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N1

あっての

Exist only because of or due to, Owe everything to

今回こんかいは皆様みなさまの努力どりょくあっての結果けっかです。皆様みなさま本当ほんとうにありがとうございました。

This time, the results are because of your efforts. Thank you very much.

Explanation

「AあってのB」 means 'B exists only because of A'. A is the base or precondition (customers, health, fans, peace), and B is what depends on it (business, life, a show, happiness). Without A, B is nothing. 「お客様あっての仕事だ」 (Our work exists because of our customers), 「健康あっての人生だ」 (Life depends on health). It carries gratitude and respect, a reminder not to forget what matters most.

Mixed up with

「おかげで」 gives a cause: 'thanks to...', focused on a concrete good result.

「なくてはならない」 states a necessity: 'indispensable', in a more rational way.

「あっての」 is about dependence between two things, and has the weightiest tone.

Examples

  1. 私わたしはお金かねがなかったら愛あいもない、お金かねがあっての幸しあわせだと思おもいます。

    I think that without money, there’s no love and happiness is something that exists only due to money.

  2. 支配人しはいにん、社員しゃいんに:「ゲストあっての遊園地ゆうえんちだということを忘わすれてはいけません。」

    Manager to staff: 'Never forget that the amusement park exists only because of its guests.'

  3. 彼かれが大学だいがくをやめるのは、何なにか理由りゆうがあってのことだろう。

    He must have some reason for leaving university.

Tested 2 times in past papers

N1 · Dec 2023, Q27N1 · Dec 2010, Q36