Ever discovered something that suddenly made everything make sense—like realizing your device isn’t turning on because the batteries are dead? In English, we’d say, “No wonder it won’t work!” In Japanese, this same feeling is captured with the phrase わけだ. This grammar point is great for expressing realizations, conclusions, or things that are naturally expected based on context.
わけだ
No Wonder, As Expected
Usage Pattern
[Short-form verb]+ わけだ
[い-adjective]+ わけだ
[な-adjective + な] + わけだ
Details
JLPT Level: N3
How to Use It
わけだ is used when you’ve made a connection or realization, or when you want to explain why something makes sense. It translates roughly to phrases like “No wonder,” “That explains it,” or “As expected.”
It can follow verbs and adjectives in their plain (short) forms. If you’re using a な-adjective, be sure to include the な before わけだ.
You’ll often see わけだ paired with から (because), especially when explaining a situation. It’s commonly used in both casual insights and formal explanations.
Want A Deeper Explanation?
Example 1
彼は毎日日本語を練習するから、上手なわけだ
かれ は まいにち にほんご を れんしゅう する から、じょうず な わけだ。
Kare wa mainichi Nihongo o renshū suru kara, jōzu na wake da.
He practices Japanese every day, so no wonder he’s good at it.
Example 2
寒いわけだ。雪が降っている！
さむい わけだ。ゆき が ふって いる！
Samui wake da. Yuki ga futte iru!
No wonder it’s cold—it’s snowing!
Example ３
バスが遅れたわけだ。事故があったらしい。
バスが遅れたわけだ。事故があったらしい。
Basu ga okureta wake da. Jiko ga atta rashii.
That explains why the bus was late—apparently, there was an accident.