によって
by, through
The phrase 'によって' indicates the means or method by which something is done or the agent responsible for an action.
N3
Meaning
by, through
The phrase 'によって' indicates the means or method by which something is done or the agent responsible for an action.
Formation
Noun + によって
Verb (dictionary form) + によって
Adjective (noun form) + によって
Explanation
In Japanese, によって is a versatile grammatical structure used to express the means, cause, or agent of an action. It can be translated as 'by', 'through', or 'depending on' in English. This phrase is often used in both written and spoken Japanese and conveys various nuances depending on the context.
When using によって, it can indicate:
- The means of achieving something, e.g., この問題は研究によって解決される (This problem will be solved by research).
- The agent of an action, e.g., 彼によってその絵は描かれた (The painting was done by him).
- Factors that influence outcomes, e.g., 天気によって行動が変わる (Actions change depending on the weather).
In various contexts, the formal and nuanced usages of によって exemplify how it enriches the description of actions and events.