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道Nihongo Path
因

因·cause, factor, depend on

On-yomi
イン
Kun-yomi
よ(る)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

6 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
原因げんいんcause
要因よういんfactor
因果いんがcause and effect
因るよるto be due to, to depend on
死因しいんcause of death

Example sentences

  1. 火事の原因はまだ分かっていない。

    かじのげんいんはまだわかっていない。

    The cause of the fire is not yet known.

  2. 売り上げが伸びた要因を分析した。

    うりあげがのびたよういんをぶんせきした。

    We analyzed the factors behind the growth in sales.

  3. 結果は努力に因るところが大きい。

    けっかはどりょくによるところがおおきい。

    The result depends greatly on effort.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 原因 is げんいん, with a long ん sound; do not drop it to げいん.
  • 原因 is the direct cause; 要因 is one of several contributing factors; 理由 is a reason given by a person.

Memory aid

Picture it

A person 大 lying inside a box 囗: the thing they rest on is the cause.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 因 mean?