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B1 noun #1,000 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

せい

sei Top 1,000

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Erklärung せい in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic use of 'sei' with simple nouns. Think of it as a way to say 'because of' when something bad happens. The most common pattern you will see is [Noun] + の + せい (no sei). For example, if you are late because of the rain, you say 'Ame no sei.' If you are tired because of work, you say 'Shigoto no sei.' At this stage, don't worry too much about complex verbs or adjectives. Just remember that 'sei' is for bad things and 'okage' is for good things. You might hear people say 'Ki no sei' (Just my imagination) in anime or daily life—this is a very common set phrase you can memorize. Try to use 'sei' when you want to explain a simple problem, like being late or feeling sick. Remember to always put 'no' between the noun and 'sei'. This will make your Japanese sound much more natural even at a beginner level. Avoid using it to blame people directly, as that can be too strong. Stick to blaming things like the weather, traffic, or a cold.

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At the A2 level, you can start expanding your use of 'sei' to include verbs and adjectives. When using a verb, use the plain form (dictionary form or past tense). For example, 'Tabesugita sei' means 'because I ate too much.' This allows you to explain your own actions that led to a bad result. For adjectives, remember that i-adjectives connect directly (Atsui sei - because it's hot), while na-adjectives need 'na' (Hima na sei - because I'm bored/free). You should also learn the difference between 'sei de' (used in the middle of a sentence to connect to a result) and 'sei da/desu' (used at the end of a sentence to state the reason). For example, 'Ame no sei de ikemasen' (I can't go because of the rain) vs. 'Ikenai no wa ame no sei desu' (The reason I can't go is the rain). You are also ready to use 'sei ka' to mean 'maybe because.' This is very useful when you aren't sure of the cause. 'Kaze no sei ka, atama ga itai' (Maybe because of a cold, my head hurts). This adds a level of nuance to your speaking that shows you are moving beyond basic sentences.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'sei' in a variety of contexts, including more abstract nouns and complex sentence structures. You should understand that 'sei' is not just a grammatical marker but a way to express 'blame' (sei ni suru). For example, 'Hito no sei ni suru' means 'to blame others.' This is an important social concept in Japan. You should also be able to distinguish 'sei' from other causal markers like 'node' and 'kara' based on the emotional nuance. While 'node' is for objective reasons, 'sei' is for subjective blame. At this level, you might encounter 'sei' in news reports or more formal writing, where it is used to describe the causes of social problems or accidents. You should also practice using 'sei' with compound verbs and more advanced vocabulary. For instance, 'Fukeiki no sei de' (due to the recession) or 'Shuuchuuryoku ga kaketa sei de' (due to a lack of concentration). Your goal at B1 is to use 'sei' to provide detailed explanations for failures or problems in both personal and professional contexts, while remaining aware of the social implications of blaming others.

At the B2 level, you should master the subtle distinctions between 'sei' and its more formal or literary counterparts like 'bakari ni' or 'yue ni.' You should be able to use 'sei' to construct complex arguments about cause and effect. For example, you might discuss how a specific policy led to a negative social outcome using 'sei.' You should also be sensitive to the 'sarcastic' use of 'okage' vs. the 'ironic' use of 'sei.' Sometimes, a speaker might use 'sei' for something that isn't strictly 'bad' to imply that it is an unwanted burden. Furthermore, you should be proficient in using 'sei' in passive constructions or with causative-passive verbs to describe complex chains of responsibility. Your understanding of 'ki no sei' should also deepen, recognizing it as a way to dismiss one's own concerns or to politely disagree with someone else's perception. At this level, you should be able to read and understand 'sei' in literature, where it might be used to explore a character's internal guilt or external pressures. You should also be able to use it in business negotiations to politely point out external factors that affected performance without sounding like you are making poor excuses.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'sei' should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You should understand the deep psychological and cultural implications of 'blame' in Japanese society and how 'sei' is used to navigate these waters. You should be able to analyze the use of 'sei' in political discourse, where it is often used to deflect responsibility or to frame an opponent's actions as the cause of a crisis. You should also be familiar with the historical development of the word and its relationship to the kanji '勢' (force/energy) or '精' (spirit), even though it is usually written in hiragana. Your ability to use 'sei' should extend to very subtle contexts, such as using 'sei ka' to express a haunting suspicion or a poetic sense of causality. You should also be able to use 'sei' in high-level academic or legal contexts, where the attribution of responsibility must be precise. For example, discussing 'kashitsu' (negligence) in relation to 'sei.' At this level, you are not just using a grammar point; you are using a tool of social and psychological framing to influence how others perceive reality and responsibility.

