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B1 phrase 10 min read

〜せいで

Examples Notes & Tips 〜せいで in 30 Seconds
Explanation 〜せいで in your Level:
At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to connect ideas. 'Seide' might be a bit advanced, but you can understand it as a special kind of 'because.' Think of it as 'Because (and I'm unhappy about it).' You mainly use it with simple nouns and the particle 'no.' For example, 'Ame no seide' (Because of the rain). It's a great way to express why you can't do something or why you are sad about a situation. At this stage, focus on the fact that it is only for bad things. Don't use it when you are happy! Just remember: Noun + no + seide + [Bad Result]. This simple pattern will help you express basic feelings of frustration in Japanese.
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At the A2 level, you should start using 'seide' with verbs and adjectives, not just nouns. Remember the rules: for verbs, use the dictionary form or past form (e.g., 'tabeta seide'). For i-adjectives, use the plain form (e.g., 'atsui seide'). For na-adjectives, use 'na' (e.g., 'hima na seide'). You will likely use this to explain why you were late for class or why you couldn't finish your homework. It helps your Japanese sound more natural because you are showing the 'feeling' behind the reason. You should also learn the opposite word, 'okagede' (thanks to), so you can distinguish between good and bad results. Practice saying 'Bus ga konakatta seide' (Because the bus didn't come) to explain a delay.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'seide' fluently in conversation. You should understand the nuance of 'blame' and how it differs from neutral connectors like 'node' or 'kara.' You should also be comfortable using '〜せいか' (sei ka) to express uncertainty ('perhaps because...'). This is the level where you start to use 'seide' to talk about social issues, health, and more complex personal relationships. You should also be aware of the sentence-ending form '〜せいだ' to emphasize whose fault something is. For example, 'Kore wa zenbu omae no sei da!' (This is all your fault!)—though be careful who you say that to! You are moving beyond simple 'cause and effect' into the realm of 'attitude and responsibility.'
At the B2 level, you should understand the subtle social implications of using 'seide.' You know when it's appropriate to use it (like with friends or when complaining about the weather) and when it's better to use 'tame ni' or 'ni yotte' (like in a formal business report). You can use 'seide' to express irony or sarcasm. For example, someone might say 'Kimi ga kirei na seide komaru yo' (It's a problem because you're so beautiful), using 'seide' playfully for a positive trait that causes a 'problem.' You should also be able to use it in complex sentences with multiple clauses, and understand it when it appears in literature or fast-paced media like news or variety shows.
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At the C1 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'seide' and its variations. You can identify the difference between 'seide' and more obscure causal markers like 'yue ni' or 'koto kara.' You understand how 'seide' can be used in legal or psychological contexts to discuss liability and causation. You are also sensitive to the 'responsibility' aspect of the word—how using it can shift the perceived burden of an event. You can use it to craft nuanced arguments, perhaps arguing that a certain policy failed 'not because of (seide) lack of funding, but because of (seide) poor implementation.' Your use of 'sei ka' is perfectly timed to show doubt or to avoid being too blunt in your accusations.
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At the C2 level, 'seide' is a tool you use with precision and cultural depth. You understand its etymological roots and how the concept of 'sei' (fault) has evolved in Japanese thought. You can use it in highly formal writing to criticize or in poetic contexts to express deep regret. You are aware of how 'seide' interacts with Japanese social hierarchy—how a superior might use it toward a subordinate, and how a subordinate might avoid it to maintain harmony (wa). You can analyze literature and pick up on the subtle characterization provided by a character's frequent use of 'seide' (perhaps indicating a victim complex or a tendency to shift blame). Your mastery is indistinguishable from a native speaker.
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Examples Notes & Tips

〜せいで in 30 Seconds

  • A causal phrase used exclusively for negative outcomes or blaming.
  • Connects to nouns with 'no', verbs/i-adj with plain forms, and na-adj with 'na'.
  • Commonly translated as 'because of' or 'it's the fault of'.
  • The opposite of 'okagede', which is used for positive results.

The Japanese phrase 〜せいで (seide) is a powerful and essential grammatical tool used to express causality, specifically when that cause leads to a negative, undesirable, or unfortunate outcome. In English, it is most accurately translated as 'because of,' 'due to,' or 'thanks to' (in a sarcastic sense), but its core essence is rooted in the concept of blame. When you use seide, you are not just stating a fact; you are pointing a finger. It implies that if the cause hadn't occurred, the bad situation wouldn't have happened. This nuance is critical because using it for a positive outcome would sound incredibly strange or even insulting to a Japanese speaker.

