One of the functions that the conjunction particle
て performs in Japanese is very similar to ‘since’, or ‘due to’, in English. Phrases that use this particular (A)
て (B) nuance of the
て-form primarily express something that is beyond the control of the speaker in the (B) statement.
To use this grammar construction, pair the
て-form of a verb or
い-Adjective with the (B) phrase. In the case of nouns and
な-Adjectives,
で (the particle) will be used instead.
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犯人（はんにん）が捕（つか）まって安心（あんしん）です。
I feel safe because the criminal got caught.
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今日（きょう）は宿題（しゅくだい）が多（おお）くて行（い）けなかった。
I couldn't go today because I had a lot of homework.
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田舎（いなか）は静（しず）かなので落（お）ち着（つ）きます。
I can relax in the countryside because it is quiet.
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虫歯（むしば）で歯（は）が痛（いた）い。
My tooth hurts because of a cavity.
The ‘because’ nuance of て (or で) in this grammar construction is primarily influenced by the (B) phrase being something that is uncontrollable, rather than being a different meaning of the particles て, or で themselves. Literally the meaning is closer to the following:
(A) て 困（こま）る - Being troubled cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
(A) て 嬉（うれ）しい - Being happy cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
(A) て 大変（たいへん） - Having a problem cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
(A) て びっくり - Being surprised cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
(A) て 疲（つか）れている - Being worn-out cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
(A) て 心配（しんぱい） - Feeling anxiety cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
Many other words, such as the ones listed above will cause て (or で) to have a similar nuance. てすみません also uses this meaning of て, as すみません is a feeling that the speaker cannot control, relating to the situation being left unfinished.