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At the C2 level, you possess a complete mastery of 'sei' and all its related nuances. You can use it to create sophisticated literary effects, such as irony, pathos, or suspense. You understand the philosophical implications of 'sei'—how it relates to concepts of fate, agency, and social structure. You can engage in deep discussions about the 'culture of blame' in different societies, using 'sei' as a primary linguistic example. You are also capable of using 'sei' in extremely formal or archaic contexts if necessary, understanding how its usage has shifted over centuries. Your command of the word allows you to use it in wordplay, puns, or complex rhetorical strategies. You can also critique the use of 'sei' in media or literature, identifying when it is being used to simplify complex issues or to manipulate the audience's emotions. Essentially, 'sei' is no longer a 'vocabulary word' for you; it is a fundamental building block of the Japanese conceptual world, which you can manipulate with precision, creativity, and a deep understanding of its cultural resonance.

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せい in 30 Sekunden

Indicates negative causality or blame, meaning 'because of' or 'due to' an undesirable factor.
Follows the grammar rules of a noun: N+no+sei, V+sei, Adj-i+sei, Adj-na+na+sei.
Contrasts with 'okage de,' which is used for positive outcomes and gratitude.
Commonly used in the phrase 'ki no sei' to mean 'just my imagination.'

The Japanese word せい (sei) is a noun that functions as a grammatical particle to indicate causality, specifically focusing on negative outcomes, blame, or responsibility. While English often uses neutral terms like 'because of' or 'due to,' sei carries an inherent weight of dissatisfaction or fault. When you use sei, you are not just stating a reason; you are pointing a finger at a cause that led to an undesirable situation. It is the linguistic equivalent of saying 'It's because of X that things went wrong.'

Core Nuance: Negative causality or attribution of blame. It implies that if the cause hadn't occurred, the bad result would have been avoided.
Emotional Tone: Often expresses frustration, regret, or a desire to shift responsibility away from oneself or toward a specific external factor.

バスが遅れたせいで、会議に間に合わなかった。
(Basu ga okureta sei de, kaigi ni maniawanakatta.)
Because the bus was late, I didn't make it to the meeting on time.

In daily Japanese life, you will hear this word constantly in contexts ranging from weather complaints to interpersonal conflicts. If it rains and a picnic is cancelled, it's the rain's sei. If a computer crashes and work is lost, it's the machine's sei. If you fail an exam because you didn't sleep, it's the lack of sleep's sei. It is a vital tool for expressing the 'why' behind the 'bad.'

Common Pairing: Weather: 雨のせい (Ame no sei - because of the rain), 暑さのせい (Atsusa no sei - because of the heat).

君のせいじゃないよ。
(Kimi no sei janai yo.)
It's not your fault.

The word is also used in the common expression 気のせい (ki no sei), which translates to 'just my imagination' or 'it's just in your head.' Here, the 'cause' is your own spirit or mind creating a false perception. This is one of the few instances where the 'negative' nuance is softened into 'misperception.'

気のせいか、誰かに見られている気がする。
(Ki no sei ka, dareka ni mirarete iru ki ga suru.)
Maybe it's just my imagination, but I feel like someone is watching me.

Structure: [Noun] + のせい, [Verb-Plain] + せい, [Adj-i] + せい, [Adj-na] + なせい.

不景気のせいで、売上が落ちた。
(Fukeiki no sei de, uriage ga ochita.)
Due to the recession, sales have dropped.

In summary, sei is your go-to word for explaining why something bad happened. It connects a cause to a negative effect with a clear sense of attribution. Whether you are apologizing for a mistake by blaming the circumstances or expressing frustration at an external factor, sei provides the necessary grammatical structure to convey that 'blame' clearly and effectively in Japanese.

Using せい (sei) correctly requires understanding how it attaches to different parts of speech. Because sei is grammatically a noun, it follows the standard rules for noun modification in Japanese. This means that other nouns need the particle no, while verbs and adjectives use their plain forms. Let's break down the four primary ways to construct sentences using sei.

1. With Nouns: [Noun] + の + せい (no sei). This is the most common usage. Example: 雪のせいで (yuki no sei de - because of the snow).

渋滞のせいで遅刻しました。
(Juutai no sei de chikoku shimashita.)
I was late because of the traffic jam.

When using nouns, the no is mandatory. Without it, the sentence becomes ungrammatical. This pattern is frequently used for environmental factors, other people, or physical conditions.

2. With Verbs: [Verb-Plain Form] + せい (sei). You can use the dictionary form for general causes or the past tense for specific events that already happened. Example: 食べすぎたせい (tabesugita sei - because I ate too much).

