訳あり(訳あって)
～ with reasons, Due to reasons, Defective, Problematic, Unique
Structure
訳あり + な + Noun
訳あり + の + Noun
訳あって + Phrase
訳あり + で + Phrase
Explanation
訳あり is a phrase placed before nouns to suggest there is a specific, often complicated or unmentionable, reason for something's current state. The speaker is usually unable or unwilling to elaborate on the details. The term is formed by combining 訳 (わけ), meaning 'reason' or 'circumstance', with the continuative form (連用形) of the verb ある, 'to exist' or 'to have'.
Most commonly, 訳あり connects to a noun with the particle の. However, it can also function like a な-adjective, in which case it is followed by な.
- 訳ありのりんごは、見た目が悪いだけで味は同じだ。Apples sold at a discount for being imperfect may look bad, but they taste just the same.
- あの家は訳ありの家らしく、夜になると変な音がするらしい。That house supposedly has a story behind it; I hear strange noises come from it at night. (That house is a stigmatized property; I hear strange noises come from it at night.)
- 彼には訳ありな過去があるみたいだけど、詳しくは聞けない。It seems like he has a complicated past, but I can't really ask about the details.
- これは訳ありなパソコンなので、安いですが保証はありません。This computer has some issues, so while it's cheap, it doesn't come with a warranty. (This is a defective computer, so while it's cheap, it doesn't come with a warranty.)
In certain cases, 訳あり can modify a noun directly without な or の. These are generally treated as set expressions and are often used as a euphemism to describe something in a less direct or negative way.
- 訳あり物件は相場より家賃がかなり安い。Stigmatized properties have considerably lower rent than the market average.
- スーパーの閉店間際には、訳ありグルメがたくさん並ぶ。Right before the supermarket closes, they line up lots of gourmet food with issues. (Right before the supermarket closes, they line up lots of discounted gourmet food.)
Fun Fact
A similar expression is 訳あって, which means 'for some unspecified reason'. It is typically used to begin a sentence when the speaker wishes to convey that there are deeper circumstances at play which they cannot or prefer not to disclose. When it doesn't directly precede a noun, 訳あり can be used in much the same way.
- 訳あって、今月で仕事を辞めることになりました。For personal reasons, I've decided to leave my job at the end of this month.
- ちょっと訳ありで、明日のパーティーには行けなくなりました。Something came up, so I won't be able to make it to the party tomorrow.
Examples
このスーパーでは、訳あり野菜が安く売られている。
At this supermarket, vegetables with minor imperfections are sold cheaply.
訳あって、今月でアルバイトを辞めることにしました。
For certain reasons, I've decided to quit my part-time job at the end of this month.
あの転校生、どこか影があるよね。何か訳ありなのかな。
That new transfer student seems a bit melancholic, don't they? I wonder if they have a complicated story.
丘の上の家が空き家のままなのは、訳あり物件だかららしい。
The reason the house on the hill remains vacant is apparently because it's a stigmatized property.
閉店間際だったので、訳ありのケーキを半額で買えた。
Since it was just before closing time, I was able to buy some discounted cakes for half price.
なぜ彼と別れたのかって？ ごめん、それはちょっと訳ありで話せないんだ。
You ask why I broke up with him? Sorry, I can't talk about it; it's complicated.
私と彼女の関係は、他人には理解できない訳ありの友情で結ばれている。
My relationship with her is a friendship bound by a complicated history that others wouldn't understand.
うちの猫は保護センターから迎えた訳ありの子なんだ。
My cat is a rescue from the shelter, so he has a bit of a backstory.
あの会社からの提案は、どうも訳ありな感じがして信用できない。
The proposal from that company feels shady for some reason; I can't trust it.
このテーブル、形が歪な訳あり品だけど、かえってオシャレじゃない？
This table is a B-grade item with a distorted shape, but isn't that what makes it stylish?
訳ありまして、プロジェクトの開始が少々遅れております。
Due to certain circumstances, the start of the project has been slightly delayed.
この絵の暗い色づかいには、画家の訳ありの人生が反映されているそうだ。
They say the dark color palette of this painting reflects the artist's troubled life.
山田さんは家族の話を一切しない。きっと訳ありなんだろう。
Mr. Yamada never talks about his family. There must be some kind of story there.
形は不揃いだけど、この訳ありトマト、味は最高だよ。
They may be irregularly shaped, but these 'imperfect' tomatoes taste amazing.
都会の生活に疲れてね。訳あって田舎に引っ越してきたんだ。
I got tired of city life. I moved to the countryside for reasons of my own.