Translation guide
Expresses that something is caused by or due to a particular reason, factor, or event. Japanese uses several patterns depending on whether the cause is a noun, a verb phrase, or an abstract reason.
To say that something is caused by or due to a specific noun (e.g., an accident, a person, a disease).
Attaches to a noun to mean 'caused by N' or 'due to N'. Often used in formal or written contexts. The noun before による is the cause.
その事故は運転手の不注意によるものだった。
The accident was caused by the driver's carelessness.
This illness is an infection caused by a virus.
Used when the cause is something negative or blameworthy. Often implies fault or undesirable outcome. Casual to neutral.
Implies blame or negative cause. Do not use for positive or neutral causes.
渋滞のせいで遅刻した。
I was late because of the traffic jam. (lit. caused by the traffic jam)
雨のせいでピクニックが中止になった。
The picnic was canceled due to the rain.
Literally 'with N as the cause'. Neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Often used in explanations.
ストレスが原因で体調を崩した。
I got sick due to stress.
その火事は漏電が原因で起きた。
The fire was caused by an electrical leak.
Means 'because of N' or 'due to N'. Can be used for both positive and negative causes. Slightly formal.
大雪のため、電車が止まった。
The trains stopped due to heavy snow.
工事のために道路が通行止めだ。
The road is closed because of construction.
To say that something is caused by an action or event described by a verb.
Used when a verb action is the negative cause. The verb is in plain form (dictionary, past, negative, etc.). Implies blame.
Negative nuance. Avoid for neutral or positive causes.
寝坊したせいで試験に遅れた。
I was late for the exam because I overslept.
彼が来なかったせいで、パーティーがつまらなかった。
The party was boring because he didn't come.
Neutral way to say 'because of V-ing'. Can be used for any cause, but often implies an unfortunate result when used with past tense.
雨が降ったために、試合は延期された。
The game was postponed because it rained.
道が混んでいたために、遅くなった。
I was late because the roads were crowded.
Formal and literary. Means 'as a result of V-ing' or 'caused by V-ing'. Often used in academic or technical writing.
喫煙することによって健康を害する。
Health is damaged by smoking.
To express that something is caused by a general reason, condition, or abstract factor.
Formal expression meaning 'originates from' or 'is caused by'. Used in reports, news, and academic contexts.
その問題はコミュニケーション不足に起因する。
The problem is caused by a lack of communication.
事故は人為的ミスに起因していた。
The accident was caused by human error.
Literally 'comes from N'. Used for causes that are sources of feelings, conditions, or abstract outcomes. More colloquial than 起因する.
そのストレスは過労から来ている。
That stress is caused by overwork.
彼の自信は経験から来る。
His confidence comes from experience.
A common way to state that something is due to N. Slightly formal and explanatory.
この遅延はシステム障害によるものです。
This delay is due to a system failure.
To use the passive voice to indicate that the subject was affected by an external cause, often with a negative nuance.
The passive form can imply that the subject suffered from or was caused to experience something by N. Often used for negative events.
This is a specific use of the passive to express being adversely affected. Not all passives imply cause.
雨に降られた。
I got rained on. (lit. I was rained on by the rain.)
彼に先に行かれて困った。
I was troubled because he went ahead without me. (lit. I was caused trouble by him going ahead.)
せいで implies blame or a negative cause. ために is neutral and can be used for any cause, but often appears in formal or written contexts. による is a formal, written pattern that directly links a cause to a result, often used in reports.
雨のせいで濡れた。
I got wet because of the rain (and I'm annoyed).
雨のために試合が中止になった。
The game was canceled due to rain (neutral statement).
雨による被害が大きい。
The damage caused by the rain is extensive.
English 'be caused by' often translates to a variety of Japanese patterns, not a single verb. Using a direct translation like 起こされる may sound unnatural. Choose the pattern based on the type of cause and nuance.
その事故はスピードの出し過ぎによって引き起こされた。
The accident was caused by speeding. (formal, written)