昨日飲みすぎたせいで、頭が痛い。
(Kinou nomisugita sei de, atama ga itai.)
My head hurts because I drank too much yesterday.

3. With Adjectives: [i-Adj] + せい or [na-Adj] + な + せい. Example: 忙しいせい (isogashii sei - because I'm busy) or 有名なせい (yuumei na sei - because [someone] is famous).

部屋が暗いせいで、字がよく見えません。
(Heya ga kurai sei de, ji ga yoku miemasen.)
Because the room is dark, I can't see the characters well.

Note that for na-adjectives, you must include the na. This is because sei is treated as a noun, and na-adjectives require na to modify nouns.

4. Ending a Sentence: You can end a sentence with sei da or sei desu to explicitly state the cause of a previously mentioned problem.

風邪をひいたのは、薄着で外に出たせいだ。
(Kaze o hiita no wa, usugi de soto ni deta sei da.)
The reason I caught a cold is because I went outside in thin clothes.

Finally, there is the variation せいか (sei ka). Adding ka softens the certainty. It means 'perhaps because' or 'maybe due to.' This is used when you aren't 100% sure that the cause you're mentioning is the actual culprit, but you suspect it is.

年のせいか、最近疲れやすい。
(Toshi no sei ka, saikin tsukareyasuai.)
Maybe it's because of my age, but I get tired easily lately.

By mastering these patterns, you can express a wide range of causal relationships with the appropriate negative nuance, making your Japanese sound much more natural and expressive of your feelings.

The word せい (sei) is ubiquitous in Japanese society, appearing in everything from casual conversations to formal news reports. Its primary function—to attribute cause to a negative outcome—makes it essential for navigating daily life and understanding Japanese media. Let's explore the various environments where you'll encounter this word.

Daily Life and Complaints: In casual speech, sei is the standard way to complain about the weather, traffic, or physical ailments. Friends might say, 'Atsusa no sei de nemurenai' (I can't sleep because of the heat).

パソコンが古いせいで、作業が進まない。
(Pasokon ga furui sei de, sagyou ga susumanai.)
Because the computer is old, the work isn't progressing.

In the workplace, sei is used when explaining failures or delays. However, employees are often careful not to use it to blame colleagues directly, as that would be considered rude. Instead, they might blame the 'system' or 'market conditions.'

Anime and Manga: In dramatic media, characters often use sei during emotional outbursts. A protagonist might scream, 'Omae no sei da!' (It's your fault!) at a villain. It is a high-impact word in these contexts.

全部私のせいです。申し訳ありません。
(Zenbu watashi no sei desu. Moushiwake arimasen.)
It is all my fault. I am deeply sorry.

News and Journalism: News reports use sei to describe the causes of accidents or economic downturns. For example, 'Taiyuu no sei de densha ga tomatte imasu' (Trains are stopped due to the typhoon).

大雨のせいで、川が氾濫しました。
(Ooume no sei de, kawa ga hanran shimashita.)
Due to the heavy rain, the river flooded.

Interestingly, sei is also found in the phrase sei ni suru (to put the blame on). You might hear a parent telling a child, 'Hito no sei ni shite wa ikemasen' (You must not blame others). This highlights the moral dimension of the word—it's not just about cause and effect, but about the act of assigning responsibility.

Health and Medicine: Doctors or patients might use sei to describe the cause of symptoms. 'Stress no sei de i ga itai' (My stomach hurts because of stress).

寝不足のせいで、集中できない。
(Nebusoku no sei de, shuuchuu dekinai.)
I can't concentrate because of lack of sleep.

Whether you are watching a soap opera, reading the Nikkei newspaper, or just chatting with a neighbor about the humid Japanese summer, sei is a constant companion in the linguistic landscape, helping speakers navigate the frustrations and failures of the human experience.

While せい (sei) is a relatively straightforward grammar point, learners often make a few specific errors that can lead to confusion or unintended rudeness. Understanding these pitfalls will help you use the word with the precision of a native speaker.

1. Using 'Sei' for Positive Outcomes: This is the most frequent mistake. Because sei implies blame, using it for something good sounds sarcastic or bizarre. If you say 'Sensei no sei de goukaku shimashita' (I passed because of the teacher), it sounds like you are blaming the teacher for your success! Instead, use おかげで (okage de) for positive results.

❌ 薬のせいで、元気になりました。
✅ 薬のおかげで、元気になりました。
(Kusuri no okage de, genki ni narimashita.)
Thanks to the medicine, I got better.

