GrammarJLPT N5
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Listing Reasons or Multiple Facts
JLPT N5ParticleNeutral
The particle し is used to list multiple reasons, facts, or qualities, often to build a cumulative case for a conclusion or judgment. Unlike simple connectors such as て-form, which join actions in sequence, し implies that the listed items are parallel reasons or contributing factors, and it often carries the nuance that there are additional unstated reasons beyond what is mentioned. It can translate as 'and,' 'besides,' 'moreover,' or even 'because' depending on context. し attaches to the end of a clause in its plain or polite form, and multiple し clauses can be chained together before a final conclusion. Because it suggests 'among other things,' it is softer and less direct than から or ので when giving reasons. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese at a neutral register level.
Functions
#1 Listing multiple reasons for a conclusion
Structure
Reason 1 + し、Reason 2 + し、(Conclusion)
この店は安いし、おいしいし、よく行きます。
Here し is used twice to list two reasons — being cheap and being delicious — that together support the concluding statement about frequently visiting the restaurant. The use of し implies that these are not the only reasons; there may be other factors as well. This cumulative listing is the most common function of し, building up evidence before stating a result or opinion.This restaurant is cheap, and the food is delicious, so I go there often.
Structures
- Verb (plain form)
- Verb (plain form) + し
- い-Adjective
- い-Adjective + し
- な-Adjective
- な-Adjective + だ + し
- Noun
- Noun + だ + し
Common mistakes
A common mistake is forgetting to include だ before し when connecting nouns or な-adjectives, for example saying 「きれいし」 instead of the correct 「きれいだし」. Another frequent error is using し to list sequential actions, but し is for parallel reasons or facts, not for describing a sequence of events — use the て-form for that purpose. Learners also sometimes confuse し with から or ので, but し is softer and implies multiple contributing factors, while から and ので present a single direct cause. Finally, in polite speech, learners may be unsure whether to use plain or polite forms before し; both are acceptable, but mixing plain and polite forms within the same sentence sounds unnatural.
Related
からのでて (conjunction)それにだけでなくも～も