Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "That" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "that", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
そのため
そのため (sono tame)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
すなわち
すなわち (sunawachi)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "that" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between そのため and すなわち.
In Japanese, そのため (そのため (sono tame)) is typically associated with "for that reason, therefore" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A conjunction used to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, where the preceding statement is the reason for the following one. More formal than 「だから」..
On the other hand, すなわち (すなわち (sunawachi)) maps to "that is, namely" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "that" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "そのため"
昨日は雨が降った。そのため、運動会は中止になった。
It rained yesterday. For that reason, the sports day was cancelled.
Bilingual Context for "すなわち"
私はすなわちに興味があります。
I am interested in that is, namely.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "昨日は雨が降った。 ＿＿＿ 、運動会は中止になった。" (Meaning: "It rained yesterday. For that reason, the sports day was cancelled.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "そのため" fits here because it means "for that reason, therefore" in the context of: "It rained yesterday. For that reason, the sports day was cancelled.". "すなわち" represents "that is, namely".