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Question to Teacher: A question about KARA
Course 4 Lesson 7: Beth's Luck (About This Lesson)

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Post Date: 2021-02-16 15:30:10

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member since
2020 Jul 16

Questions: 9
Comments: 3

In earlier books, when using KARA, we were taught that the verb in the first clause sounds better in casual form. However I have noticed recently several examples where the formal form is used. This seems to be in cases where there isn't a second clause.

So, with a second clause, the casual is used:
りょうりが下手だから、ケーキをかいました。
(because i'm bad at cooking, I bought a cake)

But without the second clause, would you say:
りょうりが下手ですから。　OR　りょうりが下手だから。
(because I'm bad at cooking) or would it depend on the formality of the conversation?

And, would you ever say:
りょうりが下手だからです。
(It's because I'm bad at cooking)

Thanks!
Lynn
xxx

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JFZ Teacher (Kanako)

Post Date: 2021-02-20 01:39:33

member since
2003 Mar 03

Questions: 10
Comments: 1236

You are right. If it is a statement consisting of a reason (the first clause) and a result (the second clause), the verb in the first clause should be in the casual form.

You can use the formal form (へたです) instead, but the casual form (へただ) sounds more natural.

When answering a なんで /なぜ (why) question, you can simply say the reason. You don’t need to say a complete sentence (reason + result).

Without the second clause, you can say:

りょうりがへたですから。(RYOURI GA HETA DESU KARA) - formal
りょうりがへただからです。(RYOURI GA HETA DA KARA DESU) - formal
りょうりがへただから。(RYOURI G HETA DA KARA) - casual

There is a Q&A that is related to your question in the database. Please take a look.

https://www.yesjapan.com/YJ6/?page=question&var3=1190

Keep up the good work!