Processing keyword: ～がゆえに (～ga yue ni)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～がゆえに (～ga yue ni)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar point ～がゆえに (～ga yue ni), a formal expression used to indicate cause or reason, similar to "because of" or "due to" in English. Understanding this structure will enhance your ability to comprehend and use formal Japanese, particularly in written contexts.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

～がゆえに is used to express a cause or reason for something. It translates to "because of ~", "due to ~", or "on account of ~" in English. This structure is formal and often appears in literary works, academic writing, or formal speeches.

Structure

The formation of ～がゆえに depends on the type of word it attaches to:

Part of Speech	Formation
Verb (dictionary form)	Verb + がゆえに
Noun	Noun (+ である) + がゆえに
い-adjective	い-adjective + がゆえに
な-adjective	な-adjective (+ である) + がゆえに

Formation Diagram

[Verb (dictionary form)] + がゆえに
[Noun] (+ である) + がゆえに
[い-adjective] + がゆえに
[な-adjective] (+ である) + がゆえに

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3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with Other Causal Expressions

Expression	Usage	Formality
～から	Indicates reason/cause; casual speech.	Casual
～ので	Indicates reason/cause; polite and neutral.	Neutral
～ために	Indicates purpose or cause; formal writing and speech.	Formal
～がゆえに	Indicates reason/cause; emphasizes the reason in formal context.	Very Formal
Key Differences:

• ～がゆえに is more formal and literary compared to ～から or ～ので.
• It adds an air of formality and is suitable for academic writing or formal speeches.
• ～ために can indicate purpose or cause, but ～がゆえに exclusively expresses cause.

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4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

1. Formal Written Context
   • 彼は経験不足がゆえに**、この仕事に適していない。
     Kare wa keiken busoku ga yue ni, kono shigoto ni tekishite inai.
     "Because of his lack of experience, he is not suitable for this job."
2. Academic Writing
   • 文化の違いであるがゆえに、誤解が生じた。
     Bunka no chigai de aru ga yue ni, gokai ga shōjita.
     "Misunderstandings arose due to cultural differences."
3. Formal Speech
   • 技術の進歩がゆえに**、生活が便利になった。
     Gijutsu no shinpo ga yue ni, seikatsu ga benri ni natta.
     "Life has become convenient because of technological advancements."
4. Literary Context
   • 愛ゆえに**、彼女は彼を許した。
     Ai yue ni, kanojo wa kare o yurushita.
     "She forgave him because of love." (Note: In this example, "が" is omitted for stylistic reasons common in literary contexts.)
5. Historical Texts
   • 戦争がゆえに**、多くの人々が苦しんだ。
     Sensō ga yue ni, ōku no hitobito ga kurushinda.
     "Many people suffered because of the war."

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Formality Level: ～がゆえに is a highly formal and somewhat archaic expression.
• Usage Context: Commonly found in literature, academic papers, legal documents, and formal speeches.
• Politeness: Using ～がゆえに indicates a high level of respect for the audience and suits solemn or serious topics.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 貧しさがゆえの**犯罪
  Mazushisa ga yue no hanzai
  "Crime born out of poverty"
• 若さゆえの**過ち
  Wakasa yue no ayamachi
  "Mistakes due to youth" (In idiomatic expressions, "が" is sometimes omitted.)

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Using in Casual Conversation
   • Incorrect: 昨日雨が降ったがゆえに、試合が中止になったよ。
   • Correct: 昨日雨が降ったので、試合が中止になったよ。
   • Explanation: ～がゆえに is too formal for casual conversation. Use ～ので instead.
2. Incorrect Attachment
   • Incorrect: 静かながゆえに、彼は目立たない。
   • Correct: 静かであるがゆえに、彼は目立たない。
   • Explanation: For な-adjectives, use である before がゆえに.

Tips

• Remember the Formality: Use ～がゆえに in formal writing or speeches, not in everyday conversation.
• Pay Attention to Attachments: Ensure correct forms before がゆえに:
  • Verb (dictionary form)
  • Noun + である
  • な-adjective + である

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～がゆえに is a formal expression meaning "because of" or "due to."
• It is used in formal contexts like literature, academic writing, and speeches.
• Attach it correctly depending on the word type (verb, noun, adjective).

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Choose the appropriate context for using ～がゆえに: a) Casual conversation with friends
   b) Texting
   c) Academic paper
   d) Daily shopping Answer: c) Academic paper
2. Fill in the blank with the correct form: 彼は外国人___がゆえに、差別を受けた。 Answer: である (彼は外国人であるがゆえに、差別を受けた。)
3. True or False: ～がゆえに can be used interchangeably with ～から in all contexts. Answer: False

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By mastering ～がゆえに, you can enhance your comprehension of formal Japanese texts and add sophistication to your writing and speech in formal settings.

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