JLPT N3 grammar
おかげ(で) — Meaning & Examples
"Thanks to" with POSITIVE feeling. 先生のおかげで = thanks to my teacher. Standalone おかげさまで = polite "I'm well, thanks" response.
おかげ — "Thanks To" (Gratitude)
おかげ is the OPPOSITE of せい — the outcome is POSITIVE, and you're grateful.
Pattern: [noun/plain form] + おかげで
先生のおかげで、合格できました。
= Thanks to my teacher, I was able to pass.
あなたのおかげで、楽しかった！
= Thanks to you, it was fun!
いい天気のおかげで、公園でピクニックができた。
= Thanks to the nice weather, we could picnic in the park.
Standalone: おかげさまで
「調子はどう？」「おかげさまで。」
= "How are you doing?" "I'm well, thanks for asking."
Sarcastic use!
Natives sometimes use おかげで IRONICALLY for negative things:
電車が遅れたおかげで、遅刻しました。
= "Thanks to" the train being late, I was late. (sarcasm!)
Be careful — only natives can pull this off naturally.
The full picture (same event, 3 feelings):
雨のため = formal / news
雨のせい = annoyed at rain
雨のおかげ = grateful for rain
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on おかげ(で). Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which carries a NEGATIVE feeling (blame)?
- ため (tame)
- から (kara)
- おかげ (okage)
- せい (sei)
Show answer
Answer: せい (sei)
せい always implies negative outcome with blame. あなたのせいで = it's your fault!
2. Which carries a POSITIVE feeling (gratitude)?
- ため (tame)
- せい (sei)
- ので (node)
- おかげ (okage)
Show answer
Answer: おかげ (okage)
おかげ = thanks to (positive). 先生のおかげで = thanks to my teacher.
3. How would you reply to "お元気ですか" politely?
- おかげさまで (okagesama de)
- たぶん (tabun)
- もちろん (mochiron)
- それとも (soretomo)
Show answer
Answer: おかげさまで (okagesama de)
おかげさまで = "I'm well, thanks for asking." Standalone polite response.
Practise おかげ(で) in the free app
This point is part of the “Cause and Effect — ため・せい・おかげ” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N3 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N3 grammar points
From the same lesson: Cause and Effect — ため・せい・おかげ
Frequently asked questions
What does おかげ(で) mean?
"Thanks to" with POSITIVE feeling. 先生のおかげで = thanks to my teacher. Standalone おかげさまで = polite "I'm well, thanks" response.
Is おかげ(で) on the JLPT N3 test?
おかげ(で) is taught in the JLPT N3 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Cause and Effect — ため・せい・おかげ”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise おかげ(で)?
Open the “Cause and Effect — ため・せい・おかげ” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N3 mock exams, with no ads.