〜ゆえ(に) / 〜ゆえだ
yue (ni) / yue da
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
because of …; therefore …
〜ゆえ(に) is a formal, old-fashioned way to say "because of X": 道路が凍結しているゆえ (because the roads are frozen). After a noun it is N + ゆえ (愛情ゆえ). それゆえ(に) is a written conjunction meaning "therefore". 〜のは〜ゆえだ gives the reason as the predicate.
Formal written Japanese: notices, legal and academic texts, essays. It sounds dignified and slightly literary; in everyday writing ため or から are used. The related 〜がゆえに puts extra emphasis on the reason.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
普通形 + (が)ゆえ(に)N + ゆえ(に) / N + (の)ゆえにSentence start: それゆえ(に)、…Predicate: 〜のは、N + ゆえだAdnominal: N + ゆえの + N
Visual diagram
- 彼が厳しいのはthe thing explained (topic)
- 生徒への愛情the reason
- ゆえだis because of
Natural examples
道路が凍結しているゆえ、運転には十分注意されたい。
どうろがとうけつしているゆえ、うんてんにはじゅうぶんちゅういされたい。
Because the roads are frozen, drivers are asked to take great care.
Formal notice style: 〜ゆえ、〜されたい.
それゆえに、我々は計画の変更を決断した。
それゆえに、われわれはけいかくのへんこうをけつだんした。
For that reason, we decided to change the plan.
それゆえに as a written connector: for that reason.
彼が厳しいのは、生徒への愛情ゆえだ。
かれがきびしいのは、せいとへのあいじょうゆえだ。
His strictness is due to his affection for his students.
Predicate form 〜ゆえだ: the reason is his affection.
若さゆえの過ちは、誰にでもある。
わかさゆえのあやまちは、だれにでもある。
Everyone makes mistakes that come from being young.
Adnominal ゆえの + noun.
この地域は交通が不便であるがゆえに、人口が減り続けている。
このちいきはこうつうがふべんであるがゆえに、じんこうがへりつづけている。
Because transport in this area is inconvenient, the population keeps shrinking.
がゆえに after である for emphasis.
Similar grammar and the difference
The same word with が; slightly stronger emphasis on the reason. Compare side by side
"Precisely because": excludes other reasons and usually a positive one; ゆえに is a neutral formal cause. Compare side by side
"Because it is X (as you know)": a reason drawn from someone's character; conversational. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 忙しいゆえに、行けない。（友達との会話で）
- ✓
- 忙しいから、行けない。
- Why
- ゆえに is too formal for casual conversation.
- ✗
- それゆえで、中止した。
- ✓
- それゆえ、中止した。／それゆえに、中止した。
- Why
- The connector is それゆえ or それゆえに, never それゆえで.
- ✗
- 愛情のゆえだ。
- ✓
- 愛情ゆえだ。／愛情のゆえだ。
- Why
- Both are acceptable in principle, but N + ゆえだ is the standard modern form.
ゆえ can attach directly to nouns (愛情ゆえ) without a particle, which is unusual and worth remembering. In formal announcements, 〜ゆえ often pairs with polite imperatives such as 〜されたい or ご了承ください. The adnominal ゆえの (若さゆえの過ち) is a common literary phrase.
JLPT N1 tips
On the exam
- A formal sentence with a cause and a result and a blank between them → ゆえ(に).
- Distractors: ばこそ, ことだから, とはいえ. ゆえに is the neutral, dignified cause.
- それゆえ(に) at the start of a sentence is a frequent key in 文の組み立て and reading questions.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜ゆえ(に) / 〜ゆえだ mean?
because of …; therefore …. 〜ゆえ(に) is a formal, old-fashioned way to say "because of X": 道路が凍結しているゆえ (because the roads are frozen). After a noun it is N + ゆえ (愛情ゆえ). それゆえ(に) is a written conjunction meaning "therefore". 〜のは〜ゆえだ gives the reason as the predicate.
How do you form 〜ゆえ(に) / 〜ゆえだ?
普通形 + (が)ゆえ(に) / N + ゆえ(に) / N + (の)ゆえに / Sentence start: それゆえ(に)、… / Predicate: 〜のは、N + ゆえだ / Adnominal: N + ゆえの + N. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜ゆえ(に) / 〜ゆえだ used?
Formal written Japanese: notices, legal and academic texts, essays. It sounds dignified and slightly literary; in everyday writing ため or から are used. The related 〜がゆえに puts extra emphasis on the reason.
What is the difference between 〜ゆえ(に) / 〜ゆえだ and 〜がゆえ(に) / 〜ゆえの?
The same word with が; slightly stronger emphasis on the reason.
What is the difference between 〜ゆえ(に) / 〜ゆえだ and 〜ばこそ?
"Precisely because": excludes other reasons and usually a positive one; ゆえに is a neutral formal cause.
What is a common mistake with 〜ゆえ(に) / 〜ゆえだ?
Wrong: 忙しいゆえに、行けない。（友達との会話で） Right: 忙しいから、行けない。 ゆえに is too formal for casual conversation.
Quick check
彼女の厳しさは、選手たちへの期待（ ）である。