At a glance
～次第です means "that is why..." or "this is how it came about." It comes at the end of a formal explanation, after you give the background to your action or situation.
Verb (plain form, usually た-form) + 次第です
近くまで来たので、ご挨拶に伺った次第です。 I was in the area, so I came by to say hello.
How to form it
次第です attaches to plain forms. It does not take the ます-stem in this meaning.
| Attaches to | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Verb た-form | 伺った次第です | Most common |
| Verb dictionary form | お願いする次第です | Often with requests |
| Verb ている form | 困っている次第です | A current situation |
| い-adjective | お恥ずかしい次第です | Mostly in this set phrase |
| Clause + という | ～という次第です | Sums up a situation |
Register: formal. The more polite version is 次第でございます. In formal writing, 次第だ is also used.