〜せい

Because of ~ (negative connotation)

1. Overview

「〜せい」 is used to express that a certain reason or action has caused a negative outcome or result. Unlike other grammar patterns that express causality, 「〜せい」 often carries a tone of blame or negativity, indicating that something or someone is responsible for an undesirable result.

2. Structure

• Grammar Structure:

  • Noun + の + せい
  • Verb (plain form) + せい
  • い-Adjective (plain form) + せい
  • な-Adjective + な + せい

• Explanation:

  • 「〜せい」 means "because of ~," focusing on a negative result or consequence caused by the action or condition mentioned.

3. Usage Explanation

• Expressing Negative Results: 「〜せい」 is used to describe negative or undesirable outcomes, often implying blame or responsibility.

• Can be Used with Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives: This structure can be used with nouns, verbs, and adjectives to explain that a particular cause led to a bad result.

• English Translation: It can be translated as "because of ~" or "it's all ~'s fault."

4. Example Sentences

1. 雨のせいで、試合が中止になった。
   Because of the rain, the game was canceled.

2. 彼のせいで、みんなが迷惑している。
   It's all his fault that everyone is troubled.

3. 寝不足のせいか、今日は全然集中できない。
   I can't focus at all today, probably because of lack of sleep.

4. 渋滞のせいで、遅れてしまった。
   I was late because of the traffic jam.

5. 最近忙しいせいで、あまり家族と過ごせていない。
   Because I've been busy lately, I haven't been able to spend much time with my family.

5. Key Points to Note

• Negative Connotation: 「〜せい」 is mainly used to express negative causes and outcomes. In formal situations, be careful when using it, as it may sound like you're blaming someone or something.

• Usage in Questions: It can sometimes appear in questions to suggest a possible negative cause, such as 「〜のせいか」.

• Alternative Expressions: If you want to express a neutral or positive reason, you should use other grammar patterns like 「〜おかげで」 for positive outcomes.

6. Similar Grammar

• 〜せいで / 〜せいだ: This is the full form of 「〜せい」, used to express a clearer cause-and-effect relationship.

  • Example: 風邪を引いたせいで、旅行に行けなかった。
    (Because I caught a cold, I couldn't go on the trip.)

• 〜おかげで: This pattern is used to express positive results, the opposite of 「〜せい」.

  • Example: 先生のおかげで、合格できました。
    (Thanks to the teacher, I passed the exam.)

7. Alternative Grammar

• 〜ために: Used to express a neutral cause, without implying blame or gratitude.

  • Example: 雨のために、試合が中止になった。
    (Because of the rain, the game was canceled.)

• 〜ばかりに: Used to express that a particular reason led to a negative or unexpected result, often with a tone of regret.

  • Example: 油断したばかりに、失敗してしまった。
    (Just because I was careless, I ended up failing.)

8. Summary

「〜せい」 is a grammar pattern used to express negative causes, often implying blame or responsibility for an undesirable result. It is important to be mindful of the context when using it to avoid misunderstandings or negative reactions.