1.
reason, cause
A reason or cause for something. Used in formal or literary contexts.
故あってここにいる。
I am here for a reason.
何故そうなったのか。
Why did it turn out that way?
それぞれに故あっての決断だと思う。
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.
若さ故の過ちだ。
It's a mistake due to youth.
愛故に苦しむ。
To suffer because of love.
経験不足故に失敗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 (reason) or から/ので (because) are preferred. 故 appears frequently in written Japanese, proverbs, and set phrases.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- X故に (because of X)
- 故あって (for a certain reason)
- 何故 (for what reason, why)
- それ故 (therefore, for that reason)
FAMOUS QUOTE:
「我思う、故に我あり」 — "I think, therefore I am" (Descartes, translated into Japanese).