故(ゆえ)に

ゆえに
conjunction
therefore, thus, hence (formal)
1. therefore, thus, hence
Formal conjunction indicating logical consequence or reason, used in written and academic contexts.
我思(われおも)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

GRAMMATICAL PATTERNS:
1. Sentence-initial: 〜。故(ゆえ)に〜。(~. Therefore, ~.)
2. Mid-sentence: 〜故(ゆえ)に〜 (~, therefore ~)
3. After noun/na-adj: X故(ゆえ)に (because of X)

FORMALITY SCALE ("therefore"):

  • だから: casual
  • ですから/ので: neutral polite
  • したがって: formal
  • 故(ゆえ)に: very formal/literary
  • よって: formal/legal

FAMOUS USAGE: The translation of Descartes' "Cogito ergo sum" uses this construction: 我思(われおも)う、故(ゆえ)に我(われ)あり。

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • 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 or so instead.

general
Added 2026.1.18 19:29 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06925_yueni