Japanese grammar
What does ～のことだから mean? Japanese grammar N2
～のことだから means because it's just like… (one can guess, knowing their character).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N（person）+ のことだから |
| Romaji | nokotodakara |
| Meaning | because it's just like… (one can guess, knowing their character) |
Forming it
| Familiar person | 彼 → 彼のことだから |
|---|---|
| With a modifier | いつも遅刻する彼女 → いつも遅刻する彼女のことだから |
How to use it
Guesses what someone will do based on a PERSON's familiar character. That person must be known to both speaker and listener.
- 「Nのことだから」 = because it's that person, surely… 「時間に正確な彼のことだから、もう着いているだろう」.
- N must be a PERSON (or organization) whose character the listener also knows — not used with objects or phenomena.
- The second clause is always a guess: 「だろう・に違いない・はずだ」.
Examples
時間に正確な彼のことだから、もう会場に着いているだろう。
Knowing how punctual he is, he must already be at the venue.
いつも遅刻する彼女のことだから、今日も遅れるに違いない。
Knowing her habit of being late, she is bound to be late today too.
彼のことだから、きっと時間どおりに来るだろう。
Knowing him, he’ll surely arrive on time.
Keep in mind
- N is a person/organization whose character is already known.
- The second clause must be a guess.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこの機械のことだから、また故障するだろう。
This machine breaks down often, so it will probably break again.
Correctこの機械はよく故障するから、また壊れるだろう。
「のことだから」 is only used with people/organizations, not objects.
-
Wrong彼のことだから、昨日来た。
Knowing him, he already arrived yesterday.
Correct彼のことだから、きっと来るだろう。
The second clause must be a guess, not a confirmed fact.
-
Wrong天気のことだから、明日は雨だろう。
Knowing him, he’ll probably be late again.
Correct彼のことだから、また遅れるだろう。
A must be a PERSON/organization with a known character, not used for a natural phenomenon.
Exam tips
- 「Nのことだから」 = because it's that person, surely…; N is a person, second clause is a guess.