おかげ

• Reading: おかげ
• Romaji: okage
• Pronunciation: /o.ka.ɡe/

Meaning

Thanks to; owing to. Expresses gratitude for a positive outcome caused by someone or something.

A noun originally meaning divine grace or blessing, now used broadly to attribute a good result to a cause. The pattern ～のおかげで means 'thanks to ~'. Can also be used sarcastically in the form おかげで to mean 'because of you (and it was bad),' though the positive usage is far more common.

Examples

1. 先生のおかげで試験に合格しました。 Thanks to my teacher, I passed the exam.
2. 薬のおかげで風邪がすぐ治りました。 Thanks to the medicine, my cold got better right away.
3. みなさんのおかげで楽しい一日になりました。 Thanks to everyone, it was a wonderful day.

Usage Guide

Context: gratitude, conversation, daily life

Tone: positive

Origin & History

From お陰, where 陰 means shadow or shade. Originally referred to the protective shadow of a deity or Buddha — being sheltered by divine grace. Extended to mean any beneficial influence.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal