次第です

For this reason / therefore / that is why → used to formally explain the reason or background leading to a conclusion, decision, or situation

N1

Meaning

For this reason / therefore / that is why → used to formally explain the reason or background leading to a conclusion, decision, or situation

Formation

Clause (plain form) + 次第です
Noun + という + 次第です

Explanation

次第です is used to politely and formally explain how a certain result, decision, or situation came about.

🔸 次第です = explanation, not condition

The speaker presents:

  • background circumstances

  • reasoning

  • sequence of events

and then concludes with 次第です to mean:

“That is why this happened.”

Key nuances:

  • Focuses on logical explanation, not emotion

  • Sounds formal, calm, and objective

  • Often used to justify or clarify decisions

  • Common in announcements, notices, reports, and JLPT N1 passages

Unlike casual explanations (だから / ので), 次第です is:

  • more distant

  • more official

  • more explanatory than persuasive