GRAMMAR
〜だけに
being the case
precisely because
Explanation
NOTE
〜だけに means precisely because or all the more because — the cause (X) makes the result (Y) especially natural or intensified.
彼は選手だけに、体力がある。
Precisely because he is an athlete, he has stamina.
The result clause expresses something naturally expected, often intensified.
NOTE
The result clause often contains an intensified expression (especially happy, especially disappointed, etc.) — d'autant plus que in French.
NOTE
With verbs and i-adjectives, attach だけに directly to the plain form (期待していた → 期待していただけに).
STRUCTURE
V普
だけに一生懸命準備した企画だけに、成功したときは感動しました。
Isshoukenmei junbishita kikaku dake ni, seikou shita toki wa kandou shimashita.
Being a project I prepared for with all my might, I was moved when it succeeded.
長年住んだ家だけに、引っ越すときは寂しかったです。
Naganen sunda ie dake ni, hikkosu toki wa sabishikatta desu.
Precisely because it was a house I lived in for many years, I felt lonely when moving out.
ずっと練習した曲だけに、本番で成功して嬉しいです。
Zutto renshuushita kyoku dake ni, honban de seikou shite ureshii desu.
Precisely because it was a song I practiced for a long time, I am happy I succeeded during the performance.
長年努力してきただけに、合格の喜びは大きい。
Naganen doryoku shite kita dakeni, goukaku no yorokobi wa ookii.
All the more because I worked hard for years, the joy of passing is great.
期待していただけに、失敗が悔しい。
Kitai shite ita dakeni, shippai ga kuyashii.
Precisely because I had high hopes, the failure is frustrating.
毎日練習しているだけに、上達が早い。
Mainichi renshuu shite iru dakeni, joutatsu ga hayai.
All the more because he practices every day, his improvement is fast.
NOTE
With nouns, attach だけに directly to the noun (プロ → プロだけに). For na-adjectives, use the な form (有名な → 有名なだけに).
STRUCTURE
N辞
だけに彼はプロだけに、技術がすばらしい。
Kare wa puro dakeni, gijutsu ga subarashii.
Precisely because he is a pro, his skill is wonderful.
初めての海外旅行だけに、とても緊張している。
Hajimete no kaigai ryokou dakeni, totemo kinchou shite iru.
All the more because it's my first overseas trip, I'm very nervous.
有名な店だけに、値段も高い。
Yuumei na mise dakeni, nedan mo takai.
Precisely because it's a famous shop, the prices are also high.
Practice exercises
1
彼は優しいことだから、困っている人を助けるだけに、当然だ。
Knowing he is a kind person, precisely because he helps people in trouble, it's natural.
Answer
だけに
2
安いばかりに、品質が悪いだけに、すぐに壊れた。
Simply because it was cheap, and precisely because its quality was bad, it broke quickly.
Answer
だけに
3
老舗だけあって、味が格別なだけに、人気がある。
As expected of a long-established shop, precisely because its taste is exceptional, it is popular.
Answer
だけに
4
今回のプロジェクトは難易度が高いだけに、成功すれば大きな評価が得られるだろう。
Precisely because this project's difficulty is high, if it succeeds, a great evaluation will be gained.
Answer
だけに
5
彼は以前から経験豊富なだけに、急な問題にも冷静に対処できる。
Precisely because he has been experienced for a long time, he can calmly deal with sudden problems.
Answer
だけに