Japanese word

引き起こす

Pronunciation

Romajihikiokosu

Meaning

  • verbcause

Example

その事故は大きな混乱を引き起こします。so no ji ko wa ō ki na kon ran o hi ki o ko shi ma su

That accident causes a lot of confusion.

Illustration for 引き起こす (cause)

More examples

その薬は眠気を引き起こすことがあります。so no kusuri wa nemu ke o hi ki o ko su ko to ga a ri ma su

That medicine can cause drowsiness.

Core concept

Describes something as setting a process in motion and producing a resulting event, condition, or change.

Common phrases

  • 反応を引き起こすhan nō o hi ki o ko su

    trigger a reaction

  • 対立を引き起こすtai ritsu o hi ki o ko su

    provoke a conflict

  • 変化を引き起こすhen ka o hi ki o ko su

    bring about a change

Similar words

起こすokosu: To make something happen by starting or producing it directly.
招くmaneku: To bring about a situation or result, usually an undesirable one.
もたらすmotarasu: To produce a significant result, effect, or change.

Definition in Japanese

原因となって、ある出来事や状態を発生させる。gen in to na tte a ru de ki goto ya jō tai o has sei sa se ru

Word origin

引き起こす (hikiokosu) combines 引き (hiki), the conjunctive form of 引く (hiku, "pull"), with 起こす (okosu, "raise" or "cause to happen"), expressing the idea of bringing something about.

Usage tips

  • The subject of 引き起こす (hikiokosu) is often an event, action, or condition rather than a person, especially when the result is confusion, damage, or another notable change.

Other meanings

  • induceverb
  • provokeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 引き起こしhikiokoshicausingnoun

Word lists with this word