Meaning and Usage
The verb 引き起こす (ひきおこす) means "to cause" or "to bring about" something, often something negative or significant like a problem, event, or crisis. It is a transitive verb and commonly used in formal or written contexts, such as news reports or academic discussions.
Common Collocations
- 引き起こす + 問題 (problem): to cause a problem
- 引き起こす + 事故 (accident): to cause an accident
- 引き起こす + 影響 (influence/effect): to cause an effect
These collocations emphasize the verb's role in initiating or triggering an event.
Register and Nuance
引き起こす is more formal and often used in written language or serious conversations. It is less common in casual speech where simpler verbs like 起こす might be used.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 引き起こす with 起こす. While 起こす can mean "to wake someone up" or "to happen," 引き起こす specifically emphasizes causing or triggering something, especially negative consequences. Make sure to use 引き起こす when you want to highlight causation.
Summary
Use 引き起こす when you want to express that something causes or triggers an event, especially in formal or serious contexts. It often appears with words related to problems, crises, or effects.