JLPT N2 grammar

〜せいで／せいかmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. Because of A, B.
  2. Perhaps because of A, B.

How to form it

  • verb (plain form)/い-adjectiveせいで/せいか
  • な-adjective (stem)なせいで/せいか
  • nounのせいで/せいか

How it is used

「せいで」 names the cause of a bad result, often with a tone of blame: 'because of'. 「せいか」 gives an uncertain cause, 'perhaps because', for good or bad results. For the cause of a good result, use 「〜おかげで」.

Examples

  1. 彼女が私を騙したせいで、別れなければならなかった。

    We had to break up, because she deceived me.

  2. 電車が遅れたせいで、授業に間に合わなかった。

    Because the train was late, I didn't make it to class in time.

  3. 昨日よく寝たせいか、今日は体が軽い。

    Maybe because I slept well last night, I feel light today.

About the example 1. Because of A, B