N3 Reasons, Causes, and Results

~せいで: meaning, usage and examples

~せいで means: because of... (negative reason).

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

Examples

1. 電車でんしゃが遅おくれたせいで、遅刻ちこくした。

   I was late because the train was late.

2. 寝坊ねぼうしたせいで、バスに乗のり遅おくれた。

   Because I overslept, I missed the bus.

3. 雨あめのせいで、旅行りょこうの予定よていが全部ぜんぶ変かわりました。

   Because of the rain, all of our travel plans changed.

4. 夜よる遅おそくコーヒーを飲のんだせいで、眠ねむれませんでした。

   I couldn't sleep because I drank coffee late at night.

When to use it

せいで gives the cause of a bad result and puts the blame on it: "because of," "due to." The cause can be a person, the weather, or something you did yourself. せいだ ends a sentence (寝不足ねぶそくのせいだ, "It is because of lack of sleep"), and せいか means "maybe because," when you are not sure of the cause.

Nuance

Carries blame or regret. Using it about a person (田中たなかさんのせいで) clearly blames them, so it can sound harsh. It is not used for good results. Common in both conversation and writing.

Compare

おかげで is the positive version: 薬くすりのおかげで治なおった. ために is neutral and more formal: 大雨おおあめのために試合しあいが中止ちゅうしになった. から and ので just state a reason with no blame. せいで always adds a complaint.

Tip: Remember せい as "fault." 私わたしのせいです means "It is my fault," a common way to take the blame and apologize.