The Core Nuance
The word sei (せい) literally means 'fault' or 'cause' (with a negative bias). Therefore, 'seide' translates to 'at the fault of.' It is the linguistic opposite of 〜おかげで (okagede), which is used for positive results. If you say 'Because of the rain, the flowers grew,' you use okagede. If you say 'Because of the rain, my picnic was ruined,' you use seide.
Psychological Impact
Using this phrase often carries an emotional weight of frustration, regret, or even anger. It is frequently heard in apologies where one is explaining why something went wrong, or in complaints about the weather, traffic, or other people's mistakes. It allows the speaker to distance themselves from the failure by identifying an external culprit.

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

People use this in daily life constantly. Imagine a student who failed a test because they stayed up late gaming. They might say, 'Game no seide' (Because of the game). Or a worker who is tired because of overtime: 'Zangyou no seide' (Because of the overtime). It's a very human expression that captures the tendency to find reasons for our misfortunes. However, it's also used for self-blame. You can say 'Jibun no seide' (Because of myself/my own fault), which shows a high level of accountability and regret. This versatility makes it one of the most frequently used causal markers in conversational Japanese.

In terms of frequency, you will encounter this phrase in anime, dramas, news reports about accidents, and casual conversations. It bridges the gap between simple 'because' (kara/node) and the more specific 'blame' (seki-nin). Understanding 'seide' is a major step toward sounding more natural in Japanese because it shows you understand the 'mood' of the sentence, not just the logic of the cause and effect. It adds a layer of color—usually a dark or frustrated shade—to your speech that purely logical connectors lack.

Grammatically, 〜せいで acts like a noun-modifier. This means it follows the standard rules for connecting words to a noun in Japanese. Since sei (せい) is technically a noun, the words coming before it must be in their attributive forms. Here is the breakdown of how to attach different parts of speech to this phrase.

1. Verbs
Verbs should be in the plain form (dictionary form, past form, or negative form).
Example: 食べるせいで (Because I eat...), 食べたせいで (Because I ate...), 食べなかったせいで (Because I didn't eat...).
2. Nouns
Nouns require the particle の (no) to connect.
Example: 雨のせいで (Because of the rain), 病気のせいで (Because of the illness).
3. I-Adjectives
I-adjectives connect directly in their plain form.
Example: 暑いせいで (Because it's hot), 忙しいせいで (Because I'm busy).
4. Na-Adjectives
Na-adjectives require the particle な (na).
Example: 不便なせいで (Because it's inconvenient), 有名なせいで (Because [they] are famous - implying fame caused a problem).

彼は性格がわがままなせいで、友達が少ない。
(Kare wa seikaku ga wagamama na seide, tomodachi ga sukunai.)
Because his personality is selfish, he has few friends.

There is also a sentence-ending form: 〜せいだ (sei da) or 〜せいです (sei desu). This is used when you want to conclude a sentence by identifying the cause of a previously mentioned problem. For example, if someone asks 'Why are you late?', you can simply say 'Densha no sei desu' (It's the train's fault/Because of the train).

Finally, there is a variation 〜せいか (sei ka). Adding 'ka' changes the meaning to 'perhaps because of' or 'maybe it's due to.' This is used when the speaker is not 100% sure if the cause they are mentioning is the actual reason for the negative outcome. It adds a layer of uncertainty and softens the blame slightly. For example: 'Kaze no sei ka, atama ga itai' (Maybe because of a cold, my head hurts).

In the real world, 〜せいで is ubiquitous. It’s not just a textbook grammar point; it’s a staple of emotional expression. You will hear it in various contexts, ranging from casual gripes to serious news reports. Understanding these contexts helps you grasp the cultural nuance of 'blame' in Japan.