Always remember: Sei is for the 'bad,' and Okage is for the 'good.'

2. Forgetting the Particle 'No' with Nouns: As mentioned in the grammar section, sei is a noun. When connecting it to another noun, you must use no. Learners often forget this and say 'Ame sei' instead of 'Ame no sei.'

❌ 事故せいで遅れました。
✅ 事故のせいで遅れました。
(Jiko no sei de okuremashita.)
I was late because of the accident.

3. Misusing 'Sei' with People: Directly blaming someone using 'Anata no sei' (Your fault) is very confrontational in Japanese. Unless you are in a heated argument or a very close relationship, it is better to use more indirect language or blame the situation rather than the person.

彼が来なかったせいで、計画が台無しだ。
(Kare ga konakatta sei de, keikaku ga dainashi da.)
Because he didn't come, the plan is ruined. (Very direct and accusatory).

In professional settings, it is safer to say 'Yotei ga kawatta node...' (Because the schedule changed...) rather than blaming a specific person's sei.

4. Confusing 'Sei' with 'Kara' or 'Node': While kara and node also mean 'because,' they are neutral. Sei is specifically for blame. If you use sei when a neutral reason is expected, you sound overly negative or like you are making excuses.

日曜日のせいで、店が閉まっている。
(Nichiyoubi no sei de, mise ga shimatte iru.)
Because it's Sunday, the shop is closed. (Sounds like you are angry at Sunday itself).

By avoiding these common errors, you will ensure that your use of sei conveys exactly the right amount of causality and emotion without sounding ungrammatical or unintentionally rude.

Japanese has several ways to express causality, and choosing the right one depends on the nuance you want to convey. せい (sei) is unique in its negative focus, but it is often compared to other structures. Understanding these differences is key to reaching an advanced level of fluency.

Sei vs. Okage: This is the most important comparison. Sei is for negative results (blame), while Okage is for positive results (gratitude). They are two sides of the same coin.

雨のせいで試合が中止になった。
(Ame no sei de shiai ga chuushi ni natta.)
Due to the rain, the match was cancelled. (Negative)

雨のおかげで花が咲いた。
(Ame no okage de hana ga saita.)
Thanks to the rain, the flowers bloomed. (Positive)

In some cases, you can use okage sarcastically to mean sei, but this is advanced usage and should be handled with care.

Sei vs. Node / Kara: Node and Kara are neutral conjunctions meaning 'because.' They state a fact without necessarily adding an emotional layer of blame. Sei is much more subjective and emotional.

風邪をひいたので休みます。
(Kaze o hiita node yasumimasu.)
I'm taking a day off because I caught a cold. (Neutral fact)

風邪をひいたせいで旅行に行けなかった。
(Kaze o hiita sei de ryokou ni ikenakatta.)
Because I caught a cold, I couldn't go on the trip. (Expressing regret/blame)

Sei vs. Bakari ni: Bakari ni is a more formal and dramatic way to say 'just because of X, a terrible thing happened.' It often implies a strong sense of regret over a small mistake leading to a big disaster.

嘘をついたばかりに、信用を失った。
(Uso o tsuita bakari ni, shinyou o ushinatta.)
Simply because I told a lie, I lost all trust.

While sei is common in daily speech, bakari ni is found more in literature or formal speeches. Finally, there is ゆえに (yue ni), which is extremely formal and literary, used in academic writing or historical dramas to mean 'therefore' or 'due to.'

Summary Table

Sei: Negative result, blame, common.
Okage: Positive result, gratitude, common.
Node/Kara: Neutral reason, factual.
Bakari ni: Strong regret, 'just because,' formal.
Yue ni: Formal, literary, 'therefore.'

By choosing between these options, you can fine-tune your Japanese to express exactly how you feel about the causes and effects in your life.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

While we use hiragana today, the concept of 'sei' as a 'force' explains why it's used for causality—it's the 'force' behind the event.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /seɪ/

US /seɪ/

In Japanese, 'sei' usually has a flat or slightly rising pitch depending on the preceding word, as it is a functional noun.

Reimt sich auf

Mei (name) Kei (system) Rei (example) Tei (stop) Hei (wall) Dei (mud) Gei (art) Sei (gender/surname)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it too long like 'se-ei'. It should be a short 'sei'.
Confusing it with 'shii' or 'sai'.
Using English-style heavy stress on the syllable.
Failing to connect it smoothly to the preceding 'no'.
Pronouncing the 'i' too distinctly as a separate syllable.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to read as it is usually in hiragana. Recognizing the grammar pattern is key.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering to use 'no' with nouns and 'na' with na-adjectives.

