Processing keyword: ～せいで (〜sei de)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～せいで (〜sei de)

1. Introduction

The grammar point ～せいで (〜sei de) is used in Japanese to indicate that something negative happened because of a particular cause. It translates to "because of" or "due to" in English when expressing an unfavorable result.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• ～せいで is used to express that an undesirable outcome occurred due to a specific reason.
• It often implies blame or a negative connotation associated with the cause.

Structure

The structure of ～せいで changes slightly depending on the preceding word type.

Word Type	Structure	Example
Verb (casual)	Verb (casual form) + せいで	寝坊したせいで (Because I overslept)
い-adjective	い-adjective + せいで	寒いせいで (Because it's cold)
な-adjective	な-adjective + な + せいで	静かなせいで (Because it's quiet)
Noun	Noun + の + せいで	雨のせいで (Because of the rain)

Formation Diagram

[Cause] + せいで + [Negative Outcome]

• Cause: The reason for the negative outcome (verb, adjective, or noun).
• Negative Outcome: The undesirable result that occurred.

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3. Comparative Analysis

～せいで vs. ～おかげで

While ～せいで is used for negative outcomes, ～おかげで (〜okage de) is used for positive outcomes.

• ～せいで
  • Usage: Negative result.
  • Example: 風邪をひいたせいで、試験が受けられなかった。
    • Because I caught a cold, I couldn't take the exam.
• ～おかげで
  • Usage: Positive result.
  • Example: 友達が手伝ってくれたおかげで、早く終わった。
    • Thanks to my friend's help, I finished early.

～せいで vs. ～から vs. ～ので

• ～から
  • Usage: Casual reason or cause.
  • Example: 雨が降ったから、試合は中止だ。
    • Because it rained, the match is canceled.
• ～ので
  • Usage: Polite reason or cause.
  • Example: 雨が降ったので、試合は中止です。
    • Since it rained, the match is canceled.
• ～せいで
  • Usage: Emphasizes a negative outcome due to the cause.
  • Example: 雨のせいで、試合が中止になった。
    • Due to the rain, the match was canceled (unfortunately).

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4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

Verb (casual form) + せいで

• 電車が遅れたせいで、遅刻した。
  • I was late because the train was delayed.

い-adjective + せいで

• 天気が悪いせいで、出かけられなかった。
  • Because the weather is bad, I couldn't go out.

な-adjective + な + せいで

• 部屋が静かなせいで、眠くなった。
  • I became sleepy because the room is quiet.

Noun + の + せいで

• 彼のせいで、計画が台無しになった。
  • Because of him, the plan was ruined.

Formal and Informal Contexts

Formal

• システムエラーのせいで、データが失われました。
  • Due to a system error, data was lost.

Informal

• 雨のせいで、びしょ濡れだよ！
  • I'm soaking wet because of the rain!

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5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Blame

• ～せいで can assign blame or imply someone's fault.
• In Japanese culture, direct blame is often avoided to maintain harmony.
• Use cautiously in polite situations; consider using softer expressions if needed.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 気のせい: Just your imagination.
  • Example: 彼の声が聞こえた気がしたが、気のせいだった。
    • I thought I heard his voice, but it was just my imagination.
• 年のせい: Because of age.
  • Example: 最近、疲れやすいのは年のせいだ。
    • I get tired easily these days because of my age.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Mistake 1: Using ～せいで with Positive Outcomes

• Incorrect: 早起きしたせいで、電車に間に合った。
  • I caught the train because I woke up early.
• Correction: 早起きしたおかげで、電車に間に合った。
  • Use ～おかげで for positive results.

Mistake 2: Omitting Particles

• Incorrect: 雨せいで、試合が中止になった。
• Correction: 雨のせいで、試合が中止になった。
  • Don't forget の after nouns.

Tip: Remembering the Negative Connotation

• せい sounds like "say" in English; think of people "saying" complaints about problems.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～せいで expresses negative outcomes caused by a specific reason.
• The structure changes slightly based on the preceding word.
• Do not use ～せいで for positive outcomes; use ～おかげで instead.
• Be mindful of the potential to assign blame; use appropriately.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence: 忙しい____せいで、休めません。 a) な
   b) の
   c) い
2. Which grammar point would you use for a positive outcome? a) ～せいで
   b) ～おかげで
   c) ～から
3. Correct the mistake in the sentence: 友達が来たせいで、楽しかった。

Answers:

1. c) い 忙しいせいで、休めません。
2. b) ～おかげで
3. Correction: 友達が来たおかげで、楽しかった。
   • Use ～おかげで for positive outcomes.

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Feel free to revisit this lesson to strengthen your understanding of ～せいで and practice using it in your own sentences!

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