How to say to lead to, to cause, to trigger something in Japanese

Here’s a detailed explanation of these related words and their grammar. These words, especially 「もたらす」 and 「引き起こす」, are commonly tested in the JLPT N2 exam, particularly in reading comprehension and grammar sections.

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1.「もたらす」: To Bring, To Cause

Meaning:

• “To bring about” or “to cause” something, indicating that a result or consequence is brought forward.
• Frequently used in formal or written contexts, often with positive or neutral outcomes.

Usage:

• Often used to describe outcomes caused by policies, events, or technological advances.

Example Sentences:

1. 「新技術が社会に多くの利益をもたらす。」
   (New technologies bring many benefits to society.)
2. 「災害が大きな損害をもたらした。」
   (The disaster caused significant damage.)
3. 「教育の改善が地域の発展をもたらすだろう。」
   (Improvements in education will likely bring about regional development.)

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2.「引き起こす」: To Cause, To Trigger

Meaning:

• “To cause” or “to trigger” something, often emphasizing that an event or action directly leads to a result.
• Commonly used for negative or serious consequences.

Usage:

• Often used to describe accidents, problems, disputes, or other negative outcomes.

Example Sentences:

1. 「不注意が大きな事故を引き起こした。」
   (Carelessness caused a major accident.)
2. 「この法律は新たな問題を引き起こす可能性がある。」
   (This law could trigger new problems.)
3. 「彼の一言が論争を引き起こした。」
   (His single comment triggered a debate.)

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3.「招く（まねく）」: To Invite, To Lead To

Meaning:

• “To invite” or “to lead to” something. Unlike the previous words, it can be used for both positive and negative outcomes, making it more flexible.
• It can also mean “to invite someone” literally.

Usage:

• Used in formal or conversational contexts to describe causation or invitation.

Example Sentences:

1. 「過度な飲酒が病気を招く。」
   (Excessive drinking can lead to illness.)
2. 「彼の提案が大きな成功を招いた。」
   (His proposal led to great success.)
3. 「ミスが新たなトラブルを招いた。」
   (The mistake caused new trouble.)

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4.「及ぼす（およぼす）」: To Exert, To Have an Effect

Meaning:

• “To exert influence” or “to have an effect on something.”
• Often used in formal settings to indicate an impact on a specific target.

Usage:

• Commonly paired with words like 影響 (influence) or 効果 (effect).

Example Sentences:

1. 「この決定が社会に大きな影響を及ぼすだろう。」
   (This decision will likely have a significant impact on society.)
2. 「彼の努力が成功に大きく及ぼした。」
   (His efforts had a significant effect on the success.)
3. 「環境汚染が人々の健康に悪影響を及ぼしている。」
   (Environmental pollution is having a negative effect on people’s health.)

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5. Comparison and Situational Usage

Word	Meaning	Common Usage Examples	Nuance/Usage Context
もたらす	To bring about	利益 (benefit), 発展 (development), 損害 (damage)	Formal; emphasizes the arrival of results; often neutral or positive.
引き起こす	To cause, to trigger	問題 (problem), 事故 (accident), 論争 (dispute)	Negative; emphasizes cause-and-effectrelationships, often serious.
招く	To invite, to lead to	成功 (success), 問題 (problem), トラブル (trouble)	Flexible; can describe positive or negativeoutcomes; more conversational.
及ぼす	To exert influence	影響 (influence), 効果 (effect), 悪影響 (negative influence)	Formal; emphasizes impact on a specific target.

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6. Situations in Which These Words Are Used

Formal Writing or Speeches

• もたらす: Common in articles or announcements about policies, science, or development.

  • Example: “The new technology brings significant benefits to society.”

• 及ぼす: Frequently used in formal reports discussing influence or effects.

  • Example: “Environmental pollution has negative effects on health.”

Accidents or Negative Outcomes

• 引き起こす: Used to emphasize cause-and-effect relationships, especially in accidents or conflicts.

  • Example: “Carelessness caused the accident.”

Flexible Situations

• 招く: Used in both positive and negative contexts, making it suitable for conversational use.

  • Example: “His proposal led to success.” or “His mistake caused trouble.”

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7. JLPT N2 Exam Tips

Common Test Types:

1. Grammar Questions:

   • Choosing the correct verb to match the context.
     Example:
     「このミスが大きな問題を＿＿＿＿。」

     • A. もたらした
     • B. 引き起こした
     • C. 招いた
     • Correct Answer: B (Because “problem” fits best with “引き起こす” due to its causal nuance.)

2. Reading Comprehension:

   • Recognizing how these words fit into formal contexts, such as news articles or essays.

Exam Priorities:

• 「もたらす」: Emphasized in development or benefit-related contexts.
• 「引き起こす」: Frequently tested in accident or issue-related contexts.
• 「及ぼす」: Often used in reports or articles discussing impact and influence.

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8. Summary

Word	Meaning	Usage Context	Key Situations
もたらす	To bring about	Policies, results, benefits	Positive/neutral, formal
引き起こす	To cause	Accidents, issues, conflicts	Negative outcomes, cause-effect
招く	To invite, to lead to	Success, trouble	Positive or negative, flexible
及ぼす	To exert influence	Influence, effects	Formal impact, specific targets

By understanding these nuances, you can confidently apply these verbs in the right context and recognize their usage in the N2 exam.