because of, due to (negative)

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates negative result due to someone/something.

[Noun] + のせいで / [Verb/Adj plain form] + せいで

雨のせいで、試合が中止になった。

Ame no sei de, shiai ga chuushi ni natta.

Because of the rain, the game was cancelled.

寝坊したせいで、遅刻した。

Nebou shita sei de, chikoku shita.

Because I overslept, I was late.

Generally negative outcome (contrast with おかげで).

～おかげで

thanks to, because of (positive)

～上で / ～上では

in terms of, in doing, from the standpoint of

～に違いない

must be ~, no doubt that ~, undoubtedly

～に関して/関する

regarding ~, concerning ~, about ~

～について/つい

about ~, concerning ~

～に伴って/伴い/伴う

along with ~, as ~ (changes)

Use for blaming causes.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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