故に
Because, The reason is, Due to, Therefore, So
Structure
Noun + （の(1)) + ゆえ + の + Noun
［な］Adjective + （な(1)）+ ゆえ + （に）
［な］Adjective + （な(1)）+ ゆえ + の + Noun
［い］Adjective + （が）+ ゆえ + （に）
［い］Adjective + （が）+ ゆえ + の + Noun
Verb + （が）+ ゆえ + （に）
Verb + （が）+ ゆえ + の + Noun
Phrase (A)。（その(2)）+ ゆえ + に+Phrase (B)
(1) である、が、であるが
(2) それ、それが
Explanation
By combining the noun 故, meaning 'reason' or 'cause', with the case marking particle に, a formal expression is created to indicate a reason. It can be translated as 'due to (A)', 'on account of (A)', or 'for the reason that (A)'. Thinking of it as 'as a result of (A)' can also be helpful for distinguishing ゆえに from more common, everyday expressions of cause.
Since ゆえ functions as a noun, it technically follows standard grammatical patterns, like being preceded by の when following another noun. In contemporary Japanese, however, the structure noun + の + 故 is seldom used, and the の is typically dropped. In most other situations, ゆえに connects directly to the standard form of a verb or adjective.
- この会社は長年にわたって研究を続けてきたが故に、ついに新薬の開発に成功した。As a consequence of this company continuing its research for many years, it has finally succeeded in developing a new medicine.
- 彼は背が低いが故に、バスケットボール選手になるという夢をあきらめた。He gave up on his dream of becoming a basketball player because of his short height.
- この地域は交通が不便な故に、若者がどんどん減っている。The number of young people is steadily decreasing due to the inconvenient transportation in this area.
- 彼は外国人ゆえに、文化や習慣の違いで苦労することがある。Because he is a foreigner, he sometimes struggles with cultural and customary differences.
It is also possible for ゆえに to appear at the start of a sentence. In this usage, it acts as a conjunction, showing that the second sentence is a direct result of the entire statement made in the first.
- その会社の新製品は爆発的に売れた。ゆえに、株価は過去最高を記録した。That company's new product sold explosively. As a result, their stock price hit a record high.
When ゆえ is used to modify a noun that comes after it, the particle に must be switched to の.
- 経験不足ゆえの失敗は、誰にでもあることだ。Making a mistake due to a lack of experience is something that can happen to anyone.
Caution
Similar to the English phrase 'as a consequence of', ゆえに is more often used when discussing negative reasons or outcomes, rather than positive ones.
Examples
論理：「すべての人間は死ぬ。ソクラテスは人間である。故にソクラテスは死ぬ。」
Logic: 'All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.'
アナウンス：「長雨故、川の水位が上昇しております。」
Announcement: 'Due to the prolonged rain, the river's water level is rising.'
それは彼の経験不足故の失敗だった。
That mistake was due to his lack of experience.
歴史書：「その王国が崩壊したのは、王の傲慢さ故であった。」
Historical text: 'The reason the kingdom collapsed was the king's arrogance.'
コンピューターウイルスに感染した故に、すべてのデータが消えてしまった。
Because it was infected with a computer virus, all the data was completely erased.
彼が試合に負けたのは、練習不足故である。
The reason he lost the match is his lack of practice.
彼女は正直な故に、時々人を傷つけることがある。
Because she is so honest, she sometimes ends up hurting people's feelings.
孤独故に、彼は犯罪に手を染めてしまった。
Out of loneliness, he ended up getting involved in crime.
その山は険しい故に、登山者が少ない。
Because the mountain is so steep, there are very few climbers.
彼の頑固さ故に、話し合いは進まなかった。
Due to his stubbornness, the discussion made no progress.
無知故の行動が、大きな問題を引き起こした。
His actions, which stemmed from ignorance, caused a major problem.
人間は考えることができるが故に、他の動物と区別される。
Humans are distinguished from other animals precisely because they have the ability to think.