～結果

• Reading: けっか
• Romaji: kekka
• Formation: Verb た-form + 結果 + Outcome / Noun + の + 結果 + Outcome
• Kanji breakdown: 結果 — 結 (tie/conclude) + 果 (fruit/result)

Meaning

A noun meaning 'result' used as a conjunction to express 'as a result of' a preceding action or investigation. It connects an effort or process to its outcome.

When used as a conjunctive expression, 結果 follows a verb in plain past form or a noun with の to present the outcome of some process, investigation, or effort. The pattern emphasizes the process or action that led to a particular conclusion. It is commonly seen in patterns like 調べた結果 (as a result of investigating), 話し合った結果 (as a result of discussing), and 検討した結果 (as a result of considering). Unlike したがって which presents logical necessity, 結果 focuses on an outcome that was discovered or emerged after some action was taken. It is common in both spoken and written Japanese, particularly in business and medical contexts.

Examples

1. 話し合った結果、計画を変更することにした。 As a result of our discussion, we decided to change the plan.
2. 検査の結果、特に異常は見つからなかった。 As a result of the examination, no particular abnormalities were found.
3. 長年研究を続けた結果、新しい治療法が開発された。 As a result of years of continued research, a new treatment was developed.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, business, medical

Tone: objective

Do Say

• 調査した結果、原因が判明した。
• 何度も練習した結果、ようやく合格できた。
• 手術の結果、患者の容態は安定している。
• 投票の結果、田中さんが委員長に選ばれた。

Don't Say

• 雨が降った結果、傘をさした。(Using 結果 for a trivial immediate reaction — 結果 implies a significant outcome after a process, not a reflex action) → 雨が降ったので傘をさした。
• 結果を調べた、異常はなかった。(Omitting the particle after 結果 — 結果 as a conjunction needs no additional particle but the preceding clause needs proper connection) → 調べた結果、異常はなかった。

Origin & History

From the Sino-Japanese compound 結果 (けっか), where 結 means 'to tie/conclude' and 果 means 'fruit/result.' The literal image is the fruit that is borne from a process.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal