because of ~ (negative), due to ~ (fault)

Intermediate

15-20 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates negative reason or blame.

[Noun] + のせいで / [Plain form] + せいで

雨のせいで、試合が中止になりました。

Ame no sei de, shiai ga chuushi ni narimashita.

Because of the rain, the game was cancelled.

寝坊したせいで、遅刻しました。

Nebou shita sei de, chikoku shimashita.

Because I overslept, I was late.

Only for negative results. Use おかげで for positive.

～おかげで

thanks to ~, because of ~ (positive)

～ために (tame ni)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~

～のに (noni)

although ~, despite ~, even though ~

～にもかかわらず

despite ~, in spite of ~

～ようになる

come to ~, become able to ~, reach the point where ~

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

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