By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The phrase ～あっての is used to express that something exists or is possible only because of something else. It emphasizes the importance of the preceding element as a necessary condition or foundation for the following one.
Structure:
Noun + あっての + Noun
Meaning: “Only with…,” “Thanks to…,” or “Because of…”
🔎 This expression often implies appreciation or recognition of a critical component that enables the current state or success.
💡 Example Sentences
- お客様あっての商売です。
Business exists thanks to customers. - 愛あっての結婚生活だ。
Marriage life is only possible because of love. - 努力あっての成功だ。
Success comes only through effort. - 家族あっての私の人生だ。
My life is what it is thanks to my family. - 社員あっての会社だ。
A company exists thanks to its employees.
📝 Grammar Notes
- Only used between two nouns.
- Highlights a relationship of dependency or support.
- Often used to show respect, gratitude, or recognition.
⚠️ Do not use this form with adjectives or verbs directly.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
- あなたの支え＿＿＿＿、今の私があります。
- ファン＿＿＿＿、このアーティストの成功はない。
- 健康＿＿＿＿人生だ。
✔ Answers:
- あっての
- あっての
- あっての
2. Translate into Japanese using ～あっての
- My success is thanks to my team.
- Society is supported by its citizens.
- A school is nothing without its students.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 私の成功はチームあってのものです。
- 社会は市民あってのものだ。
- 学校は生徒あっての存在だ。
📚 Related Grammar
- ～からこそ: Exactly because…
- ～によって: Due to, by means of
- ～のおかげで: Thanks to… (less formal)
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: Thanks to…, Because of…
- Structure: Noun + あっての + Noun
- Function: Expresses the importance or necessity of something
- JLPT Level: N1
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
