故(ゆえ)

ゆえ
noun
reason, cause; because of
formalwrittenliterarycognition
1. reason, cause
A reason or cause for something. Used in formal or literary contexts.
故(ゆえ)あってここにいる。
I am here for a reason.
何(なに)故(ゆえ)そうなったのか。
Why did it turn out that way?
それぞれに故(ゆえ)あっての決断(けつだん)だと思(おも)う。
I think each person made their decision for a reason.
2. because of, on account of
Used as a connective meaning 'therefore' or 'because of that.' Often appears in the pattern Xゆえに.
若(わか)さ故(ゆえ)の過(あやま)ちだ。
It's a mistake due to youth.
愛(あい)故(ゆえ)に苦(くる)しむ。
To suffer because of love.
経験不足(けいけんぶそく)故(ゆえ)に失敗(しっぱい)することもあるだろう。
There will likely be failures due to lack of experience.

Usage

A formal, literary word. In everyday speech, 理由(りゆう) (reason) or から/ので (because) are preferred. 故(ゆえ) appears frequently in written Japanese, proverbs, and set phrases, and is often written in hiragana (ゆえに).

Common patterns

  • X故(ゆえ)に (because of X)
  • 故(ゆえ)あって (for a certain reason)
  • 何(なに)故(ゆえ) (for what reason, why)
  • それ故(ゆえ) (therefore, for that reason)

Common expressions

「我(われ)思(おも)う、故(ゆえ)に我(われ)あり」 — "I think, therefore I am" (Descartes, translated into Japanese).

general
Added 2026.2.9 0:14 · Revised 2026.10.10 22:43
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