原因

• Reading: げんいん
• Romaji: gen'in
• Kanji breakdown: 原 (gen/hara) — original, plain, field; 因 (in/yo) — cause, factor, depend on
• Pronunciation: /ɡe.n.i.n/

Meaning

Cause; origin; source. The reason something happens.

A noun often paired with 結果 (result) in cause-and-effect discussions. Common patterns include 原因を調べる (investigate the cause), 原因不明 (cause unknown), and ～が原因で (due to). Frequently appears in news reports, academic writing, and medical contexts.

Examples

1. 事故の原因はまだわかっていません。 The cause of the accident is still unknown.
2. 火事の原因を調べています。 They are investigating the cause of the fire.
3. ストレスが病気の原因になることがある。 Stress can be the cause of illness.

Usage Guide

Context: news, science, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 原 (original, plain, field) and 因 (cause, factor, depend on). Together they mean the original cause — the fundamental reason behind something.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal