JLPT N3 Grammar: 〜によって (ni yotte)

The phrase 〜によって is a versatile expression used primarily in written Japanese or formal speeches. It has four distinct meanings depending on the context.

Quick Comparison Table

Usage	Meaning	Common Context
1. Cause	Due to / Because of	Natural disasters, accidents, or social trends.
2. Means	By / Through	Research, methods, or specific tools.
3. Agent	By (Passive voice)	Creations (books, art) or inventions.
4. Variation	Depending on	Changes, differences, or “case-by-case.”

① Cause / Reason

“Due to X, Y happened/is happening”

Structure

Noun + によって
Noun + による + Noun

Nuance

Used for objective causes, often resulting in a significant effect or problem.

Example sentences

働はたらきすぎによって心身しんしんともに疲つかれている人ひとが増ふえている。
/hatarakisugi ni yotte shinshin tomo ni tsukareteiru hito ga fueteiru./
More and more people are exhausted physically and mentally due to overworking.

昨夜さくや起おきた地震じしんによる被害ひがいが広ひろがっている。
/sakuya okita jishin ni yoru higai ga hirogatte iru./
Damage caused by last night’s earthquake is spreading.

② Means / Method

“By means of X” or “Through X”

Structure

Noun + によって
Noun + による + Noun

Nuance

A formal version of the particle で. It describes the method used to achieve a result.

Example sentences

アンケート調査ちょうさによって、最近さいきんの若者わかものの政治せいじへの関心度かんしんどが分わかった。
/ankeeto choosa ni yotte, saikin no wakamono no seeji e no kanshindo ga wakatta./
Through a survey, the level of interest in politics among youth became clear.

毎日まいにち運動うんどうをすることによる健康面けんこうめんの改善かいぜんに驚おどろきました。
/mainichi undoo o suru koto ni yoru kenkoomen no kaizen ni odoroki mashita./
I was surprised by the improvement in my health resulting from exercising every day.

③ Agent of Passive Voice

“X was done/created by Y”

Structure

Noun + によって

Nuance

Specifically used when talking about the creator of a work (books, buildings, inventions) in a passive sentence.

Example sentences

有名ゆうめいな料理りょうり研究家けんきゅうかによって開設かいせつされたYouTubeが大人気だいにんきです。
/yuumei na ryoori kenkyuuka ni yotte kaisetsu sareta yuuchuubu ga daininki desu./
The YouTube channel started by a famous culinary expert has become hugely popular.

「人間失格にんげんしっかく」は太宰治だざいおさむによって書かかれた小説しょうせつです。
/ningen shikkaku wa dazai osamu ni yotte kakareta shoosetsu desu./
“No Longer Human” is a novel written by Osamu Dazai.

④ Correspondence / Variation

“Depending on X”

Structure

Noun + によって
Noun + による + Noun

Nuance

Used when the second half of the sentence varies (differs, changes) based on the first half. Often used with words like 違う (differ) or 変わる (change).

Example sentences

経験けいけん、世代せだい、文化ぶんかによって人ひとの考かんがえ方かたは違ちがいます。
/keeken, sedai, bunka ni yotte hito no kangaekata wa chigaimasu./
People think differently depending on their experiences, generation, and culture.

日本にほんの四季しきによる季節きせつのフレーバーが楽たのしめるアイスクリーム屋やがあります。
/nihon no shiki ni yoru kisetsu no fureebaa ga tanoshimeru aisukuriimu ya ga arimasu./
There’s an ice cream shop where you can enjoy seasonal flavours inspired by [depending on] Japan’s four seasons.