Title: Japanese / Yookoso.com Grammar (jGram) (female audio)
Tags: JGRAM JLPT2 JLPT1 JLPT3 JLPT4

Front: okagede
おかげで
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
おかげで
Meaning: thanks to
Example: It's thanks to you that I received the promotion.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Used to show causation for something good.
— contributed by: lucinda lohmanoota
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- そんな中、ホストファミリーが陽気に話しかけ、あちらこちらへ連れ出してくれたお蔭で、徐々に英語にも慣れ理解できるようになっていきました。
Among which, thanks to the host family cheerfully chatting with me, taking me hither and thither I gradually accustomed to and able to understand English.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あいつのお陰で事故に巻き込まれた。
Thanks to him, I ended up getting involved in this accident.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 両親のお陰で、私はアルバイトをしないで勉強することができる。
Thanks to my parents, I can study without working.
— contributed by: Ludi
- 私がアルバイトせずに勉強できるのは、両親のお陰だ。
I can study without working thanks to my parents.
— contributed by: Ludi
- 君のおかげで、お金を全部使ってしまい歩いて帰宅せねばならなかった。
Thanks to you, I spent all my money and had to walk home.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私は彼の援助のおかげで成功した。
I had succeed through his help.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私が成功したのはあなたのおかげです。
I owe my success to you.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私が逃れられたのはあなたのおかげだ。
I`m indebted to you for my escape.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- See also 'okagesamade'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- hither and thither あちらこちらに
— contributed by: Miki
- The second example is to show that this expression can be used in a reverse situation.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Hang on bamboo4,
In all of the textbooks I've read, お陰で can only be used to indicate a positive outcome in JLPT2. It may be used in other contexts (maybe to express irony in colloquial Japanese) but for JLPT2, I don't think your example is valid.
I think you mean 〜のせいで.
— contributed by: PaulO
- On the contrary, お陰で can be used in a negative sense in many situations, e.g., お前さんのお陰で大変な損をしたよ.
I don't personally care a hoot about JLPT or whatever - when you have to learn, you have to learn.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- PaulO is correct. おかげで is used in positive connotations, such as "thanks to...".
While せいで is used in negative connotations, usually to express blame, such as "because of...".
And I agree that these examples should be groomed according to grammar level. However, exceptions can be noted if the context/situation is properly explained.
— contributed by: tanuki86
- 普通はよい結果になる場合に使うが、皮肉な表現として、悪い結果になる場合にも使うことがある。 This is written in my JLPT2 book, so bamboo4 is right.
— contributed by: laki-laura
- I have heard it used in negative situations as well, although this site is for JLPT preperation. the ultimate goal should be to learn Japanese.
Classroom Japanese is far from the real thing. keep that in mind while you study and you might improve faster than you had expected.
— contributed by: tigert
- Did anyone notice the examples use 2 different kanji? Which one is the right one? 陰　 or 蔭 ?
— contributed by: tenkamuteki82
- 陰 is in the 常用 kanji list, while the other is not. It looks like an old form that some people still use.
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: okagede
tagJ: おかげで
expE: thanks to
noteE: It's thanks to you that I received the promotion.
JLPT: 2

Front: kurai
くらい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
くらい
Meaning: about, as
Example: (about) as normal as any other guy on the street.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- kurai
literally means how long or much, but often used in conversation for adding an "about" feeling to soften a phrase.
sometimes pronounced gurai depending on the phrase before; for example if the sentence before ends with a vowel.
3万ドルぐらい = about 30,000 dollars
— contributed by: dc
- can also mean "if anything", "rather"
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 人に会ったら、あいさつぐらいして欲しい
When I meet people I'd like at least a hello.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 子どもでもそれくらいのことはできる
Even a child could do about that much。
— contributed by: dc
- 駄目だったら！こっちが手伝ってもらいたいくらい。
I told you it's no good! If anything, I need YOUR help.
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- どのくらいやったら認めてくれるの。
How much do I have to do to get your approval?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あなたが駅に着くのにどのくらいかかりますか。
How long does it take to get to the station?
— contributed by: Miki
- 「ここのバスは１時間に何回くらい出るのですか」「３０分ごとに出ます」
"How often do the buses run in an hour?" "Every thirty minutes."
— contributed by: Miki
- ウィーンまでは歩いてどのくらいかかりますか。
How long does it take to get to Vienna on foot?
— contributed by: Miki
- 「バスは後どのくらいで来ますか」「5分で来ます」
"How soon will the bus come?" "In five minutes."
— contributed by: Miki
- 「会合はどのくらい続きそうですか」「2時間くらいです。」
"How long will the meeting last? "For about two hours."
— contributed by: Miki
- 100ドルでどのくらいの間やっていけますか。
I'm wondering how long $100 will carry me?
— contributed by: Miki
- 1年にどのくらい頻繁にスキューバダイビングに行きますか。
How often do you go scuba diving in a year?
— contributed by: Miki
- 1泊50ドルくらいのダブルの部屋を一室、今晩から4泊お願いします。
I'd like a double for four nights from tonight for about fifty dollars a night.
— contributed by: Miki
- 2月27日の3時から1時間くらい会うことにしませんか。
Could we see each other for about an hour on February 27 at 3:00 pm?
— contributed by: Miki
- 2番目の文も丁度同じくらいの長さだった。
The second sentence was just as long.
— contributed by: Miki
- 50メートルくらい行くと、郵便局があります。
Follow the street for about 50 meters, and you will see a post office.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女は４０歳ぐらいだ。
She is about forty.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私のとった魚はこれくらいの大きさだった。
The fish I caught was about this big.
— contributed by: karekano
- 昼くらい雨がやんだ。
It stopped raining toward noon.
— contributed by: karekano
- あの橋はどれくらいの長さですか
How long is that bridge?
— contributed by: karekano
- そのビールは建ってからどのくらい経っていますか
How old is the building?
— contributed by: karekano
- その小包はどれくらいの重さですか
How much does the parcel weight?
— contributed by: karekano
- このびんに油がどれくらい入るだろうか
How much of oil will this bottle hold?
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は私と同じくらい金を持っている。
He has as much money as I do.
— contributed by: karekano
- 先生は私をしかるのと同じくらいよくテリーをしかる。
The teacher scolds Terry as often as (she scolds) me.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は速く泳ぐが、私もまったく同じくらい速く泳げる。
He swims fast, but I can swim just as fast.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は英語を話すが、彼の妹も同じくらいうまく話す。
He speaks English, and his little sister does as well.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- See also gurai ぐらい
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Lit : 'the extent (of politeness) of a greeting'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Could anyone add a bit more detail to this? I really don't understand it, yet it seems like it's used quite often in Japanese. All the English translations I've found make no sense to me, and "about" isn't very descriptive. Thanks.
— contributed by: quobobo
- is it dono Gurai or dono Kurai ? is there any rule for this or just depends on the speaker?
— contributed by: dc
- Reply to dc's 質問. I don't think there is any rule for Gurai and Kurai. Even I sometimes think which of them is more often used for a prior word. We often use both like 10分くらい、10分ぐらい、あいさつくらい、あいさつぐらい、どれくらい、どれぐらい。You can see them by Google search.
— contributed by: Miki
- KURAI here implies 程度. the rough standard, the degree, or the range of something. So, ex#609 implies somebody is expected at least a manner something like a hello. ex#3117, somebody is expected to do at least something like what a child can do.
— contributed by: your name
- 婚約したことを友人くらい伝えたらどうですか。
Why don't you tell your engagement to at least your friends/ to at least somebody like your friends?
私にはこれくらいしかできない。 Least I could do. (ex from ALC)
アルコール中心の昼食の後で請求書をサッと取れるくらいしらふである
be sober enough to grab the bill at the end of a liquid lunch. (ex from ALC)
私が払えるのはそれくらいです。 That's about all I can pay. (ex from ALC)
— contributed by: your name
- くらい　is used when it comes in as a single word and ぐらい is mainly used in combinations.
— contributed by: rochin
- What about the as.. as meaning of くらい? I'd add it myself, but I'm not very familiar with it yet. I know なら is with it a lot, though, or some sort of conditional. For example (from the wwwjdic)...
あんな男と結婚するくらいなら死んだ方がましだ。
I might as well die as marry such a man.
それをするくらいなら死んだほうがましだ。
I may as well die as do it.
— contributed by: Megan
- I posted the above submission. My bad... I didn't notice that there was another article covering it. You can delete this and the previous post if you wish. Sorry!
— contributed by: ViolaGirl
- I have been taught to use it this way:
"ｘはｙくらいです", meaning "Y is about the only X". This can only be used when Y is about the only case where X holds true. X and Y are both either nouns or noun phrases.
E.g. 東京が静かになるのは，お盆のころくらいです。
— contributed by: mel
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kurai
tagJ: くらい
expE: about, as
noteE: (about) as normal as any other guy on the street.
JLPT: 2

Front: saichuuni
最中に (さいちゅうに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
最中に (さいちゅうに)
Meaning: right in the middle of
Example: Right in the middle of the ceremony, the lights went out.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Just as~ is happening. Express that something stops another thing already in progress.
— contributed by: DinhNhat
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 考えている最中に、話しかけられて困った。
right in the middle of thinking, someone started talking to me.
— contributed by: dc
- [スクリーンセイバーのオフ] ゲームをやっている最中にスクリーンセイバーが起動されるのを防止します。
(Screen saver -> Off) Prevent the screen saver starting up in the middle of playing the game.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 冬の真っ最中の登山は十分な冬山の経験がなかったらやめるべきです。
You should stay away from mountain climbing in the midst of winter unless you have ample experience in mountais in the winter .
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 食事をしている最中に地震が起きて、大騒ぎになった。
Right in the middle of a meal, an earthquake occured, and there was a giant uproar.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼の演説の最中に中座する。
Leave in the middle of his speech
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は食事の後片付けの最中だった。
She was in the middle of washing up.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Happens to me all the time since I got a game controller - it doesn't count as 'activity' as far as the OS is concerned ;_;.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This word can also be pronounced "sanaka", and has appeared in that form in several JLPT 1 guidebooks.
— contributed by: your name
- theres also 真っ最中, meaning in the midst of, e.g.
受験の真っ最中 - in the midst of taking a test.
— contributed by: Snake
- When we say 受験の真っ最中 it means being in the exam season. ex 受験の真っ最中ですが、気分転換にディズニー・シーに遊びに行きました。in the midst of taking a test would be just '受験中に' or '試験中に'.　受験 might be special.
— contributed by: Miki
- As compared with 真っ最中（まっさいちゅう）、真っ直中（まっただなか）I think has more of an urgency or reality.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ah ok thanks, I thought there may have been that sort of nuance to it (saw it in GTO ^^)
— contributed by: Snake
- What the hell is GTO?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Great Teacher Onizuka
— contributed by: Miki
- Okay, you compelled me to ask. Who is GTO?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- <a href=http://www.angelfire.com/geek/tetrisnomiko/gto/gto.html>This やつ!</a>
— contributed by: dc
- I see, thanks! You guys float in a dimension that is completely alien to me. But, its alright, I don't wanna know.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- hmm Pls do not includ me in the guys. 私は、おたくじゃない！There was TV drama, GTO, starred by Sorimachi and Fujiwara Norika.
— contributed by: Miki
- Is this similar to 途中？、してる間？
— contributed by: nazonatte69
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: saichuuni
tagJ: 最中に
tagH: さいちゅうに
expE: right in the middle of
noteE: Right in the middle of the ceremony, the lights went out.
JLPT: 2

Front: teirai
て以来 (ていらい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
て以来 (ていらい)
Meaning: since; ever since; from here on
Example: Ever since graduation, I haven't met with any of my classmates.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 「Ａて以来、Ｂ」: B should be a continuous action, current circumstances, or a habit.
FORMATION:
Ｖて + 以来
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本に来て以来、日本に対する考え方が少しずつ変わってきた。
Since I came to Japan, my way of thinking about Japan has changed bit by bit
— contributed by: dc
- 第二次世界大戦の敗北以来日本国民は本来の意味での「愛国心」を失ってしまった。
Ever since the defeat in the WWII, the Japanese people have lost their "patriotism" in the true sense of that word.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 彼女を知って以来、僕の人生はバラ色だ。
Ever since the moment I knew her, my life has been rose-colored.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 卒業して以来、クラスメートには会っていない。
Ever since graduation, I haven't met with any of my classmates.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 数年前に大きな病気をして以来、健康に注意するようになった。
Since the epidemic several years ago, health has become a concern.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼と一緒行って以来あたしの思いはいつも彼に向けています
Since I went with him, he has always appeared in my mind.
— contributed by: amenya
- 彼は学校を出て以来働いている。
He has worked since he left school.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は当地に来て以来６回引越しをした。
She has moved house six times since she came here.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- shouldn't that be 'has changed bit by bit', otherwise it would be 変わってきている...でしょう？
— contributed by: Snake
- You are right!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Also something to note: The final sentence doesn't have to be in past tense. Ex: 卒業して以来、クラスメートに会ってない。
— contributed by: S
- Not sure what you're getting at, S. 会っていない isn't past tense, and "haven't met" is present perfect tense. ?_?
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Are you sure about the meaning of バラバラ in ex #6222 ?
I have only ever heard it used to imply a slightly more negative meaning of "scattered, all over the place"... The dictionary even gives me "in pieces", which would turn that sentence's meaning upside down.
— contributed by: drdave
- Hey Dr Dave バラ　is the word for rose。　the kanji after it is the kanji for いろ or color. the kanji that duplicates the first sound as in
”いろいろ”　is 々. 　色々 or 時々　or 様々.
but バラバラ is a 擬音　or sound effect thats used to represent a word an action etc...
other good examples are.
どきどき　＝　緊張する
むしむし　＝　hot and humid
チンする　＝　Eating a microwave dinner
ワワする　＝　込んでいる　or 煩いところ
さらさら　＝　rustling; murmuring; fluently
パンパン　＝　腫れている､Swollen
ふわふわ　＝　I am not sure exactly what this means, but 変態な意味かも so be careful using it
フーア　＝　急にとか､驚いたとか
I know there are more, but thats all I can think of now.
If you want to sound natural when speaking japanese. By all means learn the 擬音
— contributed by: tigert
- tigert... Oh my, I am so sorry. Indeed, I went over that way faster than I should have and I guess my mind got all confused between each kanji in: 色々... Hence my stupidly reading バラ々 instead of バラ色...
Completely disregard my comment above. I promise I'll be less prompt to chirp in idiocies next time.
Regarding 擬音: I absolutely love them. So much so, in fact, that I did compile a small list once: http://unknowngenius.com/blog/archives/2005/07/27/pikapika-dorodoro-barabara-buriburi-punpun-wanwan/
— contributed by: drdave
- For tirgert: ふわふわ is translated as 'fluffy', it's used in the title of one of the cuter K-On! anime songs, "Fuwafuwa Time". I've seen ふわ used in manga for a yawn, and ふわふわ for a very long yawn. But your point about 変態な意味かも is well taken.
— contributed by: Dogbreathsan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: teirai
tagJ: て以来
tagH: ていらい
expE: since; ever since; from here on
noteE: Ever since graduation, I haven't met with any of my classmates.
JLPT: 2

Front: nihanshite
に反して (にはんして)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に反して (にはんして)
Meaning: against, contrary to
Example: contrary to expectations
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜と反対に。〜と逆に
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 両親の期待に反して女の子が生まれた。
Contrary to the parents expectations, a girl was born.
— contributed by: dc2
- 国民の期待に反して政府は年金制度改正法案の強行採決に踏み切った。
Contrary to the peoples expectations, the government bulldozed the pension system revision bill through the Diet.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 研究社員になる希望に反して大学を止めらなければなりませんでした。
I had to drop out of university against my aspirations of becoming a scientist.
— contributed by: Archana
- 神の意向に反して人間は自然を破壊している。
Contrary to God's will, humans are destroying nature.
— contributed by: Meghana
- （僕の期待に反して）実のところ物価は毎週上昇している。
( Against my expectations) prices are going up every week.（M)
— contributed by: dc
- この結果は、当初の期待に反して、変数の数が処理速度に影響を与えないということを意味しているのである。
This result means, contrary to prior expectations, that the number of variants does not affect the processing speed.
— contributed by: dc
- その結果は私の期待に反していた。
The result was contrary to my expectation.
— contributed by: dc
- 意思に反して何かを無理にさせる事はできない。
No one can force you to do anything against your will.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は意に反してこれをせざるをえなかった。
I was compelled to do this against my will.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は意に反して彼と結婚した。
I married him against my will.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は、自分の意志に反して契約書に署名させられた。
He was made to sign the contact against his will.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は意に反して解雇された。
He was fired against his will.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は私たちの期待に反して落選した。
He failed to get elected contrary to our expectation.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は彼自身の望みに反してそれをするように説得された。
He was persuaded into doing it against his own wishes.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は陽気そうに見えるが、本当はそれに反して悲しんでいるのだ。
He seems gay but, on the contrary, he is sad.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼らの上司は彼らの意志に反して彼らを働かせた。
Their boss made them work against their will.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼らは彼の意志に反して彼にその契約書に署名させた。
He was made to sign the contract against his will.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は、彼らがしていることは会社のセクハラ政策に反している、と言った。
She said that what they were doing was contrary to the company's sexual harassment policy.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は自分の意思に反して計画を断念した。
She give up her plans against her will.
— contributed by: dc
- 神の意向に反して，人間は自然をはかいしている。
Contrary to the intention of God, human nature is through the medium.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 期待に反して、実験結果が出てしまった。
The outcome of an experiment in contradiction to the expectation has gone out.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼女は母親の意向に反してその若者と結婚した。
She married the young man against her mother`s wishes.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
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User Comments
- #5824, #5825, #5832 is this only my problem? 卵z、文字化けして見えます。I guess 卵z is 期待
— contributed by: Miki
- Yes, according to the translations,　卵z is 期待。Therefore, I have changed every　文字化け.
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nihanshite
tagJ: に反して
tagH: にはんして
expE: against, contrary to
noteE: contrary to expectations
JLPT: 3

Front: kuseni
くせに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
くせに
Meaning: although, despite
Example: although he's tall, he can't run fast
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- adj + kuseni
高いくせに
V-plain kuseni
知っているくせに
noun + <b>no</b> kuseni
日本人のくせに
— contributed by: dc
- Whereas [noni / のに] is neutral in use, kuseni / くせに is used when expressing annoyance, criticism, or anger. Also, [ni mo kakawarazu / にもかかわらず] expresses a similar idea, but it is a highly formal and bookish expression with no emotion. It cannot be used in highly emotive situations.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- [kuseni / くせに] cannot be used in the first person. Also, the main clause and the subordinate clause must share the same subject. The following two sentences are INGRAMMATICAL:
1. 良子はまだ学生のくせに両親は彼女に高いマンションを買ってやった。(Although Yoshiko is still a student, her parents have bought her an expensive condominium.)
CHANGE TO -->良子はまだ学生[なのに / にもかかわらず]両親は彼女に高いマンションを買ってやった。
2. 私は日本人のくせに日本の国家が歌えない。(Though I am Japanese, I cannot sing the Japanese national anthem.)
CHANGE TO --> 私は日本人[なのに / にもかかわらず]日本の国家が歌えない。
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- くせに, unlike the more neutral のに,　expresses the speaker's feeling of displeasure, disgust or contempt.
— contributed by: timmy43
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 田中さんは日本人のくせにあまり漢字を知らない。
although Mr tanaka is a Japanese, he doesn't know much kanji.
— contributed by: dc
- 背が高いくせに早く走れない
Despite the fact he is tall, he cant run fast.
— contributed by: dc
- いい年をしているくせにこんなことも判らないのか。
Despite being a grown-up, you don't even understand that! (ie: you're old enough to know better...)
— contributed by: bamboo4
- できるくせにやろうとしない。
Even though you're able to do it, you don’t (even) try.
— contributed by: dc
- なにも知らないくせに威張るんじゃねえ。
Don't you brag your head off when you don't know anything!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 私は日本人のくせして日本語の文法が大嫌いだ。
Despite the fact that I am a Japanese, I strongly abhor Japanese grammar.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 警官のくせに泥棒を怖がるなんて。
A policeman and afraid of a thief!
— contributed by: Miki
- 新米のくせに大きな顔をするな。
Act your place.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は金持ちのくせに乞食のような生活をしている。
He is rich, and lives like a beggar.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は太っているくせに声は細い。
His voice is as thin as he is fat.
— contributed by: Miki
- 知っているくせに、何も教えてくれないんですか。ひどいなあ。
Even though he knew, he didn't say anything? How rude!
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼は、彼女のことが好きなくせに、それを彼女に言えない。
Even though he loves her, he can't tell her.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 知っているくせに、教えてくれない。
Even though he knows, he won't tell me.
— contributed by: hana
- 元気なくせに、病気のふりをしている。
Even though he's healthy, he pretends to be sick.
— contributed by: hana
- コムスメのくせに大した怪力だ。
That's a lot of power for a little girl.
— contributed by: cone
- 彼は私の本を無くしたくせに、うそをついた。
Although he lost my book, he told a lie.
— contributed by: amenya
- お金もないくせに高い物ばかり買う人は困ります。
It's too bad that there are people who have absolutely no money but keep buying expensive things.
— contributed by: timmy43
- 貧乏のくせに彼は気前がいい。
Though he is poor, he is generous.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は足が痛いくせにピクニックに行った。
She went on a picnic in spite of the pain in her leg.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- nimokakawarazu
User Comments
- Generally with 'kuse ni' the implication is negative. e.g. it _wouldn't_ be used for "Although he's English he speak Japanese very well."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- much ruder than にもかかわらず. you might use when arguing with your little brother! 軽蔑 - disrespect
— contributed by: dc
- As I said in another forum, くせに is a somewhat peculiar expression in Japanese, in that くせ that ordinarily means "habit" is used in くせに to denote the "category" or "characterization" that is socially associated with the subject being discussed. For example, when you say 子供のくせにたばこを吸う, it would mean "You smoke while you are categorized as a child" [and therefore it is not within that category of expected behavior as a child for you to smoke].
— contributed by: bamboo4
- shouldn't that last one be kanji _ga_ shiranai?
— contributed by: Snake
- No, Kanji cannot be a subject here. Please see [wo] & [ga] entries.
— contributed by: Miki
- urg i think i read the sentence funny sorry ;/
— contributed by: Snake
- If you want to use が here, the sentence would have to be 漢字がわからない.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ah of course, using ga for 'it _cant be understood_ (by me) as opposed to wo for I _dont know it_
— contributed by: Snake
- Snake, I'm not good at Japanese grammer but I think the subjuect is still 田中さん unlike your comment.
田中さんは_日本人のくせに_あまり漢字がわからない。
this may be the same が of 「犬が好きです。」in [_Nは].
— contributed by: Miki
- I have been told you can't use this when speaking of yourself (わたしがカナダ人のくせに、スキーができない。）True?
— contributed by: Leslie
- You can use when you speak as if you are laughing at yourself but なのに would be more popular.
わたしはカナダ人のくせに、スキーができないんですよ。
私は日本人のくせに正座ができません。
私はずっと東京に住んでいるくせに、友だちがきても、上手く観光案内できなかった。f^_^;
— contributed by: Miki
- Thank you; I often feel the need to laugh at myself, so this is quite helpful^_^.
— contributed by: Leslie
- In ex#3262, is くせして = くせに?
— contributed by: anon
- anon, you are right.
— contributed by: anon
- みきさん、is it 上手にor 上手く?
教えてください。
I think Miki and bamboo are right,
漢字を知らない、漢字が分からない
— contributed by: 誠
- 上手に「じょうずに」
上手く「うまく」
Basically they mean the same thing.
— contributed by: Shizuya
- Added an example from 'Naruto' :) . Might have gotten it wrong, though.
— contributed by: cone
- I noticed that rubyhatchet said that this grammar couldn`t be used with frist person, but Miki`s examples all use first person. 誰が正しいかどうか分からないですよ｡　この文法を見たことありません｡　そして　このサイトであの二人はあまり文法ノートが間違いないので　どうしようか分からないんだよ｡
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kuseni
tagJ: くせに
expE: although, despite
noteE: although he's tall, he can't run fast
JLPT: 2

Front: nimokakawarazu
にもかかわらず
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にもかかわらず
Meaning: despite; though; although; in spite of
Example: despite the rain lots of people came
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [nikakawarazu] for usage notes
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 雨にもかかわらず大勢の人が集まって
Despite the rain many people gathered together.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私は雨にもかかわらず出かけた。
I went out in spite of the rain.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は疲れていたが、それにもかかわらず眠れなかった。
I was very tired, but I was nevertheless unable to sleep.
— contributed by: dc
- 私達は苦痛や死があるにもかかわらず喜びを見いだせるでしょう。
Can we find joy in spite of suffering and death?
— contributed by: dc
- 資金不足にもかかわらず、概して彼の実験はうまくいった。
By and large his experiment was successful despite his lack of money.
— contributed by: dc
- 社会党の猛烈な反対にもかかわらず、その議案は過半数で可決された。
The bill was passed by a majority, though the Socialist Party were strongly opposed to it.
— contributed by: dc
- 社会党の猛烈な反対にもかかわらず、その知識の深さは驚くばかりである。
The bill was passed by a majority, though the Socialist Party were strongly opposed to it.
— contributed by: dc
- 渋滞にもかかわらず、私はどうにか空港に遅れずに到着することができた。
In spite of the heavy traffic, I managed to get to the airport in time.
— contributed by: dc
- 所属していた組織に対する、長期間にわたる忠勤ぶりにもかかわらず、かれが報われたのは僅かな金額にすぎなかった。
For his length of loyal service to his organization, he was only repaid in chicken feed.
— contributed by: dc
- 小さなレストランにもかかわらず、彼らは何とか不況を通りぬけた。
In spite of their tiny restaurant they managed to pull through the recession.
— contributed by: dc
- 少女は病気にもかかわらず学校へいった。
The girl went to school in spite of her illness.
— contributed by: dc
- 晴雨にもかかわらず、私は行きます。
Rain or shine, I will go.
— contributed by: dc
- 晴天にもかかわらず、空気は冷え冷えとしていた。
In spite of the sunny weather, the air was rather chilly.
— contributed by: dc
- 先生の注意にもかかわらず、その怠け者の少年は再々遅れてくる。
In spite of the teacher's warning, the lazy boy comes late as often as not.
— contributed by: dc
- 大幅な貿易黒字にもかかわらず、貿易収支外の赤字のために計上収支黒字はそれほど大きくない。
espite a large surplus in merchandise trade, the current account surplus is not so big due to a deficit in invisible trade.
— contributed by: dc
- 天才にもかかわらず、彼は相変わらずうだつがあがらない。
With, all his genius, he is as obscure as ever.
— contributed by: dc
- 努力したにもかかわらず、彼はその試験に失敗した。
With all his efforts, he failed the test.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本は資源が乏しい国にもかかわらず、国際貿易のお陰で経済大国に発展した。
Though it is poor in natural resources, Japan has become an economic superpower thanks to international trade.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本文学は、その美しさと豊かさにもかかわらず、西欧ではまだ不助ｪにしか知られていない。
Japanese literature, in spite of its beauty and riches, is as yet inadequately known in the West.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本文学は、其の美しさと豊かさにもかかわらず、西欧ではまだ不助ｪにしか知られていない。
Japanese literature, in spite of its beauty and richness, is as yet inadequately known in the West.
— contributed by: dc
- 年にもかかわらず彼は健康だ。
He is in good health in spite of his age.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼には欠点があるにもかかわらず、私は彼を立派だと思う。
I admire him, in spite of his faults.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼には行かないように頼んだ。にもかかわらず彼は去った。
I asked him not to go, but he left all the same.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼には美しい奥さんがあるにもかかわらず、その割りには喜んでいない。
He is none the happier for his beautiful wife.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の欠点にもかかわらずサムはとても好ましい人物だ。
For all his faults, Sam is still a very likable person.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の欠点にもかかわらず私は彼を愛する。
I love him none the less for his faults.
— contributed by: dc
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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User Comments
- I think this can also be pronounced にかかわりなく
— contributed by: dc
- hmm but we don't say 雨にもかかわりなく。In case, I've checked with Google. :P
— contributed by: Miki
- But 雨にかかわりなく、is OK.
In kanji, 関わり／係わり_なく
— contributed by: Miki
- Conventionally, one would say かかわらず for rain or other untoward elements. かかわりなく sounds too far removed.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Shouldn't 集まって be 集まった
as in:
雨にもかかわらず大勢の人が集まった
?
— contributed by: PaulO
- 集まった would be better. When you used 集まって、it ends in the middle of the sentence.
— contributed by: Miki
- Which is most used: 髢｢繧上ｊ, 菫ゅｏ繧? or 諡倥ｉ縺? It seems 髢｢繧上ｊ shows up most prominently in Google.
— contributed by: cal
- O, that should have read: Which is most used: 髢｢繧上ｊ, 菫ゅｏ繧? or 諡倥ｉ縺? It seems 髢｢繧上ｊ shows up most prominently in Google.
— contributed by: cal
- cal - what OS and browser are you using? your text is mojibake... (unreadable kanji).
— contributed by: dc
- ex5198 計上収支 is wrong. 経常収支（けいじょうしゅうし） is correct kanji.
— contributed by: Miki
- ex5202, ex5203 mojibake 不助ｪ would be 十分 or 充分. Both read as じゅうぶん,
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nimokakawarazu
tagJ: にもかかわらず
expE: despite; though; although; in spite of
noteE: despite the rain lots of people came
JLPT: 2

Front: kekka
結果 (けっか)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
結果 (けっか)
Meaning: as a result of
Example: as a result of consulting him, I decided
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- かれと相談した結果決めた
As a result of consulting him, I decided
— contributed by: dc
- ある研究の報告によれば、二次喫煙の結果、53,000人のアメリカ人が毎年死亡している。
A study reports that 53,000 Americans die each year as a result of secondhand smoke.
— contributed by: Miki
- 君のせきはタバコを吸う結果だよ。
Your cough is the consequence of smoking.
— contributed by: Miki
- この長い不況の結果、社会不安が起こるかもしれない。
Social unrest may come about as a result of this long recession.
— contributed by: Miki
- この政策の結果、物価が大幅に上昇した。
A price rose drastically as a result of this policy.
— contributed by: Miki
- 結果は次の通りである。
The results are as follows.
— contributed by: karekano
- 結果をグラフで示しなさい。
Translate your results in graphic form.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は息子のテスト結果がどうなるかと心配している。
She is anxious about the results of her son`s test.
— contributed by: karekano
- 核戦争の結果はどんな事態になるのだろうか
What will be the result of an atomic war?
— contributed by: karekano
- その地震は多数の死者を出す結果になった。
The earthquake has resulted in many deaths.
— contributed by: karekano
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- uede ([verb] 結果 similar to [verb] 上で)
- depend-correspond-group
User Comments
- um... I'm not that familiar with all the kanjis used, and I end up spending more time looking up the kanjis than studying the grammar. Would it be possible to try using a smaller amount of kanjis ?
— contributed by: saithan
- I don't know if these kanji are not for level 2 or not and added extra. ;D 相談（そうだん）、結果（けっか）、決めた（きめた）、研究（けんきゅう）、報告（ほうこく）、二次（にじ）、喫煙（きつえん）、53,000人（53,000にん）、アメリカ人（あめりかじん）、毎年（まいとし）、死亡（しぼう）、君（きみ）、吸う（すう）、長い（ながい）、不況（ふきょう）、社会（しゃかい）、不安（ふあん）、起こる（おこる）政策（せいさく）、物価（ぶっか）、大幅（おおはば）、上昇（じょうしょう）
— contributed by: Miki
- Saithan - you should get the excellent Rikaichan add-on for Firefox and wave goodbye to looking up unfamiliar Kanji! You can just scroll over it and get the reading and translation.
— contributed by: bullet1001
- I don't see any kanji here that aren't on the n2 list. Quite a few are n3. I agree with bullet1001 about using Rikaichan.
— contributed by: jameserb
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kekka
tagJ: 結果
tagH: けっか
expE: as a result of
noteE: as a result of consulting him, I decided
JLPT: 2

Front: nitotte
にとって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にとって
Meaning: to; for
Example: For foreigners, natto is hard to eat.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This grammar has the connotation of "from the standpoint of; so far as s.o./s.t. is concerned."
＊にとって cannot mark a noun which represents the "semantic subject," or the doer of the action as expressed by the verb.
UNGRAMMATICAL: この仕事は私にとってできない。
GRAMMATICAL: この仕事は私にはできない。
＊にとって(の) VS には: Because of the particle は, には gives a sense of contrast in some contexts while にとって(の) does not.
FOR EXAMPLE: これは様々[には/にとって]無視できない問題だ。
In the above example, the sense with には can imply that not for others but for us, or at least for us, this is a problem which cannot be ignored. The sentence with にとって does not have this implication.
FORMATION:
Ｎ + にとって(は/も)
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 外人にとって納豆は食べにくい
for foreigners, natto is hard to eat
— contributed by: dc
- この写真は私にとって、何よりも大切なものです。
For me, that photo is more important than anything.
— contributed by: dc
- ユダヤ人にとって、まんじは悪のしるしだよ。
To the jews, the swastika is a sign of evil.
— contributed by: 007
- この大学で教えられることは私にとって極めて名誉なことです。
Being able to teach at this university is a big honor for me.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 町の人々にとってこの工場の閉鎖は死活問題だ。
For people in this town, the shutdown of this plant is a matter of life and death.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- ここは君にとって一番安全な場所だ。
This is the safest place for you.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 私にとって、この環境は本当にありがたいです。
In my case, I am really grateful for this environment.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 花づくりはわたしにとって一番の楽しみである。
Floriculture is my biggest pleasure.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- この寿司は私にとって美味しくないです。
This sushi is not delicious for me (personally).
— contributed by: anna.kendall
- 私にとってのるかそるかだった。
It was sink or swim with me.
— contributed by: dbx
- 人間にとって重要な事柄
A matter of no small concern to humans
— contributed by: karekano
- スポーツマンにとって視力が強いのは不利だ。
Poor eyesight is a handicap to a sportman.
— contributed by: karekano
- 母乳は赤ちゃんにとってとても大事である。
Mother`s milk is of great value to babies.
— contributed by: karekano
- 日本の貿易にとってこわい存在
A serious treat to Japan`s trade
— contributed by: karekano
- アパートの火事は入居していた家族にとってたいへんな災難であった。
The apartament fire was a disaster for the family who lived there.
— contributed by: karekano
- 今日の試験は君の将来にとってとても大切なものになるでしょう。
Your exam today will be very significant for your future.
— contributed by: karekano
- それは彼女にとって重大であった。
It had great weight on her.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- niwa
User Comments
- ex#123: for consistency, consider using the kanji 物
— contributed by: anon
- I learned this as more "from the point of view of", which might be clearer than just saying "for"
— contributed by: jeff
- 外人にとって納豆は食べにくい
for foreigners, natto is hard to eat
外人として納豆は食べにくい
as a foreigner, natto is hard to eat
iwhat is the difference? Is it that the latter suggests I am also a foreigner?
— contributed by: karekora
- Hey karekora
in the first sentance the subject is natto.
in the second sentance the subject is your opinion and the は　used here is to contrast the fact that natto is difficult to eat, but other foods are not.
I am just wondering, why the first example is a incomplete sentence? I know that when you speak japanese you can cut corners, but for proper understanding it would be better to complete the sentence.
— contributed by: tigert
- Karekora, I don't think you can use the second sentence you put there. にとってtranslates to "as far as ... are/is concerned, to so-and-so this applies..."
として has more of a "in the capacity of, in the role of, as ...," nuance.
— contributed by: darrkangel
- How can にとって be ungrammatical in sentences where you do the action (この仕事は私にとってできない.), but it is OK in ex #213, ex #6819, and ex #7036?
— contributed by: linnenpotter
- linnenpotter
I believe from the explanation rubyhatchetさん has above, には, similar to にとって, does pertain to the subject of the sentence; however, には, at least from what I've seen, seems to single out and place emphasis on the preceding noun to the point that it is referring to what the doer can accomplish with their own abilities. Hence it's why この仕事は私にはできない is correct. には specifically refers to myself and what I'm describing what is capable by my own abilities and power.
にとって、on the other hand has neither the specificity nor the singling out of the preceding noun. Compare the following:
外人にとって、納豆は食べにくい
For foreigners (from their standpoint), nattou is difficult to eat.
外人には、納豆は食べにくい
For foreigners (specifically for them), nattou is difficult to eat.
この仕事は私にとって出来ない isn't grammatically correct since in this case we're referring to a problem specifically for us that is unable to be accomplished. We need the specificity of には to throw across this notion.
#213, #6819, and #7036 are all correct usage since they're all describing situations from their own position and standpoint.
— contributed by: Tetsuzan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitotte
tagJ: にとって
expE: to; for
expJ: から見て(も)
noteE: For foreigners, natto is hard to eat.
JLPT: 3

Front: uede
上で (うえで)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
上で (うえで)
Meaning: upon, after
Example: I will reply upon careful consideration.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 「Vta＋上で」have the meaning of upon/after.
Ex: #43
よく考えた上でご返事いたします。
I will reply upon careful consideration.
But, 「Vru＋上で」have the meaning of when
Ex: #392
メールを使ううえで注意すべきマナーって？
[What is the] Etiquette to pay attention when using email?
— contributed by: hadv
- 「N + の + 上で」also means upon/after
e.g.
内容をご確認の上で、サインをお願いいたします。
Please sign after confirming the details.
— contributed by: mervyn
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- よく考えた上でご返事いたします。
I will reply upon careful consideration.
— contributed by: dc
- メールを使ううえで注意すべきマナーって？
[What is the] Etiquette to pay attention to upon using email?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 手続きの書類は、必要事項をご記入の上、ご返送下さい。
For the documents about the procedures, upon/after filling in the necessary events on them, please send it back here
— contributed by: 誠
- みんなで十分話し合った上の結論なのだから、全員従ってほしい。
Since this conclusion is made upon/after the thorough discussion by everyone, (we/I) would like every member to follow it.
— contributed by: 誠
- 家族と相談したうえで、ご返事します。
I will give you my reaction after I have consulted my family.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- アパートは部屋の中を見たうえで借りるかどうか決めたい。
I would like to decide whether or not I rent the apartment after I have had a look inside the rooms.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- それぞれの説明をよこ聞いたうえで、旅行のコースを遊びたいと思います。
After I have listened to every explanation, I think I will enjoy the journey.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 私が皆様のご意見をうかがったうえで、来週ご報告いたします。
After I have been told everybody's opinion, I will inform you next week.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- テレビは外国語の勉強の上でかなり役に立つ。
A television is pretty useful to study [for study of] a foreign language.
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- 熟慮の上の結論です.
It is a conclusion upon the deliberation.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 皆の意見を聞いた上で決めました。
I decided upon the opinions of everyone.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 内容をご確認の上で，サインをお願いいたします。
Please sign after confirming the content.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- すべて分かった上でやったことだ。
It`s something I did full-knowing the consequences.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 上で
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- joude (Careful not to get じょうで mixed up with うえで because they look exactly the same with kanji. )
User Comments
- Careful not to get じょうで mixed up with うえで because they look exactly the same with kanji.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Second example has an implied なんですか at the end of the sentence.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Oops. On second thoughts kill that -> ueha 'see also'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- (Too darn many 上's to get confused)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I finally saw joude when i was installing debian on my laptop ^_^ it was something like
’このベースシステムのじょうで、ネットワークホストインストールすべきです。’
— contributed by: Snake
- *の上で even
— contributed by: Snake
- I often hear people at work use [joude] as in "PC jyou" on the PC...
— contributed by: your name
- As for 'このベースシステムのじょうで、ネットワークホストインストールすべきです。' is not natural for me. このベースシステムじょう（上）で would be better. I think when 上 is followed by noun, 上 would be read as 'じょう'.
— contributed by: Miki
- You means when 上 is "precceded" by noun.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I think there is a need for の after the 名詞, before the 上で（うえで）, 名詞＋の上で
If it is verb　動詞 , then it is 動詞（た形）+
上で
— contributed by: 誠
- Sometimes, you can omit the で　：　上（で）
— contributed by: 誠
- PC 上　means " about/for/relating about the PC" same as ex#392 "upon/relating about the using of email"
Like ex#392, here 上で means　" 〜に関連して ", whereas the remaining 3 examples mean ”〜してから”
— contributed by: 誠
- A minor point, but in #5889, "the necessary events" should be "the necessary particulars".
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: uede
tagJ: 上で
tagH: うえで
expE: upon, after
noteE: I will reply upon careful consideration.
JLPT: 2

