Japanese grammar
What does ～わけだ mean? Japanese grammar N2
～わけだ means no wonder…; so that's why… (a reasonable conclusion).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Plain form + わけだ な形 + な + わけだ N + という + わけだ |
| Romaji | wakeda |
| Meaning | no wonder…; so that's why… (a reasonable conclusion) |
Forming it
| Noun | 休み → 休みというわけだ |
|---|---|
| Verb | 寒い → 道理で寒いわけだ |
How to use it
After learning the reason, the speaker realizes it and states the logical conclusion.
- 「～わけだ」 = no wonder…: 「窓が開いている。道理で寒いわけだ」 — the speaker has just understood the reason.
- Also used to sum up a piece of reasoning: 「一日八時間、五日働いた。つまり四十時間働いたわけだ」.
- Nouns connect via 「という」: 「今日は休みというわけだ」 — the catalog form 「Nのわけだ」 is rarely used.
Examples
窓が開いている。道理で部屋が寒いわけだ。
The window is open. No wonder the room is cold.
一日八時間、五日働いた。つまり四十時間働いたわけだ。
Eight hours a day for five days — that means I worked forty hours.
Keep in mind
- The preceding sentence must state the reason/fact.
- A noun attaches via 「という」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong彼女が遅れたのは、電車が遅れたわけだ。
I heard the train was delayed. No wonder she was late.
Correct電車が遅れたそうだ。それで彼女は遅れたわけだ。
The reason must be stated in the PRECEDING sentence; 「わけだ」 seals the conclusion, it is not part of the reason clause.
-
Wrong今日は休みわけだ。
So it turns out today is a day off.
Correct今日は休みというわけだ。
Nouns connect via 「という」.
Exam tips
- 「わけだ」 = no wonder / that means; the reason is in the preceding sentence, nouns need 「という」.