Sprechen 3/5

Must be careful with the nuance to avoid sounding unintentionally rude.

Hören 2/5

Very common in speech; the 'de' or 'da' after 'sei' are clear markers.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

から (kara) ので (node) 雨 (ame) 仕事 (shigoto) 悪い (warui)

Als Nächstes lernen

おかげで (okage de) ために (tame ni) せいにする (sei ni suru) ばかりに (bakari ni) おかげさまで (okagesama de)

Fortgeschritten

ゆえに (yue ni) こととて (kototote) からには (kara ni wa) 以上は (ijou wa) につき (ni tsuki)

Wichtige Grammatik

Noun + の + せい

不注意のせいで怪我をした。

Verb (Plain) + せい

夜更かししたせいで眠い。

i-Adjective + せい

忙しいせいで友達に会えない。

na-Adjective + な + せい

有名なせいでプライバシーがない。

～のせいにする (Verb Phrase)

失敗を環境のせいにするな。

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Beispiele nach Niveau

雨のせいで、公園に行けません。

Because of the rain, I can't go to the park.

Noun + no + sei de

仕事のせいで、疲れました。

I'm tired because of work.

Noun + no + sei de

雪のせいで、バスが来ません。

The bus isn't coming because of the snow.

Noun + no + sei de

気のせいですよ。

It's just your imagination.

Set phrase: Ki no sei

暑さのせいで、アイスが溶けました。

The ice cream melted because of the heat.

Noun + no + sei de

私のせいです。すみません。

It's my fault. I'm sorry.

Noun + no + sei desu

風のせいで、帽子が飛びました。

My hat flew off because of the wind.

Noun + no + sei de

音のせいで、寝られません。

I can't sleep because of the noise.

Noun + no + sei de

食べすぎたせいで、お腹が痛いです。

My stomach hurts because I ate too much.

Verb (Past) + sei de

部屋が狭いせいで、荷物が入りません。

Because the room is small, the luggage won't fit.

i-Adj + sei de

有名なせいで、どこへ行っても人が来ます。

Because [they] are famous, people come wherever they go.

na-Adj + na + sei de

年のせいか、目が悪くなりました。

Maybe because of my age, my eyesight has gotten worse.

Noun + no + sei ka

昨夜遅くまで起きていたせいで、眠いです。

I'm sleepy because I stayed up late last night.

Verb (Past) + sei de

道が複雑なせいで、迷ってしまいました。

I got lost because the roads are complicated.

na-Adj + na + sei de

風邪をひいたせいで、声が出ません。

I can't speak because I caught a cold.

Verb (Past) + sei de

テレビを見すぎたせいで、目が疲れました。

My eyes are tired because I watched too much TV.

Verb (Past) + sei de

不景気のせいで、多くの会社が倒産した。

Due to the recession, many companies went bankrupt.

Noun + no + sei de

彼はいつも失敗を人のせいにしている。

He is always blaming others for his failures.

Phrase: sei ni suru

準備不足のせいで、プレゼンは失敗に終わった。

Due to a lack of preparation, the presentation ended in failure.

Noun + no + sei de

最近忙しいせいか、家族と話す時間が少ない。

Maybe because I've been busy lately, I have little time to talk with my family.

i-Adj + sei ka

薬の副反応のせいで、一日中体がだるい。

Due to the side effects of the medicine, I feel sluggish all day.

Noun + no + sei de

環境の変化のせいで、体調を崩してしまった。

I fell ill due to the change in environment.

Noun + no + sei de

確認を怠ったせいで、大きなミスをしてしまった。

I made a big mistake because I neglected to double-check.

Verb (Past) + sei de

円安のせいで、輸入品の価格が上がっている。

Due to the weak yen, the prices of imported goods are rising.

Noun + no + sei de

慢心のせいで、彼はライバルに追い越されてしまった。

Due to his complacency, he was overtaken by his rival.

Noun + no + sei de

システムの不具合のせいで、顧客データが消失した。

Due to a system glitch, customer data was lost.

Noun + no + sei de

情報の行き違いのせいで、トラブルが発生した。

Trouble occurred due to a misunderstanding of information.

Noun + no + sei de

過度な期待をかけたせいで、彼はプレッシャーに押しつぶされた。

Because I placed excessive expectations on him, he was crushed by the pressure.

Verb (Past) + sei de

交通機関が麻痺したせいで、帰宅困難者が続出した。

Due to the paralysis of transportation, many people were unable to return home.

Verb (Past) + sei de

先入観のせいで、真実を見失ってはいけない。

You must not lose sight of the truth due to prejudice.

