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Definition
The grammar pattern "V・A・Naな・Nの + おかげで" is used to express a positive result caused by someone or something. It indicates that the speaker's current situation or achievement is due to the help or influence of the person or thing mentioned. This pattern can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns (using the particle 'no'). For example, "先生が丁寧に教えてくれたおかげで" means "thanks to the teacher's kind teaching". This pattern is often used to express gratitude or appreciation for someone's help or support.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Na-adjective form | Na-adjective + な + Nの + おかげで | 優しい人との出会いのおかげで |
| Noun form | N + の + おかげで | 友達の紹介のおかげで |
| Verb form | Verb + た + おかげで | 先生が丁寧に教えてくれたおかげで |
Examples
先生が丁寧に教えてくれたおかげで試験に合格できました。
sensei ga teine ni oshiete kureta okage de shiken ni gōka de shimau deshita.
Thanks to the teacher's kind teaching, I was able to pass the exam.
先生が (the teacher) 丁寧に (kindly) 教えてくれた (taught) おかげで (thanks to) 試験に (the exam) 合格できました (passed)
宝くじが当たったおかげで借金を全部返すことができた。
takarakuji ga atatata okage de kaken o subete kaeshi no koto ga dekimashita.
Thanks to winning the lottery, I was able to pay off all my debts.
宝くじが (the lottery) 当たった (won) おかげで (thanks to) 借金を (debts) 全部 (all) 返すことができた (was able to pay off)
日本人の友達ができたおかげで日本語を話すチャンスが増えた。
nihonjin no tomodachi ga dekimashita okage de nihongo o hanasu chansu ga masendeshita.
Thanks to making Japanese friends, I have more opportunities to speak Japanese.
日本人の (Japanese people) 友達が (friends) でできた (made) おかげで (thanks to) 日本語を (Japanese) 話す (speak) チャンスが (opportunities) 増えた (increased)
Context
This pattern is used to express gratitude or appreciation for someone's help or support. It is often used in formal or polite situations. Be careful not to confuse it with "seide", which is used to express negative reasons. Also, make sure to use the correct form of the Na-adjective or noun.
Watch out
This pattern is used to express positive results, so using it for negative results is incorrect. Use "seide" instead, which is used to express negative reasons.
This pattern is used to express positive results, while "seide" is used to express negative reasons. Make sure to use the correct pattern depending on the situation.
Na-adjectives require the particle 'na' to form the correct pattern. Forgetting 'na' will result in an incorrect sentence.
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct form of the Na-adjective or noun. Also, pay attention to the context and use the correct pattern depending on whether the result is positive or negative.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V・A・Naな・Nの + おかげで used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
先生が丁寧に教えてくれたおかげで、試験に合格できました。
Pattern used: おかげで
'Okagede' is used for positive outcomes like passing an exam.
宝くじが当たったおかげで、借金を全部返すことができた。
Pattern used: おかげで
Winning the lottery is a positive cause, so 'okagede' is appropriate.
日本人の友達ができたおかげで、日本語を話すチャンスが増えた。
Pattern used: おかげで
Having more chances to speak Japanese is a positive result of making a friend.
Interactive
先生が丁寧に教えてくれた______、試験に合格できました。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.