因果

• Reading: いんが
• Romaji: inga
• Kanji breakdown: 因 (in) — cause, reason | 果 (ga) — result, fruit
• Pronunciation: /i.ŋ.ga/

Meaning

Cause and effect; karma; fate resulting from past actions. Describes the interconnected chain of action and consequence.

Rooted in Buddhist philosophy, 因果 refers to the principle that every cause (因) produces an effect (果). In everyday usage it can mean karmic fate or just deserts. The phrase 因果な商売 (a thankless trade) shows how it extends to describe difficult circumstances seen as fated. Used in both philosophical and colloquial contexts.

Examples

1. 因果というものは恐ろしく、過去の行いがいつか返ってくる。 Cause and effect is a frightening thing — one's past deeds will eventually come back to one.
2. 彼の失墜は、長年の不正行為が招いた因果の結果だと言われた。 His downfall was said to be the karmic consequence of years of misconduct.
3. 科学は因果関係を明らかにすることで、自然の仕組みを解明してきた。 Science has elucidated the workings of nature by clarifying causal relationships.

Usage Guide

Context: philosophy, Buddhism, moral reflection, science

Tone: reflective

Origin & History

From Sanskrit hetu-phala via Chinese 因果 (yīnguǒ). 因 means 'cause, reason' and 果 means 'fruit, result'. The concept is central to Buddhist doctrine on karma and entered Japanese language through Buddhist texts.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal