What it means
きっかけに marks an event, experience, or circumstance that prompts a later action or change. It is usually used as をきっかけに, meaning that the preceding event became the trigger or opportunity for what follows. The expression often suggests a meaningful turning point rather than a simple immediate cause.
Usage note
きっかけに commonly introduces a positive or neutral turning point, such as beginning a new activity or changing one's habits. It is not normally used to state an ordinary direct cause; constructions such as ので or から are more suitable for that meaning.
How to use it
その講演をきっかけに、環境問題を詳しく調べ始めました。
Prompted by that lecture, I began researching environmental issues in detail.
その講演をきっかけに、環境問題を詳しく調べ始めた。
Prompted by that lecture, I began researching environmental issues in detail.
