JLPT N3 grammar

〜せいで／せいかmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. Because of A, (negative result) B
  2. Perhaps because of A, B (せいか)

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 note of blame; 「せいか」 means 'perhaps because of A', when unsure. For good results 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. 夜遅くまで起きていたせいか、今日は眠い。

    Maybe because I stayed up late, I'm sleepy today.