What does ～をきっかけに（して） mean? Japanese grammar N2

Forming it

How to use it

States the event that serves as the TURNING POINT leading to a major change. The second clause is a change that has already happened.

• 「Nをきっかけに」 = triggered by N…: 「入院をきっかけに、生活習慣を見直した」.
• The second clause is a change that HAS already happened and usually continues — not used for future plans.
• Close to 「を機に」 (more formal, leans toward a good opportunity) and 「がきっかけで」 (emphasizes a chance cause).

Examples

• 入院(にゅういん)をきっかけに、生活(せいかつ)習慣(しゅうかん)を見直(みなお)すようになった。

  Being hospitalized prompted me to rethink my lifestyle.

• あの出会(であ)いをきっかけに、二人(ふたり)は親(した)しくなった。

  That encounter was what brought the two of them close.

Keep in mind

• The second clause is a change that has already happened.
• Only attaches to a noun (or a nominalized clause).

Common mistakes

• Wrong来月(らいげつ)の結婚(けっこん)をきっかけに、仕事(しごと)を辞(や)めるつもりだ。

  On the occasion of next month's wedding, I plan to quit my job.

  Correct来月(らいげつ)の結婚(けっこん)を機(き)に、仕事(しごと)を辞(や)めるつもりだ。

  For a future plan, 「を機に」 sounds more natural.

• Wrong入院(にゅういん)したをきっかけに、生活(せいかつ)を変(か)えた。

  Taking my hospitalization as the trigger, I changed my lifestyle.

  Correct入院(にゅういん)したことをきっかけに、生活(せいかつ)を変(か)えた。

  The clause must be nominalized with 「こと」.

Exam tips

• 「をきっかけに」 = with… as the turning point; the second clause is a change that has already happened.

Related patterns

• ～を機に
• ～がきっかけで
• ～以来