Front: nomotode
のもとで
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
のもとで
Meaning: based on, under
Example: under his guidance I was able to pass the test
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [basis-of-action-group] for similar items and comparisons.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 先生の指導のもとに試験に受かる事が出来ました。
based on / under the teachers coaching I was able to pass the test.
— contributed by: dc
- 国連から派遣された医師団のもとで救援活動が続けられた
Under the guidance of a team of doctors dispatched by the United Nations, the rescue operation continued.
— contributed by: tuananh
- 法のもとではすべての人は平等だ。
All men are equal under the law.
— contributed by: murillin186
- 好奇心が知識のもとである。
Curiosity is the beggining of knowledge.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- nimotozuite
User Comments
- #3271 i translated/suggested english..
— contributed by: dc
- ex3271 Japanese is a past sentence.　続けられる→られた
— contributed by: Miki
- ex #8381 is wrong; in that example, で belongs to である, not to もとで.
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nomotode
tagJ: のもとで
expE: based on, under
noteE: under his guidance I was able to pass the test
JLPT: 2

Front: nitsuki
につき
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
につき
Meaning: a, per, each
Example: this job pays ten dollars per hour
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この仕事は一時間につき十ドル貰える。
You can get ten dollars per hour for this job.
— contributed by: dc
- １ページにつき、３枚ずつコピーして下さい。
Please make three copies of each page.
— contributed by: dbx
- １ヤードにつきキス一回でごぜえやす。
Only one kiss per yard.
— contributed by: dbx
- ２０以上の注文につきましては、見積りより１０％引きの特別価格でご提供します。
For quantities of 20 or more, we can allow you a special discount of 10% on the prices quoted.
— contributed by: dbx
- この牛肉は１ポンドにつき４ドルです。
This beef is four dollars per pound.
— contributed by: dbx
- その品物を１ダースにつき３ドルで買う。
I buy the article at $3 a dozen.
— contributed by: dbx
- それらは１ポンドにつき２５セント安かった。
They were about 25 cents a pound cheaper.
— contributed by: dbx
- 水道代は一ヶ月につき３０００円かかります。
The water expenses takes 3000 yens a month.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 昼休みにつき、事務所は１時まで休みです。
At the office, regarding the lunch break, the rest is until one hour.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 医師１人につき患者が５０人いた。
There were 50 patients per doctor.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は１年につき３００万円稼ぐ。
She earns 3.000.000 yen a year.
— contributed by: karekano
- それは１グラムにつき８円だ。
It costs eight yen a gram.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- nitsuki-2 ((1) a, per each; (2) due to;)
User Comments
- Think this is also like "nanode" with a noun preceding. Maybe more like due to , its a little stiffer than node.
— contributed by: francis
- につき or について is also used for "regarding" or "concerning" such as 山田さんにつき（について）何かご存じですか(Do you know anything about Mr. Yamada?).
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitsuki
tagJ: につき
expE: a, per, each
noteE: this job pays ten dollars per hour
JLPT: 2

Front: nikagitte
に限って (にかぎって)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に限って (にかぎって)
Meaning: of all the ... / especially / only / just
Example: our child of all children / especially our child
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- nikagitte
can mean limited to
明日に限って、割引します
just for tomorrow, we are giving a discount
— contributed by: dc
- ＊This is a compound particle to show that only X is different from others. It's meant to express an exclusive focus on topic item X. The predicate is either explicitly negative as in example #6312, or implicitly negative as in example #6313. An explicitly affirmative predicate cannot occur with に限って.
THIS IS WRONG: その日に限っていい天気だった。 (Only on that day, the weather was good.)
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- うちの子供に限ってそんなひどいことはしませんよ。
our child, out of all children, would not do such a terrible thing
— contributed by: dc
- 傘を持っていない日に限って、雨が降る。
Just on a day when you don't have an umbrella with you, it will rain.
— contributed by: halx
- 参加者は女性に限る
Female participants only.
— contributed by: halx
- 夏はビールに限る。
(During) summer beer is (the) best (beverage).
— contributed by: halx
- その日に限って財布を家に忘れた。
I left my wallet at home on that particular day.
— contributed by: dc
- その日に限って子供たちは会館に入ることを許される。
The hall allows children in only on that day.
— contributed by: dc
- その日に限って彼は欠席だった。
He was absent on the particular day.
— contributed by: dc
- 一緒にいるのを見られたくない人と一緒にいるときに限って、知り合いに会うことがおおい。
When we are with a person we don't want to be seen with, we often meet someone we know.
— contributed by: dc
- 急いでいる時に限ってバスが遅れる。
Our bus comes late particularly when we are in a hurry.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女に限ってそんなことはない。
She is the last person to do such a thing.
— contributed by: dc
- 中野先生はたいてい研究室にいらっしゃるのに、今日に限っていらしゃらなかった。
Professor Nakano is usually in his office, but today, of all days, he wasn't there.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 嫌なことがある時に限って、嫌なことが重なる。
Only when something unpleasant happens, do other unpleasant things occur.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 恋がなくって、連れて行ったことに限る。
there is no love, just went together.
— contributed by: belajar
- 彼女の携帯電話は話したい時に限って、話中だ。
at the time want to talk to him, the phone is busy.
— contributed by: belajar
- 朗らかは洒落に限る。
when pleased, the best is joking.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of に限って
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Related Grammar
- wohajime ([wohajime] usually prefaces a list of specific items, whereas [nikagitte] is a special one out of a crowd)
User Comments
- The implication is that you wouldn't put it past _other_ children.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ex1 might be translated as "would be the last to"
— contributed by: dc
- What about "would be the last to do" (sorry I'm not a native speaker of neither English nor Japanese)?
Other forms: ~に限る with two meanings
1) resticted to, exclusively, only (女性に限る)
2) the best (夏はビールに限る)
— contributed by: halx
- i think this expresses a contrast, or slight exasperation.
"I usually dont sleep in, but just this one day (when i had an interview) I overslept".
— contributed by: dc
- there isnt a direct single word in english for it. "of all days" / "just this day" / "particularly today"
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikagitte
tagJ: に限って
tagH: にかぎって
expE: of all the ... / especially / only / just
noteE: our child of all children / especially our child
JLPT: 3

Front: nisuginai
に過ぎない (にすぎない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に過ぎない (にすぎない)
Meaning: nothing more than
Example: nothing more than a rumor
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- にすぐない can also be replaced by だけ or ただ.
— contributed by: nazonatte69
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あれは大混乱期の始まりに過ぎない。
That was nothing more than the start of a period of great confusion.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- それは夢に過ぎない。
Thats nothing but a dream.
— contributed by: dc
- ある手紙で彼は、「人生は一瞬の夢に過ぎない」と言っている。
In one letter he remarks, "Life is but a dream".
— contributed by: dbx
- その新聞の発行部数は競争紙の三分の一に過ぎない。
The circulation of the newspaper is only one-third that of its competitor.
— contributed by: dbx
- それじゃ女は大きく育った子供に過ぎない。
Women, then, are only children of a larger growth.
— contributed by: dbx
- サンフランシスコの人口は、ニューヨークのわずか１０分の１に過ぎない。
San Francisco is only one-tenth as populous as New York.
— contributed by: dbx
- ルチアーノは大声援を背負って戦えるかもしれないが、彼はまだヒヨコに過ぎない。
Luciano might have the crowd behind him, but he's still wet behind the ears.
— contributed by: dbx
- 雨林は地面わずか２％をしめるに過ぎないが、世界の野生の動植物、及び昆虫の半分以上の種類がそこで生息している。
Although rain forests make up only two percent of the earth's surface, over half the world's wild plant, animal and insect species live there.
— contributed by: dbx
- 永久的な平和など幻想に過ぎない。
Permanent peace is nothing but an illusion.
— contributed by: dbx
- 我々の世界は宇宙のほんの小さな一部分に過ぎない。
Our world is only one small part of the universe.
— contributed by: dbx
- 君の計画は砂上の楼閣に過ぎないよ。
Your scheme is like a multistoried building built on the sand.
— contributed by: dbx
- 恒久的な平和など幻想に過ぎない。
Permanent peace is nothing but an illusion.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の考えでは、恒久的な平和など幻想に過ぎない。
In my opinion, permanent peace is nothing but illusion.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私は貧しい農民に過ぎない。
I am nothing but a poor peasant.
— contributed by: dbx
- 前のやっていることは現実からの逃避に過ぎない。
All you're doing is trying to escape reality.
— contributed by: dbx
- 大丈夫です。ただ、ちょっと疲れたにすぎません。
It's alright. I 'm just a little tired.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- In #3853 浮ﾌ should be 面 instead.
Ex #3857 and Ex #3858 are too close from Ex #3854.
In notes にすぐない should be replaced by にすぎない.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nisuginai
tagJ: に過ぎない
tagH: にすぎない
expE: nothing more than
noteE: nothing more than a rumor
JLPT: 2

Front: hamotoyori
はもとより
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
はもとより
Meaning: to begin with ... and also ...
Example: she speaks english to begin with, but also french and german
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜はもとより　：　〜はもちろん、〜は当然
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 低賃金、劣悪な労働条件、一方的な首切りなどの経済・労働問題はもとより、各種の人道的問題までも引き起こしている。
We know they suffer from terrible working conditions such as low wages and arbitrary layoffs, but they are also troubled by various forms of discrimination.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼女は英語はもとより、フランス語も中国語も出来る。
To begin with she can speak english beyond that she also even speaks french and chinese.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 低賃金、劣悪な労働条件、一方的な首切りなどの経済・労働問題はもとより、各種の人道的問題までも引き起こしている。
In fact, they are suffering from terrible working conditions such as low wages and arbitrary layoffs, as well as from various forms of discrimination.
— contributed by: dc
- マラソンはもとより、１００ｍも走れないよ！
Let alone a marathon, I can't even run 100m!
— contributed by: hua
- まんがの種類が増えている。子どものためのものはもとより大人が読むための歴史や経済のまんがもよく見かける.
There were many kinds of cartoon has came frequently.it begins with child,as well as often used to see economic and history for adult.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼は料理はもとより食器も洗う。
He washes the dishes as well as cooking.
— contributed by: karekano
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- haoroka
User Comments
- はもとより has the meaning of "granted" so that 彼女は 英語 はもとより、フランス語も中国語も出来る would have the connotation of "She can handle both French and Chinese, let alone English."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Tweaked translations in line with bamboo4's comment.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- My grammar copies list はもとより together with はもちろん and just mention that はもとより is のほうが改まった言い方
— contributed by: halx
- thanks Halx. I added that as a -see also- link above. did you know you can put square brackets around the english for a grammar and get links in comments - like [[hamochiron]]
— contributed by: dc
- [をはじめ]
— contributed by: anon
- My grammar notes also list 〜はもとより together with 〜はおろか。Although there are differences between them.〜はおろか is more strong/have a very strong emphasis than　〜はもとより and 〜はもちろん
— contributed by: 誠
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hamotoyori
tagJ: はもとより
expE: to begin with ... and also ...
noteE: she speaks english to begin with, but also french and german
JLPT: 2

Front: kara-nikakete
から〜にかけて
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
から〜にかけて
Meaning: from ... until
Example: from spring until autumn
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- from (time/place) to (time/place)
there are other time/place descriptors like [niwatatte] and [otsuujite] but these all just take one place. [kara-nikakete] has a start and ending.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今年の秋から来年にかけて3Gが主戦場になる
From this Autumn to next year 3G will be the central battlefield
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 秋から冬にかけては、秋味と呼ばれる鮭の旬です。
The period from autumn to winter is the season of the 'autumn flavour' salmon.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼は腰からひざにかけてびしょぬれになった。
He got drenched from the waist to the knees.
— contributed by: CorDarei
- 我が国の商社は世界をまたにかけて商売をする。
Our trading companies do business all over the world.
— contributed by: Miki
- 今週末から来週にかけて大蔵大臣は中国を訪問する嵐閧ｾ。
The Minister of Finance is scheduled to visit China from this weekend to early next week.
— contributed by: suhnton
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- nikakete (closely related)
User Comments
- NB. '3G' as in mobile phone technology.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- so its basically the same as 'made' - right?
— contributed by: hatsumomo
- Yes but nuance is different.
When you use "made", the end of time/place is very clear. While "nikakete" is the end is ambiguous.
— contributed by: Miki
- #5391 文字化け mojibake していますよ。嵐閧ｾ。 may be 予定。
— contributed by: Miki
- isn't #4362 a different grammar point?
— contributed by: sagittarius
- #4350
（〜から〜にかけて』は始まりと終わりがそれほどはっきりしていない。後の文は一回だけのことではなく。連続的なこと。
だから、『彼は腰からひざまでびしょぬれになった』のほうが正しいと思います。
— contributed by: jpmandy
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kara-nikakete
tagJ: から〜にかけて
expE: from ... until
noteE: from spring until autumn
JLPT: 0

Front: nominarazu
のみならず
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
のみならず
Meaning: not only, but also...
Example: not only humans but also dogs can have a psychiatrist
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 東アジアのみならずヨーロッパでもインターネットではユニコード化が進んでいると聞き及んでおります。
I hear that not just East Asia but even Europe is proceeding with the change to Unicode.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 時は虚偽のみならず真実も明らかにする。
Time reveals truth as well as false hood.
— contributed by: dbx
- 日本人学生は極度に内気であるのみならず、時としてほとんど全く話したがらないように見える。
Japanese students seem not merely to be extremely reserved, but to have at times almost a complete reluctance to speak.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼が日本のみならず、世界においても有名な物理学者である。
He is a famous physicist not only in Japan, but in the world.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は英語のみならずフランス語も話すことができる。
He can speak not only English but also French.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女のみならず彼女の息子達も幸せだった。
Her sons as well as she were happy.
— contributed by: dbx
- 僕はこの女の人のみならず、あの女の人も大好きです。
I not only like this girl, but also that one.
— contributed by: phananhvu
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Related Grammar
- mo-ba-mo
- nomi (as in only something)
- wohajime
User Comments
- See also standard 'のみ'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Is there a significant difference between the usage of のみならず and [をはじめ]?
— contributed by: Leslie
- I think, AをはじめB : A is the major example and B is others.
While CのみならずD, there is no rank in importance of examples.
— contributed by: Miki
- I'm sorry, but what's the difference between this grammar point and だけでなく? Does のみならず stipulate there are only two things in order (none other than those mentioned)?
— contributed by: Alkador
- だけでなく　is the same; I believe they are completely identical, but at least very similar.
— contributed by: jmadsen
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nominarazu
tagJ: のみならず
expE: not only, but also...
noteE: not only humans but also dogs can have a psychiatrist
JLPT: 2

Front: ippouda
一方だ (いっぽうだ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
一方だ (いっぽうだ)
Meaning: increasing tendency
Example: the number of people with mobile phones is increasing
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This expresses the tendency for somethign to continue to increase in number, frequency, or prevelance.
— contributed by: vraddict
- Appears at the end of a sentence (unlike the other "ippou"s). Often appears with naru/fueru/heru/agaru...or other verbs showing increases/decreases.
— contributed by: lucinda lohmanoota
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 携帯電話を使う人の数は増える一方です
the number of people with mobile phones is increasing.
— contributed by: dc
- 本屋で英語関係の本を見つけると、次々に買っていますが、読まずにいるので、溜まる一方です。
I always buy the English-language books I come across at bookstores. But since I never read them, all they do is pile up.
— contributed by: Miki
- 物価は上がる一方だ。
Prices go on rising.
— contributed by: Miki
- 近ごろ国際交流がますますさかんになっている。外国文化の情報が増える一方だが、それは自分の国のことについて考えるきっかけにもなったいる.
Recently, international exchange become increasing more and more. on the other hand, information on a foreign culture also exchanging as well.But it is also the opportunity to think about our own country.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- アメリカに帰って以来、日本語が使えないので、忘れる一方で困っている。アメリカに帰って以来、日本語が使えないので、忘れる一方で困っている。
Since returning to America I have been unable to use Japanese so I am gradually forgetting it.
— contributed by: vraddict
- 彼の体重は増える一方だ。
His weight increases steadily.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- It's a bit stronger than that I think. Implies it's "up all the way" "no sign of slowing / switching direction" etc.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- is the usage always vb(る）+一方？
— contributed by: EvilKyra
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ippouda
tagJ: 一方だ
tagH: いっぽうだ
expE: increasing tendency
noteE: the number of people with mobile phones is increasing
JLPT: 2

Front: kiri1
きり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
きり
Meaning: just, only
Example: he just drinks coffee
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今朝コーヒーを飲んだきりで、何も食べてない。
in the morning, he just drank coffee, and didnt eat anything.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたはどうして一人きりなのですか。
Why are you alone?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは昨晩私が彼女と二人っきりでいるところを見つけて、驚いたに違いない。
You must have been surprised to find me with her alone last night.
— contributed by: Miki
- その家で彼女は赤ん坊と二人きりだった。
She was alone with her baby in the house.
— contributed by: Miki
- 独りきりの人生など耐えられない。
I can't face this life alone.
— contributed by: Miki
- 半分きりでもないよりはまし。
Half a loaf is better than none.
— contributed by: Miki
- 上司は一人きりで男性雑誌を読む。
My boss reads men's magazines by himself.
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 大学時代にいつもとなりの席に座っていた内田さんは今ごろどうしているだろう。卒業した翌年に一度会ったきりだ.
The person Mr.uchida who was sitting besides me in the college days,but i had met him once after completing our graduation.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼は両親の一人きりの息子です。
He is the only son of his parents.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- I think this example is actually the same as 'kiri2'.
He drank <b>just</b> the coffee, and stayed in that state (without eating anything).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Right on!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- so, in ex #5936, 男性雑誌 is translated as jazz mags???
— contributed by: mirobr
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kiri1
tagJ: きり
expE: just, only
noteE: he just drinks coffee
JLPT: 2

Front: nikuwaete
に加えて (にくわえて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に加えて (にくわえて)
Meaning: in addition to
Example: Well, in addition to that, he also paid for the food.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- サイズ的魅力に加えて画質的なノープロブレム感もある「ペンタックス Optio S」.
The "Pentax Optio S" : In addition to the attraction from its size, the picture quality also has a 'no problemo' feeling.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- わたしは　日本語に加えて英語の文法もあまり分かりません。
in addition to not knowing Japanese, i also don't understand English grammar
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- このことに加えて、他にもまだ理由がある。
In addition to this, there are other reasons.
— contributed by: Miki
- この増加に加えて、世界の経済構造の変化があった。
Along with this increase, there has been a change in the world's economic organization.
— contributed by: Miki
- そのことに加えて、彼は試験に失敗した。
In addition to that, he failed the examination.
— contributed by: Miki
- イギリスに加えて、フランスもドイツからの廃棄物の持ちこみを禁止しそうだ。
Together with Britain, France may ban import of waste from Germany.
— contributed by: Miki
- 君が勉強した学校ではタイプに加えて常識というものを教えてもらわなかったかい。
Didn't they teach you common sense as well as typing at the school where you studied?
— contributed by: Miki
- 豪邸に加えて、彼はベントレーを持っているのです。
In addition to a mansion, he owns a Bentley.
— contributed by: Miki
- 有名な物理学者であることに加えて、彼は偉大な小説家でもある。
In addition to being a famous physicist, he is a great novelist.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は大学で医学生物学の勉強に加えて日本語も学ぶつもりです。
I plan to study Japanese in addition to medical biology at university.
— contributed by: pimbimsys
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User Comments
- ex #5274
小説化 ---> 小説家
— contributed by: ludi
- Fixed
— contributed by: teska
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikuwaete
tagJ: に加えて
tagH: にくわえて
expE: in addition to
noteE: Well, in addition to that, he also paid for the food.
JLPT: 2

Front: dakenokotohaaru
だけのことはある
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
だけのことはある
Meaning: is surely because 〜; not surprising that 〜; It was worth 〜
Example: It is not surprising that the representative flower of Japan is the cherry blossom.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [dakenokoto]haaru and [dakeatte] are the same, but with the sentence order reversed.
[dakenokoto]
その映画は面白かった。Woody Allenが作っただけのことはある。
That movie was really interesting. That's what I expect of a Woody Allen film.
[dakeatte]
Woody Allenが作った映画だけあって、面白かった。
As I'd expect from a Woody Allen film, that was really interesting.
このメロンはおいしい。高かっただけのことはある
このメロンは高かっただけあって、おいしい
both meanings are basically:
as you'd expect for a melon that was so expensive, this is delicious.
— contributed by: dc
- 「Ａだけあって・だけに、Ｂ。」＝「Ｂ。Ａだけのことはある。」
You should only use this grammar for positive nuances.
FORMATION;
Ｖnormal form + だけのことはある
Ｎ + だけのことはある
いＡ + だけのことはある
なＡ + な・だった + だけのことはある
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- I changed the entry tag from だけのこと to だけのことはある because they are different. だけのこと was the original intent for this entry, but everyone was using it as an entry for the latter.
This grammar has several meanings depending on your preference or on context. 気を付けてね。
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼はさすがに大学へ行っただけのことはある。
He did not go to college for nothing.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- このメロン、甘くて、とってもおいしい。高かっただけのことはあるね。
this melon was sweet, and very delicious. It was expensive, and it was worth it.
— contributed by: dc
- 好きなときに電話できない間柄の女性と付き合っていたとき、ただ携帯電話に電話番号を表示させてみるだけのことがよくあった。
When I'm going out with a girl but I'm not in a relationship where I can just phone anytime I often just get my mobile to display her number.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 後で後悔しないように出来るだけのことをしなければならない。
You must do all you can lest you should regret later.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女はテストのリスニング部分で満点をとった。さすがにアメリカ人の彼氏といつも話しているだけのことはある。
She got full points on the listening part of her test. No surprise really since she's always talking to her American boyfriend.
— contributed by: cdo4
- その映画は面白かった。Woody Allenが作っただけのことはある。
That movie was really interesting. That's what I expect of a Woody Allen film.
— contributed by: cdo4
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Related Grammar
- dakeatte ([dakenokoto]haaru and [dakeatte] are the same, but with the sentence order reversed. thus
"このメロンはおいしい。高かっただけのことはある。" is essentially the same as
"このメロンは高かっただけあって、おいしい。”
both meanings are basically:
"as you'd expect for a melon that was so expensive, this is delicious.")
User Comments
- ex 1: sasuga="he is smart so as expected" and "dake no koto" has some implication of "it was worth it"
— contributed by: dc
- A little more literal translation of the first example would be "Impressive, that shows the result of his having gone to university." So '大学へ行った だけのこと' is 'Just (from) the fact of having gone to university'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Is there another だけのこと for 'just / a little thing' in your textbook?
— contributed by: Miki
- [miki said]（さすが）〜だけのことはある = only 〜 could
LIT : 〜だけができる = only 〜can do
— contributed by: Amatuka
- > Is there another だけのこと for 'just / a little
> thing' in your textbook?
Probably, but I don't have my text book with me. ;-)
Do you think this should be split into two entries and some more examples found?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I'm not sure if that last example is ロマンチック or 情けない ^^v
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I think the meaning here is more like "That's what you'd expect" or "You would expect no less." I puzzled over this and "dakeatte" for a while with my girlfriend here, and that's what we arrived at. I've submitted a couple of sample sentences to demonstrate this meaning. So, for example, #326 might translate a little more literally as "This melon is great. As you'd expect, since it was so expensive."
— contributed by: cdo4
- hi cdo4 - thanks for your contrib... but:
-- translate "as expected" - do you mean [dakeatte] ?
-- where did you submit the samples? I cant see them on this page...
— contributed by: dc
- hi dc - i submitted the examples, but perhaps they haven't been checked yet? nothing ever appeared. my 1st time posting, so perhaps i did something wrong. i'll re-enter them again when i get back home this week, but not sure why they're not here.
anyway, the understanding i have (and checked with a few native speakers) is that "dakenokotohaaru" and "dakeatte" are the same, but with the sentence order reversed. thus "このメロンはおいしい。高かっただけのことはある。" is essentially the same as "このメロンは高かっただけあって、おいしい。”both meanings are basically, "as you'd expect for a melon that was so expensive, this is delicious."
— contributed by: cdo4
- the examples will show up immediately if you hit the right button (and we dont have a bug). we check 'em live!
— contributed by: dc
- okay, i managed to get the examples in correctly this time. not sure what happened before. anyway, please have a look. i've put the "dakeatte" version in as an alternate in the Woody Allen movie example. this is my first time posting, so please let me know if i've done anything incorrectly.
— contributed by: cdo4
- nearly - but not quite. I should really write up a better "how to" one day.
Basically the "grammar" field is just for the hilite in red part, eg [dakenokoto] in this case. Not the whole sentence. so you need to break up the sentence.
This is so other parts of the site like our flash quiz can just pick out the grammar parts of a sentence.
If you use the basic add example form we try and parse out the grammar automatically, but only in the japanese.
The "prior form" field is for the verb or whatever that goes right before the grammar. This is usually very important in japanese (eg you have to use dictionary form with this grammar).
Thanks again and sorry its not very well explained.
— contributed by: dc
- I also put your [dakeatte] form on the relevant other page.
— contributed by: dc
- Example #4442 doesn't belong in this category. It should go into the だけ category under that grammar's secondary meaning: as much/long/many as. This is a good English translation: "You have to do as much as you can so that you have no regrets later."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- I got an example in my textbook:
高くても無理をして買っただけのことはあるなあ！とても使いやすい。
The translation i have tried my best to get it done is:It is expensive though,the money we paid for is worthy.Because it is very easy to use !
I have a little bit unsure feeling about it.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
— contributed by: gahoangdai
- What I find interesting is that the definitions of this are "is surely because 〜; not surprising that 〜; It was worth 〜", but in the example sentences it is translated as "as expected"
— contributed by: ラスムス　鳥
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dakenokotohaaru
tagJ: だけのことはある
expE: is surely because 〜; not surprising that 〜; It was worth 〜
noteE: It is not surprising that the representative flower of Japan is the cherry blossom.
JLPT: 2

Front: naikotoniha
ないことには
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ないことには
Meaning: if (it's) not; unless
Example: It won't sell if it's not interesting.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- literal translation
naikoto = not thing
niha = if
so a literal translation might be:
if (not A), then B won't happen (either)
— contributed by: dc
- 「ＡないことにはＢ(ない)」: A is a requirement in order to do B.
FORMATION:
Ｖない + ことには
いＡ(minus い) + くないことには
なＡ・Ｎ + でないことには
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 「人間は意味のないことには耐えられない」と言ったのは、フランスの哲学者のサルトルだったでしょうか｡　
Was it possibly the french philosopher Satre who said "People cannot endure things of no meaning" ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 誰かに聞かないことには難しい問題にいつも答えることができません。
If you don't ask someone, then you definitely will not get the answer of a difficult question.
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 自分に関わりのないことには口を出すな。
Don't interfere in matters that do not concern you.
— contributed by: Miki
- その食べ物を食べてみないことには好きかどうかわからない。
If you don't try eating some of this food then you wont know whether or not you like it.
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 住所がわからないことには、連絡しようがありません。
We can't contact them unless we know the address.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 小説を書いても、おもしろくないことには売れませんよ。
Although you wrote a novel, it won't sell if it's not interesting.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 何といっても、健康が一番。いくら有能でも、健康でないことには活躍できない。
No matter what you say, health is most important. No matter how capable you are, you cannot fluorish unless you have your health.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 頑張らないことには今度の試験に合格できないよ。
If you don't try, you can't pass this exam.
— contributed by: amenya
- もっと付き合わないことには、彼が実際どんな人かは分からない。
Unless I date him for a little longer, I will never know what kind of person he really is.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- どんな人か、実際あってみないことには、よくわからない。
This kind of people, if you don't really try to meet them, you won't understand them well.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 一度行ってみないことには、どんな所かわからないだろう。
If you don't try to get there once, perhaps you won't understand the kind of place it is.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 今までにない型の伝染病が各地に広がっている。くわしい調査をしないことには、政府も対策がたてられない。
A kind of contagious disease never seen before is spreading out in various places. If it isn't investigated accurately, even the government won't be able to take prevention measures.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 文章を書くということは、何かを表現することであり、自分は何を表現したいのか、それをはっきりさせないことには、何も書けない。
Concerning composition writing, when you mean to express something, in the case it is something personal that you want to express, unless you make it very clear, you can't write anything.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 寮が立派でないことには、寮費は高くない。
dormitory if not majestic, it will cost is not expensive
— contributed by: belajar
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User Comments
- Obviously always followed by a negated second sentence part.
— contributed by: halx
- #5253 I think this is better.
…難しい問題にいつも答えることができません。
— contributed by: Miki
- ex#259 and ex#5253 , is のない＋こと＋には, so i think it doesn't belong to this entry.
〜ないことには．．．〜ない　：　〜しなければ．．．〜できない
— contributed by: 誠
- I fixed ex #5253 according to Mikiさん alert.
In ex#6298 I dont understand 有狽ﾅ, so instead of "Great ex!" I changed it to "suspicious"...
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I`ve changed 有狽ﾅ to 有能で　but I don't know if it is correct, so it is still "suspicious".
— contributed by: karekano
- Some of those examples do not reflect the meaning of this grammar point as a single block, but that of the separate particles "nai + koto + ni wa" which mean "at/to the matters/things that do not...". I think they are bad examples, so I will mark them as suspicious.
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naikotoniha
tagJ: ないことには
expE: if (it's) not; unless
noteE: It won't sell if it's not interesting.
JLPT: 2

Front: kotoka
〜ことか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ことか
Meaning: a lot
Example: Wow! You really have a lot of money in the bank.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Some commonly used "interrogative" words used with this grammar include: 何〜, なんと, どんなに, どれだけ, etc.
Ｖ(plain form) + ことか
いＡ + い + ことか // いＡ + かった + ことか
なＡ + な + ことか // なＡ + だった + ことか
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼が帰って来るのを何年待ったことか。
Just how many years did we wait for his return!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ３人の子供を教育するには、どれだけお金が掛かることか。
To educate three kids, will take a lot (LIT: I dont know *how* much ) of money.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- なんということか！
What the hell (is this) !
— contributed by: dc
- この花はなんときれいなことか。
How pretty this flower is!
— contributed by: tanaquil
- 彼は時がたつのはなんと早いことかとつくづく考えた。
He reflected on how quickly time passes.
— contributed by: tanaquil
- ずっと一緒だった仲間が別れなければならないのは、なんと残念なことか。
Having to say farewell to friends that were always with you is so sad.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 平和が戻ってきたということは、国民にとってどんなにうれしいことか。
The people were so happy about the fact that peace had returned.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 合格できたら、どんなにうれしいことか。
How happy would I be if I passed!
— contributed by: hana
- 何度注意したことか。
How many times have I warned you?
— contributed by: hana
- 今年は要求したことか。
this year a lot of requested.
— contributed by: belajar
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Related Grammar
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User Comments
- ことか has the sense of exclamatory sentence. Thus, in the first example, "Ohm how many years did we wait for his return!" and the second exmaple, "Imagine how much money it would take to get three kids educated."
３人の子供を教育するには sounds like "to educate three kids" in which the speaker is the educator. More precisely, it should be ３人の子供に教育を受けさせるには(to have three kids receive education). However, The expression used in the example would probably be acceptable except for a perennial nitpicker like me.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I'm going to see if <b>bold</b> works in the example text.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Nope. Think that's better then? [second example translation]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- How well does 教育 work as 'bring up' rather than 'educate' anyway?
On the '教育する' front here's a similar example from Edict, but it's still ambiguous.
私は娘を教育するのに非常に苦労している。
I take great pains in educating my daughter.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I guess this keeps it's -2 check mark for now. ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 教育 and 養育 are two different animals.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- As you appear to agree with me I'll change the translation.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Amatuka-san, I took the liberty of changing #665. If you don't like it, change it back.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kotoka
tagJ: 〜ことか
expE: a lot
noteE: Wow! You really have a lot of money in the bank.
JLPT: 2

Front: kotodakara
ことだから
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ことだから
Meaning: as always
Example: its him, so he will always finish it
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- (名詞)＋〜のことだから:〜という特徴のある．．．だから．．．（〜と予想される）
Therefore, it has the meaning of :
"It is therefore typical of he/she to ....,being (serious, ect) all this while"
"Being a (characteristics,e.g. serious) person, it is typical of he/she to..."
"As it is known for his/her 〜, he/she will therefore .... "
"Known for his/her 〜, he/ she will therefore .... "
— contributed by: 誠
- This is the only acceptable use of this grammar:
Ｎ + の + ことだから
「Ａ(の)ことだから、Ｂ」
The case where Ａ is a person occurs often. Ｂ predicts or anticipates the nature or usual circumstances of Ａ.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼のことだから、すぐにここへ飛んでくるに違いないと思った。
Since it's none other than him, I think he's sure to scramble over here right away.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そうゆうことだから彼が来るのは期待できないよ。
Such being the case, you can't expect he will come here.
— contributed by: dbx
- 健康は富にまさる。なぜなら前者は後者より大事なことだから。
Health is above wealth, for the former is more important than the latter.
— contributed by: dbx
- 自分でやったことだから仕方がないね。
You brought it on yourself, so it can't be helped.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼のことだから、きっと最後まで頑張りぬくと思います。
Because it's him, I think he'll give it his all, right to the very end.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 子供のことですから、そんな難しいことを言ってもわかりませんよ。
They won't understand if you say something so difficult because they are children, after all.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- のんきなルミのことだから、何も心配していないだろう。
As easy-going as ever, Rumi's probably not at all worried about anything.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
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User Comments
- Only ex#251 fits into this category of grammar, ex #3788, ex #3790 , ex #3792 all not examples of this grammar pattern, they are こと(事）　＋　だから。Therefore is :
ex#3788 : そういうこと　＋　だから
ex#3790 : 大事なこと　＋　だから
ex#3792 : やったこと　＋　だから
The above 3 examples, こと can be replaced by 事
— contributed by: 誠
- In modern day Japanese, you can say ことだから without using 事.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 誠 is correct. This grammar only means "as always" when の is used in front of it. The other uses of ことだから, such as the examples that 誠 pointed out, have a different meaning.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kotodakara
tagJ: ことだから
expE: as always
noteE: its him, so he will always finish it
JLPT: 2

Front: kotonaku
事無く (ことなく)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
事無く (ことなく)
Meaning: without
Example: without resting, he worked all night
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ｖ(plain form) + ことなく
You can only use this grammar with the plain form of a verb. No nouns, adjectives, etc...
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ライセンスを失うことなく保護されたファイルを別のコンピュータに移動するには
Concerning the transfer of saved files to a different computer without the loss of license (information).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ためらうことなく、その陰謀に対する徹底した対抗処置をとった。
Made no bones about talking drastic action against it.
— contributed by: Miki
- 雨は途切れることなく一日中降り続いた。
It was raining all day long without intermission.
— contributed by: Miki
- 学部長は、ためらうことなく永遠の英知を選んだ。
Without hesitating, the dean selects infinite wisdom.
— contributed by: Miki
- 警察が墜落事故の原因を昼夜休むことなく調査している。
The police are investigating the cause of the crash around the clock.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は気づかれることなく彼の後ろを通り過ぎた。
I passed behind him without being noticed.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女は止めることもなく何時間も泣き続けた。
She cried for hours without ceasing.
— contributed by: Miki
- 人は休んでも、工場の機械は365日休むことなく働いている。
Even when people rest, factory machines work 365 days a year without resting.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 犯人は、だれにも気づかれることなく、その場所を離れた。
The criminal left that place without anyone noticing.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 贅沢などすることなく、貯金をしています。
I am saving money and doing without extravagance.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 山川さんは二十年間休むことなく会社に通った。
Mrs Yamakawa attended her work during 20 years without taking any holiday.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼女は思うことなくコーヒーショップを出て行きました。でも、払って忘れてしまいました。
She left the coffee shop without thinking. However, she had forgotten to pay.
— contributed by: anna.kendall
- 私は理由がある事無く、彼女が大好きです。
Without any reasons, I love her so much.
— contributed by: phananhvu
- ロポットは２４　時間休むことなく働いている。
The robot has been working without taking rest.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- あの子はあきることなく、COMPUTER　GAMEに熱中している。
she has been playing computer game for a long time,but she never get tired.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 完全な糧食を持っていく事無く、登山します。
Went without bringing adequate food and water supplies, he climbing a mountain.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- zuni
- shinaide
User Comments
- should be the same as -ないで
— contributed by: halx
- yes, it's similar.
気づかれる_ことなく→気づかれないで
休む_ことなく→休まないで
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kotonaku
tagJ: 事無く
tagH: ことなく
expE: without
noteE: without resting, he worked all night
JLPT: 2

