noun
Philosophical or analytical term for the relationship between cause and effect. Common in academic, scientific, and everyday explanatory contexts.
因果関係を明らかにする必要がある。
We need to clarify the causal relationship.
この現象の因果を解明するのは難しい。
It is difficult to elucidate the cause and effect of this phenomenon.
noun
Buddhist concept of karmic cause and effect; also used more broadly for one's (often unfortunate) destiny or fate.
仏教では、因果応報という考え方がある。
In Buddhism, there is the concept of karmic retribution.
彼は自分の因果を嘆いた。
He lamented his fate.
na-adjective
Adjectival use describing a person or situation as unlucky or doomed. Often used in set phrases like 因果な身の上 or 因果な星の下に生まれる.
因果な身の上だと思って諦めるしかない。
I have no choice but to resign myself to my unfortunate circumstances.
彼は因果な星の下に生まれたと言える。
You could say he was born under an unlucky star.
Means 'fate' or 'destiny' in a general sense, without the Buddhist or causal nuance. 因果 carries a stronger implication of karmic or cause-and-effect-based fate.
From Middle Chinese 因果 (ʔin kwaX), a Buddhist term translating Sanskrit hetuphala (cause and effect). The adjectival sense 'unfortunate' developed in Japanese from the idea of being bound by bad karma.