Introduction
In Japanese, there are different words for “and” depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey. Three common ones are それで (sorede), そして (soshite), and それから (sorekara). While they all function as connectors, their meanings and usages are slightly different. Learning when to use each of these will help you sound more natural and fluent in Japanese. In this post, we will break down the differences between それで, そして, and それから with clear examples.
Examples and Usage
それで (Sorede) – “And Therefore”
The word それで (sorede) is used to express a consequence or result of the previous statement. It connects two sentences where the second sentence is a natural outcome of the first.
Example:
電車が来ませんでした。それで、遅刻しました。
(Densha ga kimasen deshita. Sorede, chikoku shimashita.)
The train didn’t come. Therefore, I was late for class.
Here, the second sentence (being late) is a direct result of the first (the train not coming). Use それで (sorede) when you want to show a cause-and-effect relationship.
そして (Soshite) – “And in Addition”
The word そして (soshite) is used when adding new and notable information. It’s similar to saying “and” or “and also” in English, often introducing something surprising or noteworthy.
Example:
りくさんは日本語と英語が話せます。そして、韓国語も話せます。
(Riku-san wa nihongo to eigo ga hanasemasu. Soshite, kankokugo mo hanasemasu.)
Riku speaks Japanese and English. And, believe it or not, he can also speak Korean.
Use そして (soshite) when you want to emphasize the addition of information that may surprise or impress the listener.
それから (Sorekara) – “And Then”
The word それから (sorekara) is used to add items in a sequence of events or to list things in order of importance. It indicates that the second item comes later in time or is mentioned after something else.
Example:
京都と奈良に行きました。それから、大阪にも行きました。
(Kyouto to Nara ni ikimashita. Sorekara, Osaka ni mo ikimashita.)
I went to Kyoto and Nara. And then, I also went to Osaka.
Here, それから (sorekara) is used to show the order of events, making it clear that the speaker visited Kyoto and Nara first and then went to Osaka.
Conclusion
While それで (sorede), そして (soshite), and それから (sorekara) are all translated as “and” in English, each has a specific nuance:
- それで (sorede): Used to show a consequence or result (“and therefore”).
- そして (soshite): Used to add notable or surprising information (“and in addition”).
- それから (sorekara): Used to indicate a sequence or order (“and then”).
Understanding the subtle differences between these words will help you connect your ideas more clearly and convey your thoughts effectively in Japanese.
Recommended Resources
For a deeper understanding of それで (sorede), そして (soshite), and それから (sorekara), I recommend “A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar.” In this book, you can find these words under their respective entries. The explanations are clear and include various examples that show how to use each expression correctly. If you want to strengthen your understanding and learn more about similar connectors, this book is a valuable resource.