Front: dake
だけ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
だけ
Meaning: 1) just, only, simply, merely; 2) as much as X wants/like/can (whatever, anything)
Example: 1) don't just love her; 2) eat as much as you want (eat whatever/anything you'd like)
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- There are several different uses of dake and different meanings as well.
1) only;just;simply;merely
2) as ... as possible; whatever; anything
出来るだけ早く＝as quickly as possible
— contributed by: ziaz
- As for the second use of だけ (〜 as much/long/many as you/I/etc (verb)), note that you only use verbs for this grammar, just as you do in English:
Ｖplain form + だけ
Ｖpotential form + だけ
As for other miscellaneous forms that do not use verbs, the most commonly used ones include:
〜(し)たいだけ
ほしいだけ
好きなだけ
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- ほしいだけ
as much as you want
好きなだけ
as much as you like
できるだけ
as much as you can
— contributed by: Marcel
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼女はよく働くだけでなく、魅力的だ。
She is not only diligent she is also charming.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- お土産に十分なものを買うだけの十分な時間がありますか。
Do you have enough time to buy enough things for souvenirs?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ローマ字だけ書けます。
I can only write romaji [Roman letters].
— contributed by: dc
- 日本語がこれだけ書ければとてもすばらしいと思います。
I think it's great that you can write Japanese like this. ( or: this much, to this extent )
— contributed by: bi-ru
- 言いたいだけ言って、あいつは行ってしまった。
After unilaterally saying whatever he had to say, that guy left.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- この本は読むだけの価値がある。
This book is certainly worth reading.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 「何をさしあげましょう」「いや、結構。ただ見て回っているだけだから。」
"Can I help you?" "No, thank you. I'm just looking around."
— contributed by: Miki
- 一度だけチャンスが残っている。
There is but one chance left.
— contributed by: Miki
- あぁ、この用紙に書き込むだけです。
Oh, just fill out this from.
— contributed by: Miki
- 努力しただけ、結果が出ますよ。
You will get results according to how hard you work.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- これができるのは君だけだ。
You alone [Nobody but you / You are the only one who] can do this.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- 午前中だけそれを借りていいですか。
May [Could] I borrow it just for the morning?
— contributed by: Rushyne
- 新聞だけではなく週刊誌にも出ていた。
It was reported not only in the newspapers but also in the weekly magazines.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- 東京だけでもそのような事件は10件あった。
There were ten such cases in Tokyo alone.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- 「ごめん」と一言だけでも言ってほしかった。
I wish you had said just [even] one word of apology.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- 言ってみただけだ。
I only said it (but did not mean it).
— contributed by: Rushyne
- 一目見ただけでその家が気に入った。
I took a fancy to the house at first sight.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- そう言った(それを見た)だけで彼は怒った。
The mere suggestion (sight) of it made him angry.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- ちらっと見せてくれるだけでいい。
You have only to let me have a glance at it.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- やるだけはやってみなさい。
At any rate, give it a try.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- 日曜日は、寝たいだけ寝ることにしているので、起きるのは昼ごろになる。
On Sunday, I decided to sleep for as long as I wanted, so it was already afternoon around the time I woke up.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 今日はあなたのお誕生日だから、特別よ。ケーキやチョコレートも好きなだけ食べていいわよ。
Today is special because it's your birthday. It's okay to eat as much cake and chocolate as you like.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 電力不足が心配されています。電気をできるだけ節約しましょう。
The electricity shortage worries a lot of people. Let's try to save as much electricity as we can.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- たくさんありますから、どうぞほしいだけお取りください。
There's a lot, so please take as many as you want.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- できるだけ、がんばりましょう。
Let us try hard as much as we can.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 最近は職場だけでなく家庭においてもパソコンが使われている.
The personal computer is used not only at the office but also at home recently.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- それはかえって家庭問題をさらに悪化させるだけだろう。
It will only make a family matters worse.
— contributed by: karekano
- 性だけを大文字で書きなさい。
Write only your family name in capitals (capital letters).
— contributed by: karekano
- 私にお礼を言ってくれたのは彼らだけだった。
They were the only people to thank me.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女をただ愛しているだけではない。
I don`t just love her.
— contributed by: karekano
- それについて考えただけで胸がつまってが出た。
I was moved to tears just (by) thinking about it.
— contributed by: karekano
- ただ金もうけのためにだけそれをした。
I did it for money alone.
— contributed by: karekano
- 桜さんだけがそこに行った。
Only Sakura-san went there.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女はかぜをひいただけで欠席した。
She was absent simply because she caught cold.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は単に彼にうまく利用されただけだろう。
She was merely fooled by him.
— contributed by: karekano
- テストのことを思うだけで不安になった。
I felt uneasy at the mere thought of the test.
— contributed by: karekano
- そこへ行くことを考えるだけでも恐ろしい。
The very thought of going there frightens me.
— contributed by: karekano
- 今度だけは見逃してください。
Please forgive me for once.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は彼の愛だけが欲しかった。
She wanted nothing but love out of him.
— contributed by: karekano
- 聞こえるのは波の音だけだ。
All that is heard is the sound of waves.
— contributed by: karekano
- 君に言っているのは事実だけです。
I`m telling you nothing else than the truth.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of だけ
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Related Grammar
- dekirudake (Although this entry uses the verb できる, other verbs can also be used.)
User Comments
- Lots of common usages such as "not only XXX but YYY" "XXXだけでなく、YYYだ。"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- First example : Lit. "She is not only diligent she is also charming"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Second example : Lit. "Do you have just the sufficent time to buy sufficient souveniers?"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I think that's almost correct, DC.
But I rarely hear ３人しかないので and ３人しかないでも.
I'd rather say ３人しかいなかったので、大変だった and
３人だけしかいないけれど十分 or ３人だけでも十分.
It's significantly difficult to explain because
this kind of sentences totally depends on personal
feelings...
しか　〜　ない implies negative feelings, and だけ
implies positive feelings, that's that.
— contributed by: Jimmie
- #208 seems strange to me...
Can you add this to verbs?
— contributed by: Ayumi
- だけ also has a meaning of "as much as possible" or "to the extent of". For example in #5388.
I often hear できるだけ - "As much as I can do it"
or 好きなだけ - "As much as you like"
— contributed by: blabby
- 208 explanation:
彼女はよく働くだけでなく、魅力的だ。
lit. Not only does she work (well), but she's charming.
— contributed by: Marcel
- I think that ex #208 sounds rare because it should be ではなく like in ex #5381 instead of でなく.
I changed
[ex #5378] k限定,最低の限度〕only; merely; just; but
which was hardy understandable for me.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dake
tagJ: だけ
expE: 1) just, only, simply, merely; 2) as much as X wants/like/can (whatever, anything)
noteE: 1) don't just love her; 2) eat as much as you want (eat whatever/anything you'd like)
JLPT: 2

Front: koso
〜こそ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜こそ
Meaning: this, especially (emphasis),very
Example: Welcome! Nice to see you!
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This grammar can only be used after a noun.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- しばらく休みましたが、ことしこそは英語力をさらに向上させましょう。
I've been off a while but _this_ year I'll see your English ability raised.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 今度こそやってやる。
I'm gonna do it this time or never.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- これこそわれわれが探し求めていたものだ。
This is the very thing we have been seeking and looking for.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- わたしこそお詫びしなければなりません。
It is I, and not you, who must apologize.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 止めるのを聞かばこそあいつは飛び出して行った。
Without giving the slightest attention to my plea to stop, he rushed out of the house.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ようこそおいで下さいました。
You are very much welcome.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- マイケルソンｰモーリーの光速度に関する実験があったからこそアインスタインは特殊相対性理論を確立することができた。
It was purely because of the Michelson-Morley experiment on the speed of light that made it possible for Einstein to establish his special theory of relativity.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- これこそ求めていたものですよ。
That's just what I wanted.
— contributed by: tamilselvan_t
- 明日こそ、勉強するぞ！（M)
I will definitely study tomorrow！
— contributed by: hana
- まさかの時の友こそ真の友。
A frien in need is a friend indeed.
— contributed by: karekano
- 君自分のためを思えばこそこう言っているのです。
We`re only saying this for your own sake.
— contributed by: karekano
- これこそ今私に必要な本です。
This is the very book I need now.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 〜こそ
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- arebakoso (The こそ in あればこそ can also be used on its own.)
User Comments
- こそ is ubiquitous, but hard to translate.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I like to think that whatever is coming before こそ is being smacked on the head (To make a point).
— contributed by: LittleFish
- I think [3106] should be moved to the [dakarakoso] entry.
— contributed by: srobertson
- I think こちらこそ should be added as an example, or as a stock phrase that doesn't mean quite what a non-native might expect.
— contributed by: winterkoninkje
- こそ　＝＝　this very
ex:今年こそーthis very year
— contributed by: tamilselvan_t
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: koso
tagJ: 〜こそ
expE: this, especially (emphasis),very
noteE: Welcome! Nice to see you!
JLPT: 2

Front: sai
〜際 (〜さい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜際 (〜さい)
Meaning: when
Example: when you fill in the form
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ｖ(plain form) + 際
Ｎ + の + 際
Ｎに際して
この/その/あの際
Be careful with the verb conjugation before 際. Only use Ｖinf・nonpast or Ｖinf・past, which indicate incompletion or completion, respectively. For example, 買う/買った + 際(に).
Also, Ｎに際して is more formal than Ｎ + の + 際. Ｎに際して must be used when speaking about a very, very special occasion.
One final note: 〜際に is a formal expression that is often used with Sino-Japanese words. In sentences in which neither a Sino-Japanese verb/noun nor a honorific-polite verb is used, 際に is unacceptable.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- このサイトをご利用いただく際にご了解いただきたい事項
Matters we wish to receive your understanding on when you make use of this site.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この際だからはっきりさせておきたい。
On this occasion there's something I'd like to clarify.
— contributed by: Miki
- 入院の際は、いろいろお世話になりました。
Thank you very much for everthing when I was in a hospital.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたの街へ今度旅行する際、あなたにお会いするのが楽しみです。
I look forward to seeing you on my next trip to your city.
— contributed by: dc
- お礼を申し上げるのが遅くなりましたが、貴国訪問の際にはお世話になりました。
I regret the delay in writing to you to thank you for your hospitality on my visit to your country.
— contributed by: dc
- こちらにおいでの際にはぜひお立ち寄りください。
Be sure to drop in on us when you come this way.
— contributed by: dc
- 電車を降りの際、足元に注意して下さい。
Please take care off one's feet when getting off the train.
— contributed by: prashant007
- 入会を申し込みをする際、何が必要でしょうか。
When applying for admission, what are the requirements?
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- この絵は、社長が中国を訪問した際に北京で買ったものです。
This painting is something the director bought in Beijing when he went to China.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 非常の際は、この階段を使って外へ出てください。
In case of emergencies, use this staircase and go outside.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 結婚するのだから、この際、借金をきれいに全部反してしまおう。
I'm getting married, so on this special occasion, I will neatly pay off all of my debts.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 受験の際に、写真が必要です。
A photo is required when you come to take the examination.
— contributed by: hana
- 申し込んだ際、住所を間違って書いてしまった。
I wrote the wrong address when I applied.
— contributed by: hana
- 彼は勉強がきらいだった。授業中はあくびばかりしていた。しかし卒業に際して先生との別れをいちばん悲しんだのは彼だった。
He hated to study. During the lessons, he was only yawning. However, on the occasion of graduation we said goodbye to the professors and the most sorrowful was him.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 館内を見学する際には、写真さつえいはご遠りょください。
During the inspection in the building, please make no picture.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 切符を垂ｵ込まれる際は代替日もご指定ください。
When applying for tickets, please give alternative dates.
— contributed by: karekano
- 地震の際はガスの元栓を閉めること。
In case of an earthquake, turn off the gas at the main outlet.
— contributed by: karekano
- 危急の際には非常ベルを鳴らすこと。
Ring the alarm in an emergency.
— contributed by: karekano
- 職業選択の際に先生が相談に乗ってくれた。
My teacher guided me in the choice of a career.
— contributed by: karekano
- 臨終の際に幸せなことを語るｋとですよ！。
at the time of dying, you should tell him the things a happy.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- nisaishite
- niatatte; niatari
- toki
User Comments
- Generally 際に.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Has the meaning of ~時 or ~場合. 際は also used.
— contributed by: halx
- is this used mainly in writing or something? I can't say I see it too often..
— contributed by: skinny trash
- This would be used mainly in writing or say 時/場合 in an official tone.
この際 konosai is often used.
— contributed by: Miki
- In some cases, 際に is read "ぎわ," such as in 彼は窓際に座っている. "He is sitting by the window." Here it means, "by".
— contributed by: Pan
- 際 also has the connotation of "at the juncture of ...."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- How to decide when to use 〜際は or 〜際に ?
Example :
家を建てる際は、不動産屋には大変世話になりました。
or
家を建てる際に、不動産屋には大変世話になりました。
It seems the first one is correct but I wonder why...
— contributed by: Demian
- In ex#5775, ex#6121 and ex#6620, I don't understand "垂ｵ". Could be "申し" instead. Why do you write it this way?
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I second the previous comment. Can someone fix "垂ｵ"? I'm not knowledgeable enough to know what kanji it should be. Thanks!
— contributed by: seanohagan
- Ok, I edited those three examples. There seems to be a problem with the way the page interprets the character for "moosu" (humble form of "to speak").
The verbs were "mooshiageru" and "mooshikomu"
— contributed by: nuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sai
tagJ: 〜際
tagH: 〜さい
expE: when
noteE: when you fill in the form
JLPT: 2

Front: shikanai
〜しかない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜しかない
Meaning: no alternative, no option but to...
Example: nothing to do but try...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊Be very careful as to when you replace one of these phrases with another.
Ｖ + しかない : used in a situation where one has no choice but to do something.
Ｖneg + ざるを得ない : used in a situation where one has no choice but to do something.
Ｖneg + なければならない : used in a situation where one has to do something because s/he has an obligation to do it OR where one has no choice but to do something.
Ｖneg + わけに(は)いかない : used in a situation where one has to do something because s/he has an obligation to do it OR where one has no choice but to do something. It also expresses the unwillingness of the speaker to do Ｖ.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Ｖ(dictionary form) + しかない
Ｎ + しかない
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- やるしかないじゃん！
Ya gotta do it!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼女と結婚するしかなかった。
I had no choice but to marry her.
— contributed by: dc
- 卒業出来なかったからバイトをするしかない。
I didn't graduate, so I have no choice but to do temp work.
— contributed by: dc
- ２つの物の間にはごくわずかな差しかない。
There is only a marginal difference between the two.
— contributed by: dc
- 試験を受けるからには、がんばるしかない。
Now that I'm taking the test, I've got no choice but to do my best.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 漢字は、一つ一つ覚えるしかありません。とにかく覚えることです。
You have no choice but to memorize kanji one at a time. At any rate, you had better remember them.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 最終電車が出てしまった後だったので、タクシーに乗るしかなかった。
After having missed the last train, I had no choice but to take a taxi.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 努力しないで成功できるわけがない。努力しかありませんよ。
You can't succeed without great effort. There is no other choice but to exert yourself.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- とりあえず我慢するしかないみたいだね。
It looks like you have no choice but to endure it for the time being.
— contributed by: マリ
- ここまできたら、やるしかない。
We've done this much, so there's nothing else to do but keep going.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 修理が無理だとしたら、買いなおすしかないですね。
If repairing it is impossible, there will be nothing to do but buy a new one.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 息子は桜大学に進学することを希望している。しかし、今の息子の学力ではとても無理だから、別の大学を受験させるしかない。本人の希望とは違ってもしかたがないことだ。
My daughter hopes to enter the Sakura University. However, her capacity is very poor, so I have no choice but to compel her take the exam of another university. Although it's not her hope, there is no way.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 美人と結婚したいですから、たくさんお金を稼ぐしかない。
Because i want to marry a beautiful woman, i have to earn much money.
— contributed by: phananhvu
- 彼が怒っているから、静かにするしかない。
Because he is now angry,I have no choice but keep silent.
— contributed by: amenya
- ここまで来たらもうやるしかないのに、君はまだ迷っているのか。
I have come until here, I have no choice but keep going, are you still in doubt?
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 直せないから、新しいのを買うしかなかった。
It couldn't be fixed, so there was nothing to do but buy a new one.
— contributed by: lilibr
- 残念ながら、時間はほんのわずかしかない。
Unfortunatelly, we have little enough time.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- the first example #336 might also be used as [hokanai]
suru yori hokanai
— contributed by: dc
- やるっきゃない is another folksy way of saing #336.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I believe that in example #1219, you can simply use 「...アルバイトしかない」 without the verb. Probably both ways are acceptable.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- #1219 か is missing. 卒業できなかったから ...
I think both wasy are acceptable.
— contributed by: Miki
- is Vneg plus しかない possible
e.g. あしたまでにこの仕事をしなければいけないので、寝ないしかない
— contributed by: sagittarius
- Probably not possible. So your example sounds strange.
eg. 明日までにこの仕事をしなければならないので、寝るわけにはいかない。or 起きているしかない。
— contributed by: Miki
- ex #3681 does not use the grammar pattern.
— contributed by: マリ
- I fixed ex #1219 according to the alert of Mikiさん.
I need some help for the translation of #6892.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- #6890: there's difference between the two sentences, the Japanese and the English
— contributed by: amenya
- I fixed the translation of #6892. Is it ok?
— contributed by: amenya
- Amenyaさん> Thanks for your help. I think it's OK now and I changed the status of #6892 to neutral.
For #6890, I picked it in http://www.japonin.com/intermediate-grammar-list.php . I think the translation is not literal but is OK. I added #7039 intending to give a more literal translation.
マリさん> In #3681, the pattern seems to be N+しかない instead of Ｖ(dictionary form)+しかない.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I've changed #7039 translation, is it ok?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: shikanai
tagJ: 〜しかない
expE: no alternative, no option but to...
noteE: nothing to do but try...
JLPT: 2

Front: shidaide
〜次第で (〜しだいで)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜次第で (〜しだいで)
Meaning: depending on
Example: depending on the weather, we'll go
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ex# 1624 The words, or predicate, "to go" should perhaps be in parenthesis as the decision could be of any nature (e.g. the decision to: plant seed, play outdoors etc. )
— contributed by: shittakaburi
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 行動次第で物語は意外な方向に進むかもしれません。
Depending on your actions the tale may well proceed in an unexpected direction.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 天気次第でゆくかどうか決めます。
Depending on the weather, I will decide whether to go or not.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- わたしがご一緒するかどうかはすべてあなた次第ですよ。
Whether I would accompany you would be completely up to you.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- お暇なわけじゃないけど､ お礼次第では､手伝ってあげないものでもないね｡
It is not that I am free (right now), but depending on the gift, it's not that I would not help (you).
— contributed by: nhk9
- 食事はワイン次第である。
Wine can make the meal.
— contributed by: karekano
- 裸足で歩いているので、足が傷になっている次第だ。
certainly a wounded leg, because walking barefoot.
— contributed by: belajar
- 落し物次第で、警官に報告することだ。
when there lost stuff, should be reported to the police.
— contributed by: belajar
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User Comments
- ex#3114 hmm Japanese is strange... I would say,
お暇なわけじゃないけど、お礼次第では、手伝ってあげないわけでもないけど。
暇ってわけじゃないけど、お礼次第では、手伝ってあげてもいいけどね。
うわぁ、たかびー（高飛車）な発言!peremptory manner
— contributed by: Miki
- I don't think its 高飛車. I edited it, but post your comment if you don't like it.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Is it anything to do with my preference? If the Japanese sounds correct, I don't mind. I think that generally males use the expression you put.
I'd rather feel むかつく or 頭にくる if I were told in that way by someone not close. I am very sensitive as you don't know. I don't mean you are not sensitive. :P
— contributed by: Miki
- I would feel the same way, if I was told お礼 次第 では､手伝ってあげないものでもないね｡ I misunderstood your 高飛車 comment. My bad.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Also in the form 次第だ, but a meaning similar to わけだ.
— contributed by: halx
- Also in the form 次第だ, but a meaning similar to わけだ.
— contributed by: halx
- Also in the form 次第だ, but a meaning similar to わけだ.
— contributed by: halx
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: shidaide
tagJ: 〜次第で
tagH: 〜しだいで
expE: depending on
noteE: depending on the weather, we'll go
JLPT: 2

Front: maika
まいか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
まいか
Meaning: will not [expresses a little uncertainty]
Example: will [probably not] not eat
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Although this structure is still used in Modern Japanese, it is derived from the Classical Language of long past. まい is a negator, as can be seen in phrases such as 「行くか行くまいか」 ("will or won't go"), which is equivalent to the more modern 「行くかどうか」. Another similar phrase is 「行くか否か」.
Within the structure V-るまいか, the meaning is "will probably not V", as in
食べるまいか. It is important to note that this phrase does not change in meaning when the final か is dropped. Observe:
今学期、私の息子はいい成績を得るまい（か）。
My son will probably not receive good grades this semester.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- This is an auxiliary which expresses the negative volition or conjecture of the speaker. It is basically a written form, used in formal writing.
For Gr. 2 verbs, Ｖmasu is occasionally used instead of Ｖinf・nonpast. For irregular verbs, すまい and こまい are sometimes used instead of するまいand くるまい, respectively.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- しかし、学校に行こうと思うと思はまいと、子どもたちは学校に行かされます。
However, whether they wish to go or not children do get sent to school.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 行こうか行くまいか知ったことじゃない。
Whether you go or you don't go, it is none of my business.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 私は彼女にそれについて聞こうか聞くまいか思案した。
I debated whether to ask her about it or not.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼のふるまいから彼が嘘をついているのは明らかだ。
It is evident from his behavior that he lies.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女の異常なふるまいから何を推測しますか。
What do you infer from her strange behavior?
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は招待を受けようか受けまいか決めかねていた。
She hung between refusing or accepting the invitation.
— contributed by: dbx
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User Comments
- As in 行こうか行くまいか (I'd list as '〜こうか〜まいか')
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Translation is a little loose.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Hmm, offsite links don't work.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そうですね。日本語が今一つです。How about this?
しかし、子供たちが望もうと望むまいと、学校へ行きます。
— contributed by: Miki
- Not 学校に行きます but it should be 行かせられます.
I.E., they are compelled to go to school.
I agree that the Japanese version of the example should be scrapped and replaced by 子供たちが望むと望まないと、[にかかわりなく] 学校に行かせられます.
Listing should be: と〜まいとand が〜まいが.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Links seem to be working fine offsite... <a href=http://www2.alc.co.jp/ejr/index.php?word_in=%82%DC%82%A2%82%A9&word_in2=%82%A9%82%AB%82%AD%82%AF%82%B1&word_in3=PVawEWi72JXCKoa0Je>offsite This is a link</a> to the alc dict def for まいか
— contributed by: dc
- Examples #3763 and #3764 do not belong here. They should be deleted.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- agree. ふるまい is one word.
— contributed by: Miki
- none of these examples inspire confidence... まいか？ doesn't this mean "the hell with it," or is that local dialect?
— contributed by: LJFURLONG
- Example #496 has a typo: 思わない is correct, not 思はまい. Check hiragana and try again ;) If it was changed to 思うか思うまいか, then it is correct.
@LJFURLONG, you are thinking of ま〜、いいか, which is often pronounced ま〜いっか, meaning literally "well, is it ok?" but figuratively "nothing to do about it" or something else difficult to translate into English. But, yes, you can use it to loosely mean "to hell with it."
There are many まいか constructions in Japanese for different contexts. It seems that everyone is including examples of the form V-るかまいか (do or not do VERB), when in fact V-るまいか is in fact a phrase unto itself:
食べるまいか, which is equivalent to 食べないだろう. I have included information on the second form, because there ought to be a different entry for V-るかまいか, since the construction requires more than just まいか.
Edit: 2006/03/09
I changed the English meaning to more closely match the phrase being taught (まいか). The English meaning originally given (will or won't) is incorrect. The construction whoever wrote that was thinking of is V-るかV-るまいか. まいか, as I've said before, merely expresses a little doubt. It is a related, but not equivalent, construction to the "will or won't" construction.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- 行かせられます　can be replaced by 行かされます.
— contributed by: 誠
- １．〜（う）ようが〜まいが　＝　〜（う）ようと〜まいと : 〜ても、そうじゃなくても
which means : 「whether will or will not doesn't matter, still....」
ex : 行こうと行くまいと = 行っても行かなくても
２．〜（う）ようか〜まいか : 〜う／ようか、それとも．．．のを止めようか which means :「 whether to do or not to do, (where there is uncertainty left / something undecided yet) 」
ex : 行こうか行くまいか : 行くかどうか／行くか行かないか
Example ex #496 and ex #1238 belongs to the 1st category. ex #3762 and ex #3765 belongs to the 2nd category. The rest is different usage of まいか。
— contributed by: 誠
- 両親に学校へ行かされます。
— contributed by: 誠
- If you want to use 思う in the 1st category , it should be 思おうと思うまいと。Or for the 2nd category, is 思おうか思うまいか。
「しかし、子供たちが望もうと望むまいと、学校へ行かされます。」
— contributed by: 誠
- #3762, #3763, #3764 have the highlight in the wrong place. The か is part of から not part of まいか.
Also this entry should be まい _NOT_ まいか, there is nothing special about the use of か with まい.
— contributed by: paulblay
- ex# 3763 furumai isa complite word means behavour in this case how mai is is used to give negation meaning ?
— contributed by: jmondal
- I repreat again, ex #3763 and ex #3764 do not belong here.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- -まい form of 得る is 得まい, not 得るまい as KyleGoetz's note says.
— contributed by: flamingspinach
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: maika
tagJ: まいか
expE: will not [expresses a little uncertainty]
expJ: 〜しないだろう
noteE: will [probably not] not eat
JLPT: 2

Front: nikimatteiru
にきまっている
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にきまっている
Meaning: (It's been) decided; expected; definitely
Example: He'll definitely lose the match.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This is a strong way of saying something clearly.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + にきまっている
Ｎ + にきまっている
いＡ + にきまっている
なＡ + にきまっている
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 著作権の侵害に決まってるだろーが
Guess this has gotta be copyright violation but ...
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼は負けるに決まっている
He will definitely lose.
— contributed by: dc
- そんな子供じみた計画は失敗するにきまっている。
Such a childish plan is bound to fail.
— contributed by: dc
- 冗談を言っているにきまっている。
You must be joking.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は怠け者にきまっている。彼が働いているところを見たことがない。
He's definitely a lazy bum. I've never seen him working.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 先月結婚した息子の家に行きたいけれど、私が行けば邪魔になるにきまっているので、行かないことにします。
Although I want to visit my son who got married last month, I'll definitely be in the way if I go, so I've decided not to.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
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User Comments
- What is the difference between the two?
中古品は
　1. 壊れかねない -
　2. 壊れるに決まっている -
The meaning overlaps to a degree (Well, maybe one is stronger than the other)
— contributed by: jrebong
- kanenai has a nuance of capability but kimatteru is definite...
kanenai is -might break (coz it is not strong or is old) if something is done
kimatteru is-will definitly break coz it is a second hand material(it must have been used a lot)
thats wat i feel.Pls correct me if am wrong.
— contributed by: jayati
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikimatteiru
tagJ: にきまっている
expE: (It's been) decided; expected; definitely
noteE: He'll definitely lose the match.
JLPT: 2

Front: katoomouto
かと思うと (かとおもうと)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かと思うと (かとおもうと)
Meaning: as soon as I noticed, almost immediately
Example: as soon as i noticed he was here, he left
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 田中さんはいつも忙しそうだ。今来たかと思うともう帰ってしまっている。
Tanaka san always seems very busy. Just as I thought he was here, he'd be gone.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 雨が降ってきたかと思うともうやんだ。
The moment I thought the rain started, it stopped already.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 一つが通り過ぎたかと思うと、すぐに次の台風が接近する。
No sooner has one typhoon passed than the next one approaches.
— contributed by: Miki
- 空が暗くなったかと思ったら、大粒の雨が降ってきた。
as soon as sky got darker, large drops of rain started falling.
— contributed by: yashica
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User Comments
- "thinking" implies not sure if he is here or not, whereas "noticed" means he is definitely here..
— contributed by: dc
- I think the heading itself is awkward. A Japanese would normally say 思ったら but 思うと is also passble. 今来たかと思うと(or 思ったら)もう帰ってしまう would be "The moment I thought he was here, he's gone" would be a good way to express it. 'Just as I was thinking "Has he come yet" is not correct because 今来たかと思うと would imply that he was here.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- amatuka > What do you think the 思う means
I thot this was related to noticing or realizing. even bilingual friends are stuck on this one -4, call in the experts!
— contributed by: dc
- It is not still clear. Pleae tell correct meaning.
— contributed by: your name
- Hey, if we knew and agreed we'd be the first to let you know.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- It seems that for this example the second sentence is most likely in reference to an <b>ongoing habit</b> not to <b>an individual event</b>.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- As such I'm going to revise my suggestion, again, to 'Mr. Tanaka always seems busy. No sooner do I think "He's arrived?" than he ups and leaves!'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- from <a href=http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&threadm=2e5b8611.0401221149.81c351d%40posting.google.com&rnum=2&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DJGram%2Bgroup:sci.lang.japan%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26group%3Dsci.lang.japan%26selm%3D2e5b8611.0401221149.81c351d%2540posting.google.com%26rnum%3D2>sci.lang.japan</a>
It might be easier to think of it as
[ka][to omou][to]
rather than
[kato][omou][to]
It would be even easier to think of it as
[(missing phrase) ka][to omou][to]
— contributed by: dc
- Mr. Tanaka seems always busy. You won't be able to catch him even thinking
that he has just come, because he is always so busy that he usually leaves
soon.
To express this nuance, I think Bart's quotation of "no sooner ... than
..." will be
most applicable as he explains so.
"Mr. Tanaka seems always busy. No sooner has he come than he would leave."
would be good translations, though I've not seen such English example in
such
tense other than in past perfect (i.e. "No sooner had he come than he
left.")
— contributed by: dc
- 帰ってしまっている could suggest an on-going habit.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- やっとこの句を知らせてかと思ったら、意味不明に成ってしまった。
ーたぶん違うかな
— contributed by: Snake
- Your own comment is 意味不明.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Pretty similar to the previous suggestions - but how about it?
No sooner do I realise that he has arrived, than he has already left.
— contributed by: shelleymai
- I think the following translation sounds a little more natural: 'Just when you think he's arrived, he's already out the door.'
— contributed by: the clapper
- how does this differ from ーたとたん？
— contributed by: jamiesan
- is this related to かとおもえば？　Is it the same?
— contributed by: joubaou
- たとたん expresses a shorter duration than かと思ったら. It's more like "at the very moment when..."
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: katoomouto
tagJ: かと思うと
tagH: かとおもうと
expE: as soon as I noticed, almost immediately
noteE: as soon as i noticed he was here, he left
JLPT: 2

Front: toshitara, tosureba, tosuruto
としたら、とすれば、とすると
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
としたら、とすれば、とすると
Meaning: if one did; if one were to
Example: If we went to a hot spring, where would be good?
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + としたら・とすれば・とすると
いＡ + としたら・とすれば・とすると
なＡ・Ｎ + だ + としたら・とすれば・とすると
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
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- 温泉に行くとしたらどこがいいでしょうね。
if we were to go to onsen, where would you suggest?
— contributed by: zero
- この質問を答えるとしたら何が貰いますか。
If I answer this question , what will I receive?
— contributed by: eastmael
- 生まれ変われるとしたら、男がいい？女がいい？
If you were born again, would you be a man or a woman?
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 君が僕の立場としたら、この場合どうする？
If you were in my place, what would you do in this situation?
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- このまま不況から抜け出せないとすれば、日本の将来に希望はない。
At this rate, if we don't pull out of this recession, there will be no hope for Japan's future.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 病気の療法するとしたら、いい所はどこですか。
if I want to disease therapy, a good place where?
— contributed by: belajar
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- tosuru
User Comments
- ’温泉に行った’らはどうですかな?
— contributed by: Snake
- 温泉に行ったらどこがいいでしょうね。hmm not natural.
温泉に行くならば can be replaced.
温泉と言ったら、どこがいいでしょうかね。means quite similar.
When it comes to Onsen, where would be good. かな？？
— contributed by: Miki
- The example of zero is most natural. Otehr suggestions are not as good.温泉に行ったらどこがいいでしょうね is simply unacceptable."When it comes to Onsen, where would you suggest?" would sound natural in English.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Not as good? You shouldn't say so as we use them except 温泉に行ったら even if you use only what you call the most natural one. 心外なご意見です。（・＿・）
— contributed by: Miki
- Sorry, I did not realize that "other examples" included 温泉に行くならば and 温泉と言ったら. Both of them, of course, are acceptable even though I would vote for 温泉といえば.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ##5234 Japanese is not natural.
この質問に答えるとしたら、 　何をもらうのですか？
この質問に答えたら、　　　　　何が貰えますか？
— contributed by: Miki
- Is this actually how to use a subjunctive mood in Japanese? I wasn't sure if such thing existed. For example, "If I had been born rich, my life would be better." or "If I were President, I would feed the hungry." -- Both meaning "X is not true, but if it were, then I think Y would happen." The emphasis is on the requirement that "X is not true." Does this nuance come through in the Japanese?
— contributed by: adamstudio
- 金持ちに生まれていたら生活がもっと豊かだったろうに or 大統領であるとしたら、飢えた人々を救済したであろうに - both of these examples satisfy the supposition " that X is not true" but if it were, then Y would have happened.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I think of this as more of an "assuming that..." or "if we assume..." construct. It's basically saying, this might not be correct (or might not happen), but what if it is (or does)?
For example:
本当だとしたら、どうするの？
Assuming it's true, what do we do then?
— contributed by: KWhazit
- I updated this to Level 2 because it's in the 2kyuu review books.
— contributed by: johnstw
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toshitara, tosureba, tosuruto
tagJ: としたら、とすれば、とすると
expE: if one did; if one were to
noteE: If we went to a hot spring, where would be good?
JLPT: 2

Front: bakarika
ばかりか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ばかりか
Meaning: not just, but also
Example: not just people, but also pets can go to the spa nowadays
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 「ばかりでなく」の硬い表現。そして、「程度が大きい」ということを強調する。
It's a stronger version of ばかりでなく and is a strong way to indicate the level is high.
— contributed by: cteavin
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 柔道は若者の健康によいばかりか、人格形成にもおおいに役立つ。
Judo is not only good for young people's health but also very useful in forming their personalities.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 気温ばかりか湿度も高い。
Not only the temperature, but the humidity is also high
— contributed by: bamboo4
- この報告書は字が汚いばかりか間違いがたくさんある
Not only is the writing terrible in this report, but it contains too many mistakes.
— contributed by: Exrulez
- そればかりか、会社の直営店の商品は、たいていよその店より高価だったのです。
And not only that, the goods in the company shop were usually more expensive than elsewhere.
— contributed by: dbx
- 君ばかりか僕まで巻き添えを食らった。
Not only you but also I was involved. [M]
— contributed by: dbx
- 柔道は若者の健康によいばかりか、人格形成にもおおいに役立つ。
Judo is not only good for young people's health but also very useful in forming their personalities.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は美しいばかりか、心もやさしく、しかも聡明である。
Besides being beautiful, she is kind and intellectual.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は美人であるばかりか気立てもいい。
She is not only beautiful but also amiable.
— contributed by: dbx
- 目が覚めているときばかりか眠っているときにもそれが必要だ。
We need it when asleep as well as when awake.
— contributed by: dbx
- 労働はただ単に必要なものであるばかりか、楽しみでもある。
Labor is not merely a necessity but a pleasure.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼はサッカー，ばかりでなく水泳もダンスも上手なんですよ.
He's not just football, he knows swimming as well as dancing
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- アンさんは頭がいい、ばかりでなく親切で心の優しいです。
Mr.an is not just talent,simple as well as kind person.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 財布をなくしたばかりか怪我までしてしまった。
I not only lost my wallet but also got injuried.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Is ばかりか used exclusively with にも　in this usage?
— contributed by: Leslie
- I was investigating the use on this bakari ka
it seems it has 2 meanings
1) A+B（AだけでなくBも）
２）A
— contributed by: Exrulez
- 2) a is less than b, as in the level of importance?
A よりBの程度のほうが上
Applying this rule what would the sentence look like ?
— contributed by: Exrulez
- To Leslie : I think that にも or も are not always followed when the latter one is shortened like the example below or ex3241.
彼は、よく食べるばかりか、すごくおしゃべりだ。
　 すごくおしゃべりでもある。
ex#3241 …間違いもたくさんある is also ok.
— contributed by: Miki
- 雨ばかりか、雷まで鳴り出した。
— contributed by: Miki
- To Exrulez : 2) what about these?　
この料理は、独特な味だけれども、（何と言っても）まずい。
この報告書は、字が汚いけれど、（何と言っても）間違いがたくさんある。
— contributed by: Miki
- If you really want to use 何といっても：
この料理には、独特な味があるが、何といってもとにかくまずい。
この報告書は、字が汚いだけでなく、何と言ってもとにかく間違いだらけだ。
— contributed by: bamboo4
- this seems to be the same as [bakaridenaku]
— contributed by: dc
- #3241
Put "。" at the end of the sentence.
Put "、" before "字が・・・" and "間違いが・・・."
この報告書は、字が汚いばかりか、間違いがたくさんある。
#3632
Put "、" before "それが・・・."
目が覚めているときばかりか眠っているときにも、それが必要だ。
The other examples are all well-written. Way to go, bamboo4.
— contributed by: Nick
- Ex #7213 could be translate as: "Not only in soccer, but he is also good at swimming and dance"? Sorry for my poor English.
— contributed by: karekano
- The difference between ばかりか and だけでなくseems to be that ばかりか is not used in sentences expressing wish, desire, an order or command. So like 寿司ばかりか、肉も食べたい。　would be incorrect, as it expresses desire.
— contributed by: komainu
- In addition, ばかりでなく can be used to express a command or desire, while ばかりか is not. お菓子ばかりでなく、ご飯もちゃんと食べなさい。
— contributed by: komainu
- According to 完全マスター, this is used when both A and B are unusual?
— contributed by: Seilann
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: bakarika
tagJ: ばかりか
expE: not just, but also
noteE: not just people, but also pets can go to the spa nowadays
JLPT: 2

Front: hodo
〜程 (〜ほど)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜程 (〜ほど)
Meaning: the more... the more... as along with, to the extent
Example: the colder it is, the more delicious sake can be made
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ｔｈｉｓ　ｇｒａｍｍａｒ　ｐａｔｔｅｒｎ　ｓｈｏｕｌｄ　ｈａｖｅ　〜ば　Ｂｅｆｏｒｅ　ほど。
— contributed by: yuurei007
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 寒ければ寒い（Ｗｅａｔｈｅｒ）冷たければ冷たい（Ｓａｋｅ）ほどお酒がおいしくなると言われている
the colder it is the more delicious sake can become, it is said
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は口も利けないほど腹を立てていた。
He could not speak, he was so angry.
— contributed by: dc
- ドアが閉まらないほど込んでいます。
It is so crowded, the door cannot be closed
— contributed by: dc
- 一日では食べきれないほどのリンゴがある。
We have more apples than we could eat in a day.
— contributed by: Miki
- この英語の小説は、君が一週間で読めるほどやさしくない。
This English novel is not easy enough for you to read in a week.
— contributed by: Miki
- この家具のほうが比較にならないほど上等である。
This furniture is superior beyond comparison.
— contributed by: Miki
- この果物は摘み取られるほど成長していない。
This fruit has not ripened enough to be picked.
— contributed by: Miki
- この仕事は死ぬほどしんどい。
This job is killing me.
— contributed by: Miki
- 愛するものを失う（こと）ほどつらいことはない。
Nothing is as terrible as losing someone you love.
— contributed by: Miki
- この店は僕が望んでいるほど遅くまで開いていない。
This store doesn't stay open as late as I'd like. [M]
— contributed by: Miki
- この薬は鼻水に不思議なほどよく効く。
This medicine will do wonders for a runny nose.
— contributed by: Miki
- これまで訪れた中で、エベレストほど美しい山を見たことがない。
In all my travels I've never seen a more beautiful mountain than Everest.
— contributed by: Miki
- そう言う訳で、私は彼を死ぬほど憎んでいる。
That's why I have such an extreme hatred for him.
— contributed by: Miki
- そのコーヒーは私が飲めないほど熱かった。
The coffee was too hot for me to drink.
— contributed by: Miki
- あの店はこちらの都合に合わせるほど遅くまでやっていない。
That shop does not stay open as late as would suit my convenience.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 私はあなたほど忙しいく有りません。　
I'm not as busy as you are.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 相撲では、太っているほど有利だ。
At Sumo, the fatter you are, the better.
— contributed by: DrJones
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User Comments
- In the second example, 閉まらないほど would be "cannot be closed" instead of opened.
In the third example, "can be made" assumes possibility of human intervention, whereas 出来る denies that. So, the English should be "can become" instead of "can be made."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex. 666 and 1211 seem different from 263.
The first two have the effect coming before ほど.. can not speakほどangry. can not openほどcrowded.
Example 263 seems backwards, but is similar to the explanation for 〜ば〜ほど.
Could someone explain the first two examples, please?
— contributed by: gtunak85
- To add to that, the first two examples, ほど has the effect of "such that."
Such that he could not speak, he was angry.
Such that the door could not be closed, it was crowded.
Does that soudn right?
— contributed by: gtunak85
- I think it is smoother if the English versions of the first two examples read:
He was so angry that he could hardly speak.
It was so crowded that the door cluld not be closed.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- お酒 would be 冷たい (tsumetai) not 寒い (samui), wouldn't it? I get this one confused a lot--based on situation, so I thought I'd ask to clarify.
— contributed by: jpeppel
- Yes, but this is not talking about the sake itself - but the environment in which it is made... from the icy north comes delicious sake... ってこと？
— contributed by: anon
- or possibly depending on context: in cold weather hot sake tastes more delicious?
— contributed by: anon
- 出来る cannot have the connotation of "taste more delicious."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- but isn't this talking about "making" お酒 as opposed to tasting, as mentioned above (...from the icy north comes delicious sake)?
— contributed by: jj
- i think the entry meaning should be " so〜(such)that..." for " 〜ほど "
"the more... , the more ..."　should be the entry for "〜ば〜ほど " , therefore any examples with the meaning " the more... the more..." should be moved to the corresponding entry, to avoid confusion. お願い致します
— contributed by: 誠
- 会場にあふれるほど、ギターを持った若者が集まっていた
戦争ほど悲惨なものはない
Have these ほど　the same meaning? ?_?
— contributed by: Lucia06
- I think "extent" is the best single-word equivalent for ほど. It fits with most of the example sentences above.
— contributed by: Sumofan
- I agree with Sumofan. I found this sentence in a song: 飽きるほど　でんわした. I called until I got tired of calling.
— contributed by: pingpongpaddle
- I also learned that "extent" or "as much as" is a good representation for ほど.
Also, I once read a Japan Times piece about the set phrase それほどではありません。Apparently, it is good to use whenever you want to respond humbly to a compliment (e.g. about how good your lousy Japanese is).
— contributed by: yookoso
- Yookosoさん、ありがとうございます。I have been wanting to know the polite way to say, "I know my japanese sucks, but thanks for the complement."　今まで僕は「まぁ、そんな。。。」を使いましたがそれは本当に女性の話し方ですね。一人のコーワーカは僕に「マットさん、大釜ですか？」と聞きました。ほかの人々は「やっぱりマットさんの日本語の先生が女の人ですね」ということもあります。
— contributed by: tigert
- This is JLPT2
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hodo
tagJ: 〜程
tagH: 〜ほど
expE: the more... the more... as along with, to the extent
noteE: the colder it is, the more delicious sake can be made
JLPT: 2

Front: muki
向き (むき)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
向き (むき)
Meaning: for, facing, toward, aimed at
Example: a PC for old people
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- subtle difference:
子供向けに　　targeted at kids
　　向けの
子供向きに　　suitable for kids　　
　　向きの
— contributed by: dc
- FORMATION:
Ｎ + 向き
Ｎ１ + 向きの + Ｎ２
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この小説を子供向きに書き改めるのは難しい。
It is hard to adapt this story for children.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- こういう本は若い読者向きではない。
These books are not fit for young readers.
— contributed by: dbx
- このとおりやさしい英語で書かれているので、その本は初心者向きである。
Written as if is in plain English, the book is suitable for beginners.
— contributed by: dbx
- このテキストは初心者向きにできている。
This text is calculated for beginners.
— contributed by: dbx
- この派手な服は私には向きません。
This showy dress isn't appropriate for me.
— contributed by: dbx
- この物語は成人向きで子供が楽しむものではない。
I'm afraid this story is too adult for children to appreciate.
— contributed by: dbx
- ひとつの雑誌は男の子向きで、また別のものは女の子向きである。
One magazine is for boys, and another for girls.
— contributed by: dbx
- やさしい英語で書いてあるので、この本は初心者向きだ。
Written in simple English, this book is good for beginners.
— contributed by: dbx
- France向けの一番太いパイプ.
The fattest pipe to France .
— contributed by: dc
- このスキー場は初心者向きです。
This ski is suitable for beginners.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- この別荘は夏向きにできているので、冬は寒いです。
This cottage is good for summer, winter is cold.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- これは体力が必要なので、どちらかというと若い人向きの仕事です。
Because physical strength is necessary, this is up to work for a young person as for either.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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User Comments
- add a comment
— contributed by: blabby
- There is a distinction between 向けに/向けの "suitable for" and 向きだ/向きの "Aimed at".
向きだ/向きの is suitable for some purpose, even if it was not made for that purpose.
向けに/向けの is something is the target of the objects development and manufacture.
Hope this can help
— contributed by: blabby
- Sorry, that should be 向けに/向けの "aimed at" and 向きだ/向きの "suitable for".
— contributed by: blabby
- can you say
　向きに 　？
or just
　向きだ
　向きの
I added a note explanation at the top, can you please check?
— contributed by: dc
- 向きに　ok
— contributed by: weasel
- You can also say 向いている. For example, この本は子供が読むのに向いている = This book is suitable for reading by children.
You also have to remember that 向き means "facing" e.g.,南向き meaning facing south, such as a house.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- what the hell does "the fattest pipe to france" mean?
— contributed by: danieru
- I think 向け and 向き should be 2 separate Entries. usage is exactly the same, but meaning differs (see blabby)
— contributed by: ulle
- Is 向き the same as 適当 (てきとう)? Any distinctions worth mentioning?
— contributed by: yookoso
- Please explain...
a cutain with mickey mouse is kodomo mukida...or kodomo muke da?
its suitable for kids...and also it is made for kids.
mayotte imasu...
someone kindly explain this to me.
thanx
— contributed by: jayati
- Q.kono cottage ha natsu muki ni dekite iru node fuyu ha samui desu.
why is it muki here...this cottage is meant for summer ...isnt there a nuance that its made specially for summer?thats why in winter its cold there.
kindly explain this too.
— contributed by: jayati
- In ex #4286 there is no "muki".
— contributed by: karekano
- Yes, muki's broadest meaning applies to describing an inherent characteristic of something. This grammar entry does a bit of a poor job in elucidating that.
So, sometimes muki translates into "is (inherently) suitable for".
In your example, about summer. The comment is based on an observation of the architecture.Maybe the walls of the cottage are thin. Maybe there is no fireplace, or even electricity, etc.
I could also say:
彼女はアニメの声優向きの声をしている。
She has a voice that's meant for (voice) acting.
In other words, that quality of being meant for voice acting, is inherent the timbre or w/e of her voice.
— contributed by: Radish
- It is not entirely accurate, but let me share my way of thinking about muke vs muki.
Muke describes the "intent" of something.
So, "X is made for kids." --- but that does not necessarily mean kids will like it.It is someone's intent or belief that this is true.　And maybe it is true, but that is not what is being stressed.
muki's, "X is made for kids." means that "It is obvious that this item contains qualities that kids would enjoy." It is not about anyone's belief or intent.
Kind of like taking the transitive vs intransitive aspects of a verb.
— contributed by: Radish
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: muki
tagJ: 向き
tagH: むき
expE: for, facing, toward, aimed at
noteE: a PC for old people
JLPT: 2

Front: nuku
ぬく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ぬく
Meaning: completely; until the end
Example: Parents of children who have absolutely no interest in studying are completely at a loss.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This is a strong expression.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(minus ます) + ぬく
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- - you do something completely/ till the end, but it takes great pain, effort, sacrifice to comlplete the action ｛→せっかく｝
ex：最後まで走りぬく。Run to the　end (with great effort).
— contributed by: deeana
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 頑張りぬく
keep trying til the end
— contributed by: dc
- あなたは多くの困難に耐え抜かなけねばならない。
You have to go through many hardships.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 頑張りぬいたが結局できなかった。
I made an effort to finish, but in the end, I couldn’t finish.
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- 困難にあっても最後までやりぬく気持ちを捨てないで、がんばりなさい。
No matter how difficult, don't give up your will to follow through . Do your best.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 難しい数学の問題を考えぬいて答えが出せたときは、うれしかった。
I thoroughly thought about the difficult math problem, and when the answer came to me, I was glad.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 勉強にはぜんぜん興味を持たない子供に、両親は困りぬいている。
The parents of children who have absolutely no interest in studying are completely at a loss.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 私の祖父は２つの戦争を行き抜いた。
My grandfather survived two wars.
— contributed by: karekano
- 最後までやり抜け。
Carry it through.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- nuki (ぬく and ぬき formed from the same word but different usage.)
User Comments
- Should not be the kanji in the last example 299 耐え抜かねばならない rather this????
— contributed by: ainkin
- You are right. For 困難, 耐え抜くis right kanji.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nuku
tagJ: ぬく
expE: completely; until the end
expJ: 完全に〜する; 最後まで〜する
noteE: Parents of children who have absolutely no interest in studying are completely at a loss.
JLPT: 2

Front: mononara
〜ものなら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ものなら
Meaning: if .. is possible, then...
Example: if i can go
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 動詞可能形　＋　〜ものなら：　〜ことが可能なら　（実現が難しいことについて言うことが多い）
"If only I could/may...,"
〜う／ようものなら：　もし〜ようなことをしたら．．．（大変なことになる） Once if (one) happen to ... , then (bad consequence)."
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 行けるものならヨーロッパ へ（に） 行って見たい。でも、僕お金ないし、無理かな。
If I can go, I'd like to go to europe. But I've got no money, so it's impossible ya know.
— contributed by: dc
- 父は、たいへん厳しいんです。夜遅く帰ろうものなら、家に入れてもらえません
My father is very strict. If I come home late, he won't let me in.
— contributed by: kankun
- そうすれば目にみえるものならなんだって。
Well you can indicate everything you see.
— contributed by: dbx
- その伝言が重要なものなら彼に電話しなさい。
Telephone him if the message is important.
— contributed by: dbx
- 意志の弱い人は批判の的になる。だから友達でさえも、その欠点を直せるものならとおもってかれをいじめようとするだろう。
A man of weak will is the target of criticism; even his friends would badger him into correcting his defects.
— contributed by: dbx
- 意思の弱い人は批判の的になる。だから友だちでさえも、その欠点を直せるものならとおもってかれをいじめようとするだろう。
A man of weak will is the target of criticism; even his friends would badger him into correcting his defects.
— contributed by: dbx
- 仮にも為す価値があるものならば何でも良く為す価値がある。
Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.
— contributed by: dbx
- 自分のものならガチョウも白鳥に見える。
All his geese are swans.[Aphorism]
— contributed by: dbx
- 自分のものなら何でも最高。
All his geese are swans.
— contributed by: dbx
- 選んでいただいたものなら何でも結構です。
Whatever you pick is fine.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼はちょっと面白いものなら何でもとびつきます。
He goes in for whatever he finds interesting at the moment.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は甘いものならなんでも好きです。
He likes anything sweet.
— contributed by: dbx
- 楽しかった子供のころに、戻れるものなら戻りたい。
if it is possible that/if only I could go back to the fun days of my childhood, I would.
— contributed by: 誠
- 彼女に秘密を教えようものなら、すぐ皆に知られてしまう。
If you happen to tell her a secret, everyone will know your secret in no time .
— contributed by: 誠
- 帰れるものなら、今すぐ国へ帰りたい。
If I could, I'd like to go back to my country right now.
— contributed by: hana
- やれるもんなら、やってみろ。
If you can do it, then let's see you try.
— contributed by: hana
- 「変な格好」をしている若者が何か失敗でもしようものなら、その外見ゆえになにかと後ろ指を差される。
If youngsters who wear "odd clothes" ever screw up, people blame it on their outward appearance.
— contributed by: jaystarkey
- 君とは渋谷に遊びに行けるものなら行きたい。
If I could go to Shibuya with you to hang out, I would.
— contributed by: dev123
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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User Comments
- Used when one wishes to do something difficult.
Usually used together with the potential form.
— contributed by: halx
- "if" does not quite get you there. For example, "If I come home late, he won't let me in" should perhaps be "Would I come home late, he won't let me in the house."
ものなら is not iffy.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex #3724 has nothing to do with this grammar point.
甘いもの (= sweets) just happens to be suffixed with なら (group 3)
— contributed by: halx
- Shouldn't ex #3722 be better translated as: "Whatever you pick for me is fine"?
— contributed by: halx
- -ようものなら is quite iffy. it denotes a hypothetical condition. [if i came home late, he wouldn't let me in]
— contributed by: mk
- 〜ものなら：　"If only I could/may.....", "If only it was possible to ....", "If only it was possible that..."
— contributed by: 誠
- ex #3719 is 〜もの(thing)　＋　ならば, and therefore does not belong to the usage of 〜ものなら .
From ex#3719 to ex#3724, it doesn't give the meaning or correct usage of 〜ものなら, therefore treat it as 〜もの　＋　なら。
〜ものなら　always follow the 可能形 potential form. and used to indicate something difficult to realize, or some ideal thinking of the writer,e.g. : "If only i was still a child, ...."
— contributed by: 誠
- ex #3228 belongs to 〜う／ようものなら:
My father is very strict. Once if I happen to come home late, my dad won't let me in.
— contributed by: 誠
- Added ex #5896 for 〜ようものなら
— contributed by: 誠
- Do we need both #3717 and #3718? I don't see why the same sentence is listed twice because of one kanji...
— contributed by: petra
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mononara
tagJ: 〜ものなら
expE: if .. is possible, then...
noteE: if i can go
JLPT: 2

Front: youganai
〜ようがない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ようがない
Meaning: no way to
Example: no way to eat the soup
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- used with the masu-stem + ようがない
食べます →　食べようがない
します　⇒　しようがない
— contributed by: dc
- note that the word 用 (you) on its own means "something to do". As in
　ようがある
　i have to do some errands
so that leads to this confusion:
行く用がない = I have no *reason* to go there
(Lit: I have nothing to do when i get there)
行きようがない = I have no *way* to get there
1) 連絡するようがない
　　no business to contact them for
2) 連絡しようがない
　　no way to contact
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- スプーンがないことに気がついた。これでは食べようがない。
I realized I didnt have a spoon. So there was no way to eat it.
— contributed by: dc
- 道は通行止めだし。これではそこへ行きようがない。
The road is blocked. Such being the case, there is no way we can get there.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- その会社はまた赤字になった。救いようがない。
The company once again went into the red. It is beyond saving.
— contributed by: dbx
- ばかばかしいとしか言いようがない。
It is neither more nor less than absurd.
— contributed by: dbx
- 何とも言いようがないなあ。
I just don't know what to say.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私はあなたにお礼の申しようがない。
I cannot thank you enough.
— contributed by: dbx
- 誕生と死との間を享楽する以外には、この両者に対して回復の手の施しようがない。
There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼の発言は他に解釈のしようがない。
His remarks allow of no other interpretation.
— contributed by: dbx
- 質問の意味はわからなくて、答えようがなかった。
If the meaning of the question is not understood, it can't be answered.
— contributed by: Meghana
- このカメラ、ちょっと直しようがないですね。
There is no way of fixing this camera.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 時間がぎりぎりで、練成しようがない。
because time is limited, there is no way to exercise.
— contributed by: belajar
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Related Grammar
- hokanai ([hokanai] nothing else to do but | [youganai] no way to do. sound similar but very different meaning)
- youmonai (same meaning with another particle)
User Comments
- This seems to be pretty low usage.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed by violitional form verb + ga nai
Vv = violitional form of verb
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ex#894 行こうがない should be 行きようがない but this Japanese sentence is not natural. なんか　温泉に行けないなんて、さみしい な。 would be better but this does not fit to the entry 〜ようがない.
— contributed by: your name
- I agree that #894 is grammatically not correct and any modification would not fit into this entry.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #894 deleted.
— contributed by: dc
- 1) 連絡するようがない
　　no business to contact them for
2) 連絡しようがない
　　no way to contact
— contributed by: dc
- 1)　連絡する用がない if you use Kanji, the sentence becomes so clear.
— contributed by: Miki
- 連絡する用がない does not belong to this thread which deals with ようがない, whereas 連絡しようがない does.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Hi, sorry but "よう" in ...ようがない is not "用" as you said but "様" as in "日本人のように..." . And another thing, I am not Japanese.
peas !!!
— contributed by: speedjounetsu
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youganai
tagJ: 〜ようがない
expE: no way to
noteE: no way to eat the soup
JLPT: 2

Front: tekaradenaito; tekaradenakereba
て形からでないと; て形からでなければ (てからでないと; てからでなければ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
て形からでないと; て形からでなければ (てからでないと; てからでなければ)
Meaning: Not Until 〜;If I don't 〜, I can't 〜; I can't 〜 unless I 〜.
Example: If I don't consult my boss, I cannot give a reply.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- The following sentence is always negative.
— contributed by: BobMaestro
- 「Ａてからでないと、Ｂ」: B should use phrases such as 「できない」、「難しい」、「無理だ」.
FORMATION:
Ｖて + からでないと・からでなければ
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 上司に相談してからでないとお返事できません。
If I don't consult my boss first, I cannot give a reply.
— contributed by: dc
- 舞鶴に行くには京都に行ってからでないと行けません。
You cannot go to Maizuru until you get to Kyoto.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ビザが取れてからでなければ、旅行の予定は立てられない。
If I don't get my visa, I can't plan a trip.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- この問題は、よく検討してからでないと、決定は難しい。
It's difficult to make a decision unless I carefully scrutinize the problem.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 子供が小さい時、寝かせてからでないと、ゆっくりテレビも見れなかった。
When my children were small, I couldn't enjoy watching television until after I had put them to bed.
— contributed by: sagittarius
- しっかり考えてからでないと、お答えできません。
If you do not think about it in depth first, you cannot find the answer.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- もう少し具体的な説明を聞いてからでないと、その計画には賛成できません。
If I do not ask for a little more definite explanation first, I cannot give my agreement to this plan.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼に示してからでないと、彼はおまえの感情が分からないよ。
He won't feel your love, unless you show him
— contributed by: amenya
- 臨席をしてからでなければ、なにも分かってない。
If not present, would not understand anything.
— contributed by: belajar
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User Comments
- sometimes used for denial
— contributed by: dc
- How would this be different from just using an "if" form with a negative verb (-ba, -tara, to)? For example, could we just say 上司に相談しないとお返事できません?
— contributed by: anon
- 上司に相談しないとお返事できません or 上司に相談しないでお返事できません are both grammatically correct, but they are more or less blunt response when compared with 上司に相談してからでないとお返事できません.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I have the feeling that the meaning is close to "nai kagiri" in this case >>
上司に相談しない限りお返事ができません。
What do you think about it?
— contributed by: Ludi
- anon: You could probably say it with the same connotation if you add just a bit more. Example: 先に上司に相談しないと、お返事できません。
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Ludi, かぎり is more meant to express "As long as A continues, B will continue." It's more of a positive grammar than a negative one. It could work, but it would sound awkward: "As long as I don't consult with my boss, I can't give you an answer."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- So by using 〜てからでなければ instead of simply using 〜ば, you are being more emphatic? Would this be similar to the difference between から　and からこそ？
— contributed by: xabre24
- 〜てからでなければ sounds very much like something you would see only in writing. Can you colloquialise to 〜てからじゃなければ？
— contributed by: sagittarius
- In example #6894, 考える is translated to "teach" while it should be "think".
Unless the sentence should contain 教える.
— contributed by: kurisutofu
- Example #6894 corrected according to your alert.Thanks to Kurisutofuさん.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Added proper meaning to help people see the difference in nuance between this and the "if" form.
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tekaradenaito; tekaradenakereba
tagJ: て形からでないと; て形からでなければ
tagH: てからでないと; てからでなければ
expE: Not Until 〜;If I don't 〜, I can't 〜; I can't 〜 unless I 〜.
noteE: If I don't consult my boss, I cannot give a reply.
JLPT: 2

Front: tenaranai
てならない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
てならない
Meaning: Cannot help -ing; Unbearably; Irresistibly
Example: I cannot help feeling anxious.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- verb-te
実家が思い出されてならない
Can't help but being reminded of hometown
i-adj -kute
嬉しくてならない
Can't help being happy
na-adj -de
不安でならない
Can't help worrying
— contributed by: dc
- very similar to [-tetamaranai] but slightly more modern
— contributed by: dc
- ＊This expression is meant to describe insurmountable psychological or physiological feelings.
・If the preceding adjective does not describe psychological or physiological feelings, ならない cannot be used. Also, there are a couple of adjectives describing psychological or physiological feelings that cannot be used; they are merely exceptions. For example: 痛い、嫌い、好き.
・When a verb is connected with ならない, it is usually an idiomatic phrase of psychological feelings, and NOT of physiological feeling. The following sentence would be UNGRAMMATICAL unless ならない is replaced with たまらない:
朝飯を食べて来なかったので、腹が減ってならない。
(I came here without eating my breakfast, so I am awfully hungry.)
This is the correct sentence:
朝飯を食べて来なかったので、腹が減ってたまらない。
FORMATION:
Ｖ・いＡ(て forms) + ならない
なＡ + で + ならない
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 戦争が始まるかもしれない。国民は不安でならない様子だ
A war may start. The people can't help but feel uneasy (is the outlook?)
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は全然仕事をしていないのに、どうしてあんなに金回りがいいのか不思議に思えてならない。
You can't help but think it strange - he does no work at all yet he's still so well off.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 毎日が楽しくはずなのに、気分が滅入ってならない
Even though (I) should be expect every day to be enjoyable I can't stop getting depressed.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 明日のプレゼンのことが心配でならない。眠れないよ〜。
I can't stop worrying about tomorrow's presentation. I can't sleep!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私には父がまだ生きていると思えてならない。
I can't help thinking Father is still alive.
— contributed by: dbx
- 日本の歴史をもっと深く知りたくてならない。
I'm dying to know Japanese history more deeply.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 夫が単身赴任しているので、寂しくてなりません。
My husband has gone alone for work, and I cannot help feeling lonely.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 東京の夏は暑くてならない。
The summer in Tokyo is awfully hot.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼のいびきにはまったく我慢ならない。
I just can`t stand his snoring.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女がなぜあんなことを言ったのか不思議でならない。
It`s a complete mystery to me why she said such a thing.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- tamaranai
- naidehairarenai (-tenaranai is used for feelings (can't help feeling) whereas naidehairarenai is more about actions (can't help doing))
- zunihairarenai
User Comments
- "The people are in a state where they can't help but be anxious" doesn't cut it. "The people can't help but being ill at ease or bereft with anxiety" may not very good but better than "be anxious." "a war will start" should perhaps be "a war may start."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- tx, changed... "feel uneasy" is easier to say than ill at ease.
— contributed by: dc
- I am still not sure how to translate the end component tho: 様子だ : aspect, state, appearance
= "is the outlook" ? of the people or the overlying situation?
— contributed by: dc
- Fair enough with the 'anxious' (I'm not sure that bit was mine in the first place) but I still don't know that that <b>(is the outlook?)</b> is doing lurking at the end. I'm sure 'condition' or similar could be worked into a reasonably natural English sentence.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- How about <b>"A circumstance wherein the people cannot help but feel uneasy."</b>
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Still -2 check : Should get some more examples for this one.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- V なる >> ならない : …てならない means そのことを禁じえない
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は全然仕事をしていないのに、どうしてあんなに金回りがいいのか不思議に思えてならない。
毎日が楽しくはずなのに、気分が滅入ってならない。
明日のプレゼンのことが心配でならない。眠れないよ〜。
— contributed by: Miki
- Whew, thanks for all those Miki.
翻訳が正しいといいですね。
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Amatsuka, thanks for the translation.;) Please delete this comment for me after you read this.
— contributed by: Miki
- 様子だ can be "It appears....."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- This is a difficult construction - the following have nearly opposite meanings:
たぶん、来週は忙しくてならない。
たぶん、来週は忙しくならない。
— contributed by: PaulO
- For example #682, here's my idea for a translation: "A war might break out. The people seem unbearably uneasy."
I looked up lots of examples of 様子 in a sentence, and it is usually translates as "looks" or "seems."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Someone kindly explain this to me.I am not able to understand these lines......
When a verb is connected with ならない, it is usually an idiomatic phrase of psychological feelings, and NOT of physiological feeling. The following sentence would be UNGRAMMATICAL unless ならない is replaced with たまらない:
朝飯を食べて来なかったので、腹が減ってならない。
(I came here without eating my breakfast, so I am awfully hungry.)
This is the correct sentence:
朝飯を食べて来なかったので、腹が減ってたまらない。
— contributed by: jayati
- In ex #682 could it be: "War may begin. People seem to be anxious"?
— contributed by: karekano
- I have lots of examples to add but they are て＋は＋ならない　and I`m not sure if the particle changes the meaning... That may be a silly question of course...
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tenaranai
tagJ: てならない
expE: Cannot help -ing; Unbearably; Irresistibly
noteE: I cannot help feeling anxious.
JLPT: 2

Front: kotoni
〜ことに　「は」
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ことに　「は」
Meaning: Very; Quite; The 〜 thing is that....
Example: To my great surprise...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- いＡ + ことに
なＡ + な + ことに
Ｖた(past plain form) + ことに
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- This grammar should be used at the head of the sentence. It should be used to emphasize feelings, emotions, or sentiments.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 嬉しいことに４月から、給料が１割りほど上がる。
It is a totally great thing, from April my salary goes up by 10%
— contributed by: dc
- 残念なことに、ポケットの穴から全部のお釣りを落としてしまいました。
Unfortunately , I've lost all my change through a hole in my pocket.
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- ボスは猿を拷問することで快感を得る.
My boss gets his kicks out of torturing monkeys .
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 残念なことに、ストで新幹線が止まり、旅行は中止になってしまった。
Quite unfortunately, the bullet trains have been stopped because of a strike, and our trip got cancelled.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 驚いたことには、彼女は7か国語が話せるそうだ。
Quite surprisingly, I heard that she can speak seven foreign languages.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 驚いたことになくした財布が無事に警察に届けられていた。
To my great surprise, my lost wallet made it to the police intact.
— contributed by: evilkyra
- 残念なことに、楽しみにしていたキャンプが雨で中止になった。
The unfortunate thing is that the camp I had looked forward to was canceled due to rain.
— contributed by: akiokun
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User Comments
- I think the English translation should be better with 「The 〜 thing is that, .....」for 「〜ことに」. So for
ex#310 嬉しいことに、四月から給料が一割ほど上がる
「The happy/hearthening thing is that, from April onwards my salary will go up by around 10%.」I prefer to use "hearthening" in this case.
Notice the comma is at the ことに
ex#5256「The unfortunate thing is that, I dropped and lost all my change through a hole in my pocket.」　
— contributed by: 誠
- Example #5935 does not belong in this entry. This must be "koto ni (ha)." Also, you can only use the plain past tense of a verb before it, not plain dictionary form.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kotoni
tagJ: 〜ことに　「は」
expE: Very; Quite; The 〜 thing is that....
noteE: To my great surprise...
JLPT: 2

Front: kiri2
きり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
きり　
Meaning: just, for good, once and for all (keeps on same state)
Example: he went to america for good.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This grammar is typically used to express that once something has happened, the subsequent situation remains unchanging.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- This form of kiri is only used with a verb in the past/passive tense.
— contributed by: IMABI
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 寝たきり老人
A bedridden (LIT: forever in bed) old man.
— contributed by: dc
- 手紙を貰ったきり、連絡がない。
I got a letter, but ... nothing after that.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はアメリカに行ったきりだ。
he went to america (and didn't come back).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 息子は友達に家に行ったきり帰ってこない。
My son went to his friends house and didnt come back.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 店はたたまれ、それっきりだった。
The store closed down for good.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は38歳なのに、両親に頼りきりです。
Though 38, he is still dependent on his parents.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は3年前に家を出たきり、全然消息がない。
He went away from home three years ago, and has never been heard of since.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は自分の子供達の教育の問題を妻に任せきりだった。
He always left the problem of this children's education to his wife.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は病気でずっと床についたきりだ。
He has been confined to his bed with illness.
— contributed by: Miki
- 「物を人から借りたきり返さないのは、どろぼうと同じですよ」と母に言われてしまった。
My mother told me, "Borrowing something and not returning it is the same as stealing."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Ｓ大学の登山パーティーは、3日前から北アルプスの立山に登ったきり、下りてこない。救助隊がパーティーの行方を探している。
S. University's mountain-climbing party ascended the Northern Alps' Tateyama three days ago and haven't come back down. A rescue team is searching for their whereabouts.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- あれきり私たちは彼女に会っていない。
We haven`t seen her since then.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- nari2 (similar)
User Comments
- きり is a particle derived from 切る(cut) that indicates that something happened but it did not thereafter follow the normal course of events and terminated. I am not sure that there is an English equivalent for this concept, but "that was it" comes close but not quite. Of course this type of expression cannot be used to describe 寝たきり老人. I probably have to say that the true sentiment behind this word is untranslatable into English.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- You don't need the () for 'My son went to his friends house (and didnt come back)' because it is separately pointed out that he didn't come back in '帰ってこない。'
Unless <b>帰ってこない</b> should be in ()'s.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- No comment on my last comment?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- () is absolutely for me(日本人）.
He went to America is just the event in past when I translated the E-sentenc to Japanese and can't express the 「きり」without ().
— contributed by: Miki
- 他の「（）」がある例文と違って、「息子は友達に家に 行ったきり 帰ってこない。」 には「帰ってこない」があります。そこで、「帰ってこない」はその「きり」と同じ意味がありませんか。だといえば、英語の文に（）は不必要を思います。
(下手な日本語が分りますか。）＾＾ｖ
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The first exmpla can end 息子は友達の家に行ったきり。帰ってこない may be to emphasize the situation.
Your Japanese is good!
— contributed by: Miki
- 「きり」here roughly means ずっと…している。…のままである。
— contributed by: Miki
- in english dictionaries the part in brackets is what is implied, but not expressly written in the sentence as in ex608 but not ex845
— contributed by: dc
- What's the difference between past-tense ~ta+kiri and masu-form+kiri? 行ったきり etc. vs. 頼りきり, 任せきり...
— contributed by: satori
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kiri2
tagJ: きり
expE: just, for good, once and for all (keeps on same state)
noteE: he went to america for good.
JLPT: 2

Front: hokanai
ほかない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ほかない
Meaning: nothing else to do but...
Example: nothing else to do but stay in bed
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊In (より)ほかない、the より is optional.
＊Alternative grammar includes: 〜(する)しかない and 〜以外に方法がない.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + (より)ほかない
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- もはや、盧武鉉（ノ・ムヒョン）大統領の再信任を問う国民投票に進むほかない。それが好ましいからではなく、その他の途が閉ざされているからだ。
Already there is nothing else but to proceed with a national referendum for a vote of confidence in Prime Minister No Muhyon. This route is not taken because [we] want to, but because there is no other alternative available - that
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 風邪をひいた。暖かくして寝るよりほかない。
I have a cold, so there is nothing else to do but stay warm and sleep.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 勉強するよりほかない
nothing else to do but study
— contributed by: dc
- 本当のことを言うよりしかたなかった
I had no alternative but to tell the truth
— contributed by: dc
- 政府は他の歳入源を考え出すほかない。
The Administration cannot but look for alternative sources of revenue.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼らは計画全体をあきらめるよりほかないと意見が一致している。
They agree that they have no choice but to give up the whole plan.
— contributed by: dc
- 雪のため、新幹線が駅と駅の間で止まってしまった。乗客はじっと車内で待つよりほかない。
The shinkansen stopped between stations due to snow. The passengers had nothing to do but patiently wait inside the train.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 台風で家が押し流された。人々はどうすることもできず、じっと見ているほかなかった。
Houses were washed away because of the typhoon. People could do nothing but helplessly and quietly watch.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 雨が降っているので、残念だが今日の遠足は延期するほかない.
unfortunately,it's raining today.nothing else to do but the trip has postponed.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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- shikanai
User Comments
- The second example implies there is nothing else to do.
I think "nothing better to do than to stay warm and sleep >> 暖かくして寝るより　やりよう／しょう　がない。
— contributed by: Miki
- Interesting. Not sure what the より is doing in the second example then. Anyway example check to +1.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- As for the first example, it was picked up exactly from an article but the end of the sentence is a bit weird for me. As an example, it would be better to delete そうだ in the end. →その他に道がないために。
— contributed by: Miki
- when there is a yori in the phrase does it imply "better" as in nothing better?
勉強するほかない = nothing to do but study
勉強するよりほかない = nothing better to do than study
?
— contributed by: dc
- I think your understanding is correct.
— contributed by: Miki
- As far as I understand this has a very similar meaning although somewhat stronger>>
なんとかやるしかない
Would this be correct?
— contributed by: wynnej2
- The use of より makes the phrase more formal. See Dictionary of Advanced Japanese grammar yori/no hoka (ni) (wa) nai (pg 734)
— contributed by: StayGold
- Ex #3223 is missing ほかない。。。
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hokanai
tagJ: ほかない
expE: nothing else to do but...
noteE: nothing else to do but stay in bed
JLPT: 2

Front: karatoitte
からといって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
からといって
Meaning: just because
Example: just because he is japanese...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- PLAIN FORMS of (Verb, Noun, i and na Adjectives) + からといって
　
文１　からといって、　文２
In general means that " just because　文１ , does not necessarily mean..". Although after the pattern in lots of cases there go negative sentenses (否定形）, it is not necessarily always so.
What comes after the pattern showes or explains that in truth it is differ from what could be thought of 文１.
— contributed by: missshapoooo
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 子供だからといって許せない。
just because he is a child, I cannot forgive him.
— contributed by: dc
- 忙しいからといって連絡してくれないのは怠慢だ。
just because he's busy, not contacting me is still lazy.
— contributed by: dc
- 歩いたからといって遅れた言いわけにはなりません
just because you walked is no excuse for being late.
— contributed by: dc
- ウチは電子メールはないからというのはいつまで通用するだろうか。早くホームページを立ち上げることをおすすめします。
I wonder how long "Because I don't have email" will pass? I recommend getting your web-page up.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたが天才でないからといって、がっかりする必要はありません。
You don't have to be discouraged because you are not a genius.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは人を単に貧しいからといって見下してはならない。
You should never look down on a man merely because he is poor.
— contributed by: dbx
- あまり才能ないからといってがっかりしてはいけない。
Don't be discouraged just because you are not very talented.
— contributed by: dbx
- ある人が間違いをしたからといってそれを笑うのは不作法である。
It is not good manners to laugh at someone when he makes a mistake.
— contributed by: dbx
- ある人が間違いをしたからといってそれを笑うのは無作法である。
It is not good manners to laugh at someone when he make a mistake.
— contributed by: dbx
- ある人間が間違いをしたからといってそれを笑うのは無作法である。
It is not good manners to laugh at someone when he makes a mistakes.
— contributed by: dbx
- ある本が読者の興味を引かないからといって、その原因がその本にあるということにはならない。
Because a book not interest readers, it does not follow that the fault lies in the book.
— contributed by: dbx
- いくら親しいからといってそんな事を彼に頼めません。
No matter how close we may be, I can not ask him to do that.
— contributed by: dbx
- おいしいからといって、なんでも食べ過ぎてはいけない。
You must not eat too much of anything because it tastes good.
— contributed by: dbx
- おいしいからといって食べすぎてはいけない。
You must not eat too much because it tastes good.
— contributed by: dbx
- おばは非常なお金持ちだからといって、それだけ幸せというわけではない。
My aunt is none the happier for her great wealth.
— contributed by: dbx
- そう言ったからといって彼の重要性が低下するわけではない。
To say so should not diminish his importance.
— contributed by: dbx
- その人が完璧からといって、恋に落ちるわけではない。
You don't fall in love with somebody just because he's prefect.
— contributed by: dbx
- だからといって異議があるわけではない。
Not that I have any objection.
— contributed by: dbx
- まちがえたからといって彼の事を笑うな。
Don't laugh at him for making a mistake.
— contributed by: dbx
- 感じるからといって、本当に居る訳じゃない
Just because you feel it doesn't mean that it's there.
— contributed by: LittleFish
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User Comments
- I strongly suggest "'Because he's a kid' doesn't mean I can forgive him." or similar because the present English reads as if "I could forgive him if it wasn't that he's a child" which is exactly the opposite meaning.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- lit. "because-however"
— contributed by: Heavy-D
- #4789: Taken from the song "There There" by Radiohead, I sung the Japanese as the chorus when I listened to it, and now I can't forget this piece of grammer.
(edit:なるほど, thanks)
— contributed by: LittleFish
- littlefish - if you put a # before your ex number then it will create a link. like #4789
— contributed by: dc
- I think karaoke is a great way to learn jpnz!
— contributed by: dc
- In ex #3539 I`ve changed　あまり貝ｪ　to 才能　based on the translation.
— contributed by: karekano
- I`ve changed ex #3549　その人が垂ｵ分がないからといって、恋に落ちるわけではない。　−＞　その人が完璧からといって、恋に落ちるわけではない。
— contributed by: karekano
- Dc-san, everytime I click at # I go to the top of the page, to me it doesn`t work like a link...
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: karatoitte
tagJ: からといって
expE: just because
noteE: just because he is japanese...
JLPT: 2

Front: nuki
抜き (ぬき)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
抜き (ぬき)
Meaning: without
Example: sushi without wasabi
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- FORMATION:
Ｎ + ぬきで・ぬきに
Ｎ1 + ぬきの + Ｎ2
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 全部食べないとデザート抜きですよ。
You can't have dessert until you finish your meal.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- その話はぬきにして飲みましょう.
Let's drink without getting into that topic.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 昼飯ぬきで仕事をした.
I continued work without having lunch.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 私は、塩ぬきのフライドポテトを注文した。
I ordered french fries without salt.
— contributed by: mahoujin
- 冗談は抜きにして
all joking aside
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- 冗談抜きで、ちょっと大切な相談があるんです。
Seriously, I have something important to discuss with you.
— contributed by: hana
- お世辞抜きに、君の日本語は本当にうまいよ。
I am not flattering you. Your Japanese is really good.
— contributed by: hana
- コーヒーは、砂糖ぬきでお願いします。
Coffee please, without sugar.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 冗談ぬきでまじめに考えて
Without jokes, please think about it seriously.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 朝食ぬきで学校に行く子供が多いです。
There are a lot of children who to go school without breakfast.
— contributed by: aoiaki
- 堅苦しいあいさつ抜きでやりましょう。
Let`s do away with the formalities.
— contributed by: karekano
- コーヒー抜きで働くのは苦痛であった。
It was hard to work without cofee.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- kotonaku (Note that
Noun + nuki
Verb (jishokei) + kotonaku)
User Comments
- Lit: "If you don't eat everything you do without dessert!"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ex#3276 彼女はコートなしで出かけました。would be better.
— contributed by: anon
- I agree. One would not say コートぬきで出かける.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- whats the difference tween nuki and nashi? someone explained it nuki is usually used when you something is unexpectedly without. eg chips without salt. correct?
Also, nuki seems more formal
— contributed by: dc
- moved the coat example to [nashi]
— contributed by: dc
- nuki 抜き→抜く here mean to omit or remove somthing. It would't be always unexpectedly happen. When you order わさび抜きのすし sushi without wasabi、you know it.
nashi 無し→無い means something is not there.
They are sometimes used in a similar way like
寝坊したから、朝ごはんなしだった。／ 朝ごはん抜きだった。
As I slept over, I had no breakfast. / I skipped breakfast.
— contributed by: Miki
- ah, ↑　not slept over, I want to change it to 'as I woke up late.'
— contributed by: Miki
- woke up late = overslept.
slept over = stayed out at someone else's house
ちょっと違うね！
— contributed by: anon
- Is this the same nuki used in babanuki?
— contributed by: tigert
- Yes, it is, tigert-san−＞婆抜き。
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nuki
tagJ: 抜き
tagH: ぬき
expE: without
noteE: sushi without wasabi
JLPT: 2

