

「なんで電話くれなかったの？」「だって、携帯の充電がなかったんだ。」

"Why didn't you call me?" "Because my phone battery was dead."

CasualPastNegativeClause InitialDeclarativeTechnology Daily Life

「また新しい服買ったの？」「だって、すごく可愛かったんだもん！」

"You bought new clothes again?" "But it was super cute!"

CasualPastAffirmativeClause InitialEmphaticFashion & Beauty Daily Life

「なんで映画に行かないの？」「だって、その俳優さん、あまり好きじゃないんだ。」

"Why aren't you going to the movie?" "Because I don't really like that actor."

CasualNon PastNegativeClause InitialDeclarativeMusic & Entertainment Emotions & Psychology

「もう帰るの？」「うん。だって、明日の朝早いんだ。」

"You're leaving already?" "Yeah. Because I have to be up early tomorrow morning."

CasualNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialDeclarativeDaily Life Work & Career

Imagine だって is like a chameleon. It changes its color based on how you say it. It can sound like a child complaining. It can be a grown-up's excuse. Or it can be a fun reason between friends.

だって is different from なぜなら. なぜなら gives a formal, clear reason. だって gives a casual, personal reason. It is like an excuse. Do not use だって for formal reasons.

Don't use this when you talk to your boss. It is only for friends and family. Using it with others is rude.

Use this when you want to give a reason. It is like saying 'because' or 'but'. You use it to explain yourself. It can sound a bit like making an excuse.

Contrasts with(1)

なぜなら

You use this word to give a reason. It means 'because' or 'the reason is'. You use it in formal speaking and writing.

Less formal alternatives(1)

なぜなら

You use this word to give a reason. It means 'because' or 'the reason is'. You use it in formal speaking and writing.

〜から

This word tells you the reason for something. It is like saying 'because' or 'so' in English. It connects an action to its cause.

だから

This word means 'so' or 'therefore'. You use it to show a reason for something.

〜ので

Indicates a reason or cause. It is generally perceived as softer and more polite than 'から', presenting the reason as an objective fact or situation rather than a subjective judgment. It is often used when making excuses, explanations, or gentle requests.

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Dictionary

だって

This word gives a reason. It can sound like 'because' or 'but'. You use it when you explain something casually.

N3 KMT4CasualDiscourse MarkerSpoken OnlyDiscourse Markers And ReformulationGrammar

だって + SentencePrimary

This word gives a reason. It can sound like 'because' or 'but'. You use it when you explain something casually.

「ケーキ、もう食べちゃったの？」「だって、お腹が空いてたんだもん。」

"You already ate the cake?" "Because I was hungry!"

CasualPastAffirmativeClause InitialDeclarativeFood & Dining Daily Life

「なんで電話くれなかったの？」「だって、携帯の充電がなかったんだ。」

"Why didn't you call me?" "Because my phone battery was dead."

CasualPastNegativeClause InitialDeclarativeTechnology Daily Life

「また新しい服買ったの？」「だって、すごく可愛かったんだもん！」

"You bought new clothes again?" "But it was super cute!"

CasualPastAffirmativeClause InitialEmphaticFashion & Beauty Daily Life

「なんで映画に行かないの？」「だって、その俳優さん、あまり好きじゃないんだ。」

"Why aren't you going to the movie?" "Because I don't really like that actor."

CasualNon PastNegativeClause InitialDeclarativeMusic & Entertainment Emotions & Psychology

「もう帰るの？」「うん。だって、明日の朝早いんだ。」

"You're leaving already?" "Yeah. Because I have to be up early tomorrow morning."

CasualNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialDeclarativeDaily Life Work & Career

Imagine だって is like a chameleon. It changes its color based on how you say it. It can sound like a child complaining. It can be a grown-up's excuse. Or it can be a fun reason between friends.

だって is different from なぜなら. なぜなら gives a formal, clear reason. だって gives a casual, personal reason. It is like an excuse. Do not use だって for formal reasons.

Don't use this when you talk to your boss. It is only for friends and family. Using it with others is rude.

Use this when you want to give a reason. It is like saying 'because' or 'but'. You use it to explain yourself. It can sound a bit like making an excuse.

Contrasts with(1)

なぜなら

You use this word to give a reason. It means 'because' or 'the reason is'. You use it in formal speaking and writing.

Less formal alternatives(1)

なぜなら

You use this word to give a reason. It means 'because' or 'the reason is'. You use it in formal speaking and writing.

〜から

This word tells you the reason for something. It is like saying 'because' or 'so' in English. It connects an action to its cause.

だから

This word means 'so' or 'therefore'. You use it to show a reason for something.

〜ので

Track your mastery

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だって

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Discourse Function1

Compare with2

Contrasts with(1)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites3

Track your mastery

だって

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Discourse Function1

Compare with2

Contrasts with(1)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites3

Track your mastery