N4Expressions

～おかげで (okage de)

Q: Is "Using for negative results" correct?

No. The correct form is "Using "せいで (sei de)"". When expressing gratitude for a cause that led to a negative result, use "せいで (sei de)" instead of "おかげで (okage de)".

Q: Is "Forgetting the 'no' after a noun" correct?

No. The correct form is "Adding 'no' after the noun". When using a noun with "おかげで (okage de)", remember to add 'no' after the noun.

Q: Is "Using with 'desu' at the end of a sentence without 'okage'" correct?

No. The correct form is "Using 'okage de' without 'desu'". When using "おかげで (okage de)", do not use 'desu' at the end of the sentence. Instead, use 'okage de' without 'desu'.

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Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "～おかげで (okage de)" is used to express gratitude for a cause that led to a positive result. It can be used with nouns, adjectives, or verbs to convey appreciation for something that contributed to a desired outcome. The nuance of this pattern is to acknowledge the role of the subject in achieving a positive result, making it a polite and considerate way to express gratitude.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Noun	Noun + no + okage de	先生の okage de
Adjective	Adjective + okage de	いい天気の okage de
Verb	Verb + okage de	薬を飲んだ okage de

Examples

Example Sentences

薬を飲んだおかげで、熱が下がりました。

Kusuri o nomi-ta okage de, netsu ga sagari-mashita.

Thanks to taking the medicine, my fever went down.

薬を飲んだ (took the medicine) + おかげで (thanks to) + 熱が下がりました (my fever went down)

先生のおかげで、日本語が上手になりました。

Sensei no okage de, nihongo ga jouzu ni narimashita.

Thanks to the teacher, I became good at Japanese.

先生の (the teacher's) + おかげで (thanks to) + 日本語が上手になりました (I became good at Japanese)

天気がいいおかげで、富士山がきれいに見えました。

Tenki ga ii okage de, Fuji-san ga kireina ni miemashita.

Thanks to the good weather, Mount Fuji looked beautiful.

天気がいい (the weather is good) + おかげで (thanks to) + 富士山がきれいに見えました (Mount Fuji looked beautiful)

勉強したおかげで、試験に合格しました。

Benkyou shita okage de, shiken ni koukaku shimashita.

Thanks to studying, I passed the exam.

勉強した (studied) + おかげで (thanks to) + 試験に合格しました (I passed the exam)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to express gratitude for a cause that led to a positive result. It is a polite and considerate way to acknowledge the role of the subject in achieving a desired outcome. It can be used with nouns, adjectives, or verbs. In formal situations, it is more common to use the polite form of the verb.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using for negative results

Using "せいで (sei de)"

When expressing gratitude for a cause that led to a negative result, use "せいで (sei de)" instead of "おかげで (okage de)".

Forgetting the 'no' after a noun

Adding 'no' after the noun

When using a noun with "おかげで (okage de)", remember to add 'no' after the noun.

Using with 'desu' at the end of a sentence without 'okage'

Using 'okage de' without 'desu'

When using "おかげで (okage de)", do not use 'desu' at the end of the sentence. Instead, use 'okage de' without 'desu'.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

In the JLPT exam, be careful not to use "せいで (sei de)" when expressing gratitude for a positive result. Also, make sure to add 'no' after the noun when using a noun with "おかげで (okage de)".

Related Patterns

～せいで (sei de)Used to express gratitude for a cause that led to a negative result.

In context