JLPT N3
せいで
Because of ~ (negative)
Structure
Plain form せいで
How it works
This grammar point is used to indicate a cause or reason that leads to a negative or undesirable result. It can be translated as 'because of,' 'due to,' or 'it is because of (someone/something) that...', often implying blame or bad luck.
Examples
雨が降ったせいで、試合が中止になりました。
Because it rained, the match was cancelled.
バスが遅れたせいで、約束の時間に間に合わなかった。
Because the bus was late, I didn't make it to my appointment on time.
あなたのせいで、みんなが困っています。
Because of you, everyone is in trouble.
Common mistakes
Do not use 'せい' for positive outcomes; use 'おかげで' (thanks to) instead for good results.
Tip
Think of 'せいで' as the 'evil twin' of 'おかげで'. If you are blaming someone or something for a problem, reach for 'せいで'.
More JLPT N3 grammar
See せいで in real Japanese
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