Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Cause" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "cause", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
引き起こす
ひきおこす (hikiokosu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
帰責事由
きせきじゆう (kisekijiyuu)
C2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "cause" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 引き起こす and 帰責事由.
In Japanese, 引き起こす (ひきおこす (hikiokosu)) is typically associated with "to cause, to bring about, to trigger, to provoke" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often used for causing negative events like accidents, problems, or conflicts. Similar to もたらす but more commonly for negative consequences. Can also mean to pull someone up from lying down. 例: 問題を引き起こす.
On the other hand, 帰責事由 (きせきじゆう (kisekijiyuu)) maps to "cause attributable to a party" (Syllabus Level: C2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "cause" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "引き起こす"
彼の不注意が大きな事故を引き起こした。
His carelessness caused a major accident.
Bilingual Context for "帰責事由"
私は帰責事由に興味があります。
I am interested in cause attributable to a party.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼の不注意が大きな事故を引き起こした。" (Meaning: "His carelessness caused a major accident.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "引き起こす" fits here because it means "to cause, to bring about, to trigger, to provoke" in the context of: "His carelessness caused a major accident.". "帰責事由" represents "cause attributable to a party".