N3 Reasons, Causes, and Results

~ものだから: meaning, usage and examples

~ものだから means: because... / since... (excuse/explanation).

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

Examples

1. 風邪かぜを引ひいたものだから、欠席けっせきしました。

   Because I caught a cold, I was absent.

2. 道みちが混こんでいたものだから、遅おくれてしまった。

   Since the road was crowded, I ended up being late.

3. 目覚めざまし時計とけいが鳴ならなかったものだから、遅刻ちこくしてしまいました。

   My alarm clock didn't go off, so I ended up being late.

4. 子供こどもが熱ねつを出だしたものですから、今日きょうは早はやめに失礼しつれいします。

   My child has a fever, so I'll be leaving early today.

When to use it

Use this to explain why something happened, usually as an excuse or apology for a result you did not intend: 目覚めざまし時計とけいが鳴ならなかったものだから、遅刻ちこくしてしまいました (my alarm didn't go off, so I ended up being late). It suggests the situation was out of your control.

Nuance

Conversational; ものですから is the polite form used with a boss or customer, and もんだから is casual. The second clause is a fact that already happened or a result, not a command, request or invitation. Too many excuses with it can sound like you are avoiding responsibility.

Compare

から and ので just give a reason and can be followed by requests: 寒さむいので窓まどを閉しめてください. ものだから adds a sense of "I couldn't help it": 寒さむかったものだから、窓まどを閉しめてしまった. わけだ draws a logical conclusion, not an excuse.

Tip: Use ものですから when apologizing at work. Never end a request with it: ものだから、来きてください is wrong.