よって

よ

っ

て

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

Formal conjunction used to state a logical conclusion or result based on the preceding statement. Common in written Japanese and formal speech.

本ほん日じつは祝しゅく日じつのため、よって休きゅう業ぎょういたします。
Today is a public holiday; therefore, we will be closed.
彼かれは証しょう拠こ不ふ十じゅう分ぶんで無む罪ざいとなった。よって、直ただちに釈しゃく放ほうされる。
He was found not guilty due to insufficient evidence. Accordingly, he will be released immediately.

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉。よって、〈事こと〉。used to introduce a logical conclusion that follows from a previously stated fact or reason
被ひ告こくには十じゅう分ぶんな証しょう拠こがある。よって、有ゆう罪ざいと判はん断だんする。
There is sufficient evidence against the defendant. Therefore, the court finds him guilty.

Expressions

によってaccording to; due to; by means of; depending on

Kanji

因cause, factor, be associated with
仍therefore, consequently
依reliant, depend on, consequently

Related words

だからN4
だから is the casual, everyday word for 'so/therefore', while よって is a formal conjunction typical of written or official language.
したがってN3
したがって is a formal synonym of よって that stresses a conclusion following naturally from a rule or premise, whereas よって states the result more directly.
それゆえN1
それゆえ is a literary equivalent of よって, often found in essays or formal reasoning, with a slightly more old-fashioned tone.
ゆえに
ゆえに is an even more formal, classical-sounding version of よって, common in legal or academic writing.

Written forms

Applies to each form listed below

rarely-used kanji form

因よって
Rare kanji form; not commonly used in modern writing.
仍よって
Rare kanji form; not commonly used in modern writing.
依よって
Rare kanji form; not commonly used in modern writing.

Etymology

Derived from the classical Japanese verb よる (因る・依る), meaning 'to be based on' or 'to be due to', in its conjunctive form よりて, which contracted to よって. The kanji forms reflect this origin but are now rarely used.