Front: uchini-2
うちに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
うちに
Meaning: before ... (something bad happens); while ... still (being OK), while (state still continue) and before the state is finished
Example: 暗くならないうちに帰ってきなさい。/ Come home before it gets dark.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb (Dictionary form/nai form) + uchini
i-adjectives (い) + uchini
na-adjectives + な + uchini
Noun + の + uchini
— contributed by: fon
- Uchini means-As long as a favorable time period lasts,do something.....その状態が変わる前に、何かをする。
Ex-子供が寝ているうちに、早く部屋を掃除しときます。
— contributed by: ashishjoshi
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 暗くならないうちに帰ってきなさい。
Come home before it gets dark.
— contributed by: dc
- 雨が降らないうちに帰りましょう。
Let's go home before it starts to rain. (lit. while it's not yet raining.)
— contributed by: eastmael
- 電車が動いているうちに降りてはなりません。
Do not get off the train while it is in motion.
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 雨が降らないうちに、帰ったほうがいいと思うから、これで、失礼します。
I think it's best I go before it starts raining, so I'll be leaving now.
— contributed by: minutiae
- 母が元気なうちに、会いにいきたいと思っています。
I think I'd like to go and see my mother while she is still healthy.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼女は雇われて５ヶ月もしないうちにくびになった。
She had not been employed five months before she was fired.
— contributed by: karekano
- その村に着かないうちに彼女はすっかりへたばってしまった。
She had been tired out before she got to the village.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
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User Comments
- #5255 電車は動くうちに is not correct. 電車が動いているうちに降りてはなりません。 would be better.
— contributed by: Miki
- Shouldn't we split this entry into うちに and ないうちに as these two expressions are rendered quite differently in English?
— contributed by: Rukawa
- But it is one grammar concept in japanese - The division should be based on japanese grammar, and not the english one, no?
— contributed by: caranha
- Is "utchi" 内 ? In that case, maybe "during, while, as long as" or something similar would be an easier translation. Double negations are such a pain to think about !
— contributed by: charles
- Who the heck uses whilst? translating modern Japanese with archaic English, seems a little 何か変だよ｡
For example #5255 How about, "Do not get off the train while it is is motion." or if your a stickler for exact translation. "You must not get off the train while it is in motion."
— contributed by: tigert
- I moved Ex #6903 for [uchini] because it was very close of #5237.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- The British still use 'whilst' quite regularly.
It's not archaic. It's just not common in American English.
— contributed by: petra
- Don't get off the train while it's still moving.
— contributed by: lucinda lohmanoota
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: uchini-2
tagJ: うちに
expE: before ... (something bad happens); while ... still (being OK), while (state still continue) and before the state is finished
noteE: 暗くならないうちに帰ってきなさい。/ Come home before it gets dark.
JLPT: 2

Front: koto ha nai
ことはない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ことはない
Meaning: no need to
Example: There's no need to be insulting, you know!
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Formation:
Vる＋ことはない
— contributed by: hana
- 動−辞書刑　＋　ことはない
— contributed by: vraddict
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ただの風邪ですから、心配することはありません
Its just a common cold, so there's no need to worry.
— contributed by: dc
- この世に思いわずらうことはない。
I don't have a care in the world.
— contributed by: Miki
- 時間は十分あるから急ぐことはない。
There is no need to hurry as we have plenty of time.
— contributed by: Meghana
- ちょっと待たされただけで、なにもそんなに怒ることはないでしょう。
You only had to wait a little bit, so there's no need to get so upset.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 君があやまることはないよ。
There is no need for you to apologize.
— contributed by: hana
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User Comments
- I'd rather define this as (verb/inf.)ことはない, the meaning being the simple verb->gerund conversion + negation and thus referring to [koto]
— contributed by: Kaens
- #5820 文字化け？　I guess 時間は十分あるから急ぐことはない。　十分 here can be read as じゅうぶんenough or じゅっぷん 10 minutes.
— contributed by: Miki
- Is it [必要とする] the opposite expression to [ことはない ]??
— contributed by: Cleber
- I have also seen the expression: (verb/inf.)必要はない used to mean the same thing. Is there a difference nuance between these, or one preferred over another?
— contributed by: karamu san
- Is this right? Shouldn`t it be 〜ことではない
〜ことはない　means that thing isn`t or doesn`t exist but ではない means its not that kind of thing.
I don`t think I have heard a native speaker use ことはない
jyubun　can also mean enough or sufficent. so #5820 could be translated as
because there is sufficent time, there is no need to hurry.
— contributed by: tigert
- I hear this grammar pattern used by native speakers all the time. I'd say it's the number one way to say there's no need/it's not necessary.
— contributed by: corbettgreg
- 「必要はない」and「ことはない」have the same meaning.
— contributed by: herinapotter
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: koto ha nai
tagJ: ことはない
expE: no need to
expJ: 〜しなくても　いい
noteE: There's no need to be insulting, you know!
JLPT: 2

Front: monogaaru
〜ものがある
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ものがある
Meaning: there is such a thing (essence), feels like
Example: she has the power to move people with her songs
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- v−る＋ものがある
A−い＋ものがある
A−な＋ものがある
— contributed by: jenifer3634816
- v−た＋ものがある
— contributed by: Carlosu
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼女の小説には人を勇気づけるものがある。
her novels are able to encourage (move) people.
— contributed by: dc
- 家族に会うと私の心に複雑なものがある。
When I meet my family, there are complicated feelings in my heart.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の学問的な業績には感銘を与えるものがある。
His academic achievements are impressive.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼の功績は特筆大書すべきものがある。
His accomplishments should be written in large letters.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼の性格には単なる正直以上のものがある。
There is more in his character than simple honesty.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女には何か磁力のようなものがある。
She has something of a magnetic force.
— contributed by: dbx
- 物には限界というものがある。
Everything has its limit.
— contributed by: dbx
- 僕の人生には何か欠けているものがあるような気がするんだ。
I have a feeling that something is lacking in my life [M]
— contributed by: dbx
- 問題の中にはゴリラに不公平なものがある。
Some test questions are unfair to gorillas.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼の話し方にはどこか強引なものがあった。
There was a feeling of pushiness, somewhere in his talking.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 彼は、性格は別として、絵の才能には見るべきものがある。
Putting apart his character, he have something special we must see in his talent for paintings.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼女の演奏には、人の心を動かすものがある。
She has the power to move people with her songs.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 難病した人は今まで耐えられて、霊験なものがあら。
people with a rare disease that can last up to now, it looks like I feel there is a miracle.
— contributed by: belajar
- この二つには何か共通したものがある。
These two have something in common.
— contributed by: Carlosu
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Related Grammar
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User Comments
- My textbook says this is for things with deep feeling or emotions.
— contributed by: blabby
- which textbook is that? Are the explanations in japanese or english?
— contributed by: dc
- 意味:
〜と言う感じがある
〜ように感じられる
— contributed by: halx
- 彼の話にはどこか納得できないものがある
what does it means?
— contributed by: ihkondo
- 彼の話にはどこか納得できないものがある means "There's something about what he said that I just can't agree with."
— contributed by: jaceryl
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: monogaaru
tagJ: 〜ものがある
expE: there is such a thing (essence), feels like
noteE: she has the power to move people with her songs
JLPT: 2

Front: nitsuki-2
〜につき
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜につき
Meaning: due to
Example: due to construction, the train is late.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 　[名]＋につき
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- ＊This grammar is used in formal sentences, such as those appearing on bulletins, notices, etc.
FORMATION:
Ｎ + につき
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 工事につき電車は不通です。
due to construction, trains are cancelled (Lit: not running)
— contributed by: dc
- 教授の海外出張につき休講。
Class cancelled due to the professor's business trip abroad.
— contributed by: PaulO
- 雨天につき、試合は延期いたします。
Due to the rainy weather we postpone the match.
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- この道は工事中につき、通行止めになっています。
Due to construction, this street is closed to traffic.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 冷房中につき、ドアをお閉めてください。
Due to the air conditioning, please close the door.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- こちらは特売品につき、お一人様一点限りとなっています。
Since these are bargain items, they are limited to one per person.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- この機械はただ今調整中につき、ご使用になれません。
This machine is currently unavailable due to maintenance.
— contributed by: hana
- 本日は祭日につき、休業させていただきます。
We are closed today due to the holiday
— contributed by: hana
- 雨天につき試合は延期いたします。
Due to rainy weather we postpone the match.
— contributed by: missshapoooo
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- nanode
User Comments
- formal version of because - eg "due to"
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitsuki-2
tagJ: 〜につき
expE: due to
noteE: due to construction, the train is late.
JLPT: 2

Front: nishitara
〜にしたら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜にしたら
Meaning: if (one had) 〜's perspective
Example: if (one had) the firm's perspective, low wages are good
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 弟にしたら、私のようなうるさい姉はいやでたまらない。
From my brother's point of view, a fussy elder sister like me is unbearable.
— contributed by: dc
- わたしにしたらアメリカの冷たいビールよりイギリス生ぬるいビールがおいしい。
For me warm English ale is more delicious than cold American beer.
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 経営者にしたらボーナスは安いほうがいいが、社員の身にしたら1000円でも高いほうがいい。
From the manager's point of view, a smaller bonus would be better, but from the employee's point of view, even 1000 more yen would be better.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- この階段は、私にはたいしたことはありませんが、足の弱い人にしたら、とても大変だろうと思いますよ。
I've never disapproved of this stairway, but if I were someone with weak legs, I think I'd probably have a difficult time.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 子供にしたら、博物館めぐりはつまらないだろう。
Looking around museums is probably boring for kids.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- nitotte (these patterns have something in common)
User Comments
- Hmm, I think I'd have "If I was my brother I'd be unable to bear a fussy elder sister like me."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- You normally would say 弟からしたら, while 弟にしたら is more or less awkward.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- what is the difference between karamiru to and nishitara?
— contributed by: g12
- [karamiruto]
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nishitara
tagJ: 〜にしたら
expE: if (one had) 〜's perspective
noteE: if (one had) the firm's perspective, low wages are good
JLPT: 2

Front: sae-ba
〜さえ〜ば
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜さえ〜ば
Meaning: If ~ just If ~ only
Example: if you just have a map, you
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- さえ is often used in a pattern like:
noun-sae　verb-ba = result
noun-only verb-if = result
ひま<b>さえ</b>　あれ<b>ば</b>　幸せです
free time <b>only</b> <b>if</b> I had = I would be happy
if only i had some free time, i would be happy
薬<b>さえ</b>　飲め<b>ば</b>、直ります
medicine <b>only</b> <b>if</b> you drink = get better
if you just take your medicine, you will get better
— contributed by: dc
- ば - most commonly used
たら - can be used, but is less common
なら - only in limited contexts
*と　- unacceptable
ex：君さえ承知してくれたら・(してくれる）なら、今すぐこのプロジェクトを始めるつもりだ。
As long as you agree (to our plan), we are planning to begin this project right away
— contributed by: deeana
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 地図さえあれば、何の迷いもなく目的地に到着します。.
If only we had a map we'd get to our destination without going astray.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- お金さえあれば、この車を買います。
If only I had the money, I would have bought this car.
— contributed by: eastmael
- 資料を調べさえすれば、すぐ分かることです。
If you would only check the documents, you'd understand immediately.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 住所さえ分かれば、地図で探して行きます。
If only I knew the address, I will search in the map and go there.
— contributed by: minutiae
- あなたが幸せでありさえすれば私は高?ﾈい。
I don`t care as long as you are happy.
— contributed by: karekano
- それが欲しかったら頼みさえすればいいですよ。
You have only to ask if you want it.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女がもう少し速く来てさえいればなあ。
If she had only come earlier！
— contributed by: karekano
- ボタンを押しさえすればよい。
All you have to do is to push the button.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- sae (The さえ in さえ〜ば can also be used on its own.)
User Comments
- In the example, 何の迷いもなく到着します does not make sense. It should be 迷わないで到着できたのに(we would have gotten to our destination without going astray). 迷いもなく is okay, but normally it is used to describe abstruct mental confusion rather than physical or concrete one.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- sentence pattern "sae..ba"= coditional sentence type III???
— contributed by: ngocduong
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sae-ba
tagJ: 〜さえ〜ば
expE: If ~ just If ~ only
noteE: if you just have a map, you
JLPT: 2

Front: nikagirazu
に限らず (にかぎらず)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に限らず (にかぎらず)
Meaning: not just, limited to
Example: not only women, but also men...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊に限り means 'limited to' (examples #6314 and #6315) whereas に限らず means 'not limited to; but also' (example #6316).
FORMATION:
Ｎ + に限り・に限らず
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 母親に限らず父親も育児をする時代になった。
It has reached the era where not only mothers, but also fathers are raising the children.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ここ数年、コンピューターは仕事に限らず広く利用されるようになりました。
Recently, the increasing diversity of computer use has extended far beyond the realms of the office.
— contributed by: dc
- デズニーランドは子供に限らず大人にも人気がある。
Disneyland is popular not only with children but also with adults.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 女性に限り、クラブの入場料は半額です。
The club's admission fee is half-price for women only.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- ビザを持っている人に限り入国することができます。
Only people who have a visa can enter the country.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 原子力発電所の周辺住民に限らず遠くの住民も原子力発電の反対運動に参加した。
Not only citizens living in the vicinity a nuclear power facility, but also those who live far away participated in a protest movement against nuclear power.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- もう３時間ぐらいこの姿勢で座っているのは退屈に限らず、足も痺れた。
almost 3 hours sitting in a position like this, not just tired, the legs was tingling.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- tohakagiranai ([ tohakagiranai ] means not always/necessarily)
- zu, zuni (Verb form)
- kagiri
User Comments
- 限り　（かぎり） = limited, so 限らず ~ not limited
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikagirazu
tagJ: に限らず
tagH: にかぎらず
expE: not just, limited to
noteE: not only women, but also men...
JLPT: 2

Front: kigatsuita
気が付いた (きがついた)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
気が付いた (きがついた)
Meaning: I realized
Example: natto is tasty, I realized
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- See also [kigasuru].
kigasuru - feels like
kigatsuku - i noticed
kidsuku - i realized
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 納豆は美味しいと気が付いた。
Natto is tasty I realized.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 気がついたら病院のベッドに横たわっていた。
When I came to, I was lying down on a hospital bed.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 公園のベンチにかばんを置き忘れたことに今気がついた。
I just realized that I forgot my satchel in a bench of the park.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼が好きになったのに気が付いた。
I realized that I liked him
— contributed by: amenya
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- kigasuru (these are the same...)
User Comments
- That was the wrong つく (fixed)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- うそよ！納豆は美味しくないよ！
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- I'm told that you must say:
眠たいのに気が付いた
Can anyone comment on that?
— contributed by: hennagaijin
- Yeah I think the above is right　concerning a verb, VERBたいのに気がついた
— contributed by: anna.kendall
- Actually, for a verb, it's the verb + の or こと＋に気が付いた。
— contributed by: Darrkangel
- I think this entry should be 気が付いた rather than と気が付いた. Maybe rather JPLT1 than JPLT2 too. If somebody agree with it, I will change the entry.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Hey 赤毛､　I agree with you. the と　in 納豆が美味しいと気が付いた　is a quotation marker. it is the same と used in 納豆が美味しいと思います. but it has nothing to do with the second 気が付ける｡
I think there should also be a note about the diffrence between 気が付ける　and 気を付ける　their meanings are completely diffrent. the first being "I realized" and the second being "being safe" or "taking care"
well thats my two yen lol じゃね
— contributed by: tigert
- Thanks Tigertさん. I changed the entry and the level.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- What about also adding 気づく to the same entry? They mean the same.
— contributed by: lonesoullost
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kigatsuita
tagJ: 気が付いた
tagH: きがついた
expE: I realized
noteE: natto is tasty, I realized
JLPT: 1

Front: tsuujite
通じて (つうじて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
通じて (つうじて)
Meaning: through, by
Example: we met through work (see also tooshite)
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- A:　その期間初めから終わりまでずつと
B: 直接ではなく，何かを問に入れて
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 仕事を通じて会いました
we met through work
— contributed by: dc
- 会話を通じて日本語覚えてます
you can remember japanese by speaking it.
— contributed by: dc
- 友達を通じて、聞きました
I heard about it through a friend
— contributed by: d4
- カタログを通じて郵便で買い物をすることによって、人々は幅広い商品を選ぶことが出来る。
Shopping by mail through catalogs gives people a wide choice of merchandise.
— contributed by: dbx
- トムとマイクはお互いの友人を通じて知り合った。
Tom and Mike became acquainted through their mutual friends.
— contributed by: dbx
- 貨幣は銀行制度を通じて流通する。
Money circulates through the banking system.
— contributed by: dbx
- 教育は若い時代に限られてはならず、われわれの全生涯を通じて継続して行われるものでなければならない。
Education must not be limited to our youth but must be a continuing process through our entire lives.
— contributed by: dbx
- 言葉を通じて多くの言葉が習得される。
Many words are acquired through reading.
— contributed by: dbx
- 知識を通じてのみ、われわれは、一つの民族として、われわれの社会を脅かす危険に対処することができるからである。
It is only through knowledge that we, as a nation, can cope with the dangers that threaten our society.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼はその事柄に多かれ少なかれ通じているようだ。
He seems more or less familiar with the subject.
— contributed by: dbx
- あの地方は、1年を通して雨が多い。
That region is a lot of rain throughout the year.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼は一生を通して日本との友好のために働いた.
He worked through life for friendship with Japan.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 今はインターネットを通して世界中の情報が手に入る。
Now get the information through the Internet worldwide.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- トムとメリーはお互いの友人を通じて知り合った。
Tom and Mary became acquainted through their mutual friends.　
— contributed by: karekano
- インターネットを通じて本を注文しました。
I ordered a book through the Internet.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- 通して ((entry currently unmade))
User Comments
- ?? is this also pronounced "tooshite" ?
— contributed by: dc
- It seems to me that ex#3468 isn't related to this grammar point.
— contributed by: CorDarei
- You are right. #3468 is a different animal.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Forgive my ignorance, but is the first 「言葉」in ex #4512, 「言葉を通じて多くの言葉が習得される」correct? Should it be 「読書」or some such thing?
— contributed by: Leslie
- isn't ni tsuujite also correct?
— contributed by: g12
- dc 通して is read as tooshite. 通じて is tsuujite.
#4512 Leslie you are right. Here, 読書を通じて would be better.
— contributed by: Miki
- #4514 ni tsuujite iru is different from the entry.
— contributed by: Miki
- #4508 Is it "shopping by mail order"? I think it is more popular to say カタログを通じて通販で買い物をする…　　通販（つうはん）is short for 通信販売（つうしんはんばい）.
— contributed by: Miki
- In ex #4508,カタログを通じて is weird. Should either be カタログによって or カタログを用いて.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tsuujite
tagJ: 通じて
tagH: つうじて
expE: through, by
noteE: we met through work (see also tooshite)
JLPT: 2

Front: ndesu
〜んです
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜んです
Meaning: explain causes, reasons, grounds
Example: The thing is that my car broke down and I had to come by bus.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜んですね（確認）seeking affirmations or confirmation or agreement.
e.g. A:「ここで受験を申し込むんですね。」
B:「ええ、ここで申し込んでください。」
疑問詞＋んですか（説明を求める）seeking explanation
e.g. : 「何時ごろ学校に集まるんですか」
どうして〜んですか（理由を聞く）asking reason
e.g.: 「どうして勉強しないんですか」
〜んです(理由を説明する）giving reason(s)
e.g. A:「どうして日本語を勉強しているんですか。」
B:「日本の生活を経験したいんです。」
Here please note that one should never use ので、から、だから、ものだから together with んです. んですhere is giving the reason.And whenever one is asked with んですか, one should reply with んです。
〜んですが、どうしたらいいですか（助言を求めるときの前置き）seeking for suggestions,advice,help
e.g.　荷物が着かないんですが、どうしたらいいですか／どうしたらいいんでしょうか
〜んですが、〜ていただけませんか（依頼するときの前置き）requesting or asking others for a favour.
e.g. 日本語を勉強したいんですが、ラジオを小さくしていただけませんか。
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 「どうしたんですか」「ちょっと気分が悪いんです」
"What the hell is wrong with ya?" (what is the matter sweetie?) "Ya ain`t gettin any tonight" (don`t feel well)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「どうして遅れたんですか」「...バスが来なかったんです。 」
"Yo homey, why were you late?" "Damn bus didn`t come on time."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 行きたいのですが、、、（行けない）
I would like to go, but... (i can't)
— contributed by: dc
- 確かに違法じゃないんです。そんな簡単に儲からないし、絶対に破綻するシステムでありながら、一律に禁止できないから見逃されているんです。
Certainly it isn't (that it's) illegal. But being a system that doesn't easily generate a profit, is sure to go bankrupt, in the same way it's not possible to ban so it's (that it's) overlooked.
— contributed by: Amatuka
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User Comments
- See also のです
— contributed by: Amatuka
- also i think used for softening questions... 明日行きたいんですが。。。　I would like to go but...
— contributed by: dc
- wow. `excellent` examples. Likely to radically result in a transformation toward 99% increased usage by 日本人 in search of new expression. Not to mention the shocking context reinforces memory. oh the danger of genius.... ; >
— contributed by: zero
- んです is short for のです。 Usually there is a が - a but (see ex #3)
— contributed by: dc
- <b>Note:</b> When used in a question it implies you are <b>seeking</b> an explanation.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- How about nandesu? Is nandesu the form of -ndesu that is used with nouns? In other words, it explains causes, reasons, and grounds if it's a noun. Opposed to -ndesu, which seems to always follow a verb. The difference between 食べてるんです and 食事中なんです, or 雨が降ってるんですか and 降雨なんですか.　Well, maybe there should be an entry for なん, also?
— contributed by: gtunak85
- gtunak85さん、you are quite right. actually there is no need to have a separate entry for なん。Here is the explanation:
動詞：行く／行かない／行った／行かなかった
　　　＋んです
い形容詞：高い／高くない／高かった／高くなかった
　　　　　＋んです
な形容詞：元気な／元気じゃない／元気だった／元気じゃなかった　＋　んです
名詞　：学生な／学生じゃない／学生だった／学生じゃなかった　＋　んです
Please refer the な形容詞 and 名詞 above.
— contributed by: 誠
- トイレに行きたいんですが．．．could mean "I would like to go to the toilet, (could please let me go...)" Here が is just a polite or humble way of asking or saying, instead of the meaning " but "
トイレに行きたいんですけど．．．has the same meaning but けどless polite than が.
Polite usage of が with んです:
ちょっと聞きたいんですが... ”Excuse me, may I ask you / I would like to ask you something...."
For example , asking the way to a place.
— contributed by: 誠
- Should this entry not have a のだ　んだ　reference in its header for searching? Took me a few rounds to figure that out.
— contributed by: Immacolata
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ndesu
tagJ: 〜んです
expE: explain causes, reasons, grounds
noteE: The thing is that my car broke down and I had to come by bus.
JLPT: 2

Front: kaette
かえって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かえって
Meaning: on the contrary
Example: on the contrary, the drink was bitter
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 安いと思って買ったのに、腐っていたのでかえって損をした。
I thought I was getting a bargain because it was so cheap. But in fact I was surprised it was no good anyway.
— contributed by: dc
- あまりにしっかりうなぎを握ると、かえって逃げられる。
Holding an eel too fast is the way to let her escape.
— contributed by: Miki
- これだけ悪口雑言を浴びせられれば、後は怖いものなどありゃしない。かえってすっきりするよ。
I'm not afraid of anything after having (verbal) abuse heaped on me like that. In fact I feel braced by it.
— contributed by: Miki
- これはあまり自分を守ろうとすると、かえって大きな間違いを犯すことになるだけだ、ということです。
This means that if you try to protect yourself too much, you will only make bigger mistakes.
— contributed by: Miki
- そんなに美辞麗句を並べられると、かえって嘘に聞こえるよね。
When someone speaks with such rhetorical flourish it starts to sound like they're lying.
— contributed by: Miki
- 完全を求めるとかえって失敗する。
The best is often the enemy of the good.
— contributed by: Miki
- 休養するどころかかえっていつもより仕事に励んだ。
Instead of taking a rest, he worked much harder than usual.
— contributed by: Miki
- 事故は減らずにかえって多くなっている。
Instead of fewer accidents there are more.
— contributed by: Miki
- この問題が分からなくて、先生に聞いたけど、説明してくれて、かえって頭が混乱してきた。
I didn't understand this question, so I asked the teacher, but after being given the explanation I just got more confused.
— contributed by: agnestan
- 欠点があるからかえって彼女が好きだ。
I like her all the better for her faults.
— contributed by: karekano
- それはかえって家庭問題をさらに悪化させるだけだろう。
It will only make family matters worse.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼はえさをやりすぎてかえって犬をだめにしている。
He is killing his dog with kindness by feeding it too much.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- mushiro ([mushiro] means "rather")
User Comments
- ex#4607 ありゃしない is conversational of ありはしない
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kaette
tagJ: かえって
expE: on the contrary
noteE: on the contrary, the drink was bitter
JLPT: 2

Front: toiumono
というもの
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
というもの
Meaning: that thing called
Example: There is something called the Komodo Dragon.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This expression is meant to emphasize the speaker's criticism or judgement. See example #6233, #6234, and #6235.
＊Be careful with というもの because という by itself or with other pieces of grammar, such as ということ, have COMPLETELY different uses and meanings. It's difficult to offer a good English translation of this grammar other than "what's called," and some of the below examples may be for the wrong grammar.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + というもの(だ)
なＡ・Ｎ + というもの(だ)
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- これこそ「無法外人」というものでしょう。
Isn't this specifically that thing called illegal immigrant?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたが彼に援助を求めても、無駄というものだ。
It's no use your begging him for help.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたが彼に援助を求めても無駄 というものです。
It's no use your begging him for help.
— contributed by: dbx
- ある時代の特徴となる流行の顔と撫というものが、常に存在した。
There have always been fashionable faces and expressions which marked an epoch.
— contributed by: dbx
- あんたは忍耐というものを知っているのか。
What do you know about patience?
— contributed by: dbx
- いわゆる『観念連想』というものがなければ、考える事ができない。
There is no thinking without what is called `association of ideas.'
— contributed by: dbx
- この品物はどこにでもあるというものではない。
You can't find this article everywhere.
— contributed by: dbx
- これがいわゆる「天ぷら」というものです。
This is so called tempura
— contributed by: dbx
- これが速記術というものだ。
This is shorthand writing.
— contributed by: dbx
- これが速記術というもので、こうすれば話す人に付いて行けるのです。
This is shorthand writing, by means of which we can keep up with the talker.
— contributed by: dbx
- これは、すでに教科書に書かれている結果が得られるようにお膳立てをするというものだった。
This was to arrange things so that I obtained the result already written in the textbooks.
— contributed by: dbx
- これ以上待つのはそれこそ時間の浪費というものだ。
It's an absolute waste of time to wait any longer.
— contributed by: dbx
- そいつは衰退のレトリックというものだ。
This person is the rhetoric of failure.
— contributed by: dbx
- 人から言われたことだけをする。自分から行動を起こさない。それは無気力というものだ。
Doing only what other people say. Not taking action on your own. That is what's called lethargy.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 本当に困ったときにこそ助け合うのが友達というものだ。
Someone who will surely help you out in troubled times is what's called a friend.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 人のことを考えないで、自分の都合だけで行動する彼女のやり方、あれはまさに自分勝手というものだ。
A woman whose habit is not thinking about others and acting in her own interests is what's called self-centered.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 全部ものを集めていたことは欲張りというものだ。
collect all the stuff that is not to say greedy.
— contributed by: belajar
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Related Grammar
- masani (toiumono(da) is close to masani, which means "surely; certainly; correctly.")
User Comments
- Pretty much the same as 'toiukoto'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I have to admit to being slightly dubious of my translation on this one.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- My textbook says: それが当り前と言う話者の主張や感想を表す
— contributed by: halx
- Do 〜というものではない　〜というものでもない need their own separate entry ...?
BTW "Komodo" not "Kimodo"
— contributed by: PaulO
- In #377, "illegal immigration" should be "illegal immigrant."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- "What know you of patience?"
should really be:
"What do you know about patience?"
— contributed by: PaulO
- "What know you of patience" and "What do you know about patience" are the same meaning. The first just sounds more poetic.
Also, there seems to be two grammar points being discussed here. One is というもの (I believe Japanese manuals of style say to use hiragana and not kanji for いう in this expression) as a literal "the thing called __" as in "What do you know of (the concept of) patience?"
The other grammar point is the abstract というもの that this article here does a terrible (or, rather, nonexistant job explaining). I honestly don't know how to use this, but halx's textbook gives a good explanation, it seems. To depict the expected feelings and claims of the speaker.
So yeah, two things here: one literally means "the thing called," while the other doesn't have a meaning but only a subtle nuance. It's sort of like teaching that "node" and "kara" are the same, when one emphasizes personal acceptance of guilt (among other things), while the other has no such connotation.
I suggest that someone with the requisite skills split this off into the two grammar points I've discussed, because otherwise, people reading this may not realize that they're actually two separate usages. This is important to know, and I only know because I've studied this briefly (but not enough to actually unerstand it), so I'm aware of the distinction and important usage of what I'm calling the "abstract というもの."
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- A good translation of the 2nd form is "it's obvious that".
e.g. これ以上待つのはそれこそ時間の浪費というものだ。could be translated as "It's _obviously_ a waste of time to wait any longer than this.
— contributed by: tholin
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toiumono
tagJ: というもの
expE: that thing called
noteE: There is something called the Komodo Dragon.
JLPT: 2

Front: toshitemo
〜としても
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜としても
Meaning: even if; assuming
Example: Even if it was true, I wouldn't believe it of him!
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + としても
いＡ + としても
なＡ・Ｎ + だ + としても
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ゲーム用OSとしても進化を遂げつつあるLinux
Advancing - even as an OS for game use : Linux.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼はとてもいい人だとしても、私は彼を本当は信頼していない。
Even if he's very nice, I don't really trust him.
— contributed by: mishuko
- 息子さんがこの世でいちばん注意深い人物だったとしても、あなたはまだ心配されると思います。
I suppose that even if your son were the most careful person on Earth, you'd still feel worried!
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼女と結婚できるとしても、2、3年後になるだろう。
Even if I could marry her, it probably won't be for another two or three years.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- その人が親切そうに見えたとしても、本当に親切かどうか分からない。
Even if that person looks kind, I don't know whether he/she really is kind.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 親が有名だとしても、本人に実力がなければ社会で認められないでしょう。
Even though my parents are famous, society wouldn't have recognized their skills if they didn't really have them.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- たとえ相手が部下だとしても、世話になったらお礼の気持ちをちゃんと伝えるべきだ。
Even if it's a subordinate as your partner, you should properly thank them if they help you.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 来週の陸上競技大会に走るとしても負けると思う。
Even if I ran in the track meet next week I still think that I would lose.
— contributed by: hillsonn
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Related Grammar
- tatoe-temo
User Comments
- The English translation seems cumbersome. How about
"Even as a gaming OS, Linux is advancing."
?
— contributed by: PaulO
- I think the meaning can also be: 'even as'
彼は医者であるが、小説家としても有名である。
— contributed by: CrayonShin
- This entry is confused.
CrayonShin's Toshite is entirely different for our purposes here and should be separated from this grammar point。
人間として - as a human
人間としても - even as a human
these are different than
人間だとしても - even if I were human
Also, Verbs need TA form, unlike　としたら。
消えたとしても誰も気づかない気がする -　I feel like even If I were to disappear nobody would notice.
る　＋　としても has a completely different meaning than たとしても and is used very very rarely.
here is an example
地球温暖化が行われてるとしても気分がかなりいいです。Despite global warming, i feel ok.
one is EVEN IF IT WERE, one is EVEN IF IT IS OR MAY BE.
— contributed by: Wes
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toshitemo
tagJ: 〜としても
expE: even if; assuming
noteE: Even if it was true, I wouldn't believe it of him!
JLPT: 2

Front: toittemo
といっても
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
といっても
Meaning: but
Example: the training is tough, but it only lasts three months
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 　[動・い形・な形・名]の普通形＋といっても　＜sometimes[な形；名]do not use [だ]＞
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + といっても
いＡ + といっても
なＡ・Ｎ + といっても
＊何といっても can be translated as "after all."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 大変だといっても3ヶ月間だけですから。
You can say it would be tough, but it only lasts three months.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本語ができると言ったって、平仮名や片仮名しか読めないから、難しい漢字が出ると困るわ。
While I say I can understand Japanese, because I can only read Hiragana and Katakana, I have trouble when a difficult Kanji pops up.
— contributed by: nhk9
- 日本の春を代表する花は何と言っても桜でしょう。
The flower typifying spring in Japan is, undoubtedly (whatever you say) , sakura.
— contributed by: bi-ru
- 「愛と哀しみの果て」は俗受けしたけど何といっても映像のきれいな映画だった。
Although it was a popular movie, Out of Africa was more of a coffee table movie than anything else.
— contributed by: dc
- たとえ大会があるといっても、彼らにそんなにたくさんのお金を請求してはいけないな。
Even if there is a convention, I shouldn't ask them for so much money.
— contributed by: dc
- メアリーはまた失敗した。なんといっても彼女はまだ若い。
Mary has failed again. After all she is still young.
— contributed by: dc
- 一口に英会話教材といっても、千差万別だ。
They all get lumped together as English texts. But in fact these books are extremely varied and wide-ranging.
— contributed by: dc
- 何といっても私がまちがっておりました。
I was wrong all the same.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女が上手な歌手だといってもお酒を飲み過ぎた後でカラオケで歌うだけです。
Although it is said that she is a good singer, all she does is karaoke whilst drunk.
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 庭があるといっても猫の額ほどです。
There is a garden, but it's tiny.
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- 熱帯の国といっても、朝晩は涼しくて過ごしやすくなる。
It's a tropical country and yet, the mornings and evenings are cool, making it easy to live through.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 中国語ができるといっても、基礎を勉強しただけですから、まだまだです。
I can speak Chinese, but I've only studied the basics, so I still have a long way to go.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- わたしは甘いものがあまり好きではない。といっても、クッキーやケーキをまったく食べないということではない。
I don't really like sweet things. But that doesn't mean I never eat cookies or cake.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 料理の勉強を始めたといっても、また三か月にすぎない。
Even if I say that I began to study cooking, it is only during 3 month.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 旅行をしたといっても、近い観光地へいった。
had to go sightseeing, but only to the nearby tourist attractions.
— contributed by: belajar
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- keredomo
User Comments
- Literally : 'say X but' e.g. "Say it's tough, but because it only lasts three months ..."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Cleaned up the examples.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- In the first example, the highlights are positioned wrong. 「大変だといっても3ヶ月間だけですから。」 (It's tough, but it only lasts three months.) The "but" should be highlighted. Also, the given English translation adds too many extras, such as "you can say" and "keep in mind." Those are not present in the Japanese sentence. Also, can we try to remember periods?
Example #4409 is in the wrong grammar entry. It should be in たとえ〜ても, which means "even if." といっても by itself means "yet, however, but." Also, the correct translation is, "Even if I say that there's a convention, I really shouldn't ask them for so much money."
Example #4412, it should be "I was wrong after all." Example #5995 doesn't have an English translation, which should be "Although there's a garden, it's rather tiny."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- As shown in Example #3111, another version of 〜と言っても　is 〜と言ったって. This is no less formal and has exactly the same meaning. A less formal and less common version is 〜ったって, which is placed after a plain affirmative verb, eg 帰るったって.
— contributed by: xabre24
- Shouldn't the grammar formation for なＡ・Ｎ be:
なＡ・Ｎ + だ＋といっても
as used in #277 and #5949?
Or perhaps
なＡ・Ｎ + (だ)といっても
?
— contributed by: khyron
- isn`t this the Vても form meaning even if?
彼はいい人だっても、好きにならないよ
even if he was a good person, I wouldn`t like him.
この上着が７５％割引になっても、買えない
even if that jacket was 75% off I couldn`t buy it.
「〜」と言っても ＝ even if you say”〜”
— contributed by: tigert
- The English translation for #6725 looks way off. Should probably be something like, "I don't really like sweet things. But then again, that doesn't mean I never eat cookies or cake.
— contributed by: cone
- Ok Coneさん, I changed the English translation close to your version. Thanks for contributing.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- A：色々な所へ旅行が出来ていいね。
B:旅行といっても仕事で行くので遊んでいられない。
A:It's good that you can visit many places, isn't it?
B:I travel but for work, so I can't have fun.
— contributed by: UmiLi
- The translation for ex #5995 was inaccurate. 額（ひたい）in this context means "forehead", not "amount". So you get, "the forehead of a cat", an amusing Japanese way of saying "tiny". "The amount of a cat" makes absolutely no sense. Think harder next time about your translations.
— contributed by: dekirukana
- I think the Header Meaning should say more than just "but"...the idea I see most often with this is:
A is X, but it is only a little bit X
In other words, the second part serves to deprecate the first part ("We have a garden, but it is only a tiny garden." or "I travel a lot, but only for work ( so it isn't much fun).")
— contributed by: jmadsen
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toittemo
tagJ: といっても
expE: but
noteE: the training is tough, but it only lasts three months
JLPT: 2

