Translation and Meaning of: 引き起こす - hikiokosu

The expression 「引き起こす」 (hikiokosu) is a Japanese verb composed of three kanji: 「引」 (hiki), which means "to pull", 「起」 (oki), which represents "to awaken" or "to raise", and the suffix 「す」 (su), indicating action or doing. This combination of characters gives the expression the meaning of "to provoke", "to cause", or "to induce". The word is used in various contexts, usually when discussing the start of an event or situation, especially those that are poignant or unexpected.

Etymologically, the verb derives from the interaction between the radicals of the kanji that compose it. 「引」 leads to the idea of attracting or moving something, while 「起」 is associated with acts of waking up or rising, often figuratively linked to the beginning of new conditions or realities. The use of the suffix 「す」 provides the action of materializing or realizing this change, resulting in the representation of an act of causing something to happen.

Throughout history, 「引き起こす」 has been used in various contexts, from classical literature to everyday conversations, to describe a variety of situations that can be induced, ranging from a simple physical awakening to the outbreak of more complex events, such as conflicts or social changes. In the contemporary era, the versatility of the term is evident in its application in various fields, such as economics, psychology, and science, where phenomena and reactions are often "provoked."

The understanding of 「引き起こす」 is essential for speakers of the Japanese language, as the ability to identify causes and effects in different situations is a valued skill. Furthermore, knowing how to use this expression correctly can enhance communication, favoring a precise understanding of human interactions and events. The more subtle variations in usage can convey important nuances in the intention or severity of an event that has been caused.

Vocabulary

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Verb conjugation of 引き起こす

• 引き起こす - dictionary form
• 引き起こし - Gift form
• 引き起こせ - Imperative form
• 引き起こして - Gerund form
• 引き起こした - Past form

Synonyms and similar words

• 誘発する (yūhatsu suru) - To provoke or induce something, often related to causing a specific result.
• 招く (maneku) - Inviting or calling someone can have connotations of bringing something unexpected, like a problem.
• 起因する (kiin suru) - Be caused by, related to sources or reasons for a phenomenon.
• 引き起こす (hikiokosu) - Make something happen, often used to describe the action of triggering an event or outcome.
• 起こす (okosu) - Cause or make happen, in a more general and less specific way than 引き起こす.
• 誘う (suzaku) - Invite or attract, usually in a positive context, but it can also imply temptation.

引き起こす

Romaji: hikiokosu
Kana: ひきおこす
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: cause

Meaning in English: to cause

Definition: To provoke something, to be a cause.

Example Sentences - (引き起こす) hikiokosu

See below some example sentences:

過密なスケジュールはストレスを引き起こす。

Kamitsu na sukejuuru wa sutoresu o hikiokosu

A very busy schedule causes stress.

Overcrowded schedule causes stress.

• 過密な - It means "densely populated" or "very full".
• スケジュール - It means "agenda" or "schedule".
• は - grammatical particle that marks the topic of the sentence.
• ストレス - It means "stress".
• を - Direct object marker in a sentence.
• 引き起こす - It means "cause" or "provoke".

細菌は病気を引き起こす可能性があります。

Saikin wa byouki wo hikiokosu kanousei ga arimasu

Bacteria can cause disease.

Bacteria can cause disease.

• 細菌 (saikin) - bacteria
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 病気 (byouki) - disease
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 引き起こす (hikiokosu) - cause, provoke
• 可能性 (kanousei) - possibility
• が (ga) - subject particle
• あります (arimasu) - exist, have

兵器は戦争を引き起こす可能性がある。

Heiki wa sensou wo hikio kosu kanousei ga aru

Weapons have the potential to cause war.

• 兵器 - weapon
• は - Topic particle
• 戦争 - war
• を - direct object particle
• 引き起こす - cause
• 可能性 - possibility
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist

この事件は大きな騒動を引き起こした。

Kono jiken wa ookina soudou wo hikiokoshita

This case caused a great deal of turmoil.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 事件 - noun meaning "incident" or "event"
• は - topic particle indicating that what follows is the main subject of the sentence
• 大きな - adjective meaning "big" or "important", followed by the linking particle "na"
• 騒動 - noun meaning "disturbance" or "confusion"
• を - object particle indicating that what follows is the direct object of the sentence
• 引き起こした - verb meaning "caused" or "provoked", conjugated in the past and followed by the ending particle "ta"