How subordinate clauses and relative clauses work in Japanese
Subordinate clauses in Japanese are dependent clauses that add additional information to a main clause and cannot stand alone as complete sentences. They typically end with certain connecting forms such as -toki (when), -nagara (while), -kara (because), or conditional forms like -tara and -eba (if). These clauses provide context such as time, reason, condition, or simultaneous actions relative to the main clause. Importantly, subordinate clauses precede the main clause in Japanese, which follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) order. 1
Relative clauses in Japanese work by directly modifying a noun with a preceding clause that contains a verb. The modifying clause immediately precedes the noun it describes without needing relative pronouns like “who” or “which” in English. The verb in the relative clause is in a plain form and is linked directly to the noun. For example, “田中さんが旅行する北海道” means “Hokkaido where Tanaka-san will travel,” with the relative clause “田中さんが旅行する” directly modifying “北海道” (Hokkaido). Particles after the noun (such as は, を, に) help indicate the grammatical role of the noun in the overall sentence. 2
To summarize the differences and functions:
| Clause Type | Function | Key Features | Position Relative to Main Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subordinate Clauses | Add additional information (time, reason, etc.) | End with connecting forms (-toki, -nagara) | Precede main clause |
| Relative Clauses | Directly modify a noun | Clause directly precedes the noun, plain verb | Precede the noun they modify |
Relative clauses can use different verb forms, including causative or passive, to express nuances like letting someone do something or actions done upon the noun. The noun modified by the relative clause is often understood as the subject or object within that clause, depending on the context. 4
In both cases, Japanese clauses emphasize a structure where modifying or dependent clauses come before what they modify, unlike English where relative clauses follow the noun.
This explanation covers how subordinate and relative clauses function structurally and semantically in Japanese grammar, highlighting typical forms and examples.