Japanese can be very precise when describing causes and effects. When you want to say something is the result of something else (often a noun), use による. In this post, we’ll learn how to use による to link a cause to a resulting noun.
による
Resulting From / Caused By
JLPT Level: N3
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How to Use It
Use による to describe a noun that was caused by or resulted from something else. The word after による must always be a noun. This is a great structure for formal writing, news reports, and scientific explanations. Be careful not to confuse this with によって, which comes before verbs. による always comes before nouns.
Usage Pattern
[Cause] による + [Noun]
Example 1
雨による遅れがありました。
あめ に よる おくれ が ありました。
Ame ni yoru okure ga arimashita.
There was a delay caused by the rain.
Example 2
差別による問題が多い。
さべつ に よる もんだい が おおい。
Sabetsu ni yoru mondai ga ōi.
There are many problems caused by discrimination.
Example 3
火事によるけが人はいませんでした。
かじ に よる けがにん は いません でした。
Kaji ni yoru keganin wa imasen deshita.
There were no injuries caused by the fire.
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