だけあってAs expected of; no wonder
だけあって says that an observed quality or result lives up to an expectation created by someone's experience, effort, status, or reputation. It commonly expresses praise or impressed acknowledgment.
Put the basis first and the confirming result second
The part before だけあって creates an expectation. The following clause then gives an observation that fits that expectation particularly well. A natural English translation may use “as expected of,” “no wonder,” or “lives up to.”
彼は全国大会で何度も優勝しているだけあって、動きに無駄がない。
As you would expect from someone who has won the national tournament many times, none of his movements are wasted.
AnalyzeMore than an ordinary reason
だけあって does not merely connect a cause and a result. The speaker is judging the result as fitting, characteristic, or impressive in light of the basis.
Typical bases for the expectation
The basis may be a reputation, professional experience, a notable quality, or sustained effort.
この旅館は老舗だけあって、細かな心配りが行き届いている。
As you would expect from a long-established inn, every detail is thoughtfully taken care of.
Analyzeこの辺りに詳しいだけあって、彼女は静かな店をよく知っている。
As you would expect from someone who knows this area well, she knows plenty of quiet places.
Analyze有名な建築家が設計しただけあって、この図書館は光の使い方が見事だ。
As you would expect from a library designed by a famous architect, its use of light is superb.
AnalyzeThe evaluation need not be simple praise
彼は心配性なだけあって、旅行前の確認リストが三ページもある。
True to his habit of worrying, his pre-trip checklist is three pages long.
AnalyzeHere the unusually long checklist confirms a characteristic that is already associated with him.
Choosing among closely related forms
だけあって leads from a qualification or reputation to a result that confirms it. だけのことはある more directly evaluates an achieved result as being worth the effort or deserving of the person's reputation. だけに is broader: it highlights a reason and its heightened consequence, which may be positive or negative and need not be praise that confirms an expectation.
More examples
彼女は十年間日本語を教えてきただけあって、難しい文法も簡潔に説明できる。
As you would expect from someone who has taught Japanese for ten years, she can explain even difficult grammar clearly and concisely.
Analyzeこの包丁は職人の手作りだけあって、切れ味が鋭い。
As you would expect from a handmade artisan knife, it has an exceptionally sharp edge.
Analyze山で育っただけあって、彼は急な坂道でも息を切らさない。
Having grown up in the mountains, he unsurprisingly does not get out of breath even on steep slopes.
Analyze何度も現場を取材しただけあって、この小説の描写には説得力がある。
The author researched the location many times, and it shows: the descriptions in this novel are convincing.
Analyze彼は元外交官だけあって、言葉の選び方が慎重だ。
As you would expect from a former diplomat, he chooses his words carefully.
Analyze人気店だけあって、平日の昼でも行列ができている。
As you would expect from such a popular restaurant, there is a line even at lunchtime on a weekday.
Analyze