Noun + no + sei de

天候が不順なせいで、農作物の収穫量が激減した。

Due to the irregular weather, the crop yield decreased sharply.

na-Adj + na + sei de

自分を責めるのは、自信がないせいかもしれない。

Blaming yourself might be because you lack confidence.

i-Adj + sei + kamoshirenai

組織の硬直化のせいで、新しいアイデアが採用されない。

Due to the rigidity of the organization, new ideas are not being adopted.

Noun + no + sei de

言葉の綾のせいで、意図しない誤解を招いてしまった。

Due to a figure of speech, I caused an unintended misunderstanding.

Noun + no + sei de

グローバル化の進展のせいで、伝統文化が失われつつある。

Due to the progress of globalization, traditional culture is being lost.

Noun + no + sei de

政策の不一致のせいで、経済の混乱が続いている。

Due to policy inconsistencies, economic turmoil continues.

Noun + no + sei de

情報の非対称性のせいで、市場の歪みが生じている。

Due to information asymmetry, market distortions are occurring.

Noun + no + sei de

過剰な自意識のせいで、彼は人前で本来の力を発揮できない。

Due to excessive self-consciousness, he cannot show his true potential in public.

Noun + no + sei de

歴史的な経緯のせいで、両国の関係は冷え切っている。

Due to historical circumstances, the relationship between the two countries is frozen.

Noun + no + sei de

法整備が遅れたせいで、新たな犯罪への対応が後手に回っている。

Due to the delay in legislation, the response to new crimes is lagging behind.

Verb (Past) + sei de

形而上学的な問いのせいで、彼は現実世界との接点を失った。

Due to metaphysical questions, he lost touch with the real world.

Noun + no + sei de

言語の壁というよりは、認識の乖離のせいで対話が成立しない。

Rather than a language barrier, dialogue is impossible due to a divergence in perception.

Noun + no + sei de

文明の利器のせいで、我々は本来持っていた野性を失いつつある。

Due to the conveniences of civilization, we are losing our inherent wildness.

Noun + no + sei de

因果律の鎖のせいで、我々の運命はあらかじめ決まっているのだろうか。

Is our fate predetermined due to the chains of causality?

Noun + no + sei de

権力の魔力のせいで、かつての理想主義者は独裁者へと変貌した。

Due to the magical allure of power, the former idealist transformed into a dictator.

Noun + no + sei de

時代の潮流のせいで、個人の意志はしばしば無力化される。

Due to the currents of the times, individual will is often rendered powerless.

Noun + no + sei de

美意識の相違のせいで、その傑作は長らく正当な評価を得られなかった。

Due to a difference in aesthetic sense, that masterpiece was not properly evaluated for a long time.

Noun + no + sei de

実存的な不安のせいで、彼は絶えず何かに追われているような感覚に陥っている。

Due to existential anxiety, he feels as though he is constantly being pursued by something.

Noun + no + sei de

Häufige Kollokationen

雨のせい

気のせい

年のせい

人のせいにする

暑さのせい

不景気のせい

寝不足のせい

ストレスのせい

自分のせい

渋滞のせい

Häufige Phrasen

せいにする

— To blame someone or something else for a failure. It implies shifting responsibility.

何でも環境のせいにするのは良くない。

せいか

— Perhaps because; maybe due to. Used when the cause is a suspicion rather than a certainty.

風邪のせいか、寒気がする。

せいだ

— It is because of... (used at the end of a sentence to state the cause).

失敗したのは、君のせいだ。

せいで

— Because of... (used to connect a cause to a negative result in the same sentence).

雪のせいで電車が止まった。

気のせい

— Just one's imagination; a trick of the mind.

幽霊を見たと思ったが、気のせいだった。

誰のせい？

— Whose fault is it? A direct question asking for the person responsible.

このグラスを割ったのは誰のせい？

～のせいにするな

— Don't blame it on... (a command telling someone not to make excuses).

忙しいのを理由のせいにするな。

～のせいと言わざるを得ない

— Cannot help but say it is due to... (a formal way to attribute blame).

これは管理不足のせいと言わざるを得ない。

～のせいばかりではない

— It's not just because of... (implies there are other factors involved).

不合格だったのは、運のせいばかりではない。

～のせいだと思い込む

— To be convinced that something is the cause (often incorrectly).

彼はすべて上司のせいだと思い込んでいる。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

せい vs おかげ (okage)

Okage is for positive results, while sei is for negative results. Using the wrong one changes the meaning from 'thanks to' to 'due to the fault of'.

せい vs ため (tame)

Tame is more neutral and objective. Sei is subjective and implies blame.

