だけに
🃏 Flashcard
だけに
dake ni
Tap to reveal usage
being the case; precisely because
N2
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading
dake ni
Post ID
51005
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
being the case; precisely because
📖 How to use it
Expresses that something happens precisely because of a given fact, often with a sense of 'as might be expected'.
Attaches to
Attach to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns followed by だ/です. For nouns, use 名詞 + だけに; for な-adjectives, use な-adjective stem + なだけに.
だけに means 'precisely because' or 'being the case that'. It connects a reason to a result that is naturally expected from that reason. It often carries a nuance that the result is fitting or unsurprising given the situation. For example, if someone is famous, it's natural that they get recognized. This pattern is used when you want to emphasize that the result is directly linked to the cause, often with a sense of 'as one would expect'.
彼は長年日本に住んでいただけに、日本語がとても上手だ。
Kare wa naganen Nihon ni sunde ita dake ni, Nihongo ga totemo jouzu da.
Precisely because he lived in Japan for many years, his Japanese is very good.
このレストランは有名なだけに、予約しないと入れない。
Kono resutoran wa yuumei na dake ni, yoyaku shinai to hairenai.
Precisely because this restaurant is famous, you can't get in without a reservation.
彼女は責任者だけに、問題について詳しく説明する義務がある。
Kanojo wa sekininsha dake ni, mondai ni tsuite kuwashiku setsumei suru gimu ga aru.
Precisely because she is the person in charge, she has an obligation to explain the problem in detail.
Not からには
だけに focuses on the expected result due to the reason, while からには focuses on the speaker's strong will or obligation upon deciding something.
Register
Neutral to formal; used in both speaking and writing, but more common in written or formal speech.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
だけに
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat だけに three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using だけに. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N2 Patterns
← Previous
だけましだ
it’s better than; should feel grateful for
Next →
だけのことはある
as expected of; not for nothing
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern だけに mean?
▼
Being the case; precisely because
What JLPT level is だけに?
▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use だけに in a sentence?
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Attach だけに (dake ni) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is だけに formal or casual Japanese?
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だけに is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember だけに long-term?
▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.