Front: tatokoro
た形ところ (たところ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
た形ところ (たところ)
Meaning: just as I'd, right at the moment when I'd
Example: just as I thought to call her, she called me
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 「Aたところ、Bた」: B is the subsequent result or acquired knowledge, et cetera, after doing A. This is a one-time-only action & result.
Vた + ところ
* the most common use is 〜てみたところ
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 〜たら　＜あることをしたら，その結果がどうなったかを浮ｷ阜ｻ。＞
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- マニュアルの説明通りにやってみたところうまくいった。
When I tried doing it as said in the manual, it went well.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼女に電話をかけようと考えていたところ、彼女の方から、電話をかけて来た
Just when I'd thought I'd call her, she called me.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 自宅でのインターネット利用についてたずねたところ、「利用している」が28.6％であった。
When questioned whether they used the Internet at home 28.6% said they "currently use it".
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼女に電話をしようとしたところ、電話がかかってきた。
Just as I thought to phone her the phone rang.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 犯人が店から出てきたところで警官に捕らえられた。
As the criminal was coming out of the shop, the police grabbed him.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 担当者に電話で問い合わせてみたところ、社員旅行の申し込みはもう終わっていた。
Once I had tried calling the person in charge to inquire, application for the company trip was already over.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 実際、日本へ行ってみたところ、想像以上に素晴らしかったです。
Actually, once I came to Japan it was more wonderful than I had imagined.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- しっ、静かに。少し前に赤ちゃんがやっと寝たところなんだから。
Finally a little calm. I say that because we are just having the baby fallen asleep.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 電話帳で調べたところそういう名前の会社はなかった。
Once I had checked up the telephone directory, such firm name didn't appear.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 会社の問い合わせをしたところ、地図を送ってくれた。
Once I had inquired it to the firm, they sent the map to me.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 新しいヲープロを使ってみたところ、とてもつかいやすかった。
It is easy to have used it very much when new [wo-puro] was used.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 角を曲がった所に郵便があります。
You will find a post office around the corner.
— contributed by: karekano
- 仕事が終わったところで電話します。
I`ll call you when I`ve finished the work.
— contributed by: karekano
- 駅に着いたところ列車はもう出てしまっていた。
When I arrived at the station, the train had already left.
— contributed by: karekano
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- sai
- nisaishite
- yainaya
- nari
- kadoukanouchini
- kanaikanouchini
User Comments
- often has a result implied ~tara
— contributed by: dc
- ＾たところ implies you'd just done (e.g. past tense) something. See also ^るところ for just as I was about to.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Don't forget that V-たところ can be a literal place where V-た took place. e.g. パーティーをやったところはどこだっけ。'Where was it you had the party again?'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- there seems to be a big overlap between "just as", and "when" here. I think tatokoro is much more the former, with the emphasis.
— contributed by: dc
- Still don't know what you mean by 'result implied'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- If you mean that there should be <b>different tokoro entries</b> for 'just when' vs 'when' then I disagree. I don't think [verb]-たところ has as strong an implication of 'instant' as (for instance) とたん.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 一番目の例文には、「ところ」というは場所ですか、それともときですか。
みきさんはどう思いますか。
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This 「ところ」implys 'when'.
It is a bit natural to think the 「ところ」as a place due to the part 店から出てきた。
— contributed by: Miki
- Hmm, 微妙なところですね。
— contributed by: Amatuka
- First example set back to 0 Check.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I would say that ところで more or less has location-orientation whereas ところを would have temporal-orientation. Still contrary construction is possible for both of these phrases. I would wager that most of the authors most probably would not have used either of these phrases with any degree of conscious effort to have it meant either way.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 1.volitional form + としたところ＝to be on the point of...／going to/about to/on the verge of (doing something) but just before doing
Has a similar meaning to 〜(す)るところ＝今からすぐする（まだしていない）
E.g. : 引っ越そうとしたところです。
　　　　I am on the point of moving.
これから、説明するところです。
　　　　From now on, I am going to explain.
２．〜(し)ているところ＝just started doing 〜
今ちょうどしている（まだ終わっていない）
E.g. 今、お風呂に入っているところだから、後で電話　　　してください。
　　　Now I am just having my bath, so please
phone me later.
3. 〜たところ＝just finished 〜ing
＝今終わったばかり
E.g. : 病気が治ったところなので、まだ泳ぐことができない。
　　　Since he had just recovered from the illness, therefore he still can't swim.
４．Another very similar meaning of 〜たところ＝
　　〜たらその結果＝once (he/she) had 〜
E.g. : 電話で問い合わせたところ、休館日は月曜日だということです。
　　Once I had enquired by phone, I was told that the off day is Monday.
5. 〜ている／ていたところに＝just at that moment, one is/was/were about to(present / past tense depends on the sentence)
　also under 〜ところに／へ／を＝〜という状況、場面に／へ／を
E.g. : 出掛けようとしているところに、電話がかかってきた。
Just when I was about to go out, the phone came.
一人で寂しくテレビを見ているところへ、友達が訪ねてきた。
　　　Just when I was watching the TV, my friend came to visit me.
恋人と話しているところを、先生にみられちゃった。
　　　　Just when I was talking to my lover, my teacher caught an eye of us/we were spotted by the teacher.
６．Another meaning of 〜ところ(を)＝〜という状態なのに、（挨拶で相手に対してよく使われる）
= although, despite (polite sense)
E.g.: お忙しいところをわざわざおいで頂き、誠にありがとうございました。
　　 I would like to thank you sincerely for coming despite being busy.
— contributed by: 誠
- 誠さんへ
I think your explanation is very interesting. It would be very kind of you if you can move it to the notes, and add links to the main 4 entries which give examples for the various cases above:
- [rutokoro]
- [tatokoro]
- [tatokorode]
- [tokoroni, tokorohe, tokorowo] (http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=tokoroni,%20tokorohe,%20tokorowo)
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Hmm, I can't understand. What is wo-puro?　Isn`t it ワープロ？
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tatokoro
tagJ: た形ところ
tagH: たところ
expE: just as I'd, right at the moment when I'd
noteE: just as I thought to call her, she called me
JLPT: 2

Front: nikaketeha, nikaketemo
にかけては, にかけても
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にかけては, にかけても
Meaning: regarding, about, concerning
Example: regarding that news について
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- A社のテレビは、画面の美しさにかけては他社の製品に勝っている。
Regarding the picture quality of Company A's TV screens, it beats other company's products.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 数学にかけては彼女はクラスでいつも一番だった
In regard to mathematics she is always the best in class.
— contributed by: d4
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- nitsuite
- nikanshite
User Comments
- Hmm, literally I think that would be "Our televisions, in the area of their beauty, we beat other company's products."
I think it's derived from the same base meaning.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Incidently, 美しさ not 美しいさ
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikaketeha, nikaketemo
tagJ: にかけては, にかけても
expE: regarding, about, concerning
expJ: 〜についていえば
noteE: regarding that news について
JLPT: 2

Front: nitotteno
にとっての
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にとっての
Meaning: to; for
Example: The problem for Tarou is that he doesn't understand English.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊にとっての is simply the prenominal form of にとって. It doesn't have some mystical separate meaning from にとって, but as a compound particle, にとって(の) does have different connotations from には, which does *not* have a prenominal form.
For example:
太郎にとっての問題は... (The problem for Tarou is...)
〜にとってのいい機会 （A good opportunity for〜)
その歌手は私にとってのアイドルの一人だ。 (That singer is an idol to me.)
＊にとって(の) VS には: Because of the particle は, には gives a sense of contrast in some contexts while にとって(の) does not.
FOR EXAMPLE: これは様々[には/にとって]無視できない問題だ。
In the above example, the sense with には can imply that not for others but for us, or at least for us, this is a problem which cannot be ignored. The sentence with にとって does not have this implication.
FORMATION:
Ｎ1 + にとっての + Ｎ2
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 視覚障害者の方にとっての「ホームページの読みやすさ」を診断するソフトウェアを無償提供開始.
[Announcing] the start of free distribution of software to diagnose the ease of using web-pages for visually impaired people.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この世は我々の想像力にとっての画布そのものである。
This world is but canvas to our imaginations.
— contributed by: dbx
- 我々自身にとっての法律は、我々の理性が法律である。
Law to ourselves, our reason is our law.
— contributed by: dbx
- 原爆は人類にとっての重大な脅威だ。
The atomic bomb is a grave threat to mankind.
— contributed by: dbx
- 雇い主にとっての倒産は、従業員にとっての解雇と同じである。
Bankruptcy is to the employer what dismissal is to the employee.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私にとってこの本は、あなたにとっての聖書のような物だ。
This book is to me what the Bible is to you.
— contributed by: dbx
- 習慣や考え方は人によって異なるので、自分にとっての常識は他人にとっての非常識でないともかぎらない。
It is not necessarily true that, even if custom and way of thinking and the like differ depending on the people, with our common sense we cant see the lack of common sense in the other persons.
— contributed by: dbx
- 事実は科学にとって、ちょうど詩人にとっての言葉のようなものである。
Facts are to science what words are to the poets.
— contributed by: dbx
- 精神にとっての読書は肉体にとっての運動に当たる。
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
— contributed by: dbx
- 男性にとっての最大のストレスの原因は仕事であるが、女性の場合は人間関係が１位である。
The greatest cause of stress for men is work, while for women human relationships come at the top of the list.
— contributed by: dbx
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User Comments
- Note that ホームページ was generalised to mean any web-page by the Japanese
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note also that newspaper & press release headlines often drop the [する] off the end.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- What is the difference between:
1. 私にとっての...
2. 私は...
Does using にとっての create a certain feeling? Is it more bookish? I can't sense the nuance.
— contributed by: adamstudio
- #3803 is very awkward in terms of the Japanese text.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Ya, #3803 is awkward.
It should be :
我々自身にとっての法律は、我々の理性に基づくものである。
— contributed by: 誠
- A more beautiful account given by my 先生 is :
我々にとっての大切な法律は、我々自信の理性に基づくものである。
— contributed by: 誠
- You don't need "大切な”and 我々自信の should be 我々自身の
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #3807 does not belong here.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Agree. の is part of のるかそるか（伸るか反るか）
— contributed by: Miki
- I tried to move #3807 to #7036 of [nitotte] and put an example of JPLT1 instead. The English may be awkward, and thanks for the help for improving the translation if you can. From my point of view, the Japanese is correct and now belong here.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitotteno
tagJ: にとっての
expE: to; for
expJ: 〜から見た
noteE: The problem for Tarou is that he doesn't understand English.
JLPT: 2

Front: monode
もので
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
もので
Meaning: because of (that thing)
Example: because I have no savings, can you lend me money
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 初心者なもので
As I'm a newbie ...
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 月謝を払う余裕がないもので、少しお金を貸してくれますか。
Since I cannot afford to pay my monthly tuition, would you mind lending me some money?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- だって、　高いもん〜！
But its really expensive!
— contributed by: blabby
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- monoda-2 (these may just be different tenses of each other)
User Comments
- This is often used when saying excuses. Shortened to もん in spoken Japanese. I really hate hearing people say this to me.
— contributed by: blabby
- sorry, I often use もん...　だって暑いんだもん。いらいらするんだもん。;)
— contributed by: Miki
- I often hear this in the context of a whiney complaint. Several Japanese friends advised me that only children and sometimes women use it and that adult males rarely or never use it (depending on the person).
— contributed by: Jay
- I would add that 〜もん is not necessarily always in the context of complaining. However, it is VERY cheeky; using this can absolutely project a bad impression, unless you really are among the bold, frank, and sometimes even careless. (For an example of usage among men, see the Japanese language version of Red Dwarf)
— contributed by: sanjiyan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: monode
tagJ: もので
expE: because of (that thing)
noteE: because I have no savings, can you lend me money
JLPT: 2

Front: ippou
一方 (いっぽう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
一方 (いっぽう)
Meaning: on the other hand, on the other side, one-way
Example: It's one-way traffic only on this street.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 一方 seems to be used at the start of sentences whereas [ippoudewa] seems more used to separate two clauses.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その一方で内政要素はなく、基本的に手持ちの戦力とスペルのみで敵を駆逐していく必要がある。
The other side of which is that there is no resource management element, basically you have to destroy your enemies with the fighting power and spells you have to hand.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- その一方で，ネットワークを取り巻く新たな問題を生み出しています．
On the other hand, there are new problems that spring up in the network environment..
— contributed by: Amatuka
- しかし、その一方、ラテン語はその時までに「死語」となっていた。
But, then again , Latin was already a "dead language" by that time.
— contributed by: Miki
- その仕事はあまりおもしろくなかったが、その一方で給与は良かった。
That job was not very interesting, but on the other hand it was well paid.
— contributed by: Miki
- コミュニケーションの方法が多種にわたって増加する一方で、人間関係が希薄なものになりつつある。まさに本末転倒だ。
The interpersonal relationship is becoming thin while the method of communications increases over many kinds. It is mistaking the means for the end exactly.
— contributed by: Miki
- ジョンは学校で一生懸命勉強した。一方家では母の仕事を手伝った。
John studied hard at school, while at home he helped his mother with her work.
— contributed by: Miki
- 一方、アメリカ人は大きな成功を夢見て、危険を冒す傾向が強い。
Americans, on the other hand , are more likely to take chances in the hope of achieving great success.
— contributed by: Miki
- 一方で我々は大損害を被ったが、他方その経験から学んだものも大きかった。
On the one hand we suffered a heavy loss, but on the other hand we learned a great deal from the experience.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼ら二人のうち、どちらか一方が先に謝らなければ、けんかは終わらない。
If one of those two doesn't apologize first, the argument will never end.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 学芸会で、子供たちは二組に分かれて、一方は歌を歌い、もう一方はダンスを踊った。
For the school drama, the children were divided into groups; one group sang and the other danced.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 私の仕事は夏は非常に忙しい一方、冬は暇になる。
For me in summer seemingly very busy,on the other hand winter i would be free.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 日本は工業製品の輸出国である一方、原材料や農産物の輸入国でもある。
It is an importing country of the raw material and farm products while Japan is an exporting country of the manufacturing product.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼女は女優として活躍する一方で，親善大使として貧しい子供だちのために世界中を回っている。
She is turning round all over the world as a goodwill ambassador for poor child while taken an active part as an actress.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- A国は天然資源が豊かな一方で，それを活用できるだけの技術かない。
A country rich in natural resources on the other hand, if not the only technology that can be used.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 地球上には豊かな人がいる一方では、明日の食べ物もない人がいる。
There is a person who doesn't have tomorrow's food either while there is a rich person on the earth.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 一方で私はレバーが嫌いだが；他方ではレバーは私のためによいかもしれない。
On one hand I hate liver, on the other (hand), it might be good for me.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- See also 一方では
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This example is a bad one. What does 内政要素はなく mean?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- No resource management element :-P
Well, techinically it's "domestic affairs" but in terms of computer wargames the general English equivalent would be "resources management". It's the 'mining / building / training etc, etc.' bit.
— contributed by: your name
- I admit it's a nasty example - but you should have seen some of the others.
— contributed by: your name
- OK I found a nicer one.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 一方is used when referring to one of two things.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ippou
tagJ: 一方
tagH: いっぽう
expE: on the other hand, on the other side, one-way
noteE: It's one-way traffic only on this street.
JLPT: 2

Front: ippoudeha
一方では (いっぽうでは)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
一方では (いっぽうでは)
Meaning: on the one hand . . . [can also mean "on the other hand"]
Example: On the one hand, you are right . . .
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- またその一方ではその経験から学んだものも大きかった。
On the other hand we learned a great deal from the experience.
— contributed by: dbx
- また一方ではその経験から学んだものも大きかった。
On the other hand we learned a great deal from the experience.
— contributed by: dbx
- 一方では君は間違っている。かといって、私はそのことであなたを攻めることはできない。
On the one hand, you are wrong, but on the other hand, I can't blame you for that.
— contributed by: dbx
- 一方では彼は私の報告書を賞賛したが、他方ではそれを批判した。
On the one hand he praised my report, but on the other hand he criticized it.
— contributed by: dbx
- 一方では彼は親切だが、他方では怠け者だ。
On the one hand he is kind, but on the other hand he is lazy.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は、自分や自分の教え子達はとても豊かであるのに、一方では非常に貧しい人々がいるという事実を受け入れることができなかった。
She could not accept the fact that she and her students had so much while other people had so little.
— contributed by: dbx
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- ippou (一方 and 一方では are pretty close)
User Comments
- See also 一方
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Compare the possible meanings of the following.
一方では
1. (On) the other hand
2. One side
3. One way
4. One direction
5. One party
6. Meanwhile
他方では
1. Another side
2. Different direction
3. (On) the other hand
We can conclude that when both 一方では and 他方では are used together, 一方では is always used first. 一方では can mean both "On the one hand" and "On the other hand" -- but 他方では always suggests "On the other hand."
— contributed by: adamstudio
- #3736 is awkward in that 一方では君は間違っている does not sound right.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #3736 is also incorrect in that 攻める should be 責める. In #3739, the use of 豊かであるのに、一方では is incorrect and should be changed to 豊かである一方、非常に貧しい...
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ippoudeha
tagJ: 一方では
tagH: いっぽうでは
expE: on the one hand . . . [can also mean "on the other hand"]
noteE: On the one hand, you are right . . .
JLPT: 2

Front: nisouinai
に相違ない (にそういない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に相違ない (にそういない)
Meaning: Nobody argues; definitely; without a doubt
Example: That's definitely the same color as the fabric.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This expression is nearly interchangeable with に違いない. However, に相違ない is a more formal expression.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + に相違ない
Ｎ・なＡ + (である) + に相違ない
いＡ + に相違ない
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あの「女」の人は男に相違ない。
That 'woman' must be a guy.
— contributed by: dc
- 時間も予算も十分ではない。この計画の実行は困難に相違ない。
The time and budget for this is insufficient. This plan will definitely be difficult to put into action.
— contributed by: darg
- 彼は有能であるから、この選挙で当選するに相違ない。
He's got the skills, so he'll definitely be elected this election.
— contributed by: darg
- 彼は天才であるに相違ない。
Without question, he's a genius.
— contributed by: darg
- 仰ることは、事実に相違ありません。
What you have said probably amounts to the truth.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼女はこの惑星に一番かわいい女であるに相違ない。
Without a doubt, she is the most attractive woman on this planet.
— contributed by: anna.kendall
- まじめなあの人のことだから、時間どおりに来るに違いない.
He is a serious person,so he will be come on the time.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 上記の通り相違ありません。
(In documents)I declare that the information I have provided the above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
— contributed by: karekano
- きっと彼が告げ口をしたに相違ない。
He must have told me.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- its much more formal than に違いない but basically same meaning.
— contributed by: dc
- #6853 not この惑星に. It shoulbe この惑星で. But the content and 相違ない doesn't sound fit for me. Maybe just 違いない is better in this case.
— contributed by: Miki
- Literal translation: Nobody argues that ~
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nisouinai
tagJ: に相違ない
tagH: にそういない
expE: Nobody argues; definitely; without a doubt
noteE: That's definitely the same color as the fabric.
JLPT: 2

Front: mai-1
〜まい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜まい
Meaning: won't (do something)
Example: I won't tell her
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This grammar has the connotation of resolving not to do something.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(dict. form) + まい
Ｖ(minus ます) + まい
ALSO USED:
する -> しまい
くる -> こまい
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 母に言うと心配するから、このことは母に言うまい
If I tell my mother she will worry, so I won't tell her.
— contributed by: dc
- もう言うまい。
I'll say no more.
— contributed by: Miki
- 行くまいと決めた。
I decided not to go.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女は慰謝料など払うまいと決心した。
She chose not to pay the consolation money.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は寝るまいと決心しました。
She willed herself to keep awake.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Not used in typical spoken Japanese.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- N.B. Derivation of ~まい involves uncertainty - extension to 'negative violition' arrived the same way as the +ve violition did.
Therefore, literally, it's more like "I probably won't tell ..." "I don't think I'll tell ..."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- What about a past tense? How would one say: "He wouldn't tell me." ?
— contributed by: Jon
- 彼は言わなかっただろう。
I don't think there is a past tense of まい version.
言わないだろう。/ 言わないようにしよう。is more popular spoken style of 言うまい。
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mai-1
tagJ: 〜まい
expE: won't (do something)
noteE: I won't tell her
JLPT: 2

Front: mai-2
〜まい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜まい
Meaning: probably won't
Example: you probably won't die from this illness
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This is an auxiliary which expresses the negative volition or conjecture of the speaker. It is basically a written form, used in formal writing.
For Gr. 2 verbs, Ｖmasu is occasionally used instead of Ｖinf・nonpast. For irregular verbs, すまい and こまい are sometimes used instead of するまいand くるまい, respectively. See examples #6088, #6089, and #6090.
まい does not have a past form. The past tense is expressed by other verbs. See examples #6091 and #6092.
The volition of someone other than the speaker can be expressed by まい, as in example #6093. Note that と思う is used to express the volition of someone other than the speaker. Thus, example #6094 expresses the conjecture of the speaker rather than the volition of Keiko.
Ｖinf・nonpastまいとする expresses the idea of "try not to Ｖ." See example #6095. When this structure is used in a subordinate clause, する is often omitted, as in example #6096.
ＶvolitionalかＶinf・nonpastまいか expresses the idea "whether (I) will Ｖ or not," as in example #6098.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Ｖnonpastまい
1. 行くまい (〜will not go; probably will not go)
2. 教えるまい (〜will not teach; probably will not teach)
Adj(i)stemくはあるまい
1. 高くはあるまい (〜is probably not expensive)
Adj(na)stem/Nounであるまい
1. 静かではあるまい (〜is probably not quiet)
2. 先生ではあるまい (〜is probably not a teacher)
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この病気で死ぬまいと思うが、念のため医者に相談して下さい。
You probably won't die from this illness, but just in case please consult a doctor.
— contributed by: dc
- ハイテクばかりが起業ではあるまい。
Just high-tech isn't enough to get a business started.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 5人に1人が車を持つようになる日も遠くあるまい。
It will not be long before one out of five persons comes to have a car.
— contributed by: Miki
- ああいう風ではたいした者になれまい。
If he goes on like that, he will never amount to much.
— contributed by: Miki
- いかなる状況のもとでも、王女が王位を継承することはあるまい。
Under no circumstances will the princess succeed to the throne.
— contributed by: Miki
- この牛乳は明日までもつまい。
This milk won't keep till tomorrow.
— contributed by: Miki
- そのことですぐに何か手を打たねばなるまい。
Something must be done about it in no time.
— contributed by: Miki
- それは君の役には立つまい。
That won't help you.
— contributed by: Miki
- そんな噂は誰も信じまい。
Nobody will believe that rumor.
— contributed by: Miki
- 火星へ旅行できる日も遠くあるまい。
It won't be long before we can travel to Mars.
— contributed by: Miki
- 今度は罪をまぬがれまい。
We'll get in this time.
— contributed by: Miki
- 少々のウイスキーを飲んでも害にはなりますまい。
It'll do no harm to drink a little whisky.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はもう英語は教えまい。
He probably won't teach English any more.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼女はそんなことはすまい。
She probably won't do such a thing.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- こんな機会は二度とこまい。
Such an opportunity probably won't come again.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 清のパーティーにはもう行くまいと思った。
I decided (lit. thought) that I would not go to Kiyoshi's parties any more.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- もう橋本には何も頼むまいと心に決めた。
I am determined not to ask any more favors of Hashimoto.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 恵子は清のパーティーにはもう行くまいと思った。
Keiko decided (lit. thought) that she would not go to Kiyoshi's parties any more.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 恵子は清のパーティーにもう行くまい。
Keiko probably won't go to Kiyoshi's parties any more.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼は私のハンドバッグを取ろうとしたが、私は取られ(る)まいとして脇の下に強くはさんだ。
He tried to take my bag, but I held it tightly under my arm, trying to keep it from being taken.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 私は負け(る)まいと頑張った。
I hung in there, trying not to lose (the game).
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 日本へ行こうか行くまいか迷った。
I couldn't decided whether or not I should go to Japan.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- それは大した金にはなるまい。
It won`t fetch me much.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- This usage is now generally replaced by ないだろう
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Commonly used with あるまい
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Hmm, my example might be 'mai-3' : expression of a negative that is natural or appropriate.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- As for the first example, we don't say 死ぬまい for the third person. We'd say 病気で死ぬことはあるまいと思うが、…。
When you talk about yourself, you'd say この病気で死ぬまい、絶対生きてやる。
— contributed by: Miki
- in #4703 what does まぬがれまい mean?
— contributed by: dc
- まぬかれる is a dictonary form. It is also pronounced as まぬがれる. 免れる means 逃れる.
まぬがれ + まい (neg) >>> You will not be able to escape from being punished this time.
— contributed by: Miki
- Is this similar to あるわけない？
— contributed by: nazonatte69
- I`m not sure if my example #8089 is really this -mai.　
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mai-2
tagJ: 〜まい
expE: probably won't
noteE: you probably won't die from this illness
JLPT: 2

Front: moba
も〜ば
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
も〜ば
Meaning: Both(,,,,)and(,,,,,)
Example: She is both pretty and clever,so many people envy her.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This expression is used as positive with positive & negetive with negetive.
— contributed by: mahajanparul
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 心から始まる恋もあればセックスから始まる愛もある
If there's love that starts from the spirit, then there is also love that comes from sex.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 嫌いな人もいれば、好きな人もいる。
If there are people who dislike it, there are also people who like it.
— contributed by: jeep
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User Comments
- (N.B. First 'love' is different word from second 'love'. First implies more of the bouncy-bouncy-fun-fun type ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Not sure this is the も〜ば you're after.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I would have to also suggest that this も〜ば〜 does not exactly translate as "Both(...)and(...)" as written. But more like "If there is/are(...)then there is/are also(...)" like the translations of the examples shown. Is that too complex? Shortcuts are ok, but I think it confuses the real meaning of 〜ば. そう思わない？
— contributed by: emilyjuno
- Isn`t this two diffrent grammar structures? Vば is if and 〜も〜も is also. so if 〜も　also 〜も
でしょう
— contributed by: tigert
- tigert, I am not sure i understand your suggestion. can you explain more?
— contributed by: emilyjuno
- Hey emilyjuno,
What I ment is that Vば is a single grammar point.
EX
明日までに宿題を出せば　先生が満点くれるかも知らない｡
If I turn in my homework, maybe the teacher will give me a 100%.
and 〜も〜も is another grammar point meaning also
今日僕は東京に行きました、姉も兄も一緒に行きました｡
today I went to tokyo, my sister and brother also went with.
that being the case I think it is better to list these entries as examples in their respective grammar points. That way we can save space in the database and avoid multiple entries of the billions of diffrent combinations you can make with the Japanese language.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: moba
tagJ: も〜ば
expE: Both(,,,,)and(,,,,,)
noteE: She is both pretty and clever,so many people envy her.
JLPT: 2

Front: nisuru
にする
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にする
Meaning: to make.
Example: (The teacher) makes the class interesting.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 授業を面白くします。
(The teacher) makes the class interesting
— contributed by: Amatuka
- AutoCADを ３日でものにする！！
Make AutoCAD yours in three days!!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 日本語を自家薬籠中のものにする
Make Japanese the language you can handle with complete dexterity.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- [DC said] You take an adverbial form and put it in the sentence.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Possibly should have a separate entry for 'ものにする'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 'make ... yours' as in 'master it'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Does this need to be -2? I don't notice any particular problems with it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I'm so impressed. I can learn Japanese here, too!
I didn't know 自家（じか）薬籠中(やくろうちゆう)の物(もの) . This comes from Chinese history book of Tang.
— contributed by: Miki
- あれ？全然気づきませんでした。どこからの例文でしょうか。
— contributed by: Amatuka
- それはこちのセリフだぞ！
— contributed by: Snake
- 例文[#647]に何か間違っているみたいな感じますけど。
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nisuru
tagJ: にする
expE: to make.
noteE: (The teacher) makes the class interesting.
JLPT: 2

Front: arieru
ありうる, ありえる (有り得る)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ありうる, ありえる (有り得る)
Meaning: To be possible, to be conceivable
Example: Do you think it is likely they will arrive this evening?
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本においても充分ありえる話だと思います。
Even in Japan I think that could talk well enough.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 安全という状態はどこにもありえない。
That state called safety - no matter where you look can't be found.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 冗談を言うほど賢いコンピューターがありえるだろうか。
Can there be a computer intelligent enough to tell a joke?
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女の成功はありえることだ。
It is within the bounds of possibility that she will succeeded.
— contributed by: dc
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- uru
- ariuru
User Comments
- Often used in negative for "That't not possible!"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- often used as slang by young people - ありえない！　or even worse ありえねえ〜！　I cant believe it! (maybe, "you're shitting me right?" might be more accurate mood translation)
— contributed by: dc
- The seconde one roughly means 安全という状態は、どこにも　ない.
— contributed by: Miki
- In a J-dictionary, a believable tale = 信じられる話. With that's Japanese, I could not accept the 1st one.
Now the current translation sounds nice.:)
— contributed by: Miki
- trustworthy tale だと、「信頼できる話」かな。混乱。
— contributed by: Miki
- I'm satisfied with the new one.
Even in Japan I think that could well happen.
— contributed by: Miki
- OK, I've trimmed down the comments.
In summary (and it may just be me) I just think 'possible tale' sounds a little odd for the context of the example sentence. I wouldn't try to overanalyse it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I think "Possible" & "Not Possible" would be more accurace.
— contributed by: Rahulk
- See my comment re ありうる.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- There is no example showing how to use this word with a verb. As in the sentence, "Is it possible to eat too much chocolate?" Also, is this word somewhat rhetorical (as in my previous example)?
— contributed by: YakkSoho
- It cannot be used with a verb together.Its usage is the same as 可能（あり得る）and 不可能(あり得ない）.
— contributed by: 誠
- 有り得る（ありうる）
有り得ない（ありえない）
#728
日本においても、充分ありうる話だと思います。
#729
Sounds fine.
#3394 and #3395
ありうる, not ありえる.
-----------------------------------------
A message to Japanese people:
Please study Japanese very hard.
— contributed by: Nick
- #728
I would say "（そういうことは）日本でも、十分にありうることだ。"
— contributed by: Nick
- Nick, a language is changing. An expression which is thought to be wrong becomes a standard.
— contributed by: Miki
- ありうる is standard Japanese, but ありえる is not.
— contributed by: Nick
- have you checked how many japanese people use ありえる on the web? it would be much easier for non-japanese to learn correct japanese.
— contributed by: gooogle
- Nick, "correct" or "incorrect" depend only on the majority of speakers of a language. You might want to read something by Wittgenstein on that (it's kinda common sense though). Otherwise we'd now be speaking whatever Germanic accent is at the origin of English.
Oh, and if you don't agree, perhaps you should lecture Murakami on his "wrong" use of arieru and tell him to "please study Japanese very hard"
— contributed by: mankind
- There are no incorrect forms on any language grammar as it (language) arises spontaneously. A language is not a set of rules to be followed. Look for Steven Pinker's "The language instinct" and you'll clarify your minds.
These are just possible variations to an expression which by no means are incorrect. And the so called correct ones are not more appropriate than the not so common ones.
— contributed by: blackburn
- Lol Mankind, I agree with you, Nick has had too much to study lately....
— contributed by: koshuwu
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: arieru
tagJ: ありうる, ありえる (有り得る)
tagH: ありうる, ありえる
expE: To be possible, to be conceivable
expJ: ある可能性がある。あるはずである。
noteE: Do you think it is likely they will arrive this evening?
JLPT: 2

Front: maika-2
まいか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
まいか
Meaning: won't you?
Example: Won't you give me ~ ?
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Vru -> Vrumai/maika
VII
taberu ->tabemai/taberumai
VIII
suru -> surumai/sumai/shimai
— contributed by: seishun
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 先生にこの話を君からしてよろしく相談してくれまいか
Couldn't you, if it's alright, discuss this matter with your teacher?
— contributed by: Amatuka
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User Comments
- Note different verb form used before まい.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Hmm, not completely sure of the translation on this one ...
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そうです。日本語があまい！How about this?
君から、もし構わなければ、この話を先生に相談してくれまいか？
— contributed by: Miki
- Did you pick up the translation from Google? Searched by よろしく相談。The sentence is from a letter written in 1916. The Japanese is old.
…、この話を先生に相談していただけませんか？or 相談していただけないものか？ would be modern expression.
— contributed by: Miki
- まいか or ないか is normally used by a senior person to address his junior. It is not a honorrific.頂けませんか would be the polite form.頂けないものか would be the mordern version of まいか.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I was taught that this まいか form is also used to express some confusion : whether...or not -- don't know yet.
...行こうか行くまいか考えている。
..still considering whether going or not.
— contributed by: Yuri
- Same as maika, I think there should not be a separate entry for mai_ka_-2, it should be here under the heading of mai-2.
— contributed by: paulblay
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: maika-2
tagJ: まいか
expE: won't you?
expJ: agemasen ka
noteE: Won't you give me ~ ?
JLPT: 2

Front: mai-4
〜まい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜まい
Meaning: Don't do ~
Example: Don't let this get out.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 問題が起これば、学校だけで何とかしよう、外にはもらすまい。
If some trouble crops up, sort it out somehow or other in school - don't let it leak outside.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 一兵たりとも逃すまいぞ！（Archaic)
Don't even let a single enemy soldier escape!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あいつはそこまではやるまい。
I don't think he would dare go that far.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- somehow or other
ぜひ何とかして、どうやらこうやら、どういう訳だか、どうかこうか
— contributed by: Miki
- まい is kinda like ないだろう, or ないとおもう I guess.
Also its pretty formal and not used much in conversation nowadays.
— contributed by: pgb
- Depending on context, まい has stronger meaning.
ex#494, you can repalce with 〜してはならない
ex#2896, 〜しないつもりだ
ex#2987, 〜ないと思う
— contributed by: Miki
- #2869, you can replace まいぞ with 逃してはいけない
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mai-4
tagJ: 〜まい
expE: Don't do ~
noteE: Don't let this get out.
JLPT: 2

Front: あまりない
あまり　+　動詞(否定形) (あまり〜ない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
あまり　+　動詞(否定形) (あまり〜ない)
Meaning: not very, not much
Example: When used with negative verbs, [amari + v-nai] = [not very much v]
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今回のことであまり思い詰めないほうがいいよ。だれにでも失敗はあるんだから。
Don't worry too much about it. Everybody blows it once in a while.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ホテルのメイドとしてパートで仕事していますが、その仕事はあまり好きではありません。
I had a part-time job as a hotel maid, but I didn't like it very much
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたはあまりにも素早すぎる。
You are all too quick.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたはあまり夜更かしをしない方がいい。
You had better not sit up late up night.
— contributed by: dbx
- あの人はあまり威張るから好きになれない。
That man is too masterful for my liking.
— contributed by: dbx
- あの人はあまり先が長くない。
He doesn't have long to live.
— contributed by: dbx
- あの人は友達をつくることがあまり速くない。
He is not very fast at making friends.
— contributed by: dbx
- あまりお金がないので、私はこの冬は新しいコートなしで過ごさなければならない。
As I do not have enough money, I will have to do without a new coat this winter.
— contributed by: dbx
- あまりお金を使いすぎてはいけません。
Don't spend too much money.
— contributed by: dbx
- あまりきつくパーマをかけないでください。
Don't make the perm too strong, please.
— contributed by: dbx
- あまりご迷惑でなければ乗せていただけませんか。
I was wondering if you could give me a lift, if it isn't too much trouble?
— contributed by: dbx
- あまりご迷惑でなければ乗せて行っていただけないでしょうか。
I was wonder if you could give me a lift, if it isn't too much trouble?
— contributed by: dbx
- あまりご面倒でなければいただきます。
Only if it's not too much trouble.
— contributed by: dbx
- あまりそれを鼻にかけるな。
Don't blow your horn too much.
— contributed by: dbx
- 日本語をあまり使わなくてもいい仕事はありますか。
Do you have jobs in which it's OK even if you don't use Japanese language very much?
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 英語があまりわかりません。
I don't understand English very well.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 三月にあまりフランス語を勉強しませんでした。
In March, I didn't study French a lot.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
- 私はあまり旅行しません。
I don't travel a lot.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- I think this grammar is for level 3 of JPLT so I changed it from level 2.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: あまりない
tagJ: あまり　+　動詞(否定形)
tagH: あまり〜ない
expE: not very, not much
noteE: When used with negative verbs, [amari + v-nai] = [not very much v]
JLPT: 3

Front: eru
得る (える)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
得る (える)
Meaning: to get, to win, to be possible
Example: I won it in a raffle.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Strictly speaking, the conjugations of 得る are:
- negative: えない
- masu form: えます
- te form: えて
- terminal form (i.e. at the end of sentences, or when attaching to べき): える／うる
- attributive form (i.e. akin to such things as すきな for すき; used when attaching to nouns): うる
- conditional form: うれば
It is the only 二段 (nidan) verb from old Japanese that hasn't fully become an 一段 (ichidan) verb in modern Japanese. (える／うる in old Japanese was う, so it has changed a little already.)
In summary, although うる is a more archaic way of saying える, the only time you can choose between える／うる is when it comes at the end of the sentence, or when attaching to べき (in which case, however, うる is also preferable due to the also archaic nature of べき). This means one should say for example うるために, うるように, うること, うるところ and so on. Additionally, ありうる is never ありえる.
However, in practice, the "wrong" forms are still somewhat often used.
— contributed by: kittymercury
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ここでは、より良い笑顔をえるための方法を紹介しています。
Here we introduce ways of getting a better smile.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたが教えてくれたことから大いに得るところがあった。
I received great benefit from your teaching.
— contributed by: Miki
- あの青年は大金を得るため一生懸命働くのをいとわなかった。
The young man was extremely money hungry.
— contributed by: Miki
- お客様の信頼と尊敬を得ることが当社の目標です。
Earning our customers confidence and respect is this firm's objective.
— contributed by: Miki
- この建物に入るには当局の許可を得る必要がある。
It is necessary to obtain the sanction of the authorities to enter this building.
— contributed by: Miki
- その男は権力を得るために多額の金を使った。
The man used much money to gain power.
— contributed by: Miki
- その本からたくさんの貴重な情報を得ることができる。
We can get a lot of valuable information from the book.
— contributed by: Miki
- もしアメリカで勉強するなら学生ビザを得る必要がある。
If you study in the United States, you need to get a Student visa status.
— contributed by: Miki
- 今の職を得るために彼女は父親のコネを利用した。
In getting her present job, she made capital of her father's connections.
— contributed by: Miki
- 事故の後、彼は公式試合に出場する機会を得ることは二度となかった。
After his accident, he never got another chance to play in a real game.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女に話して得るところがあった。
There was something (a lot, nothing) to be gained by talking to her.
— contributed by: karekano
- かれは自分の車を売って１５万円を得た。
The sale of his car gained him 150.00 yen.
— contributed by: karekano
- 知識を得る一番よい方法の一つは経歴の異なる人たちと話すことです。
One of the best ways to gain (acquire) knowledge is to talk with people of different backgrounds.
— contributed by: karekano
- ジョージは真っ正直なので顧客の信頼を得た。
George won great customer confidence because he was thoroughly honest.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は医者としての評判を得ている。
He is earning a reputation as a good doctor.
— contributed by: karekano
- あのずるい人のようには会社に裏切る。
cunning man like that getting betray to the company.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- uru (Don't get 得る うる confused with 得る える)
User Comments
- Rather easy to get confused with uru 得る - often used in the same way (see ariuru vs. arieru)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Make that 'sometimes' ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: eru
tagJ: 得る
tagH: える
expE: to get, to win, to be possible
noteE: I won it in a raffle.
JLPT: 2

Front: ariuru
有り得る (ありうる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
有り得る (ありうる)
Meaning: to be possible, to be likely
Example: Do you think this is feasible?
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 自分の携帯のデータが他人に流出してる事も有りうるって事ですからねぇ
'Cuz they say it's possible for your mobile's data to slip out to other people, right?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そんなことがあり得るということ自体がおかしいですね
The fact that such thing is at all possible makes me wonder if everything is in order.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- いかなる善意の考えもそれ自体は悪でありうる。
Any virtuous idea can be vicious in itself.
— contributed by: dbx
- それは大いにありうることだ。
That is quite possible.
— contributed by: dbx
- 計画を立てるさいに、あまりにも慎重すぎると、計画そのものが、ひっくりかえることも、時にはありうるだろう。
Sometimes being overcautious in planning could upset the apple cart.
— contributed by: dbx
- 人間が、動物から病気をもらうことは、まれではあるがありうる。
It's possible, though rare, for humans to catch diseases from animals.
— contributed by: dbx
- 人生はあきらめが肝心。もうけた財産も消えさることがありうるのだから。
We should try to be philosophical about life; wealth gained could also go to pot.
— contributed by: dbx
- 人生はあきらめが肝心。儲けた財産も消えさることがありうるのだから。
We should try to be philosophical about life; wealth gained could could also go to pot.
— contributed by: dbx
- 先生でも間違いをすることはありうる。
Even a teacher can make mistakes.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼が来ることはありうると思う。
I think it possible that he may come.
— contributed by: dbx
- それはありうることだ。
It's a possible story.
— contributed by: Luke
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- uru
User Comments
- Can somebody brief me What is the difference between ありうる&ありえる？
— contributed by: Rahulk
- ありえる is an incorrect reading of あり得る, which should be pronounced as "ariuru." As such it is not a proper Japanese word.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Forgot to mention that 有り得ない is properly "arienai." Here the comstruction is あり＋得ない, thus there is no inconsistency with ありうる.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- so [arieru] is a mis-reading, basically?
— contributed by: dc
- OK: ariuru, arienai
NG: arieru, ariunai
but i often hear people say:
"sore he arieru ne" = yeh, thats possible...
— contributed by: dc
- It is a derogation of ありうる and people use that, true, but old Japanese like me dislike (abhor) such derogations of Japanese. But for this data base, you probably want to keep ありえる.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Thank you very much for the reply.
— contributed by: Rahulk
- Thanks for your clarification bamboo4. You should add that as a note in [arieru].
— contributed by: zlash
- is the meaning of arieru is to make possible ?
— contributed by: roshuna
- What is the difference between ex #3592 and ex #3593
if there is any??
— contributed by: frodfy
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ariuru
tagJ: 有り得る
tagH: ありうる
expE: to be possible, to be likely
noteE: Do you think this is feasible?
JLPT: 2

Front: nitsuke
〜につけ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜につけ
Meaning: each time, whenever, either way
Example: whenever i see my mum knitting a sweater..
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊A tricky piece of grammar. The meaning in Japanese is as follows:
〜ときは、いつも
〜ときも、ときも
＊「Ａにつけ、Ｂにつけ」 is a common construction. A and B are often pairs or two of a kind, such as strong/weak, good/evil, etc.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + につけ
いＡ + につけ
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私が料理すると、味が濃いにつけ、薄いにつけ家族から文句がでる。
Each time I cook, either way if the flavor is strong or weak, my family complain.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼を見るにつけ、私の兄を思い出す
each time I see him, I’m reminded of my brother
— contributed by: d4
- 祖母が編んだセーターを見るにつけ、やさしかった祖母を思い出す。
When I look at the sweater my grandma knitted, I always remember her kindness.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 親は、暑いにつけ寒いにつけ、離れて暮らす子供を思い出し、心配するものだ。
Be it (the weather) hot or cold, parents remember their children who live away from home, and are prone to worry.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 私が料理すると、味が濃いにつけ薄いにつけ、家族から文句が出る。
When I cook, whether the taste is strong or bland, my family complains.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 試験での失敗を思い出すにつけ、悔しさがよみがえる。
My regrets come back each time I remember the exam that I failed.
— contributed by: mikayela143
- 彼女は昨日何かにつけついていた。
She was lucky in everything yesterday.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- nitsuke (totally different but sound alike!)
User Comments
- Hmm... what's the difference between nitsuke and tabini?
— contributed by: Darrkangel
- There is no difference, they have the same meaning
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- tabini and nituke have a slight differense. In "nituke" after the pattern there come phrases expressing feelings/emotions or emotional patterns. So that the meaning of "nituke" - whenever someone happens to be in same situation, always has certain feelings and thus does something.
— contributed by: missshapoooo
- @dc The links on the "see also" section are the same. Maybe these are the links meant to be in there? ->
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=nitsuki
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=nitsuki-2
— contributed by: claudiofreitas3
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitsuke
tagJ: 〜につけ
expE: each time, whenever, either way
noteE: whenever i see my mum knitting a sweater..
JLPT: 2

Front: monoda-2
ものだ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ものだ
Meaning: (thing) you know? isn't it?
Example: its a fun thing, exchanging mail on mobile phones, isn't it.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- A　show admiration ; grief ; a heart felt feeling
B　express something as common sense　Same as A
C　suggest something ; give a light command
D　remember a past happening or occurrence
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- C' Give a command. See [ex 6690]
E Ideal to be reached (or not) [ex 6691]+[ex 6692]
F Explain circumstancies, reason or signification [ex 6693] same as A?
F' When explaination is suspicious, だ->らしい [ex 6694]
F" When in children conversation, ものだ->だもの [ex 6695]
— contributed by: 赤毛
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 携帯電話でメールをやり取りするのは楽しいものですね？
Exchanging email on mobile phones is a fun thing to do , isn't it?
— contributed by: dc
- 出来るものです
something I can do
— contributed by: d4
- 朝人に会ったら「おはよう」と言うものです。
When you meet people in the morning you should say "Morning!"
— contributed by: d4
- 意外でしたが、やってみたらこれが出来るものです。
I least expected it,but when I tried to do it, I found that it could really be done.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あんな大事故にあって、よく助かったものだ。
It's like that big accident really helped .
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- 地震のときは、だれでもあわてるものだ
When the earthquake ocorred, everyone panicked .
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- 人の話はよく聞くものです。
To listen to people`s talking .
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- 子供のころ、いたずらをして、よく父に叱られたものだ。
When I was a child, I used to be scolded by dad .
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- 弟：あなたの漫画を読ませてくださいな。兄：とんでもない、あれは見るものではなく逃げるものだ。
Younger brother: Please, let me read your comics.Older brother: No way! This is not something you should see, get away .
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 子供は親の言うことを聞くものだ。
Children must obey to their parents .
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 教職にある者は単に物質的快楽ばかり求めるものではない。
Those in the teaching profession should not merely seek material pleasure.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Ｊリーグは負け犬と言ってやればいいんだ。それがサッカーというものだ。
In the J League, it's ok to be called a loser. That's football｜soccer.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 人間はアイドルを求めてしまうものらしい。
Mankind seems to end up requesting everything from idols.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- お母さん：どうして人参を残したの。子供：だって嫌いだもの。
Mom: Why didn't you eat your carrots? Child: 'Cause I don't like them, that's why !
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 若いころはよく親に反抗したものだ。
When I was young I used to often defy my parents.
— contributed by: dekirukana
- 本ものだ。
It's the real thing.
— contributed by: dario27
- 生け花を習い始めて10年目になる田口さんは,自分ではまだまだ下手だと言っている.しかし,まだ2年目のわたしから見ればあの人の作品は実に見事なものだ.
Mr.Daguchi has learned flower arrangement for 10 years and still thinks he's not very good at it. However, to me, who has only learned flower arrangement only for 2 years, his work is just excellent.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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- mon (A ものだ "because A is" A もので B "because of A is/was then B"　A もの "because of A" A もん "'cause of A" are all the same thing)
User Comments
- this seems another for emphasis type addition, like in english we say "you know?" for no good reason...
— contributed by: dc
- for presenting a situation as if it were a tangible thing (mono)
— contributed by: dc
- Maybe a good translation would be "really". For example "Exchanging email on phones is REALLY fun, yeah!"
"When you meet people in the morning you REALLY should say hi"
What do you think?
— contributed by: blabby
- shouldn't that be asa ni hito.., rather than asajin
:D
— contributed by: Snake
- ex#1035　you can separate the sentence like
朝、人に　会ったら、 asa hito ni attara、
— contributed by: Miki
- All these expressions are sort of self-assertive and, in some cases, dogmatic.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- In the mobile phone example, the "isn't it" part is "ne", not "mono da", which could be translated in "thing" ( in this particular example)
— contributed by: Tanuki
- tanuki > see new version.
— contributed by: dc
- Dont think there is 朝に、should be 朝 only, no に. Like 今朝、昨日、来年、今月、etc. there is no に following it. But if you use the exact time or days like 四月四日に、日曜日に、etc.
— contributed by: 誠
- 〜ものだ：1. 本当に〜だなあ　　（感慨）an emotional exclamations, expression sort of " ..oh..is (really) so...".
2. 過去の回想　「〜たものだ」の形で使われる something nostalgic
3. 〜が一般的な常識だ　（人に対して注意する時によく使われる）
"It is generally known that......"
"It is common sense that ....(should).."
"It is known that ...."
ex#1035 means the above category 3 of common sense.
"People would generally greet 'Good Morning' when they meet others in the morning"
While ex#503 has the meaning of category 1 which is an exclamation of strong feelings, 楽しいものだな、楽しいものですね, " oh... is really fun!"
For the rest of the examples, I cannot figure out yet the usage of ものです....
So which category does this entry belongs to?
— contributed by: 誠
- Some examples i tried to compose based from the explanations/examples above -
1. A general trend -
約束は壊すものだ
(promises are meant to be broken)
2. A hope
日本語は上手になりたいものだ
(I wish my nihongo will get better)
3. A memory
野球をよく見たものだ
(I used to watch a lot of baseball)
Is this okay?
p.s.
Can i use monodesu/monodeshita(?) instead of monoda?
— contributed by: jrebong
- Please add "。" in [ex #1034] and [ex #5992]. Please translate [ex #5991], [ex #5992], [ex #5993] and [ex #5994].
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Why don't you fix the entries yourself, 赤毛? I just fixed your awkward translations.
— contributed by: dekirukana
- ex #5992 When the earthquake ocorred, everyone panicked .
^
This is wrong. The Japanese says 'Everyone panics during earthquakes', the もの serves as a way to tell us that this is common.
— contributed by: MysticSoup
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: monoda-2
tagJ: ものだ
expE: (thing) you know? isn't it?
noteE: its a fun thing, exchanging mail on mobile phones, isn't it.
JLPT: 2

Front: sengatame
せんがため
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
せんがため
Meaning: In order to do
Example: In order to pass the test, he studied day and night.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Formal.
Written more than spoken.
— contributed by: claytonian
- にせんがため is equivalent to にするため
— contributed by: claytonian
- uses the nai form of verbs without nai.
In the case of suru, it is, as in the name of the entry, せんがため.
— contributed by: claytonian
- Actually, this has nothing to do with ない etymologically. This construction consists of a verb in 未然形, to which the classical verb む (uncertainty, future) is added, and shortened to ん. が means almost the same as の modern Japanese. ため is obviously 為.
As for 未然形+む, another shortening was mu -> u. Together with other sound shifts, this actually constitutes the etymology of the well known 食べよう・飲もう form. It goes 「taberu > tabe+mu > tabeu > tabeyou」 and 「nomu > noma+mu > nomau > nomou」.
— contributed by: blutorange
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- キリスト教義の正当性をより強固にせんがための伏線ととれないこともありません。
This must be a covert effort in order to further strengthen the veracity of the Christian dogma
— contributed by: dc
- あの頃わたしは大学に進学せんがために毎日必死でがんばった。
At that time, in order to go on to university I frantically did my best everyday.
— contributed by: dc
- 研究を完成せんがため、彼は昼夜寝ずにがんばった。
In order to finish the project, he worked day and night without sleeping. sengatame
— contributed by: claytonian
- 一日も早く自分の店を持たんがために、必死で働いている。
To keep one's store going even one more day, one is frantically working.
— contributed by: claytonian
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There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Appeared in 2002 JLPT level 1
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Old style usage, not in much use in modern Japanese.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- That's a horrible, horrible translation ^^vv
— contributed by: Amatuka
- any ideas on detailed difference with youni?
— contributed by: dc
- Hmm, I think the two big differences are
1. You'll probably never have to use せんがため
and
2. ように isn't tested in JLPT level 1.
;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- So, no I don't have any idea of detailed differences to youni youni
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The English translation is not only inaccurate but terrible: "This must be a covert effort to further strengthen the veracity of the Christian dogma" would be more like it.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- translation updated!
— contributed by: dc
- あの頃わたしは大学に進学せんがために毎日必死でがんばった。
At that time, in order to go on to university I frantically did my best everyday.
— contributed by: beth
- thanks for the ex Beth. added #5734
— contributed by: dc
- Not a comment on the Japanese, but the English: it's not "everyday" but "every day." CAC
— contributed by: kyoho16
- Can this be used with other verbs, such as 入る？ My grammar book uses this example:
何かを勉強したいというより、ただ一流大学に入らんがために勉強している人が多い。
If this is the same pattern, can someone update this entry?
— contributed by: tmkain
- Is this the -nai form? It seems to me that it's really based on a classical form, with the mizenkei of the verb, followed by volitional particle "mu" (with a not-uncommon sound change to "n"). That's probably a lot for a beginner with no classical experience to deal with, though.
— contributed by: ggencare
- I found this explanation: http://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1412020229
— contributed by: Saezuri
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sengatame
tagJ: せんがため
expE: In order to do
expJ: ぜひ実現させたい積極的な目的をもってあることをする
noteE: In order to pass the test, he studied day and night.
JLPT: 1

Front: arebakoso
あればこそ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
あればこそ
Meaning: particularly thanks to
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 皆様の協力があればこそ無事故で完工できたことを感謝しております。
I'm thankful to you all, it's particularly because of all of your support that we were able to complete construction without incident.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- きものを着ると言う行為は、洋服以上に全身の筋肉を事細かに使うことにも驚かされます。何事もほんとうに健康であればこそですね。
Wearing a kimono , rather than wearing Western clothes even if you don't use it much, can be something very stressing on your muscles.But i guess it's all possible particularly thanks to having good health right?
— contributed by: Exrulez
- エア切れで２０メートルの深度からエアエンボにもかからず浮上できたのも、日頃の訓練あればこそでした。
The fact that I could surface from the depth of 20 meters after running out of air without suffering air embolism could only be attributed to the constant training I went through.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 私にはその仕事がやさしいとわかった。前にもそんな仕事をしたことがあればこそだ。
I found the work easy, especially since I had done that kind of work before.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたのためを思えばこそ、厳しくしているのだ。
Because I am especially thinking about your wellbeing, I am strict.
— contributed by: blabby
- 頭がよければこその悩みですね。
Especially becuase she is smart, she worries about such things.
— contributed by: blabby
- 優勝できたのは、チーム全員の協力あればこそだ。
The victory was especially due to the team members' cooperation.
— contributed by: khongbietboi
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- karakoso-2
User Comments
- Hmm, I could have done a smoother job on that translation.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- NOTE that the construction is /past tense/ but あればこそ (as a set phrase) can still be used.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- See also ある, こそ and ーば verb form.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Appeared in 2000 JLPT level 1
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Normally, you would say あったからこそ in #517.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex#517 When you change the word order, it sounds natural. 無事故で完工できたのも、皆様の協力が あればこそ／あったからこと と感謝しております。
— contributed by: Miki
- oops　　　　　　　　　あればこそ／あったからこそ
— contributed by: Miki
- I looked for more examples on the areba koso and i found this particular sentence, i'm pretty messed up on the translation but minasan no kyouryoku wo onegai itashimasu ^^!
— contributed by: Exrulez
- In ex#3195, I am not sure if the second sentence logically follows from the preceding first sentence.In other words, the second sentence can stand on its own without the first sentence.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- There are some examples using different verbs besides ある (see my examples). Should this be changed to 〜ばこそ?
— contributed by: blabby
- Agree.
— contributed by: Miki
- ex5312 Correct Japanese is 厳しくしているのだ。
— contributed by: Miki
- Thanks for noticing. Fixed typo.
— contributed by: blabby
- In #5312, 為に思えばこそ should be 為を思えばこそ.
#5314 is weird - should be deleted or corrected.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Thanks bamboo4 for checking.
I looked at #5314 and I think a more natural way of saying it would be
Ｘ　あなたが来いと言えばこそ私は来たんです。
○　あなたが来いと言ったからこそ私は来たんです。
I came especially becuase you said to.
So I moved it to [dakarakoso]. Is this correct?
Also, does anyone know the difference between 〜ばこそ and からこそ? I read that 〜ばこそ is used after hypothetical form (仮定形) and the sentence must end in だ/です?? I don't get it.
— contributed by: blabby
- I agree that this entry should change to "bakoso". My understanding of the difference from [dakarakoso] is that 〜ばこそ stresses that the preceding condition was the *only* reason for a certain action or attitude (which is usually proactive or positive in nature).
〜だからこそ, on the other hand, is used when you just want to emphasize a reason.
— contributed by: srobertson
- ジェイグラムを見ればこそこの文法を覚えれた。
（合ってる？）Or does it have to be
この文法を覚えれたのは、ジェイグラムを見ればこそだ
— contributed by: rogen
- I agree with srobertson on his explanation on 〜ばこそ which having the preceding condition the 'only' reason for a certain action or attitude which usually the action taken is quite overwhelming.
〜からこそ　has a more different usage where the reason is very unexpectedly opposing to the action taken. Here is the explanation from the book:
単純な理由ではないぶんで、よく使われる。「〜からこそ」は、次のような単純な理由を表す文に使うと不自然です。
E.g. : A : なぜ遅刻したんですか。
　　Ｘ B : 電車が遅れたからこそ遅刻したんです。
Instead,
E.g. : 愛しているからこそ別れる、ということもあ　
　　　　る。
　　　There is such a thing that 'It is because of love that is why both separate from each other' Sorry, can't translate better.
E.g. : あの先生は、学生に大人気です。優しいからじゃなくて、厳しいからこそ、好かれろのだ。
— contributed by: 誠
- rogen
何でもいいと思うんですけど．．．
— contributed by: 誠
- rogen correction for you.
ジェイグラムを見たからこそ、この文法を覚えられた。
この文法を覚えられたのは、ジェイグラムを見たからこそだ。　　
so you are emphasizing the fact that 'ジェイグラムを見た'.
— contributed by: Miki
- rogen すみません.
Miki's correction is correct.
[It is because I had seen Jgram, that I can remember this grammar]
In this case, you had done something, then it is because of this reason you 〜。
— contributed by: 誠
- I think there is only one したことが　in ex #4755
— contributed by: 誠
- #4755 corrected >誠
— contributed by: dc
- I always thought that 〜ばこそ meant "if only-", as in:
お金があればこそ来日できる。If only I had money I could visit Japan.
— contributed by: マリ
- #6268 "We are able to win because of the whole team's cooperation." I think that sounds better...
— contributed by: petra
- #6268 Corrected from チーム全員も協力あればこそだ。 to チーム全員の協力あればこそだ。
— contributed by: Miki
- What about using present tense 'arebakoso' while the whole sentence is in past tense? Is it alright?
— contributed by: PhaetonLT
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: arebakoso
tagJ: あればこそ
expE: particularly thanks to
JLPT: 1

Front: kanogotoku
かのごとく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かのごとく
Meaning: as if
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜かのごとく：　〜かのように + 形容詞・動詞
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あたかも永遠を傷つけることがないかのごとく暇をつぶしているが・・・。
As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 誰も見ていないかのごとく自由に踊りましょう
Dance freely as if nobody was watching.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- その森の中は、何万年も前に戻ったかのごとく神秘的だった
Within this forest, it was so mysterious as if one had even gone some ten thousands years back in time
— contributed by: 誠
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- kanoyouda
User Comments
- Appeared in JLPT 1 for 2002
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Seems may be used mostly in poetic / lyric sense.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Actually, this entry is under ごとく since the 〜かの before it can be seen as a noun phrase, 何万年も前に戻ったか(noun phrase) ＋　の ＋　ごとく
— contributed by: 誠
- Actually, it sounds similar with 〜かのような, only thing is now since the following phrase is either an Adjective or Verb, it becomes 〜かのように. And also, ごとく is a classical word.
— contributed by: 誠
- I agree. The かの of 〜かのよう（に） might need special explanation for those at a lower level who aren't familiar with these constructions, but once you've reached level 1 and presumably long-since mastered 〜よう（に） and 〜かのよう（に） I wouldn't have thought this required any further mention once the entry for ごとく had been read; certainly not a seperate entry.
— contributed by: mochabean
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kanogotoku
tagJ: かのごとく
expE: as if
JLPT: 1

Front: marude
丸で (まるで)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
丸で (まるで)
Meaning: as if, practically
Example: he orders me around as if I were his servant
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- (MARUDE) is more often than not used in conjunction with "no you na..." "no you da."
— contributed by: larry
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- まるで猿のような顔だ
A face just like a monkey's
— contributed by: dc
- これはまるで戦争だ。
This is practically a war
— contributed by: dc
- まるで生きているようだ
Seems like it is alive.
— contributed by: dc
- まるでつい昨日のことのようにはっきりとあの出来事を覚えている。
I remember the event as vividly as if it was just yesterday.
— contributed by: dc
- まるでなんでも知っているような口ぶりだね。
You talk as if you knew everything.
— contributed by: dc
- まるでひとりで笑っているみたいだ。
She looks as if she's laughing to herself.
— contributed by: dc
- まだ三月の初めなのにとても暑い。まるで夏になったかのようだ。
Even if we are at the beginning of March, the weather is very hot. It is as if summer had come yet.
— contributed by: dc
- まるでボスのような話し方をする。
You talk as if you were the boss.
— contributed by: dc
- まるでワインで口の滑りがよくなったように。
Flowing more freely than wine.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで悪魔にでも追いかけられてるみたいだ。
You'd think Old Nick was after him.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女はまるで一人で笑ってるみたいだ。
She looks as if she's laughing to herself.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで雨が降り出しそうに見える。
It looks as if it were going to rain.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで化石みたいな人間だわ。
He is a living fossil! [F]
— contributed by: dc
- まるで革命前夜のような騒ぎだった。
It looked as if we were on the eve of a revolution.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで空全体が燃えているようである。
It is as if the whole sky were on fire.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで君は僕の鏡みたいだ。
You're the only mirror for me. [M]
— contributed by: dc
- まるで月面を歩いているみたい。
Walking on the moon.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで腫れ物に触るように扱った。
He treated it with utmost care.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女はまるで酔っているようだ。
She looks as if she were drunk.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで太陽が沈んでしまったかのように空は暗くなった。
The sky became as dark as if the sun had sunk.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで頭のような話し方をする。
You talk as if you were the boss.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで彼の手にふれるものはみんな金に変わるみたいだ。
It seems as if everything he touches turns to gold.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで夢を見ているか気分だった。
I felt as if I were dreaming.
— contributed by: dc
- 僕はまるで夢を見ているようだ。
I felt as if I were in a dream.（M)
— contributed by: dc
- ケンはまるで何でも知っているかのように話す。
Ken talks as if he knew everything.
— contributed by: dc
- ジョディはまるで幽霊でも見たような顔をしている。
Jody looks as if she had seen a ghost.
— contributed by: dc
- ジョンが戻ってきたとき、彼はまるで幽霊でもみたように青白い顔つきだった。
When John came back, he looked pale as if he had seen a ghost.
— contributed by: dc
- ジョンソンさんはまるで生き字引です。
Mr Johnson is, as it were , a walking dictionary.
— contributed by: dc
- この湖は水がきれいで、まるで透明なガラスのようだ。
As the water is clean, this lake look as transparent as if it were glass.
— contributed by: dc
- ティムはまるで左利きのような書き方をする。
Tim writes as if he were left-handed.
— contributed by: dc
- ハムレットはまるで気が狂ったかのようにふるまう。
Hamlet acts as if he were insane.
— contributed by: dc
- ブレントはアメリカ人であるが、彼はまるで自分の母国語であるかのように日本語を話せる。
Brent is an American, but he speaks Japanese as if it were his mother tongue.
— contributed by: dc
- ベティーはまるで何でも知っているみたいに話す。
Betty talks as if she knew everything.
— contributed by: dc
- ライトさんは、まるで母国語の様に日本語を話します。
Mr Wright speaks Japanese as if it were his mother tongue.
— contributed by: dc
- 英語はまるで海のように私達を取り囲んでいる。
The English language surrounds us like a sea.
— contributed by: dc
- 我々は山道をまるでアリがはうように進んだ。
We crawled like so many ants along the mountain pass.
— contributed by: dc
- かれはまるでおさけを飲んだようなかおをしています。
His face looks as if he had drunk alcohol.
— contributed by: dc
- 君はまるで何も起こらなかったような顔をしている。
You look as though nothing had happened to you.
— contributed by: dc
- 君はまるで何も起こらなかったような顔をしているね。
You look as though nothing had happened to you.
— contributed by: dc
- 君はまるで人ごとみたいな顔をしているね。
You look as if it were none of your business.
— contributed by: dc
- 群衆がまるでハエのようにその車の回りに集まった。
The mob gathered round the car likes so many flies.
— contributed by: dc
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- kanoyouda (these often go together in the same sentence)
User Comments
- marude can also mean completely or entirely, as in "I have forgotten about it completely"
— contributed by: dc
- For 'completely forgotten' see さっぱり
— contributed by: Amatuka
- There is no entry for さっぱり yet...
— contributed by: Miki
- #4101 ジョン??　文字化け for me
— contributed by: Miki
- #4102 and #4103 are almost the same.
— contributed by: Miki
- #4095, #4105, #4106, #4114, #4115, #4116, These まるで are different as dc mentioned in comments.
まるで followed by ない neg or 違う.
#4111, #4113 part of 始まるでしょうか。
— contributed by: Miki
- i added a [marude-2] but there isnt an easy way to shift the examples over. hang on while we build it...
— contributed by: dc
- Miki, DC - I went ahead and moved the examples to [marude-2] and deleted the 始まるでしょう examples as those changes are easy to make now. Feel free to delete all these comments since they are no longer relevant...
— contributed by: yookoso
- I changed
Ex #4079 which were almost the same than #4078,
Ex #4102 which were almost the same than #4103, and
Ex #4117 which were almost the same than #4118,
but there is a lot of repeated examples left.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: marude
tagJ: 丸で
tagH: まるで
expE: as if, practically
noteE: he orders me around as if I were his servant
JLPT: 2

Front: karashite
からして
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
からして
Meaning: (1)Even; (2)Given, (Judging) From/By
Example: (1) He can't even read hiragana.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This grammar should be used to refer to extremely basic things. For example, "He cannot even read hiragana." If you were to say, "He would eat even rats," then you need a different bit of grammar (see さえ).
Also, this grammar can only be used with nouns!
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- I wouldn't add a third meaning to this, but according to "A dictionary of Japanese Particles", p65, it is translated in a different manner. Like in "Starting with...".
The whole meaning would be: "Cites one characteristic of something/someone in order to make an emphatic statement about the whole thing/person."
So what I concluded so far, is that it belongs to the first meaning but translated in another way. Here a couple of sentences:
Example:
(1.1) あの男の人は顔つきからしてちょっと変だ。 - Starting with his face, he is a little strange.
(1.2) 彼女は持ち物からして贅沢だ。- Starting with her possessions, she is extravagant.
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ひらがなからして読めない。もちろん漢字も読めない。
Cannot even read hiragana, and also of course cannot read kanji
— contributed by: dc
- A国は食料からして、不足している。（暗示：だからガソリンなど、ほとんどないだろう）
That country doesn't have enough food for a start (implies: so they definitely don't have enough gasoline etc.)
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の健康状態からしてスポーツは無理でしょう。
Judging from his physical condition　doing sports would be unwise
— contributed by: halx
- 態度からしてけしからん
Even his attitude is nasty.
— contributed by: Miki
- 値段からして、Xの機種はYとは比べものにならないと思っていた。
Given its price, I didn't expect the X machine to be in the same league as the Y machine.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- もうすぐ結婚するというのに、準備がぜんぜんできていません。住む所からして、まだ決まっていないんです。
Even though we're getting married soon, we haven't been able to prepare at all. We haven't even decided where to live yet.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- あの人の挨拶からして我慢できない。
I can't even stand his greeting.
— contributed by: usaton
- プロジェクトチームの名前からして独特だ。
Even their project name is unique.
— contributed by: usaton
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- wohajime
- sae
User Comments
- this often gives one example, but implies more.
— contributed by: dc
- see also sae as in the they dont -even- have food.
— contributed by: dc
- another meaning is 〜から判断して "form one's opinion based on"
Another thing to point out is that there are two versions of から discussed in the grammatics:
1) から because
2) から from
actually quite obvious but might help in the test. Remember the different grammatics of those two!
— contributed by: halx
- It's probably better to use からすると for example #3222. That grammar has the meaning of "judging by." Using からして is grammatically weird: "Even his physical condition can't do sports."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- "for a start" is definately a weird way to translate this point. From the Kanzen master book, there are two translations explained: 1)"Even" and 2)"Judging from".
— contributed by: nitrate
- Isn't the definition closer to, 'In particular'.
It seems to me after all that this grammar is used to highlight one thing out of a group to describe something or use as an example. I think it could also be written as 'for a start' in some examples.
"田舎は空気からして違う。" The countryside, in particular the air is different.
"彼は礼儀を知らない　挨拶からして、きちんとしていない。"
He doesn't have any manners, for a start he never greets people properly.
(all example taken from Kanzen Master level 2 Green Grammar book)
RUBYHATCHET : That example using からして actually exists in the Kanzen Master book and my Japanese friend insists it is grammatically correct.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- KADOKE66: Thinking about it again, you're right. I'm still not sure if "judging by/from" is a good translation into English because of the "judging" part. Just using "by" or "given" works well, such as "by the feel of it (その感じからして)." However, からして in example #3222 should and does make grammatical and practical sense in Japanese. Something like, "Given his physical condition, he can't handle sports."
In ＡからしてＢ, Ａ has to be an example of extremely basic or "at the very least," while Ｂ gives the meaning of "because of Ａ, anything above that is 〜."
I tried to include a couple more examples like #3222 to illustrate the two meanings you pointed out.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: karashite
tagJ: からして
expE: (1)Even; (2)Given, (Judging) From/By
noteE: (1) He can't even read hiragana.
JLPT: 2

Front: niatatte; niatari
に当たって; に当たり (にあたって; にあたり)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に当たって; に当たり (にあたって; にあたり)
Meaning: on the occasion of; at; in; before; prior to
Example: On the occasion of my study abroad, my father told me about his own experience.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This grammar is used to indicate time when one faces something formal. The compound particle is primarily used in written Japanese. When a verb precedes it, the verb is often a Sino-Japanese する verb, as in example #6306.
＊The tense of the verb before に当たって;に当たり is always nonpast regardless of the tense of the final predicate. In this way, an incomplete aspect of an action is indicated by the verb. This is why the phrase can be translated into English as 'before' or 'prior to.'
＊に当たり is more formal than　に当たって.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain nonpast) + にあたって・にあたり
Ｎ + にあたって・にあたり
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- サイトのご利用にあたって
When using this site
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 科学論文を書くにあたって
When writing a science thesis
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私の留学に当たり父は自分の経験を話してくれた
On the occasion of my study abroad, my father told me about his own experience
— contributed by: dc
- もし困った事があればユーザーズガイドにあたってください。
Refer to the Users' Guide if you have any problems.
— contributed by: dc
- 我々は決定にあたって偏見に左右されない。
We should not be influenced in our decisions by our prejudices.
— contributed by: dc
- 研究部長はその部門が新製品のテストをするにあたって、徹底的な仕事をさせた。
The research director had the department do thorough job in testing the new product.
— contributed by: dc
- 私が部屋を掃除する番にあたっていた。
It was my turn to clean the room.
— contributed by: dc
- 私たちが到着する日は日曜日にあたっている。
The day when we will arrive falls on Sunday.
— contributed by: dc
- 凄い明かりが野球場にあたっていた。
A great light was diffused over the baseball stadium.
— contributed by: dc
- 日にあたってからだを暖めた。
I warmed myself at the sun.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼が外人客の接待にあたっている。
He is in charge of entertaining the foreign guests.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は火にあたってからだを暖めた。
She warmed herself by the fire.
— contributed by: dc
- 母親が、彼の看護にあたってる。
His mother is in attendance on him.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は就寝に当たって少量の洋酒を喫すること習慣にしている。
It is my custom to drink a small amount of foreign liquor prior to going to bed.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 小説家は時代小説を書くに当たり、その時代の歴史を詳しく調べた。
Before writing an historical novel, the novelist did an in-depth survey of the history of the period he dealt with.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 新年を迎えるにあたって,一年の計画を立てた.
The whole year was planned for welcome new year.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- maeni (is similar, as the verb cannot be past tense. but less formal.)
- toki (not equivalent, as toki can be used for past tense items.
　研究した時に
　研究するにあたって
)
User Comments
- this is usually used for very serious occasions, or important events.
— contributed by: dc
- maeni is similar as niatatte preceding verb cannot be past tense.
　留学行く「前に・にあたって」
— contributed by: dc
- updated: goro is more around the time. niatatte is more precise, but more formal.
— contributed by: dc
- Technically the first two examples are sentence fragments.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The use of あたって in #4067, #4068 and #4070 do not belong here. あたる as used there is a different verb.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niatatte; niatari
tagJ: に当たって; に当たり
tagH: にあたって; にあたり
expE: on the occasion of; at; in; before; prior to
noteE: On the occasion of my study abroad, my father told me about his own experience.
JLPT: 2

Front: nisaishite
に際して (にさいして)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に際して (にさいして)
Meaning: when; on the occasion of; at (the time of); in; upon (doing something)
Example: When I transferred to Osaka, I left my wife and children behind in Tokyo.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊The crucial difference between に当たって/に当たり and に歳して is that the former indicates an occasion with a formal sentence, but the latter indicates a special occasion.
＊Therefore, do NOT use に際して when speaking of trivial, everyday occurences.
FORMATION:
Ｎ + に際して
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 卒業に際して、私たちは感謝の印として彼に置き時計を贈りました。
Upon leaving school, we presented him with a table clock as a token of our thanks.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 読書に際しては、過去の偉大な作家に最も多くの注意が払われなければならない。
When reading, the great writers of the past must be given the most attention.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ご予約に際し、クレジットカードの番号および有効期限などの情報が必要です。
When making your reservation you need to have your credit card number, as well as the expiration date and similar information.
— contributed by: dc
- 卒業式に際して、市長からお祝いの言葉が卒業生に送られた。
Upon their graduation, the mayor sent his congratulatory words to the graduates.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 工場見学に際して、係の人から様々な注意をうけた。
On the occasion of the factory tour, the person in charge laid out various precautions.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- niatatte; niatari (very similar. niatatte is more formal)
User Comments
- You have to keep in mid that 際し is rather formal and would not normally be used in conversation.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- what is the non-formal version to "ni saishite" ?
— contributed by: chrispy_bear
- chrispy_bear, see [toki] or any other level-3 time expressions.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nisaishite
tagJ: に際して
tagH: にさいして
expE: when; on the occasion of; at (the time of); in; upon (doing something)
noteE: When I transferred to Osaka, I left my wife and children behind in Tokyo.
JLPT: 2

Front: toki
〜時 (〜とき)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜時 (〜とき)
Meaning: when
Example: when i was in japan
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This kanji can also be read as [ji] in compounds.
— contributed by: andyc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私は日本に行った時日本語を勉強した
when i was in japan, i studied japanese
— contributed by: dc
- いつでも都合のいい時にお金を返してください。
Pay me back when it's convenient.
— contributed by: dc
- 何というときに出てきたんだ！
How on earth could you make your appearance at a crucial time like this!
— contributed by: bamboo4
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- tabi i think is often used for repeating things. more like "each time i go to japan" than "when i went to japan".
— contributed by: dc
- I believe that example one is incorrect. I believe it should be:
私は、日本に行った時に(は)、日本語を勉強した。
You can add or leave out the は depending on how you wish to say it.
— contributed by: your name
- Is this usually toki+ni?
— contributed by: dc
- You can dispense with either に or は or には, which I think is nore conventional.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex#531 I feel the Japanese is not natural. It would be 私は日本にいた時日本語を勉強した。or the second user comment 私は日本に行った時に日本語を勉強した。
— contributed by: Miki
- I see noting wrong with 行った時.Adding に would provide emphasis, such as "I studied Japanese when I went to Japan" (with an implication that happened at no othe time.)
— contributed by: bamboo4
- is there some rules to observed as to use ta-form or impolite form for the preceding clause before the toki under certain conditions? Arigatoo.
— contributed by: natsumi
- #531
私は、日本にいた時、日本語を勉強した。Good job, Miki.
— contributed by: Nick
- it helps me to think of に as crosshairs. It zeros in on a specific time. "At" covers this function nicely in English. It's not correct to use it if there is no specific time. 一時に "at 1 o'clock" and 明日 "tommorow" as we don't say "at tommorow". This metaphor can be used for indirect object に as well.
— contributed by: sw
- But we say 明日(あした）には, meaning by tommorow."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- To me it sounds like without に, the sentence might be more like "When in Japan, I studied Japanese." and adding に would be somewhat like "When I was in Japan, I studied Japanese." The first one would put more emphasis on studying Japanese (but happen to state where) and the second would be saying what one did in Japan (which was studying).
I think I pretty much just reworded what everyone else was saying, in a way, right?
— contributed by: Saralynne
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toki
tagJ: 〜時
tagH: 〜とき
expE: when
noteE: when i was in japan
JLPT: 3

Front: totomoni
と共に (とともに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
と共に (とともに)
Meaning: as well as; with; along with; at the same time; when; as; while
Example: As I'm recovering from my illness, my appetite is coming back.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- There are several usages:
A
meaning: with
form: noun + totomoni
eg. Oshyougatsu ha kazoku totomoni sugoshitai.
I want to spend New Year (party) with my family.
B
meaning: at the same time
form: verb (dict. form) + totomoni
i adj. + totomoni
noun + de aru + totomoni
na adj. + de aru + totomoni
eg.Kobayashisan ha gakusei wo shidou suru totomoni, kenkyuu nimo chikara wo ireteiru.
Mr. Kobayashi coaches the students and puts his strenght in making some researches at the same time.
Kono seihin no kaihatsu ha, konnan de aru totomoni, hiyou ga kakaru.
Regarding the development of this product, it is difficult and needs money at the same time.
C
meaning: is used when a change leads to another one.
form: verb (dict. form) + totomoni
noun + totomoni
eg. Toshi wo toru totomoni, tairyoku ga otoroeru.
As you become older, your physical strength becomes weaker.
— contributed by: Viola
- ＊The meaning of とともに changes depending on the sentence pattern and context.
1) 「ＡはＢとともにＣ」: when A and B share the common property C, とともに means "as well as." (See example #6291.)
2) 「ＡはＢとともにＣ」: when A and B are the actors of the action C, とともに means "with; along with." (See example #6292.)
3) When とともに is preceded by a noun representing an action or event, とともに means either "at the same time as; when" or "as; with" depending on the event or action represented by the noun. (See example #6293.)
4) When とともに is preceded by a verb, とともに means "as; while." (See example #6294.)
5) When とともに is preceded by Ｎ・なＡ(stem) + である, とともに means "as well as." (See example #6295.)
FORMATION:
Ｖ(dict. form) + とともに
Ｎ・なＡ(stem) + である + とともに
いＡ + とともに
Ｎ + とともに
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 大阪は東京とともに日本経済の中心地である
Osaka, together with Tokyo, are the heart of Japan's economy.
— contributed by: dc
- 病気が回復すると共に食欲も出てきた
As I am recovering from my illness, my appetite is coming back
— contributed by: dc
- [N/Adj(na)stem+である]経済的であると共に
As well as being economical
— contributed by: dc
- [Adj(i)inf-nonpast]興味深いと共に
As well as being interesting
— contributed by: dc
- スタインベックはとともにヘミングウェイアメリカの大分な作家の一人だ。
Steinbeck, along with Hemingway, is one of America's major authors.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 私は職場の同僚達とともにそのデモに参加した。
I took part in the demonstration with my office colleagues.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 終戦とともに激しいインフレが人々を襲った。
Severe inflation hit people when the war ended (lit. with the end of the war).
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 年をするとともに耳が遠くなってきた。
As I get older, I am losing my hearing.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- その提案は建設的であるとともに革命的であった。
The discovery was revolutionary as well as constructive.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 人口が増えるとともに、それまで見られなかった都市問題が発生した。
A city problem that has been unseen until then occurred as the population increased.
— contributed by: akiosama
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of と共に
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Related Grammar
- nitsurete
- nitomonatte
- gatera
User Comments
- when a verb comes before it, とともに means "as" - As I am recovering...
— contributed by: dc
- when a noun comes before, とともに means "as well as" -
As well as Tokyo...
— contributed by: dc
- A noun case is OK.
と共に of 病気が回復すると共に can be replaced by ni turete.
病気が回復するにつれて、食欲も出てきた。
風が吹く とともに/につれて、雲が出てきた。
As it blows, clouds begin to appear.
— contributed by: Miki
- Verb + と共に　means
at the same time.
— contributed by: Miki
- Can we conclude that
if there is little time difference then we will use ni turete
and
When there is hardly any time difference then we will use to tomoni!!
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
- 病気が回復するとともに、食欲が出てきた。I think the english would sound better if it was: "My appetite came back as I recovered from my illness"
— contributed by: akiosama
- From my point of view, the most difficult part of this grammar point is the slim difference in meaning between 「noun+であるとともに」and「noun+とともに」
成長であるとともに妹とけんかが少なくなった。
While growing up, quarrel with my sister has lessen.
成長とともに妹とけんかが少なくなった。
As I have grown up, quarrel with my sister has lessen.
(If I am wrong please correct me)
— contributed by: Nabeshin
- スタインベックはとともにヘミングウェイアメリカの大分な作家の一人だ。
Shouldnt the order here be:
スタインベックはヘミングウェイとともにアメリカの大分な作家の一人だ。
— contributed by: pausambeat
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: totomoni
tagJ: と共に
tagH: とともに
expE: as well as; with; along with; at the same time; when; as; while
noteE: As I'm recovering from my illness, my appetite is coming back.
JLPT: 3