せい vs から (kara)

Kara focuses on the speaker's logic or reason, while sei focuses on the attribution of a bad outcome.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"人のせいにする"

— To pass the buck; to blame others for one's own mistakes.

彼は自分の失敗をいつも人のせいにしている。

Neutral

"気のせいか"

— Maybe it's just my imagination, but...

気のせいか、最近彼が冷たい気がする。

Casual/Neutral

"～のせいにするのはお門違い"

— To blame the wrong person/thing; to be barking up the wrong tree.

それを私のせいにするのはお門違いだ。

Formal/Idiomatic

"運のせいにする"

— To blame it on luck (rather than effort).

負けたのを運のせいにしてはいけない。

Neutral

"～のせいにして逃げる"

— To use something as an excuse to run away from responsibility.

忙しいのをせいにして、勉強から逃げている。

Neutral

"～のせいと言われても仕方がない"

— It can't be helped if people say it's because of... (accepting blame).

準備不足のせいと言われても仕方がない。

Neutral/Polite

"～のせいかと思えば"

— Just when I thought it was because of...

雨のせいかと思えば、ただの水道の故障だった。

Neutral

"～のせいにされる"

— To be blamed for something (passive voice).

やっていないことまで私のせいにされた。

Neutral

"～のせいであれこれ言う"

— To complain about various things because of...

暑さのせであれこれ文句を言う。

Casual

"～のせいにしておく"

— To leave it as being caused by... (often to avoid further argument).

今回は、天候のせいにしておこう。

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

せい vs おかげ (okage)

Both express causality.

Okage is for positive results; Sei is for negative results. You wouldn't say 'The teacher's fault I passed.'

先生のおかげで合格した (Passed thanks to teacher) vs 先生のせいで不合格だった (Failed due to teacher).

せい vs ために (tame ni)

Both mean 'because of' or 'due to'.

Tame is neutral and often used for natural disasters or formal reasons. Sei is for blame.

事故のために遅延 (Delayed due to accident - neutral) vs 彼のせいで遅延 (Delayed because of him - blame).

せい vs せい (精)

Same pronunciation.

精 (sei) means spirit or energy (as in seishin). The grammar point is usually hiragana.

精一杯 (With all one's might) vs 雨のせい (Because of rain).

せい vs せい (姓)

Same pronunciation.

姓 (sei) means surname or family name.

彼の姓は佐藤だ (His surname is Sato).

せい vs せい (性)

Same pronunciation.

性 (sei) means gender, nature, or quality.

男性 (Man) or 可能性 (Possibility).

Satzmuster

[Noun] のせいで [Negative Result]

雨のせいで行けません。

[Verb-Plain] せいで [Negative Result]

食べすぎたせいでお腹が痛い。

[Adj-i] せいで [Negative Result]

暑いせいで眠れません。

[Adj-na] なせいで [Negative Result]

不便なせいで困っています。

[Cause] のせいか、[Result]

年のせいか、疲れやすい。

[Result] のは、[Cause] のせいだ。

遅れたのは、渋滞のせいだ。

[Cause] を [Target] のせいにする

失敗を人のせいにする。

[Cause] のせいと言わざるを得ない

不況のせいと言わざるを得ない。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

せい (blame/cause)

気のせい (imagination)

せいにする (act of blaming)

Verwandt

おかげ (thanks to)

原因 (cause)

理由 (reason)

責任 (responsibility)

過失 (fault/negligence)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation, media, and literature.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'sei' for a promotion. → Okage de shoushin shimashita.
Promotions are good things, so you must use 'okage' instead of 'sei'.
Saying 'Ame sei de'. → Ame no sei de.
Nouns require the particle 'no' before 'sei'.
Saying 'Kirei sei de'. → Kirei na sei de.
Na-adjectives require 'na' before 'sei'.
Using 'sei' to neutrally explain a scientific fact. → Tame ni or Gen'in de.
While possible, 'sei' adds a layer of 'this is a bad thing' which might not fit a neutral report.
Blaming a boss directly with 'Anata no sei'. → Indirect phrasing.
Directly blaming superiors is culturally taboo in Japan unless in extreme circumstances.

Tipps

Don't forget the 'no'

Always use 'no' when connecting a noun to 'sei'. 'Ame sei' is wrong; 'Ame no sei' is right.

Negative Only

Only use 'sei' for bad outcomes. If the result is good, use 'okage'.

Be careful with people

Blaming people directly with 'sei' is very strong. Use it only when you mean to be confrontational.

Learn 'Ki no sei'

This is a super common phrase meaning 'just my imagination.' It's useful in many situations.

