故(ゆえ)に

ゆえに
conjunction
therefore, thus, hence (formal)
formalarchaicliteraryacademiclegalgrammatical
1. therefore, thus, hence
Formal conjunction indicating logical consequence or reason, used in written and academic contexts.
我(われ)思(おも)う、故(ゆえ)に我(われ)あり。
I think, therefore I am. (Cogito ergo sum)
資源(しげん)は有限(ゆうげん)である。故(ゆえ)に節約(せつやく)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
Resources are limited. Therefore, conservation is necessary.
彼(かれ)は経験(けいけん)豊富(ほうふ)である。故(ゆえ)に信頼(しんらい)できる。
He is highly experienced. Hence, he can be trusted.
人間(にんげん)は社会的(しゃかいてき)動物(どうぶつ)である故(ゆえ)に、孤独(こどく)を嫌(きら)う。
Humans dislike solitude because they are social animals.

Register: Very formal/literary. Used in:

  • Academic writing
  • Philosophy
  • Formal speeches
  • Classical/literary texts

Common patterns

1. Sentence-initial: 〜。故(ゆえ)に〜。(~. Therefore, ~.)
2. Mid-sentence: 〜故(ゆえ)に〜 (~, therefore ~)
3. After a noun or na-adjective: X故(ゆえ)に (because of X)

FORMALITY SCALE ("therefore"):

Famous usage: The Japanese rendering of Descartes' "Cogito ergo sum" uses this construction: 我(われ)思(おも)う、故(ゆえ)に我(われ)あり。

Related words

  • Xが故(ゆえ)に: because of X (slightly archaic)
  • X故(ゆえ)の〜: ~ resulting from X

Caution: Using 故(ゆえ)に in casual conversation sounds pretentious or academic. Use だから instead.

Related Words

Related: したがって (therefore (formal, everyday written))
Related: 因(よ)って (therefore (formal/legal))
Related: だから (so, therefore (casual))
Compare: そのため (therefore)
Compare: それゆえ (therefore)
general
Added 2026.1.18 19:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
06500/06925_yueni