because of; due to

ために can mark a cause, often for an unfortunate result, in a formal tone. Attach it to a plain-form verb/adjective, a noun with の, or a na-adjective with な. With a non-volitional or negative outcome it reads as because of.

Examples

• 事故じこのために、電車でんしゃが遅おくれています。

  Jiko no tame ni, densha ga okurete imasu.

  The train is delayed because of an accident.

• 大雨おおあめのために、試合しあいは中止ちゅうしになった。

  Ooame no tame ni, shiai wa chuushi ni natta.

  The match was cancelled due to heavy rain.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 事故 accident
• 電車 train
• 遅れる to be late
• いる to exist (animate); to be
• 大雨 heavy rain
• 試合 match, game

Related patterns · Cause and purpose

• 〜ように so that; in order to (a state or ability)
• 〜せいで because of (blaming a bad result)
• 〜おかげで thanks to; owing to (a good result)