せい

noun

fault; blame; because of; due to

Used in the pattern ...のせい (or ...せいで) to indicate that something is the cause of a negative result, often implying blame or responsibility. Can also be used more neutrally for cause-and-effect, but typically carries a negative nuance.

• 雨あめのせいで試し合あいが中ちゅう止しになった。

  The game was canceled because of the rain.

• 彼かれの失しっ敗ぱいは私わたしのせいだ。

  His failure is my fault.

• 寝ね坊ぼうしたのは電でん車しゃの遅おくれのせいだ。

  I overslept because the train was late.