Which one: のおかげで or のせいで

Smiley face .............. non-Smiley face

When you want to say “ because of ———“, which do you use?

のおかげで　　　のせいで　　or maybe　  によって

Let’s go through these expressions of giving accreditation/fault to someone else and see the difference of usage.

• のおかげで

This probably can be best translated as ‘ thanks to ‘ when you want to give credit to someone’s action. It has a positive feeling and is usually associated with positive emotions.

Stephanie:  Carlos とても嬉しそうにしてるけど、何かあったの。
　　　Hey Carlos, you look really happy. Something good happened?
　　　　　
Carlos: 彼のおかげで悩んでる問題がやっと解けた。
          Yeah, I finally solved the bloody question thanks to him.



　　


Taro: ホッとしてるね、どうしたの。
　　　You look relieved, what happened?

April: 彼女のおかげで遅刻せずに済んだ
         I was in in time for class thanks to her.

This is used quite often when a rather nasty situation turns into a good one thanks to a third party.

• のせいで

Contrary to のおかげで、　this can be translated as ‘ because of ‘ but with more maliciousness and anger. It portrays negative feelings towards somebody and their action. This is used when you want to blame somebody.


Naru:  彼のせいで皆は知ってしまったよ。
　　　Everyone knows now because of him(I’ll rip him to pieces when I see him!!RRRRrrrrr)


Waka: それ、ちょっとヤバくない！？
           Oh damn!! That’s quite bad!


Politician A:  政府のせいで人々は反乱するぞ。
　　　　　　The people will rebel because of the government.

Politician B: そんなことないさ。
　　　　　　Nah, that won’t happen.


This is used to highlight or point out something negative and bad against a third party or someone else.

• によって

This is the neutral version of the two above. It’s rather just pointing out the cause than trying to induce feelings or emotions. It’s used a lot when pointing out about facts.


News Reporter :  新しい島の誕生によってたくさんの注目が集まりました。
　    The emergence of the new island has invited a frenzy of attention.




Politician :     人々の協力によって社会が復帰しました。

　　　　　The economy’s recovery has been brought about by the cooperation of people.


A very neutral and mild expression which just states facts.