In the Workplace
While you might avoid blaming a person directly, you will often hear 'seide' used for systemic issues. 'Pasokon no choushi ga warui seide...' (Because the computer is acting up...). It’s a way to explain delays or errors without taking full personal responsibility if the cause was truly external. However, a boss might use it to point out a subordinate's mistake: 'Kimi no misu no seide...' (Because of your mistake...).
In Weather and Transit
This is perhaps the most common 'safe' usage. 'Yuki no seide densha ga tomatte iru' (The trains are stopped because of the snow). Since nobody can control the weather, using 'seide' here is perfectly neutral and very common in news broadcasts and station announcements.
In Personal Health
When talking about why you feel unwell, 'seide' is the go-to phrase. 'Kinou osoku made okite ita seide, kyou wa nemui' (Because I stayed up late yesterday, I'm sleepy today). It links a past action directly to a current negative state.

年を撮ったせいで、階段を上るのがきつくなった。
(Toshi o totta seide, kaidan o noboru no ga kitsuku natta.)
Because I've gotten older, climbing the stairs has become difficult.

In pop culture, specifically anime and manga, 'seide' is often used in dramatic confrontations. A villain might say, 'Kisama no seide keikaku ga dainashi da!' (Because of you, my plan is ruined!). Or a protagonist might regretfully say, 'Ore no seide...' (Because of me / It's my fault...). It heightens the sense of tragedy or conflict. In songs, it’s frequently used to blame a lover for one's heartbreak or sleepless nights: 'Kimi no seide nemurenai' (I can't sleep because of you).

One interesting modern usage is in social media 'venting' (kuchi). People post about how 'Atsui seide yaruki ga denai' (Because it's hot, I have no motivation). It serves as a universal excuse that others can relate to, creating a sense of shared struggle against external forces.

The most frequent mistakes with 〜せいで involve either incorrect grammar connections or a misunderstanding of the 'negative result' requirement. Since Japanese has many ways to say 'because,' choosing the wrong one can significantly change the tone of your sentence.

Mistake 1: Using it for Positive Results
This is the #1 error. If you say 'Sensei no seide goukaku shimashita' (Because of the teacher, I passed), it sounds like passing the exam was a bad thing or that the teacher did something wrong. To express gratitude for a positive result, you must use 〜おかげで (okagede).
Mistake 2: Missing the 'No' with Nouns
Learners often treat 'seide' like 'kara' or 'node' and forget that 'sei' is a noun. Saying 'Kaze seide' (Because of the wind) is incorrect. It must be 'Kaze no seide'.
Mistake 3: Misusing 'Sei ka' vs 'Sei de'
If you are certain of the cause, use 'seide'. If you use 'sei ka' when the cause is obvious, you might sound like you are being sarcastic or feigning ignorance. Conversely, using 'seide' when you aren't sure can make you sound overly accusatory or stubborn.

❌ 先生のせいで、テストに合格した。
✅ 先生のおかげで、テストに合格した。
(The first one sounds like the teacher is being blamed for the student passing!)

Another subtle mistake is using 'seide' for natural, logical consequences that aren't necessarily 'faults.' For example, 'Spring coming' isn't usually a 'sei.' However, if you have hay fever, you can say 'Haru no seide' because for you, spring is a negative event. The choice of 'seide' is subjective; it reflects the speaker's negative feelings toward the cause.

Lastly, avoid using 'seide' too much when talking about yourself in a professional interview. Constant use of 'seide' (even if grammatically correct) can make you sound like someone who always makes excuses or blames others for their problems. In those cases, 'node' or 'tame' are safer, more objective choices.

Japanese has a rich vocabulary for expressing 'because.' Choosing the right one depends on the formality, the certainty of the cause, and whether the result is good or bad. Here is how 〜せいで compares to its neighbors.

〜おかげで (Okagede)
The direct antonym. Used for positive results. Literally 'thanks to.'
Example: 'Anata no okagede tasakarimashita' (Thanks to you, I was saved).
〜ために (Tame ni)
A neutral, more formal way to express cause and effect. It doesn't carry the emotional 'blame' of 'seide.' It is often used in news and reports.
Example: 'Jiko no tame ni okurete imasu' (Delayed due to an accident - objective).
〜から / 〜ので (Kara / Node)
General purpose 'because.' 'Kara' is more subjective/personal, 'node' is more polite/explanatory. Neither implies blame as strongly as 'seide.'
Example: 'Ame ga futta kara ikimasen' (I'm not going because it rained).
〜によって (Ni yotte)
Very formal. Used for causes of major events, disasters, or scientific results. It is completely objective.
Example: 'Taifuu ni yotte hashi ga kowareta' (The bridge was destroyed by the typhoon).

Comparison Summary:
1. Seide: Blame (Negative)
2. Okagede: Credit (Positive)
3. Tame ni: Objective Cause (Formal)
4. Kara/Node: General Reason (Neutral)

When should you choose 'seide' over 'kara'? Choose 'seide' when you want to emphasize that the cause was a 'nuisance' or a 'mistake.' For example, if you say 'Ame ga futta kara shiai ga chuushi ni natta' (The game was canceled because it rained), it's a simple statement. If you say 'Ame no seide...', you are expressing your disappointment or frustration that the rain ruined the plan.

In summary, 'seide' is your emotional 'because' for bad things. It is the tool for complaining, apologizing, and identifying culprits in a way that 'kara' or 'node' simply cannot match.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While 'sei' is written in Hiragana usually, it is related to the kanji '所為' (shoi/sei), which means 'act' or 'deed'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /seɪ.de/
US /seɪ.deɪ/
Flat pitch accent (Heiban). The pitch stays relatively level throughout the word.
Rhymes With
Mei de (With names) Kei de (With systems) Rei de (With examples) Hei de (With walls) Tei de (In the form of) Sei de (Due to) Nei de (Not standard) Gei de (By art)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'sei' as 'say' (long English A). It should be two distinct short sounds: se-i.
  • Stress on the first syllable. Keep it flat.
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Examples by Level

1

あめのせいで、いけません。

Because of the rain, I cannot go.

Noun (Ame) + no + seide.

2

ゆきのせいで、バスがこない。

Because of the snow, the bus isn't coming.

Noun (Yuki) + no + seide.

3

びょうきのせいで、がっこうをやすみました。

Because of illness, I was absent from school.

Noun (Byouki) + no + seide.

4

あついせいで、ねむれません。

Because it's hot, I can't sleep.

I-adjective (Atsui) + seide.

5

だれのせいですか。

Whose fault is it?

Question word (Dare) + no + sei + desu ka.

6

わたしのせいです。ごめんなさい。

It's my fault. I'm sorry.

Pronoun (Watashi) + no + sei + desu.

7

おなかがいたいせいで、たべられません。

Because my stomach hurts, I can't eat.

Adjective phrase + seide.

8

うるさいせいで、べんきょうできません。

Because it's noisy, I can't study.

I-adjective (Urusai) + seide.

1

昨日飲みすぎたせいで、頭が痛い。

Because I drank too much yesterday, my head hurts.

Verb (past form: nomisugita) + seide.

2

忙しいせいで、友達に会えません。

Because I'm busy, I can't meet my friends.

I-adjective (isogashii) + seide.

3

不便なせいで、あまり人が来ません。

Because it's inconvenient, not many people come.

Na-adjective (fuben na) + seide.

4

食べすぎたせいで、お腹が苦しい。

Because I ate too much, my stomach is uncomfortable.

Verb (past: tabesugita) + seide.

5

宿題を忘れたせいで、先生に怒られた。

Because I forgot my homework, the teacher got mad at me.

Verb (past: wasureta) + seide.

6

風が強いせいで、ドアが閉まりません。

Because the wind is strong, the door won't close.

Noun (kaze) + no + seide.

7

ゲームをしていたせいで、寝坊した。

Because I was playing games, I overslept.

Verb (te-iru form past: shite ita) + seide.

8

お金がないせいで、旅行に行けません。

Because I have no money, I can't go on a trip.

Noun phrase (okane ga nai) + seide.

1

景気が悪いせいで、給料が上がらない。

Because the economy is bad, salaries aren't rising.

Noun phrase (keiki ga warui) + seide.

2

緊張したせいで、うまく話せなかった。

Because I was nervous, I couldn't speak well.

Verb (past: kinchou shita) + seide.

3

スマホの使いすぎのせいで、目が疲れている。

Because of overusing my smartphone, my eyes are tired.

Noun (tsukaisugi) + no + seide.

4

彼が遅れたせいで、全員が待たされた。

Because he was late, everyone was kept waiting.

Verb (past: okureta) + seide.

5

工事の音のせいで、集中できない。

Because of the construction noise, I can't concentrate.

Noun phrase (kouji no oto) + no + seide.

6

食べ物が悪かったせいで、お腹を壊した。

Because the food was bad, I got an upset stomach.

I-adjective (warukatta) + seide.

7

自信がないせいで、チャンスを逃してしまった。

Because I lack confidence, I missed the opportunity.

Noun phrase (jishin ga nai) + seide.

8

風邪のせいか、少し熱があるようだ。

Maybe because of a cold, I seem to have a slight fever.

Noun (kaze) + no + sei ka (uncertainty).

1

準備不足のせいで、プロジェクトは失敗に終わった。

Because of insufficient preparation, the project ended in failure.

Noun (junbi busoku) + no + seide.

2

彼が余計なことを言ったせいで、話がややこしくなった。

Because he said something unnecessary, the matter became complicated.

Verb (past: itta) + seide.

3

有名すぎるせいで、自由に外出できない。

Because they are too famous, they can't go out freely.

I-adjective (sugiru) + seide.

4

人手不足のせいで、サービスが低下している。

Because of the labor shortage, the service quality is declining.

Noun (hitode busoku) + no + seide.

5

環境破壊のせいで、多くの動物が住みかを失っている。

Because of environmental destruction, many animals are losing their homes.

Noun (kankyou hakai) + no + seide.

6

道路が渋滞しているせいで、予定の時間に遅れそうだ。

Because the road is congested, it looks like I'll be late for the scheduled time.

Verb (te-iru form: juutai shite iru) + seide.

7

君のいい加減な態度のせいで、みんなが迷惑しているんだ。

Because of your irresponsible attitude, everyone is being troubled.

Na-adjective (iikagen na) + seide.

8

昨夜の地震のせいか、今日は一日中不安だった。

Maybe because of last night's earthquake, I was anxious all day today.

Noun (jishin) + no + sei ka.

1

法整備が遅れているせいで、ネット上の犯罪が後を絶たない。

Because the legal system is lagging behind, online crimes continue unabated.

Verb (te-iru: okurete iru) + seide.

2

固定観念のせいで、新しいアイディアが受け入れられない。

Because of fixed ideas (stereotypes), new ideas are not being accepted.

Noun (kotei kannen) + no + seide.

3

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

Verb (past: kaketa) + seide.

4

情報の非対称性のせいで、消費者が不利益を被ることがある。

Because of information asymmetry, consumers sometimes suffer disadvantages.

Noun (jouhou no hitsaitaishousei) + no + seide.

5

彼の一貫性のない発言のせいで、周囲の信頼を完全に失った。

Because of his inconsistent remarks, he completely lost the trust of those around him.

Noun phrase + no + seide.

6

慢心のせいで、チームは格下の相手に敗北を喫した。

Because of overconfidence, the team suffered a defeat against a lower-ranked opponent.

Noun (manshin) + no + seide.

7

歴史的な背景のせいで、二国間の関係は今も緊張状態にある。

Because of the historical background, relations between the two countries remain tense.

Noun (rekishiteki na haikei) + no + seide.

8

単なる偶然のせいか、それとも必然か、彼らは再び出会った。

Whether perhaps because of mere coincidence or necessity, they met again.

Noun (guuzen) + no + sei ka.

1

恣意的な運用のせいで、その法律は本来の目的を失いつつある。

Because of arbitrary implementation, that law is losing its original purpose.

Noun (shiiteki na un-you) + no + seide.

2

構造的な欠陥のせいで、どれほど努力しても成果が出ない仕組みだ。

Because of structural flaws, it's a system where no results come regardless of effort.

Noun (kouzouteki na kekkan) + no + seide.

3

既得権益のせいで、抜本的な改革が進まないのが現状である。

The current situation is that fundamental reforms are not progressing because of vested interests.

Noun (kitoku ken-eki) + no + seide.

4

言葉の綾のせいで、思わぬ誤解を招いてしまったようだ。

It seems an unexpected misunderstanding was invited because of a figure of speech.

Noun (kotoba no aya) + no + seide.

5

一時の感情に流されたせいで、一生の悔いを残すことになった。

Because of being swept away by momentary emotion, a lifetime of regret was left.

Verb (passive past: nagasareta) + seide.

6

偏狭なナショナリズムのせいで、文化交流の道が閉ざされている。

Because of narrow-minded nationalism, the path of cultural exchange is closed.

Noun (henkyou na nashonarizumu) + no + seide.

7

因果関係が不明瞭なせいで、責任の所在を明らかにできない。

Because the causal relationship is unclear, the location of responsibility cannot be clarified.

Na-adjective (fumeryou na) + seide.

8

宿命のせいか、彼は抗いようのない不運に見舞われ続けた。

Perhaps because of fate, he continued to be struck by irresistible misfortune.

Noun (shukumei) + no + sei ka.

Common Collocations

雨のせいで
自分のせいで
年のせいで
暑さのせいで
不景気のせいで
君のせいで
寝不足のせいで
渋滞のせいで
準備不足のせいで
風邪のせいで

Common Phrases

〜のせいにする

— To blame someone or something. To put the fault on X.

人のせいにしてはいけない。

気のせい

— Just one's imagination. Literally 'the fault of my spirit'.

気のせいか、誰かに見られている気がする。

気のせいだ

— It's just your imagination.

「何か音がした？」「いや、気のせいだよ。」

せいにするな

— Don't blame (it) on...

天気のせいにするな。

誰のせい？

— Whose fault is it?

この失敗は誰のせいだ？

何かのせい

— Because of something (unknown).

何かのせいで、機械が動かない。

〜のせいか

— Perhaps/maybe because of...

疲れのせいか、顔色が悪い。

〜のせいに違いない

— It must be the fault of...

あいつのせいに違いない。

すべては〜のせい

— Everything is because of...

すべては私のせいです。

〜のせいだと言われる

— To be told that it's the fault of...

私のせいだと言われても困る。

Idioms & Expressions

"人のせいにする"

— To shift the blame onto others instead of taking responsibility.

彼はいつも失敗を人のせいにする。

Common
"気のせい"

— Used when you think you saw or heard something but it wasn't real.

気のせいか、幽霊が見えた。

Very Common
"運のせいにする"

— To blame bad luck for one's failures.

実力がないのに、運のせいにするのは良くない。

Neutral
"年のせいにする"

— To blame one's age for physical or mental decline.

物忘れを全部年のせいにするのはまだ早い。

Colloquial
"天気のせいにする"

— To blame the weather for one's lack of motivation or plans.

やる気が出ないのを天気のせいにする。

Common
"親のせいにする"

— To blame one's parents for one's character or situation.

自分の不幸を親のせいにするな。

Critical
"社会のせいにする"

— To blame society for individual problems.

何でも社会のせいにするのは無責任だ。

Formal/Critical
"酒のせいにする"

— To blame one's behavior on alcohol.

失礼な発言を酒のせいにして謝らない。

Common
"環境のせいにする"

— To blame one's surroundings/environment.

環境のせいにせず、自分で努力しなさい。

Instructive
"〜のせいばかりにする"

— To do nothing but blame X.

彼は政治のせいばかりにしている。

Critical

Word Family

Nouns

せい (Fault/Cause)
せいかく (Personality)
せいじん (Adult)

Verbs

せいにする (To blame)

Related

おかげ (Grace/Thanks)
ための (For/Due to)
ゆえ (Reason)
わけ (Reason/Meaning)
はず (Expectation)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a person pointing a finger and saying 'SAY! YOU! did it!' -> SEI (say) + DE (did it). It's used for blame.

Visual Association

A broken vase with a rainy window in the background. The rain (ame) is the culprit: 'Ame no seide'.

Word Web

Blame Negative Cause Fault Regret Complaint Excuse Finger-pointing

Challenge

Try to list three things that went wrong today and use 'seide' for each one (e.g., 'Atsui seide...', 'Bus no seide...').

Word Origin

Derived from the noun 'sei' (勢 or 故), which historically referred to power, influence, or the reason behind an event.

Original meaning: The 'sei' in 'seide' comes from the concept of 'fault' or 'result of an action'.

Japonic (Japanese).

Cultural Context

Avoid blaming coworkers or superiors with 'seide' unless you want to start a conflict. Use 'node' for a softer explanation.

English speakers use 'because of' for both good and bad things. They must learn to split this into 'seide' (bad) and 'okagede' (good).

Anime: 'Omae no seide!' is a classic villain line. Song: 'Kimi no seide' by the peggies (Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai OP). Literature: Natsume Soseki often used nuanced causal markers like 'sei'.
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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

의하다 Korean
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