1.
cause, origin, source
The reason why something happens or exists.
病気の原因は何ですか。
What is the cause of the illness?
事故の原因を調べている。
They're investigating the cause of the accident.
問題の原因を見つけるために、みんなで話し合った。
We all discussed together to find the cause of the problem.
原因 means cause or origin - the reason why something happened.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ~の原因: the cause of ~
- 原因を調べる: to investigate the cause
- 原因が分かる: to find out the cause
- 原因は~だ: the cause is ~
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 事故の原因: cause of an accident
- 病気の原因: cause of illness
- 火事の原因: cause of a fire
- 問題の原因: cause of the problem
RELATED WORDS:
- 結果: result, outcome (opposite)
- 理由: reason (more personal/intentional)
- 要因: factor, contributing cause