切っ掛け
Lead to, Because of, As a start or trigger of, An opportunity
Structure
Noun + をきっかけ + に(2)
Verb + の(1) + がきっかけ + で(3)
Noun + がきっかけ + で(3)
Verb + きっかけ + をPhrase(4)
(1) こと
(2) にして、として
(3) になって、となって
(4) はなんだ、になる、となる、だ、である
Explanation
The Japanese noun きっかけ (also written as 切っ掛け) refers to the 'impetus' or 'catalyst' that causes something to happen. It is used to show how an initial event (A) set a new development (B) in motion. It can be translated in various ways, such as 'taking (A) as an opportunity...', '(A) was the reason that...', or '(A) prompted...'.
きっかけ is most commonly used in two patterns: (A) をきっかけに (B) and (A) がきっかけで (B). This grammar point can follow either a noun or a past-tense verb. When following a verb, it usually requires a nominalizer like の or こと to be placed directly before it.
- アニメを見たのをきっかけに、日本語の勉強を始めた。Watching an anime is what got me to start studying Japanese.
- 大学の授業をきっかけに、海外の文化に興味を持ちました。A university class sparked my interest in foreign cultures.
- 友人の一言がきっかけで、彼は夢を追いかけることを決心した。A single comment from his friend was the impetus for him to decide to chase his dream.
- あの映画がきっかけで、私たちは親しくなった。That movie is what brought us closer together.
Frequently, the initial event (A) serves as the catalyst for a significant life change, a new undertaking, or a new beginning in (B).
Caution
きっかけ is not appropriate for situations where the link between cause (A) and effect (B) is direct and highly predictable. It should not be used for inevitable or expected outcomes.
- 薬を飲んだのをきっかけに、頭痛が治った。As a result of taking medicine, my headache went away. (Unnatural Japanese)
For this reason, きっかけ is best understood as an event (A) creating an opening or opportunity for (B) to occur, usually involving a conscious decision or a new course of action, rather than an automatic consequence.
Examples
友達の勧めを切っ掛けに、ヨガを始めました。
A friend's recommendation prompted me to start doing yoga.
昔飼っていたペットが病気で死んだのを切っ掛けとして、獣医になろうと決めた。
The death of a pet I had long ago due to illness was the catalyst for my decision to become a veterinarian.
あのバンドが解散したのは、メンバー同士の喧嘩が切っ掛けだそうだ。
I heard the reason that band broke up was a fight between the members.
食肉産業についてのドキュメンタリーを観たのを切っ掛けに、ベジタリアンになった。
Watching a documentary about the meat industry led me to become a vegetarian.
コロナウイルスの感染拡大を切っ掛けにして、リモートワークが急速に広まった。
With the spread of the coronavirus as a catalyst, remote work spread rapidly.
一度だけ試験に落ちたことがある。それを切っ掛けにして、勉強への取り組み方を変えた。
I failed an exam just once. That experience prompted me to change the way I approach studying.
Ａ：「日本に興味を持った切っ掛けは何ですか？」Ｂ：「子どもの頃に見たアニメです。」
A: 'What sparked your interest in Japan?' B: 'It was an anime I watched as a child.'
修学旅行で京都を訪れたのを切っ掛けに、日本の歴史に興味を持つ学生が増えた。
Visiting Kyoto on the school trip led to an increase in students becoming interested in Japanese history.
公園で転んでも泣かずに立ち上がる子どもを見たのを切っ掛けに、自分ももっと頑張ろうと思った。
Seeing a child in the park fall down and get back up without crying was the impetus for me to decide to try harder myself.
部長の些細な一言が切っ掛けとなって、大きなプロジェクトが動き出した。
A single, casual remark from the department manager became the trigger that set a large project in motion.
地元の人が話している：「あるテレビ番組での紹介が切っ掛けで、この小さな町に観光客が来るようになったんです。」
A local talking: 'Being featured on a certain TV show was the reason tourists started coming to this small town.'
大学時代にその本を読んだことが切っ掛けで、私の人生観は大きく変わった。
Reading that book during my university days was the turning point that greatly changed my outlook on life.