Usage and Meaning
The word よって (often written as よって or によって) is a formal conjunction or particle used primarily to indicate cause, reason, or means. It translates to "therefore," "consequently," or "by means of" in English. It is common in written and formal spoken Japanese, especially in academic, legal, or official contexts.
Different Uses
- Cause or Reason: よって connects a cause or reason to a result, similar to "therefore" or "consequently."
- Means or Method: It can indicate the means by which something is done, similar to "by" or "through."
- Agent or Source: It can specify the agent or source of an action or state.
Common Collocations and Patterns
- よって、 (therefore) — used to conclude or infer from previous statements.
- 〜によって (by means of, depending on) — indicates method, cause, or agent.
- 法律によって (according to the law) — a common phrase indicating legal basis.
Register and Usage Notes
よって is formal and often found in written language, official documents, and formal speeches. It is less common in casual conversation, where simpler conjunctions like だから or それで are preferred.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse よって with よる, which can also mean "due to" but is used differently in grammar. Remember that よって is often part of the fixed pattern 〜によって and functions as a conjunction or particle indicating cause or means.