によって / による
🃏 Flashcard
によって / による
ni yotte / ni yoru
Tap to reveal usage
by means of; due to; because of~
N3
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N3
Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast
Reading
ni yotte / ni yoru
Post ID
50902
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
by means of; due to; because of~
📖 How to use it
This pattern indicates the means, method, or cause/reason behind something, translating as 'by means of', 'due to', or 'because of'.
Attaches to
Attaches to a noun (or noun phrase) directly: noun + によって (ni yotte) when modifying a verb or sentence, and noun + による + noun when modifying a noun.
The pattern によって is used to express the agent, means, or cause of an action or event. When it means 'by means of', it highlights the tool or method used to achieve something. When it means 'due to', it identifies the reason or cause of a result, often for events or situations that are not directly controlled by a person. For example, you might say that a disaster was caused by an earthquake, or that a decision was made by a committee. It is also used in academic or formal contexts to attribute authorship, like 'a book written by...'.
この建物は地震によって壊れた。
Kono tatemono wa jishin ni yotte kowareta.
This building was destroyed by the earthquake.
インターネットによって、世界中の情報が手に入る。
Intaanetto ni yotte, sekaijuu no jouhou ga te ni hairu.
Through the internet, we can access information from all over the world.
台風による遅れで、電車が止まった。
Taifuu ni yoru okure de, densha ga tomatta.
Due to the delay caused by the typhoon, the train stopped.
Not によって vs. で
で can also mean 'by means of' but is more direct and casual. によって is more formal and often emphasizes the cause or agent in a structured way. For example, 'はさみで切る' (cut with scissors) uses で, but '地震によって壊れる' (destroyed by earthquake) uses によって because it's a cause, not a tool.
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This pattern is common in written Japanese, formal speeches, and news reports. In casual conversation, で or から are more natural for cause, and で for means.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
によって / による
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat によって / による 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 によって / による. 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 N3 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern によって / による mean?
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By means of; due to; because of~
What JLPT level is によって / による?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use によって / による in a sentence?
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Attach によって / による (ni yotte / ni yoru) 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 によって / による formal or casual Japanese?
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によって / による is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember によって / による long-term?
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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.