を契機に
Lead to, As a good opportunity to, As a result of, As a trigger
Structure
Verb + の(2) + を契機 + に(1)
(1) にして、として
(2) こと
Explanation
The grammar pattern を契機に is formed with the particle を, the noun 契機 (meaning 'opportunity' or 'impetus'), and the particle に. It is a formal expression used to point out a specific event that triggered a significant change or development. Common English translations include 'with (A) as a turning point, (B)', or '(A) became the catalyst for (B)'. The event (A) can be positive or negative, but it is typically a major, life-altering occurrence or a pivotal moment in history.
を契機に is placed after a noun, or after a verb phrase that has been nominalized by adding の or こと.
- 父が病気になったのを契機に、健康に気を付けるようになった。My father getting sick was the turning point that made me start paying attention to my own health.
- 新しい法律が施行されたことを契機に、社会のシステムが大きく変わった。The enactment of the new law became the catalyst for major changes to the social system.
- 大学卒業を契機に、自分で会社を立ち上げた。I used my university graduation as an opportunity to start my own company.
The final に can also be substituted with にして or として, which does not alter the fundamental meaning.
- その失敗を契機にして、彼は自分のやり方を見直した。That failure prompted him to re-evaluate his approach.
- １９９０年のバブル崩壊を契機として、日本の経済は長期の停滞に入った。The collapse of the bubble economy in 1990 served as the trigger for Japan's long period of economic stagnation.
Caution
In contrast to をきっかけに, the grammar point を契機に is used almost entirely for significant turning points or pivotal moments. Consequently, it can sound unnatural if used for an event that would not be considered particularly momentous.
- 友達に勧められた本を読んだのをきっかけに、歴史に興味を持つようになった。Reading a book my friend recommended was what got me interested in history. (Natural Japanese)
- 友達に勧められた本を読んだのを契機に、歴史に興味を持つようになった。Reading a book my friend recommended was what got me interested in history. (Unnatural Japanese)
Examples
結婚を契機に、将来について真剣に考えるようになった。
Getting married prompted me to start thinking seriously about the future.
映画の公開を契機に、その原作の小説がベストセラーになった。
The release of the movie triggered the original novel to become a bestseller.
大病を契機に、彼は健康に気を使うようになった。
As a result of his serious illness, he started to pay more attention to his health.
大学入学を契機に、一人暮らしを始めた。
Entering university provided the opportunity for me to start living on my own.
宝くじに当たったことを契機に、世界一周の旅に出た。
Winning the lottery gave me the perfect chance to travel around the world.
会社の株式公開を契機に、海外事業を拡大した。
The company's initial public offering served as the catalyst for expanding their overseas business.
大学卒業を契機に、地元に帰って就職した。
I used my university graduation as an opportunity to return to my hometown and find a job.
新駅の開業を契機に、この町は急速に発展した。
The opening of the new train station spurred the rapid development of this town.
インターネットが普及したのを契機に、新しいビジネスモデルが次々と生まれた。
The spread of the internet provided the impetus for the creation of one new business model after another.
あの企業は不祥事を契機に、経営体制を見直した。
Following the scandal, that company reviewed its management structure.
２０１１年に東日本大震災が起こった。それを契機に防災への意識が高まった。
The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred in 2011. In the wake of that event, disaster prevention awareness increased.
第二次世界大戦の終結を契機に、多くの国が独立した。
The end of World War II served as the turning point for many countries to gain independence.