〜ので means “because” or “so.” It is similar to から but sounds softer and more polite. You use it to give a reason for an action. Key points: • Reason + ので + Result • Softer than から • Use です/ます before ので in polite speech • Often used in polite explanations Example: “雨ですので、行きません” means “Because it is raining, I won’t go.” For nouns and na-adjectives, add なので: 学生なので, 静かなので. For i-adjectives and verbs, use the plain form + ので: 忙しいので, 行くので. Practice by giving polite reasons: 今日は忙しいので、行きません.