Japanese grammar
What does ～おかげで mean? Japanese grammar N3
～おかげで means thanks to ~; owing to ~ (positive outcome).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | plain form／Nの + おかげで |
| Romaji | okagede |
| Meaning | thanks to ~; owing to ~ (positive outcome) |
Forming it
| Connection | plain form／N の + おかげで |
|---|
How to use it
States a cause leading to a GOOD result, with a sense of gratitude. Not used for bad results.
- 「～おかげで」 = thanks to A, B (good) happens. Carries a nuance of GRATITUDE toward cause A.
- A bad result must use 「～せいで」 (because of A...); using this by mistake turns it sarcastic.
- Nouns connect with 「の」: 「先生のおかげで」.
Examples
先生のおかげで、試験に合格できました。
Thanks to my teacher, I passed the exam.
毎日練習したおかげで、自信がついた。
Thanks to daily practice, I gained confidence.
Keep in mind
- Only used for GOOD outcomes (unless intentionally sarcastic).
- For a bad outcome, use 「せいで」 instead.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong先生おかげで合格しました。
Correct先生のおかげで合格しました。
Nouns connect to おかげで with の.
Exam tips
- 「おかげで」 = thanks to (GOOD result, gratitude); for a bad result use 「せいで」.