を契機に【をけいきに】

The grammar structure を契機に (をけいきに) is used to express that a particular event or occasion served as a turning point, catalyst, or opportunity that led to a significant change or new development. It is similar in meaning to "taking the opportunity of," "as a result of," or "prompted by" in English.

This expression carries a nuance that the event mentioned was not just a simple cause, but rather a pivotal moment that triggered something meaningful – often a deliberate decision or a major life change. It is used in formal writing, news articles, speeches, and essays.

を契機にして / を契機として

The forms を契機にして and を契機として are also common with the same meaning. をけいき契機として is slightly more formal and literary.

Comparison with をきっかけに

を契機に is very similar to をきっかけに, but there are subtle differences:

• を契機に tends to be used for larger, more significant events (social changes, life decisions, historical events) and sounds more formal.
• をきっかけに can be used for both major and minor events and is more common in everyday conversation.

Usage notes

• The noun before をけいき契機に is typically a significant event such as an illness, a disaster, a marriage, a job change, or a historical event.
• The clause after をけいき契機に usually describes a change, action, or new development that was triggered by the event.
• This expression is predominantly used in written and formal Japanese.