N2 Results, Change, and Progress

~次第しだいだ: meaning, usage and examples

~次第しだいだ means: that's why... / that's the reason... (formal explanation).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 電車でんしゃが止とまってしまい、遅おくれた次第しだいです。

   The train stopped, and that is why I was late.

2. 事故じこの経緯けいいは以上いじょうの次第しだいです。

   That's how the accident happened.

3. 皆様みなさまのご意見いけんを伺うかがいたく、ご連絡れんらくした次第しだいです。

   I am contacting you because I would like to hear everyone's opinions.

4. 以上いじょうのような理由りゆうで、計画けいかくを中止ちゅうしすることになった次第しだいです。

   For the reasons above, it was decided to cancel the plan.

When to use it

A formal way to explain the reason or circumstances behind something, often at the end of an apology, report or request. For example, ご意見いけんを伺うかがいたく、ご連絡れんらくした次第しだいです means "I am contacting you because I would like to hear your opinion." 以上いじょうのような次第しだいです means "that is how things stand."

Nuance

Very formal and polite, used in business email, letters, speeches and apologies. It sounds humble and explanatory. Usually polite (次第しだいです), and often follows an apology or request. It does not mean "depending on" here, and it is rarely heard in casual talk.

Compare

次第しだい after a noun means "depends on": 結果けっかは努力どりょく次第しだいだ. 次第しだい after a ます-stem means "as soon as": 着つき次第しだい、連絡れんらくします. 次第しだいだ after a plain or た-form explains a reason: 遅おくれた次第しだいです. わけだ explains a conclusion more casually.

Tip: Check what comes before 次第しだい: a noun means "depends on," a ます-stem means "as soon as," and a full verb form ending a sentence means "that is why."