“〜yue ni・yue no”: Therefore / Precisely Because (the most written causal) [JLPT N1]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
The most written causal expression, with a classical, philosophical feel
“〜yue ni・yue no”: Therefore / Precisely Because (the most written causal)
「(noun/plain form) ＋ ゆえに／(が)ゆえに」 means “precisely because 〜, owing to 〜” — the most written, somewhat classical causal expression. E.g. 「未熟ゆえに、多くの失敗をした」 (precisely because I was inexperienced, I made many mistakes), 「貧しさゆえに、進学を諦めた」 (owing to poverty, gave up on further schooling). To modify a noun, use 「ゆえの」 (若さゆえの過ち = a mistake born of youth).
🧠 Core nuance: a solemn, philosophical “precisely because… therefore…”
The core is “precisely because of some cause, therefore…”: like から・ので it states a cause, but ゆえに is the most written and solemn, with a philosophical, argumentative ring (I think, ゆえに I am). It often stresses that a result stems from some essential cause (precisely because inexperienced, because poor). ゆえ is 故 (“reason”), strongly archaic, almost never used in casual speech.
📌 How to Connect
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| noun (＋が) ゆえに | precisely because 〜 | 貧しさ(が)ゆえに |
| plain form ＋ (が)ゆえに | precisely because 〜 | 若い(が)ゆえに |
| noun/plain ＋ ゆえの ＋ noun | modify a noun | 若さゆえの過ち |
💬 Example Sentences
- 経験が未熟ゆえに、多くの失敗をした。(Precisely because my experience was lacking, I made many mistakes.) — precisely because
- 貧しさゆえに、彼は進学を諦めた。(Owing to poverty, he gave up on further schooling.) — owing to
- これは若さゆえの過ちだと言えるだろう。(This could be called a mistake born of youth.) — ゆえの modifying a noun
- 我思う、ゆえに我あり。(I think, therefore I am.) — classical/philosophical
- 真剣であるがゆえに、時に厳しくなる。(Precisely because he's earnest, he sometimes becomes strict.) — がゆえに
🔄 Compare: ゆえに vs から vs ので vs ばかりに
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜ゆえに | “precisely because 〜” (most written, classical, argumentative) | 貧しさゆえに |
| 〜から | “because 〜” (colloquial, subjective) | 寒いから |
| 〜ので | “because 〜” (politer, objective) | 雨なので |
| 〜ばかりに | “just because 〜 (it led to a bad result)” | 油断したばかりに |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ゆえに to modify a noun: ✗ 若さゆえに過ち → ✓ 若さゆえの過ち (use ゆえの to modify a noun).
- Using を: ✗ 貧しさをゆえに → noun (＋が) ゆえに, no を.
- Casual settings: it's too written and classical; everyday speech uses から・ので.
- Plain-form connection: が is sometimes inserted (真剣であるがゆえに), more dignified.
💡 Nuance & When to Use
ゆえに・ゆえの is the most written, most solemn causal expression, meaning “precisely because 〜, owing to 〜,” with a classical, philosophical, argumentative ring (I think therefore I am; failed precisely because inexperienced). It often stresses a result stemming from an essential cause, common in papers, critique, and maxims. Use ゆえの to modify a noun (若さゆえの過ち). For a casual “because,” use から・ので. Master its written-classical feel and the ゆえの connection. A must at N1.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- High-frequency N1: (noun/plain form) (＋が) ゆえに = precisely because 〜 (written, classical).
- Connection: use ゆえの to modify a noun; a noun can take が (がゆえに).
- Distinction: ゆえに (written, argumentative) vs から/ので (colloquial) vs ばかりに (regret).
🖊️ 練習題（5題）
Q1. 「未熟___、多くの失敗をした。」（正因為不成熟，書面）
(A) ゆえに (B) ところに (C) ばかりに(語感異) (D) どころか
Q2. 「ゆえに」が名詞を修飾するときの形は?
(A) ゆえの (B) ゆえに (C) ゆえな (D) ゆえだ
Q3. 「貧しさゆえに諦めた」の意味は?
(A) 正因為貧窮而放棄
(B) 雖然貧窮但沒放棄
(C) 因富裕而放棄
(D) 和貧富無關
Q4. 「ゆえに」の文體は?
(A) 書面、論說、略古典
(B) 親密口語
(C) 兒童語
(D) 命令語
Q5. 接法が正しいのは?
(A) 若さゆえの失敗だ。 (B) 若さゆえに失敗(名詞修飾は ゆえの)。
(C) 若いゆえの(普通形は が必要なことも)。 (D) 若さをゆえに。
答案解析
1. (A) ゆえに ── 正因為不成熟。
2. (A) ゆえの ── 修飾名詞用ゆえの。
3. (A) ── 正因為貧窮而放棄。
4. (A) ── 書面、論說、略古典。
5. (A) ── 「若さゆえの失敗」正確。