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N3

Reasons and Conclusions with わけだ

About 10 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

What わけだ Means

わけだ means 'that is why,' 'so that explains it,' or 'it follows that.' It links information you already have to a natural conclusion.

  1. Target signal

    日本に十年住んでいたんですか。それで日本語が上手なわけですね。

    Oh, you lived in Japan for ten years? That explains why your Japanese is so good.

    The second sentence is a conclusion from the first.

    Vocabulary notes
    それで
    so; because of that
    日本語にほんご
    Japanese language
    いた
    was there

  2. Compare in context

    この道は駅につながっている。だから人が多いわけだ。

    This road leads to the station. That's why there are so many people.

    The speaker understands the reason behind the situation.

    Vocabulary notes
    ている〜ている
    to be doing; to be in a resulting state
    わけだ〜わけだ
    that means; no wonder; naturally
    だから
    so; therefore

Section 2 of 3

How It Differs from Simple Cause

から gives a direct reason. わけだ highlights the conclusion the speaker reaches after hearing or seeing that reason. It often feels more explanatory.

  1. Target signal

    明日は祝日だ。学校が休みなわけだ。

    Tomorrow is a holiday. So that explains why school is closed.

    The focus is on the logical conclusion.

    Vocabulary notes
    わけだ〜わけだ
    that means; no wonder; naturally
    わけ
    reason; conclusion; that is why
    休みやすみ
    day off; break; holiday

  2. Preview

    明日は祝日だから、学校は休みだ。

    Because tomorrow is a holiday, school is closed.

    This is a simpler cause-and-effect statement.

    Vocabulary notes
    だから
    so; therefore
    から
    from; because
    休みやすみ
    day off; break; holiday

Section 3 of 3

Reading Use: Following the Writer's Logic

In N3 reading, わけだ often appears after several pieces of information. When you see it, ask what facts the writer has just gathered and what conclusion naturally follows.

  1. Target signal

    値段が安くて、駅からも近い。人気があるわけだ。

    It's inexpensive and close to the station. No wonder it's popular.

    The conclusion gathers more than one reason.

    Vocabulary notes
    わけだ〜わけだ
    that means; no wonder; naturally
    あるありません
    there is not; do not have
    ある
    to exist; to have

  2. Preview

    毎日二時間も歩いているのか。疲れるわけだ。

    So you walk two hours every day? No wonder you're tired.

    The speaker reacts to new information with a conclusion.

    Vocabulary notes
    ている〜ている
    to be doing; to be in a resulting state
    わけだ〜わけだ
    that means; no wonder; naturally
    歩いてあるいて
    walking

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Reasons and Conclusions with わけだ changes the meaning before you check the translation.

日本に十年住んでいたんですか。それで日本語が上手なわけですね。 この道は駅につながっている。だから人が多いわけだ。 明日は祝日だ。学校が休みなわけだ。 明日は祝日だから、学校は休みだ。 値段が安くて、駅からも近い。人気があるわけだ。 毎日二時間も歩いているのか。疲れるわけだ。

Show English translation

Oh, you lived in Japan for ten years? That explains why your Japanese is so good. This road leads to the station. That's why there are so many people. Tomorrow is a holiday. So that explains why school is closed. Because tomorrow is a holiday, school is closed. It's inexpensive and close to the station. No wonder it's popular. So you walk two hours every day? No wonder you're tired.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how Reasons and Conclusions with わけだ changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how Reasons and Conclusions with わけだ changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Reasons and Conclusions with わけだ in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

What is the main function of わけだ?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Reasons and Conclusions with わけだ).

日本に十年住んでいたんですか。＿＿＿日本語が上手なわけですね。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1この道は駅につながっている。だから人が多いわけだ。
  2. 2明日は祝日だ。学校が休みなわけだ。
  3. 3日本に十年住んでいたんですか。それで日本語が上手なわけですね。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Reasons and Conclusions with わけだ in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/4

What is the main function of わけだ?