Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N3 · Intermediate 2
blame for a bad result
Use 「〜せいで」 to blame a cause for a bad result; 「〜せいか」 leaves the cause uncertain.
He missed a notification and forgot an important appointment. 「せいで」 links a cause to a result the speaker sees as bad.
He identifies his own explanation as the cause. 「せいだ」 states the cause at the end of a sentence; its polite form is 「せいです」.
Verbs in the plain form and い-adjectives attach directly to 「せい」, as in 「見落としたせいで」 in the picture.
な-adjectives connect with 「な」 and nouns with 「の」. 「説明不足」 in the picture is a noun.
Use 「せい」 when the speaker sees the result as bad. Use 「おかげ」 to express gratitude for a cause that brought a good result.
In the example, getting the location wrong is an established fact. 「せいか」 leaves uncertain whether the insufficient explanation was the cause.
Because I overlooked the notification, I forgot an important schedule.
Perhaps due to a lack of explanation, several people got the location wrong.
A: Due to my lack of explanation, the meeting place for the event was not communicated well to everyone. (E2602)
B: I see. To avoid any oversights, let's double-check in advance next time.
A: Yes, from now on, I will make sure to re-read the notice after creating it.
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Because I overlooked the notice, I forgot an important appointment.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
通知を見落とした____、大事な予定を忘れました。
Because I missed the notice, I forgot an important plan.
