JLPT N3 reference · Discourse organization
わけ explanations
It presents a conclusion, explanatory consequence, or reason that makes the situation understandable.
Core meaning and form
Use plain clause + わけだ; nouns take というわけ or なわけ depending on construction. It does not merely mean “reason”; it connects a fact to an inferential account in the discourse.
- Form: Use plain clause + わけだ; nouns take というわけ or なわけ depending on construction.
- Core use: It presents a conclusion, explanatory consequence, or reason that makes the situation understandable.
- Context: It does not merely mean “reason”; it connects a fact to an inferential account in the discourse.
Examples in context
毎日練習しています。上手なわけです。Mainichi renshū shite imasu. Jōzu na wake desu.He practises every day. That explains why he is good.
電車が止まった。だから遅れたわけだ。Densha ga tomatta. Dakara okureta wake da.The train stopped. That is why he was late.
日本に十年住んでいたんですか。日本語が自然なわけですね。Nihon ni jūnen sunde ita n desu ka. Nihongo ga shizen na wake desu ne.You lived in Japan for ten years? No wonder your Japanese is natural.
Common errors
- Do not select this pattern from an English translation alone; check its attachment and discourse function.
- Keep the surrounding sentence in a consistent plain, polite, spoken, or written register.
Quick summary
- Use plain clause + わけだ; nouns take というわけ or なわけ depending on construction.
- It presents a conclusion, explanatory consequence, or reason that makes the situation understandable.
- It does not merely mean “reason”; it connects a fact to an inferential account in the discourse.