connective N2 uncommon written
〜を契機に — taking ~ as a turning point
〜を契機に ・ をけいきに
Builds on 〜を機に
Meaning
- taking ~ as a turning point / using ~ as the catalyst for ~ — a significant event becomes the impetus for a major change (formal)
Key sentence
大震災を契機に、防災意識が高まった。
Taking the great earthquake as a turning point, disaster awareness rose.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (a significant event) | N + を契機に（formal を契機として） | 留学を契機に / 事件を契機として |
When: Formal and written — often social or large-scale change, not only personal.
Examples
不祥事を契機に、会社は制度を改めた。
Taking the scandal as a catalyst, the company reformed its system.
留学を契機に、彼の人生は大きく変わった。
His study abroad became the turning point that greatly changed his life.
When you can't use it
- The trigger is a notable event; it suits significant or institutional change and is heavier than を機に. Not for a trivial prompt.
Easily confused with
See 〜を契機に in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜を契機に the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.