Cause
Origin, Source
noun, verbal noun
The original cause is how you got into this mess. Forget all the things it caused, the first cause is the origin and source of what's going on right now. You can pinpoint one thing that caused all of this!
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.
ケンカの原因は何ですか？
What is the cause of the fight?
原因不明の山火事で、町は大変なことになっています。
Due to the wildfire of unknown origins, the town has been in such a chaotic situation.
彼の病気の原因は仕事でのストレスだと言われています。
The cause of his illness is said to be work-related stress.