〜おかげで/〜せいで: thanks to / because of is a JLPT N3 grammar point. おかげで credits a good outcome; せいで blames a bad one. Structure: [Nom] の + おかげで(résultat positif)/せいで(résultat négatif). This page explains the construction, gives Japanese examples with furigana readings, and links to related grammar points at this level.

〜おかげで/〜せいで: thanks to / because of

Structure

[Nom] の + おかげで(résultat positif)/せいで(résultat négatif)

Explanation

Both give a cause, but with opposite feelings: 先生の おかげで “thanks to my teacher” (gratitude), 雨の せいで “because of the rain” (blame). After a verb or adjective, use the plain form + おかげで/せいで. Neutral cause is just 〜ので/〜から.

Examples

Thanks to my teacher, I passed the exam.

Because of the rain, the match was cancelled.

Quiz preview

  • おかげで ✓
  • せいで
  • くせに
  • かわりに

Good outcome (passing) → おかげで “thanks to”. せいで blames a bad one.

  • せいで ✓
  • おかげで
  • ように
  • とおりに

Bad outcome (cancelled) → せいで “because of”. おかげで would sound ironic.

More N3 grammar points

〜はず: should / be expected to〜ば〜ほど: the more… the more〜ところ: about to / in the middle of / just didCausative: make / let someone do〜のに: although / even though〜ようになる: change of state〜らしい: hearsay / typicalityPassive: to be done to〜ことになる/ことにする: decisions〜として: as / in the role of〜うちに: while / before it changes

See all N3 points →