JLPT N3 Cause, reason, and result
おかげで credits a good cause and せいで blames a bad one, while ことから infers a reason from evidence. なぜなら and というのは explain after the fact, and 結果 and 結局 report the outcome. Swapping おかげで and せいで flips the speaker's attitude entirely, unless the swap is meant as sarcasm.
9 N3 grammar points in this group
おかげで (okage de): thanks to; because of
Use おかげで when you want to give a positive cause or credit, sometimes ironically.
先生のおかげで、合格できました。 — Thanks to my teacher, I was able to pass.
せいで (sei de): because of; due to
Use せいで when you want to blame a cause for a negative result.
雨のせいで、試合が中止になった。 — Because of the rain, the game was canceled.
ことから (koto kara): from the fact that; because
Use ことから when you want to explain a reason or basis for judgment from an observed fact.
駅に近いことから、この部屋は人気がある。 — Because it is close to the station, this room is popular.
なぜなら (nazenara): because; the reason is
Use なぜなら when you want to introduce an explicit reason, often followed by から or のだ.
今日は出かけません。なぜなら雨が強いからです。 — I will not go out today, because the rain is heavy.
というのは (to iu nowa): what ... means is; because
Use というのは when you want to define a term or introduce the reason for a statement.
敬語というのは、相手への敬意を表す言葉です。 — Keigo means language that expresses respect toward the other person.
そのために (sono tame ni): for that reason; therefore
Use そのために when you want to connect a previous reason to a result or purpose.
大雨が降った。そのために、電車が遅れた。 — Heavy rain fell. For that reason, the train was delayed.
結果 (kekka): as a result of; after
Use 結果（けっか） when you want to state the outcome or consequence of an action or condition.
努力の結果、合格した。 — As a result of my efforts, I passed.
結局 (kekkyoku): after all; in the end; eventually
Use 結局（けっきょく） when you want to summarize the final outcome after considering alternatives or delays.
結局、行かなかった。 — In the end, I didn't go.
わけだ (wake da): that is why; no wonder; it means
Use わけだ when you want to state a natural conclusion or explanation based on known facts.
彼は十年日本に住んでいた。日本語が上手なわけだ。 — He lived in Japan for ten years. No wonder his Japanese is good.
Often confused in this group
- わけだ vs わけではない vs わけがない vs わけにはいかない — わけだ draws a conclusion, わけではない softens a denial, わけがない rules something out, わけにはいかない means you can't for social reasons.
More JLPT N3 grammar groups
- Conditionals, wishes, and regrets (10)
- Contrast and concession: even if, although (13)
- Purpose, intention, and effort (14)
- Obligation, advice, and no choice (15)
- Hearsay, conjecture, and appearance (15)
- Partial and strong negation (9)
- Time, timing, and gradual change (20)
- Relational phrases: about, for, through (19)
- Compound verbs and suffixes (20)
- Degree, comparison, and emphasis (20)
- Adding, listing, and connecting ideas (18)