How to say "consequence" in Japanese

• 結果けっかJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe default word for 'consequence' in its plain sense: the result or outcome that follows from an action, cause, or event. Neutral and broadly applicable, it also covers 'result' and 'effect'.
  結果けっかは気きにするな。↗

  Don't worry about the results.
• せいJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers 'consequence' only in the sense of blame: it attributes a bad outcome to a cause as its fault, and is usually written in kana. Not a neutral word for results.
  あなたの頭痛ずつうは過労かろうのせいだ。↗

  Your headache comes from overwork.
• 帰結きけつCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers 'consequence' in the logical sense — what follows from premises, reasoning, or an argument, close to 'conclusion'. It is not the word for the ordinary results of actions.
• 果てはてJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounPrimarily means 'end' or 'farthest reaches'; for 'consequence' it works as the upshot — the outcome things finally arrive at after a process — and is seldom the plain word for a result.
• 副産物ふくさんぶつCommon
  nounCovers 'consequence' only as a by-product: a secondary outcome that arises alongside the main result of an activity, like a side effect or spin-off. Not the word for the direct, intended result.
  改良かいりょうされた医療いりょう技術ぎじゅつは、宇宙うちゅう開発かいはつ計画けいかくの副産物ふくさんぶつとして派生はせいしたものの一ひとつである。↗

  Improved medical technology has been one of the spin-offs of the space program.

Use 結果 for the neutral result of an action; 「せい」 only to blame a cause for a bad outcome; 帰結 for logical consequences; 「果て」 for the upshot at the end of a process; 副産物 for incidental by-products.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 結果けっかresult
• せいconsequence
• 帰結きけつconsequence
• 帰趨きすうoutcome (of a course of events)
• 転帰てんきoutcome (esp. of illness)
• ためconsequence
• 果てはてresult
• 副産物ふくさんぶつspin-off
• 尻しりconsequence