Use 'Sei ka' for doubt

If you aren't 100% sure of the cause, add 'ka' to 'sei' to sound more natural.

Sei de vs Sei da

Use 'sei de' in the middle of a sentence and 'sei da' at the end.

Pair with 'suru'

Learn 'sei ni suru' to express the action of blaming someone else.

Short and crisp

Keep the 'sei' sound short. Don't drag it out into 'seeeei'.

Hiragana is best

Even though kanji exists, always write this grammar point in hiragana.

External Blame

It's very common to blame the weather or the 'times' (jidai) in Japanese culture.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'sei' as 'SAYing' who is at fault. When something goes wrong, you 'SAY' it's the rain's 'sei'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person pointing a finger (the 'sei' finger) at a dark rain cloud while looking frustrated.

Word Web

雨のせい雪のせい僕のせい君のせい気のせい年のせい仕事のせい不景気のせい

Herausforderung

Try to find three things that went slightly wrong today and describe them using 'sei de' in a Japanese sentence.

Wortherkunft

The word 'sei' is derived from the Japanese noun 'sei' (勢 or 精), though in modern grammar it is almost exclusively written in hiragana to denote its functional role.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Originally, 'sei' (勢) referred to 'force,' 'energy,' or 'power.' Over time, this evolved into the idea of a 'force' that causes a result.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

Avoid using 'sei' to blame people in formal or sensitive situations; it is very direct and can be offensive.

English speakers often use 'because of' neutrally. They must learn to switch to 'okage' for positive things, or they will sound like they are complaining when they mean to be thankful.

The phrase 'Omae no sei da!' is a staple line for villains in Shonen anime like Dragon Ball or Naruto. The song 'Kimi no Sei' by the peggies (Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai opening). The common trope in J-Dramas where a character says 'Zenbu watashi no sei' before a dramatic sacrifice.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Weather complaints

雨のせいで
暑さのせいで
雪のせいで
台風のせいで

Health and Sickness

風邪のせいで
寝不足のせいで
ストレスのせいで
食べすぎたせいで

Work and School failures

準備不足のせいで
ミスのせいで
遅刻のせいで
不景気のせいで

Social Blame

君のせいで
あいつのせいで
人のせいにする
誰のせい？

Mistaken Perception

気のせい
気のせいか
気のせいだよ
気のせいじゃない

Gesprächseinstiege

"最近、暑さのせいでよく眠れないんだよね。君はどう？"

"昨日のサッカーの試合、雨のせいで中止になっちゃったね。"

"パソコンが古いせいで、仕事が全然進まないよ。買い替えたいな。"

"気のせいか、最近この辺りに新しいカフェが増えた気がしない？"

"全部自分のせいだと思って落ち込まないで。運が悪かっただけだよ。"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、何かの「せい」で困ったことはありましたか？詳しく書いてください。

「人のせいにする」ことについて、あなたはどう思いますか？

最近「気のせい」だと思った不思議な出来事はありますか？

子供の頃、親に「～のせいだ」と怒られた思い出はありますか？

もし天候のせいで旅行が中止になったら、あなたはどうしますか？

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, native speakers sometimes use 'sei' sarcastically to describe a positive thing that they find annoying. For example, 'Kimi ga kirei na sei de, kinchou shichau yo' (Because you're so pretty, I'm getting nervous). However, this is advanced and should be used sparingly.

Almost always. While it can technically be written with the kanji '勢', doing so is extremely rare in modern Japanese grammar. Writing it in hiragana makes it clear that it is being used as a functional word.

'Sei de' is used to connect to a result ('Because of X, Y happened'). 'Sei ni' is used with the verb 'suru' to mean 'to blame' ('X no sei ni suru' - to blame X).

Yes, you can end a sentence with 'sei desu' to state a reason. 'Ikenakatta no wa, ame no sei desu' (The reason I couldn't go is the rain).

Not necessarily. It just means your mind is playing tricks on you. It can be used for hearing a ghost (scary) or thinking you saw a friend (neutral).

You must add 'na' between the adjective and 'sei'. For example, 'Hima na sei de...' (Because I have too much free time...).

Yes. 'Watashi no sei de...' (Because of me / My fault...). It is a common way to take responsibility for a mistake.

It is used in business, but usually for external factors (the market, the weather). Blaming a client or a colleague with 'sei' is considered very rude.

It means 'perhaps because' or 'maybe due to.' It's used when you aren't certain about the cause.

You can say 'sei na node' (because it is the fault of...), but it's more common to just say 'sei de' or 'sei da kara'.

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