Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 5: 19/19

訳(わけ)あり(訳(わけ)あって)～ with reasons, Due to reasons, Defective, Problematic, Unique

Structure

訳(わけ)あり + Noun
訳(わけ)あり + な + Noun
訳(わけ)あり + の + Noun
訳(わけ)あって + Phrase
訳(わけ)あり + で + Phrase

Details

  • Standard

About 訳あり(訳あって)

訳(わけ)あり is a phrase that is often used before nouns to express that there is a reason for something being a certain way. The reason is normally complicated or something that the speaker does not want to or cannot explain. 訳(わけ)あり is literally made up of 訳(わけ), 'reason' or 'cause', and the continuative form (連用形(れんようけい)) of ある.

訳(わけ)あり will often be connected to nouns with の but sometimes it will be used like a な-adjective and be connected with な.

訳(わけ)あり can also seen directly before some words, without な or の, however these are normally considered to be fixed expressions. This is often a way to euphemistically avoid giving negative descriptions of things.

Fun Fact

A closely related phrase is 訳(わけ)あって, meaning 'for a reason (which isn't specified)'. It is often used at the start of sentences when the speaker wants to say that there are some deeper reasons behind what they're saying, however they do not want to or cannot explicitly say what those reasons are. When not used in front of a noun, 訳(わけ)あり can also be used in a similar way.

Examples

--:--

  • 私(わたし)たちは、訳(わけ)あり夫婦(ふうふ)で有名(ゆうめい)だ。

    We’re famous as a couple with a complicated past.

    • この古(ふる)い時計(とけい)、動(うご)かないのは訳(わけ)ありで、中(なか)に小(ちい)さな妖精(ようせい)が住(す)んでるとか何(なん)とか……。

      This old clock doesn’t work for some undisclosed reason. Something about a tiny fairy living inside or something…

      • この商品(しょうひん)の価格(かかく)が異常(いじょう)に安(やす)いのは、製造過程(せいぞうかてい)が訳(わけ)ありである可能性(かのうせい)が高(たか)い。

        There is a high chance that the unusually low price of this product is due to the manufacturing process being problemtatic.

        • 節約志向(せつやくしこう)が強(つよ)まる中(なか)、訳(わけ)あり品(ひん)の市場(しじょう)が急成長(きゅうせいちょう)しているのは消費者心理(しょうひしゃしんり)の変化(へんか)を反映(はんえい)している。

          As the savings-focused mindset strengthens, the rapid expansion of the market for ‘products with a reason’ reflects the change in consumer psychology.

          • 訳(わけ)あって、明日(あした)から海外(かいがい)に行(い)きます。

            Due to reasons, I’m going abroad from tomorrow.

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