Front: tohakagiranai
とは限らない (とはかぎらない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
とは限らない (とはかぎらない)
Meaning: not always, not necessarily
Example: expensive things are not always better
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- seems to be used in a couple of ways:
with [kanarazushimo]
A ga kanarazushimo B yori (adjective) tohakagiranai
高い物が[必ずしも]安いものより良いとは限らない。
Expensive things are not always better than cheap things.
お金持ちが必ずしも幸せとは限らない。
also with a verb
お金が幸福をもたらすとは限らない。
Money does not always bring happiness.
いつでも自分の思い通りにできるとは限らないよ。
You cannot always have your own way.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 高い物が必ずしも安いものより良いとは限らない。
Expensive things are not always better than cheap things.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あらゆる真実がいつでも語られるとは限らない。
All the truth is not to be told at all time.
— contributed by: dbx
- いつでも自分の思い通りにできるとは限らないよ。
You cannot always have your own way.
— contributed by: dbx
- うまい冗談を言うことはいつもたやすいとは限らない。
It is not always easy to make a good joke.
— contributed by: dbx
- おいしそうに見える食べ物が必ずしもおいしいとは限らない。
Delicious looking food doesn't necessarily taste good.
— contributed by: dbx
- お金が幸福をもたらすとは限らない。
Money does not always bring happiness.
— contributed by: dbx
- お金持ちが必ずしも幸せとは限らない。
The rich are not always happy.
— contributed by: dbx
- この法則はすべての場合に適用されるとは限らない。
This rule cannot be applied in every case.
— contributed by: dbx
- たとえ自分の思い通りにしたとしても、必ずしも成功するとは限らない。
Even if you have your own way, you will not always be successful.
— contributed by: dbx
- われわれは必ずしもあの星を肉眼で見られるとは限らない。
We cannot necessarily see the star with the naked eye.
— contributed by: dbx
- 偉大な学者が必ずしも良い先生であるとは限らない。
A great scholar is not necessarily a good teacher.
— contributed by: dbx
- 科学の進歩は必ずしも人類に利益をもたらすとは限らない。
Advances in science don't always benefit humanity.
— contributed by: dbx
- 科学の進歩は必ずしも人類に利益を与えるとは限らない。
Advances in science don't always benefit humanity.
— contributed by: dbx
- 科学技術が必要な物を何でも与えてくれるとは限らない。
I don't think that technology provides us with everything we need.
— contributed by: dbx
- 科学上の発見が、世の中を今までよりも良い場所にするとは限らない。
Scientific discoveries don't always make the world a better place.
— contributed by: dbx
- 近ごろでは、結婚の動機は必ずしも純粋とは限らない。例えばジェニファーを見てごらんよ。
These days, the motive for marriage is not necessarily pure. Take Jennifer for example.
— contributed by: dbx
- どの子供もリンゴが好きだとは限らない。
Not all children like apples.
— contributed by: karekano
- 金はそれ自体では必ずしも幸福をもたらすとは限らない。
Money, as such, does not always bring happiness.
— contributed by: karekano
- 金持ちは必ずしも幸福とは限らない。
The rich are not necessarily happy.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- kanarazushimo
User Comments
- Lit : Not limited to being [...]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 高い物_が_ is more natural in context.
— contributed by: Miki
- Is this like ...というわけではない [wakedehanai]？
— contributed by: yookoso
- Yes. とは限らない can be reaplced by (という）わけではない.
— contributed by: Miki
- Frequently appears with 必ずしも.
(Question: Could this be applied to nouns in this way: (これは鉛筆として使うとは限らない、マーカーとしても使えますよ。)? It isn't limited to the function of a pencil, it can also (perform the function of) a marker.
Something that isn't limited to one single use or function.)
— contributed by: LittleFish
- It's grammatically correct. 鉛筆 used also as マーカー…. If you mean a mechanical pencil, it should be シャーペン.
— contributed by: Miki
- ex #3836 - おいしそうに見える食べ物 could simply be　おいしそうな食べ物?
I'm more asking than correcting
— contributed by: geishaboy
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tohakagiranai
tagJ: とは限らない
tagH: とはかぎらない
expE: not always, not necessarily
noteE: expensive things are not always better
JLPT: 2

Front: niwatatte
にわたって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にわたって
Meaning: over; span(ning)
Example: His interests span many fields.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This grammar can be used to describe time, distance, or extent/scope.
FORMATION:
Ｎ + にわって・にわたり
Ｎ1 + にわたる + Ｎ2
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 時間的，空間的にその範囲全体に広がっていることをあらわす。
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 1月4日16時から1月6日20時頃にわたって一部のグリーティングカードが届いていないという障害が発生いたしました。
Over the period from Jan 4th, 4pm to Jan 6, 8pm a fault to the effect that some greetings cards have not been delivered has occured.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 東京から静岡にわたって地震がありました。
There was an earthquake which extended from Tokyo to Shizuoka.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 老後にわたって社会保険制度の安定が必要です。
The stability of a social security system extending into old age is necessary
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あの子は英語、ドイツ語、中国語、フランス語、日本語にわたっていろいろな言葉を知っています。
That child knows many languages ranging from English to German, French, Chinese and Japanese.
— contributed by: Archana
- ゲイツ氏は、今後10年間にわたって7億5000万ドルを寄付することにしました。
Gates has decided to donate 750 million dollars　 over the next ten years.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼のファンは三世代にわたっています。
His fans span three generations.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼の仕事は、その業界のあらゆる領域にわたっている。
His work runs the spectrum of the industry.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- この曲は現在数週間にわたってチャートの1位を記録しています。
The song has topped the charts for several weeks now.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- デモは、１０年間にわたって行われた。
Demonstrations occurred for a period of 10 years.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 人類は長い年月にわたって努力を重ね、ついに月へ飛行に成功した。
Mankind, during long months and years accumulated great effort, and finally went to the moon with success.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 参加国の首相による話し合いは、五回にわたっておこなわれた。
According to participating nations prime ministers, conferences occurred over five times.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- チンさんは病気のため、２か月にわたって学校をやすんだ。
Mr. Chin was due to sickness、he has absent from the school for two months.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 広範囲にわたった海の汚染が、問題になっている。
The pollution of the sea that extends widely becomes a problem.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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- tsuzukeru
- nihirogatte
User Comments
- More like "over the period, throughout the span, across the range"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- i think it has "crosses over" meaning too, as this phrase is sometimes used when revenue crosses over a breakeven point.
— contributed by: dc
- anyway, flagged.
— contributed by: dc
- Got an example for the "crosses over" meaing?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I am not sure if わたって has the meaning of "cross over." I think you use "越える" You would say 収益が損益分岐点を越えた when revenue crosses over a breakeven point.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Very similar to o tsuujite (2) and o tooshite, but only used for things that have finished. O tsuujite (2) and o tooshite are used for ongoing things. Always follows a noun.
— contributed by: dc
- I am thinking that にかわって means " in place of" ...please look at this sentence. 父にかわって、私が結婚式に出席しまた。This also follows the form of にかわり instead of.
— contributed by: curtis
- oops...wrong one...sorry
— contributed by: curtis
- If you are thinking of "わたって" as having the meaning of "cross-over," then わたって would have to be rendered as 渡って which would mean "cross over" as you do over the bridge.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- What's the difference with にかけて　?
— contributed by: ludi
- ludi, にわたって means "over" or "for" as in, "for over 10 years."
にかけて means "to" as in, "from January to April."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- [6880] should say hours not years in the English translation.
— contributed by: seanohagan
- Thanks for the comment seanohaganさん.
I fixed the Japanese version according to it.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- #5696 Changed from あの子は英語ドイツ語中国語フランスから日本語にわたって to あの子は英語、ドイツ語、中国語、フランス語、日本語にわたって
I am not sure if "knows many languages" means いろんな言葉をよくできます。Maybe いろいろな言葉を知っています。would be better.
— contributed by: Miki
- Can anyone explain the difference betweeen にわたる and にわたって？
Specifically, I am looking at a question that says ２年（　　　　）新しい道路の建設工事がやっと終わった。
I do not understand why にわたる is correct にわたって and is not, according to the answer key.
— contributed by: Shidare
- Here for the same reason as Shidare. Anyone?
newjlpt.com gives this:
名詞 + にわたって ・ にわたり
名詞 + にわたる + 名詞
But it doesn't seem consistent.
— contributed by: Seilann
- Shidareさん。
The reason why it is にわたる is because it defines what the noun is.
2年にわたる新しい道路の建設工事がやっと終わった
This can be separated like this:
建設工事 = Construction work
道路の建設工事 = Construction work of the highway
新しい道路の建設工事 = Construction work of the new highway
2年にわたる新しい道路の建設工事 = Construction work of the new highway that spanned 2 years
So the real noun here is 道路の建設工事, but 「2年にわたる新しい」defines some properties to the noun as well. This grammar is very common when you describe something about a noun. Other examples may be:
「これはネズミを食べる猫です」
This is a cat that eats mice.
You need to have the verb in it's dictionary form to define something about the noun that comes after ^^
— contributed by: yuuhi2525
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niwatatte
tagJ: にわたって
expE: over; span(ning)
expJ: の間(の); に広がって; の間続いて
noteE: His interests span many fields.
JLPT: 2

Front: nitaishite
に対して (にたいして)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に対して (にたいして)
Meaning: toward; to; in contrast to; whereas; in regard to; in; per
Example: Up until now, Japan has taken a closed policy toward foreign countries.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- に対して　：１．〜に、〜へ、〜に向けて
　　　　　　　　（動作の対象、方向を示す）
(towards, to)
　　　　　　 ２．対比を表す
(in contrast, in comparison)
— contributed by: 誠
- ＊「Ｎに対して」 is used to express someone's attitude/action toward someone/something as in example #6389; contrast/comparison as in example #6390; confrontation as in example #6391; interest as in example #6392; and the sense of 'per' as in example #6393.
＊「Ｎ1 に対して Ｎ2」 means 'N2 in regard to N1," as in example #62 (although, the 'a' in American should be capitalized). It can also mean 'against' as exemplified by example #6394.
＊「Ｎに対して」 and 「Ｎのに対して」 are different in meaning. The latter means 'whereas' (see example #6390), but the former doesn't.
FORMATION:
Ｎ + に対し(て)
Ｖ(plain form) + に対し(て)
いＡ + に対し(て)
なＡ(な/である/だった/であった) + のに対して
Ｎ1 + に(対する/対しての) + Ｎ2
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- アメリカでは離婚に対しての考え方が大分変わってきた。
In america attitudes toward divorce have greatly changed.
— contributed by: dc
- 先生に対して
towards ones teacher
— contributed by: dc
- 女性の地位はまだ低いのに対して欧米では比較的に高い。
womens position is quite low whereas in europe it is relatively high.
— contributed by: dc
- 話すのに対して
talked, whereas
— contributed by: dc
- これまで日本は外交に対して、閉鎖的な政策を取ってきた。
Up until now, Japanese has taken a closed policy toward foreign countries.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 日本の大学に入学するのが難しいのに対して、アメリカの大学は卒業するのが難しい。
Whereas entering university is difficult in Japan, graduating from university is difficult in America.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 市民は増税に対して強く反対してる。
The citizens are strongly opposed to the tax hike.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 私は政治に対して強い関心がある。
I have a strong interest in politics.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 手数料は一万円に対して、五百円です。
The commission charge will be 500 yen per 10,000 yen.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- その経済学者の説に(対する/対して)反論はなかった。
There wasn't a counterargument against the economist's thesis.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
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User Comments
- It seems that there are two basic meanings of に対して. First に対して by itself, which means 'regarding' or 'towards' (#62) and のに対して, which means "whereas" (#6390). do you think the two forms deserve separate entries?
— contributed by: sagittarius
- In ex #6392,慢心 should be correct to 関心.
In ex #6393, we would normally say 手数料は一万円について、五百円です, instead of 対して.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- bamboo4, why that difference? Is there a matter of different meanings?
— contributed by: Makai no Kitsune
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitaishite
tagJ: に対して
tagH: にたいして
expE: toward; to; in contrast to; whereas; in regard to; in; per
noteE: Up until now, Japan has taken a closed policy toward foreign countries.
JLPT: 2

Front: maeni
前に (まえに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
前に (まえに)
Meaning: before [action]
Example: before going to the UK
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb (dictionary form) + まえに
Noun + のまえに
(いちだん)
食べるまえに / (たべるまえに) Before eating
(ごだん)
行くまえに (いくまえに)Before going
Noun:
会議のまえに (かいぎのまえに) Before the meeting
— contributed by: jayupuro
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あなたが去る前には火を確実に消しなさい。
Be sure to put out the fire before you leave.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 試験を答える前に、指示を読んでください。
Before you answer the test please read the instructions first.
— contributed by: eastmael
- 朝ご飯を食べる前に手を洗って
Wash your hands before eating your breakfast
— contributed by: Xero
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User Comments
- [noun] 前に is a different kettle of fish
— contributed by: Amatuka
- kettle of fish : 困った事態｛じたい｝、混乱｛こんらん｝した状態｛じょうたい｝、事柄｛ことがら｝、問題｛もんだい｝
— contributed by: Miki
- It's also "horse of a different color."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- we don't discrimate against horses of color :)
— contributed by: dc
- oops. coloUr
— contributed by: dc
- horse of a different colo(u)r :
全く別の事柄、全然別の事柄、全然別の問題
　(^_^;)お勉強になります。
— contributed by: Miki
- bird of a different feather も言う!
— contributed by: dc
- Comparing apples and oranges
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I really dunno what u guys are talking about :'(
— contributed by: Belle
- Belle, All expressions are similar to 'kettle of fish'. I'd be the only one studying English in this site. hehe f(^_^;)
— contributed by: Miki
- I like to say "a different brand of tobacco"
or "from a different planet" and if that doesn`t get the point across, I`ll throw a little "a completely different kind of animal" into the mix........
— contributed by: Gren
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: maeni
tagJ: 前に
tagH: まえに
expE: before [action]
noteE: before going to the UK
JLPT: 3

Front: nioite
に於いて (において)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に於いて (において)
Meaning: at/on/in this case
Example: in london
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- used to relate to circumstances. Often used with 場合
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この場合において、乙は改変部分に関する著作権等の権利主張を行なわない。
In this case, Party A will not insist on retaining copyright of the part that is changed
— contributed by: dc
- 英語は商業において役に立つ。
English is useful in commerce.
— contributed by: dc
- 科学技術において、大きな革命が起こった。
A great revolution has taken place in technology.
— contributed by: dc
- 科学技術において革命が起きた。
A revolution has occurred in technology.
— contributed by: dc
- 過去において高齢者たちは人生の様々な問題を解決するときのエキスパートと考えられていた。
In the past, the old used to be looked upon as experts in solving various problems of life.
— contributed by: dc
- 過去において女性は他の選択の余地はほとんどなかった。
Women had little choice in the past.
— contributed by: dc
- 概して、トムはやることほとんど全てにおいてのんびりした人間だ。
By and large, Tom is an easy going person in almost everything he does.
— contributed by: dc
- 気候の違いのため、同種の穀物が国の北部、東部においては収穫されていない。
Because of the difference in climate, the same crop is not cultivated in the North and East of the country.
— contributed by: dc
- 教育において試験が大きな役割を果たしている。
Examinations play a large part in education.
— contributed by: dc
- 極端に走ってはいけない。適度であることは何ごとにおいても大切である。
Don't go to extremes. To be moderate is important in anything.
— contributed by: dc
- 空気の質は過去数年において悪化した。
The air quality has deteriorated these past few years.
— contributed by: dc
- 私の責任においてこの計画を進めます。
On my own responsibility, I will go on with this plan.
— contributed by: dc
- 私の知る限りにおいては、湖はここが一番深い。
The lake is deepest here in so far as I know.
— contributed by: dc
- 私はみな、人生において成功を収めようとするが、成功するのは、きわめて数少ない人たちである。
We all try hard to make the grade in life, but only a few succeed.
— contributed by: dc
- 試みはだいたいにおいて失敗だった。
The attempts were for the most part unsuccessful.
— contributed by: dc
- 自分の責任において何でも行いなさい。
Do everything at your own risk.
— contributed by: dc
- 自由社会においては個人の権利は重要である。
The rights of the individual are important in a free society.
— contributed by: dc
- 実質上、我々が関わるすべての活動において、学習が行われるのだろう。
Learning probably takes place in virtually every activity in which we take part.
— contributed by: dc
- 郵便局に何度も足を運ばなくてもよいように切手を沢山手元においてある。
I keep a good supply of stamps to save trips to the post office.
— contributed by: dc
- 恋と戦争においてはすべてが正当である。
All's fair in love and war.
— contributed by: dc
- 当時においては、海外旅行など夢のようなことだった。
In those days , overseas journey and the like where really like dreams.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 最近は職場だけではなく家庭においてもパャRンが使われている。
Nowadays personal computer is used not only at workplace, but also at home .
— contributed by: 赤毛
- アメリカは宇宙技術において進んでいる。
America is ahead in space technology.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- also written as における
— contributed by: dc
- The sample is ok.
— contributed by: Miki
- I think this should be deleted as it is the same as [niokeru] じゃないか？
— contributed by: dc
- They originally consist of ni + oku. Usage are slightly different. So the same entry would be easier to understand the difference.
— contributed by: anon
- i think this is different from [niokeru], which can also be shortened to nioite.
における is at a physical place. This nioite relates more to an abstract place/situation. similar, but different?
— contributed by: dc
- #5116 is out of place when compaed with the rest of the examples.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- How about the translation 'regarding'? This seems to fit most cases better than the suggestions given at the top.
— contributed by: danielredgate
- Please help me to understand the difference between nioite and niokeru.
— contributed by: SB
- それは私の人生における、最良の日であった。
会議は第一会議室において、行われる。
— contributed by: ashishjoshi
- Are "ni oite" and "ni totte" synonymous? It seems like there are instances where the meanings overlap.
— contributed by: Apollo_Lycos
- Ni oite = in (this context/ubication) ~
Ni totte = for (this subgroup of people) X applies.
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nioite
tagJ: に於いて
tagH: において
expE: at/on/in this case
noteE: in london
JLPT: 2

Front: miseru
みせる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
みせる
Meaning: am determined to
Example: I will definitely become President
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今年こそは修士論文を書き上げてみせる。
This very year or never, I'm going to finish my MA thesis, if you will.
— contributed by: dc
- 読んでみせる
I'm going to read it, if you will.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- どんな手を使ってでも勝ちとってみせる。
I win by all means.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私はどんな困難にも耐えてみせる。
I'm sure I can overcome any difficulty.
— contributed by: dbx
- 石にかじりついても成功してみせる。
I will succeed at any cost.
— contributed by: dbx
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- miseru-2 (みせる, to show, same base but without the challenge.)
- youni-suru ([miseru] seems stronger - "definitely" whereas [youni] is more like "will try")
User Comments
- the will read ex is more a usage example - note the [Vte] in boxes. i decided to skip a big coding exercise and use the existing structure to include basic grammar usage too.
— contributed by: dc
- This is an [auxillary verb] (or however you're going to categorize "verb-te aux-verb"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- not to be confused with 見せかける, to pretend/feign or have outward appearance (usually used for things though)
— contributed by: dc
- ...してみせる is a very difficult concept to convey. I am not sure that there is an English equivalent.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- After thinking about it at length, I scrap verything I said and decided that the best Japanese equivlant is "if you will."
That's not exactly the concept behind みせる but I think it is what I would say if I am speaking in English.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- what about simply "i'll show you! [...]"?
— contributed by: rasmusjp
- "i'll show you! [...]"? sounds like a really easy way to remember this. i wonder if its accurate translation of the mood...
— contributed by: dc
- in many movies and comics that i translate(d), みせる is usually said by annoyed youths, so the mood might as well be the same :)
— contributed by: Kaens
- This is a tricky one. I think that the translation into "I'll show you" is good - except that you wouldn't really say that in English.
It is a form used when you have something to prove, or the desire to show someone that you can/will do (whatever).
That said, in English there is no set phrase commonly uttered aloud to express that feeling.
(Other than "I'll show you/him/her/them!", but that is more often said to one's self, rather than to another.
Compare
りんごを食べる！　
- I will eat an apple
りんごを食べてみせる！
- I will eat an apple (*while thinking* ...and show you! You said I couldn't, so this will show you how wrong you are!)
— contributed by: skottt
- There are plenty of good translations in English.
The phrases "Just you wait!" and "You'll see!" pop immediately to mind, in terms of phrases you can use when you've got something to prove.
The only difference? It's not in vogue in America to directly convey that you have something to prove -- has a bit of the air of a children's cartoon.
As a result, both of the phrases above, while a good translation, are mostly only used in a silly or archaic fashion in English.
For instance, when I make fun of my girlfriend, she always replies defiantly, "One day I'll show you, you big lout!"
You could translate that to "Itsuka Utte miseru!" (The "utsu" verb for exacting revenge, I forget the kanji)
It's archaic language used to convey a silly effect, not because the words are "old fashioned" but because the *feeling behind them* isn't one that English speakers like to directly express.
— contributed by: Televangelist
- can it be thought of in contrast with ~てみる　[...do and see]? if so would the translation of ~てもせる be [... do and show]?
— contributed by: gandal
- how about this for a simpler explanation. the verb 見せる means to show. so してみせる　could best be translated as I will see (because I will show you).
Ex
今年、僕は大学を卒業してみせる｡
You will see, This year I will graduate.
— contributed by: tigert
- How about "too" as in, I will too eat the apple!
— contributed by: db
- "if you will" doesn't convey the right mood I think. It seems quite weak to me.
I like the "too" idea from db. I also think stressing "am" or "will" works as well.
Or maybe "damn well" or "sure as hell".
— contributed by: seanohagan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: miseru
tagJ: みせる
expE: am determined to
noteE: I will definitely become President
JLPT: 1

Front: naidehairarenai
ないではいられない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ないではいられない
Meaning: cannot help but, cannot stop doing
Example: cannot help but drink alcohol
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- FORMATION:
Ｖない + ではいられない
＊Verbs only! This grammar uses negatives twice to express a very strong positive meaning. For example, "I can't NOT drink." Of course, double negatives are taboo in correct English, so you can use translations such as "cannot help but," "cannot stop -ing," and "cannot help wanting to 〜."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 買い物せずにはいられない。
I can't help but buy stuff.
— contributed by: dc
- ストレスが溜まった時は酒を飲まないではいられない。
When I get stressed I can't help but drink sake .
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたにキスをしないでいられません。
I can't help kissing you .
— contributed by: dc
- あの映画を見れば、だれでも感動せずにはられないだろう。
Anybody who sees that movie can't help being moved .
— contributed by: vitorhadad
- ふられた後で、泣かずにはいられなかった。
After being dumped, I but couldn't help but to cry.
— contributed by: vitorhadad
- 彼のもの真似を見るとおかしくて、笑わないではいられない。
If you watch his mimicry, its funny and anyhow (it makes) you laugh.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 私は、捨てられた子犬や子猫を見ると、助けたあげないではいられない。
When I see a stray dog or cat, I can't help but rescue them.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- ダイエットをしているのに、食後には甘いものを食べないではいられない。
Even though I'm dieting, I can't help but eat something sweet after a meal.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 困っている人を見たら、助けずにはいられない。
If I see worried people, I can't help but rescue them.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 決して夢をあきらめない彼の生き方をみていると、私は感動しないではいられない。
When I intend to look his way of life, deciding he won't give up his dreams, I can't help but being deeply moved emotionally.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 失礼ことがあった時に、詫びずにはいられない。
when there things that are impolite, can not help but to apologize.
— contributed by: belajar
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User Comments
- I know this can be argued over, but in most cases, wouldn't the 酒 in ex #562 be understood as "alcohol" (any alcohol), rather than specifically "sake"? I've always heard 日本酒 used for "sake"...
Might be a generational thing, though.
— contributed by: drdave
- I give ex#6713 and #6714 because I think this grammar entry is very close of the [irarenai] one.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Dr Dave, I agree with you on that one, 酒を飲む just means to drink alcohol. so the speaker isn`t specifying what kind he/she is drinking just that he/she drinks whens their stressed.
— contributed by: tigert
- >drdave< I agree with you too.
Meanwhile, I am not familiar with this grammar pattern. Can someone confirm a literal translation for me? in other words, can someone tell me if it is 入るor要るor居る...or none of the above.
>赤毛< I am not sure that I can agree with your entries. I think that those are just 可能系 of いる, that is different from this pattern, which uses a double negative for emphasis. It doesn't seem wise to mix examples in just because they seem similar.
— contributed by: emilyjuno
- EmilyJunoさん: どうもすみません。I moved my examples to ex 6736 and ex 6737 of entry [irarenai]. I changed my example #6713 and #6714 so there is a double negative. I used zunihairarenai here instead of in normal entry [zunihairarenai] but Dcさん and VitorHadadさん did it too.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- No big change in meaning, but based on the Unicom JLPT book and taking into account the negative construction of this grammar, maybe "it's hard not to..." would be a better translation of this grammar
— contributed by: PurpleMoose
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naidehairarenai
tagJ: ないではいられない
expE: cannot help but, cannot stop doing
noteE: cannot help but drink alcohol
JLPT: 2

Front: miseru-2
みせる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
みせる
Meaning: to show
Example: I was ashamed to show my face
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私は彼に顔を見せるのが恥かしかった。
I was ashamed to show my face to him.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そんな手紙を私に見せるなんて、どうかしてるのとちがう？
Your head must be unscrewed to show me such a letter!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- テッド叔父さんはパンダを見せるために、私たちを動物園へ連れて行った。
Uncle Ted took us to the zoo in order to show us the pandas.
— contributed by: Miki
- 今の学生に暇な時間がもっとあれば、政治にもっと関心を見せるかもしれない。
If students today had more free time, they might show more interest in politics.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私が買ったばかりの車を君に見せるよ。
I'll show you the car I've just bought.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私はあなたに見せる写真がある。
I have some pictures to show you.
— contributed by: Miki
- 自分の本当の感情を見せることは、日本では美徳とは考えられていない。
Showing your real feelings is not considered a virtue in Japan.
— contributed by: Miki
- 手の内を見せるな。
Don't show them your hand.
— contributed by: Miki
- 乗客は全員切符を見せることが要求される。
All passengers are required to show their tickets.
— contributed by: Miki
- 切り札は最後まで見せるな。見せるなら、さらに奥の手を待て。
Keep that ace up your sleeve. If you show it, do you think you can reach for another?
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼がいつか姿を見せることは確実だ。
He is certain to turn up some time.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女は背を高く見せるためにハイヒールをはいている。
She wears high heels to make herself look taller.
— contributed by: Miki
- 僕らは、彼が土曜の午後に姿を見せるのを期待している。
We expect him to show up on Saturday afternoon. [M]
— contributed by: Miki
- 手の内をみせるな。
Don't show them your [card] hand.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 天候は回復のきざしを見せている。
The skies are showing (displaying) signs of clearing.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女はグラフをコンピュータ画面に出して見せた。
She displayed the chart on the computer screen.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は消火活動の際にすばらしい勇敢を見せた。
He showed great courage in fighting the fire.
— contributed by: karekano
- 入り口で会員証を見せなくてはなりません。
You have to show your membership card at the door.
— contributed by: karekano
- あなたの新しい車を見せてくれませんか
Will you show me your new car?
— contributed by: karekano
- 腕のどこを怪我したのか医者に見せなさい。
Show the doctor where your arm is injured.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼を私にバンジョーを弾いて見せた。
He showed me how to play the banjo.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- You don't normally 読んでみせる to a baby. 読んであげる, you do.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- "読んであげる, you do" that sounds very new york jewish word order somehow! that food, I want it! maybe yiddish and japanese has a lot in common grammatically...
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: miseru-2
tagJ: みせる
expE: to show
noteE: I was ashamed to show my face
JLPT: 2

Front: narini
なりに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なりに
Meaning: in one's own way, one's own style
Example: she has her own way of doing it
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p66 - no.59
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p559
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私は私なりに人生観を持っています。
I have my own outlook on life.
— contributed by: dc
- 動物は動物なりのコミュニケーションが出来る
Animals have their own way of communicating
— contributed by: dc
- 子供は子供なりに自分の世界を持っているものだ
Kids have kids own world
— contributed by: dc
- そうなら、それなりにやってみてください。
If that is so, then try to do it accordingly (in line with that).
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 言うなりになる。
End up according to (as) what one has been told.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あの国では、私は外国人だったのでそれなりに扱われた。
In that country I was a foreigner and was treated as such.
— contributed by: dbx
- このプッシュホンもそれなりに役に立つのが分かった。
This push-button phone turned out to be useful in its way.
— contributed by: dbx
- すべての幸福な家庭という物はお互いに似通っているが、不幸な家庭という物はそれぞれそれなりに違った不幸があるものだ。
All happy families resemble each other, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
— contributed by: dbx
- その絵はそれなりによくできている。
The picture is good in its way.
— contributed by: dbx
- タケオは彼なりに良いやつだ。
Takeo is quite a good fellow in his way.
— contributed by: dbx
- テレビの漫画は、それなりに教育的だと言う人もいる。
Some people say that cartoons on television are educational in themselves.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私は若い頃にたくさん本を読んだので、それなりに物知りだ。
I read a lot of books in my youth; I am a scholar in my own way.
— contributed by: dbx
- 人の価値は持ち物というより人となりにある。
A man's worth lies not so much in what he has as in what he is.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼にもそれなりに恐いものがある。
He has his own collection of phobias.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼の言いなりになるくらいなら、独りで暮らした方がましだ。
I would rather live by myself than do as he tells me to do.
— contributed by: dbx
- 収入が増えれば増えたなりに、支出も多くなっていく。
@As~
— contributed by: khongbietboi
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User Comments
- not to be confused with nari~nari which is more like, for example...
— contributed by: dc
- this might be easier to remember in english by using the same repetition
<b>kids</b> have <b>kids</b> own...
<b>he</b> has <b>his</b> own...
— contributed by: dc
- hmm That means there is only one 'have' in the first example?
— contributed by: Miki
- oops. eagle eyes!
— contributed by: dc
- なりに does not always mean "one's own way" as shown by my example.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- なり could mean "accroding to" as shown in my examples, and it also could mean "even though not entirely satisfactory, but corresponding to the capability that one has" that could be equal to "one's own way" in a broad sense. However, don't forget that there is this modesty that is at the root of なりに.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex# 3611 人となり is one word.
— contributed by: Miki
- >miki ↑ which one word? 人となり you mean one 字 ?
or as spoken it is a set phrase?
— contributed by: dc
- I think Miki is referring to the fact that 人となり in the sense it is used in #3611 is a single word - also written 為人, meaning "inborn character" - rather than an example of the なりに phrase.
— contributed by: srobertson
- srobertson's comment is what I wanted to say. ;)
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: narini
tagJ: なりに
expE: in one's own way, one's own style
noteE: she has her own way of doing it
JLPT: 1

Front: tehajimete
て初めて (てはじめて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
て初めて (てはじめて)
Meaning: not until, only after
Example: only after coming to japan
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This means that it was not until a certain trigger event took place that another action/situation occurred.
— contributed by: lilipandavip
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ２、３日たって初めて彼が到着した。
It was not until a few days later that he arrived.
— contributed by: dbx
- ２０才になって初めて、彼女は歌手になろうと決心した。
She did not decide to be a singer until she reached the age of twenty.
— contributed by: dbx
- あとになって初めて、それをやった理由を彼は説明した。
Only afterward did he explain why he did it.
— contributed by: dbx
- ずっと後になって初めて私は子供の教育の大切さを理解するようになりました。
It was only much later that I came to understand the importance of child education.
— contributed by: dbx
- そして１４歳になって初めてピアノに触れたのです。
And I was fourteen years old before I touched a piano for the first time.
— contributed by: dbx
- その時になって初めて私たちが置かれている危険にきづいた。
Only then did I see the danger we were in . .
— contributed by: dbx
- その時になって初めて私は危険な事態に気がついたのである。
Not till then did I realize the danger of the situation.
— contributed by: dbx
- つい最近になって初めて彼女は考えを変えた。
It was only recently that she changed her mind.
— contributed by: dbx
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- teirai
- tekoso
User Comments
- ex#584 We usually say えっ for うぇ Eh.
— contributed by: Miki
- ex #3568 should end with きづいた　(気づく)
— contributed by: Tan
- can you post simple example sentences
— contributed by: majorie
- This grammar point is listed in the Shin Kanzen Master N2 Grammar book (pg.16).
— contributed by: Akhety
- jisho.org list the second definition of Hajimete as: only after...is..; only when..do you after the te form of a verb. I am finding it confusing and like Majorie said could you please list some simple example sentences. Thanks
— contributed by: janisu
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tehajimete
tagJ: て初めて
tagH: てはじめて
expE: not until, only after
noteE: only after coming to japan
JLPT: 1

Front: teshouganai; tetamaranai
てしょうがない; てたまらない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
てしょうがない; てたまらない
Meaning: Can't help but 〜; Extremely 〜; Very 〜
Example: Due to a lack of sleep, I can't help but be exhausted.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊しようがない is also acceptable sometimes, but this grammar is much more widely written as しょうがない.
＊てたまらない is stronger than てしょうがない, but the two are otherwise interchangeable.
＊てしょうがない should express feelings, sentiments, mentality, or desire. For example:
1. 疲れる -> 疲れてしょうがない
2. 痛い -> 痛くてしようがない・痛くてたまらない
3. 残念 -> 残念でしようがない・残念でたまらない
FORMATION:
Ｖ・いＡ（て forms) + しょうがない・たまらない
なＡ + で + しょうがない・たまらない
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 睡眠不足のせいで眠くてしょうがない。
because of a lack of sleep, I am soo sleepy.
— contributed by: dc
- しょうがないとおもうよ
I think that it cannot be helped.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 彼の発言は他に解釈のしようがない。
His remarks allow no other interpretation.
— contributed by: adamstudio
- 誕生と死との間を享楽する以外には、この両者に対して回復の手の施しようがない。
With the exception of enjoying the time in between, there is nothing we can do about the fact of birth and death.
— contributed by: adamstudio
- 最近お腹が空いてしょうがない。
Lately, I have been extremely hungry.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 勉強が楽しくてしょうがないという人もいるんですか。信じられませんね。
Are there people who really enjoy studying? Unbelievable.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 今日は何もすることがなくて、ひまでしょうがない。
I have nothing to do today. I'm so bored.
— contributed by: hana
- いい成績が取れる、うれしくてしょうがない。
I'm so happy that I was able to get a good score.
— contributed by: hana
- ひどい天気だけどしようがない。
We have to put up with the bad weather.
— contributed by: karekano
- 今出かけてもしようがない。
It is not worth while starting now.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- shouldn't it be "shiyo ga nai", not shou ga nai,
— contributed by: your name
- According to Daijirin, both ways are ok.
— contributed by: Miki
- しょう＝しよ　？
— contributed by: dc
- しよう（仕様）がない（無い）
— contributed by: Miki
- The title should be "shiyou ga nai" and て should be deleted.
I have added an example. NOte that しようがない is commonly pronounced as "shoo ga nai."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #5458 in Japanese is weird. Also, in #276, "tired" should be "sleepy."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- しょうがない on its own is a sort of idiom meaning "Can't be helped," but because this is a grammar entry, it should be emphasized that しょうがない is correctly used in a sentence when it follows て or で. So, てしょうがない is a proper grammar entry title. In that case, example #939 is simply a conversational use of the idiom and doesn't belong in this entry.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: teshouganai; tetamaranai
tagJ: てしょうがない; てたまらない
expE: Can't help but 〜; Extremely 〜; Very 〜
noteE: Due to a lack of sleep, I can't help but be exhausted.
JLPT: 2

Front: tosuru
とする
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
とする
Meaning: assume, regard X as ~ , suppose
Example: if we assume that n=1
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本へ行くとすれば
If we assume that we go to japan
— contributed by: dc
- 温度は一定であるとする。
We assume that temperature is constant.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたが立派な世界市民になろうとするなら、偏見は持たないように努力すべきである。
If you are to be a good world citizen, you should try to be free of any prejudices.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私たちは みな、 人生に おいて 成功を 収めようとするが、成功するのは、きわめて 数少ない人たちである。
We all try hard to make the grade in life, but only a few succeed.
— contributed by: rolando
- 進んで学ぼうとする気の無い物には教える甲斐がない。
One who is not willing to learn is not worth teaching.
— contributed by: rolando
- 歩こうとするとここがズキンとします。
When I try to walk, I get an awful pain here.
— contributed by: rolando
- 労働者たちにはもっと働こうとする刺激がなにもない。
The workers have no incentive to work harder.
— contributed by: rolando
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User Comments
- 温度は一定であるとする。is more natural.
— contributed by: Miki
- OK, done.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 仮定する (katei suru) I think also means "to assume"
— contributed by: dc
- ひょっとする = perhaps
— contributed by: dc
- about ex #4191:
i tought that the form [-ou to suru] meant "to be in a process of" or "try to do".
— contributed by: NutritiveSoul
- what about ~ta to suru??
— contributed by: Hakeem
- hakeem - can you give an example please?
— contributed by: dc
- [ou to suru] perhaps you mean [youni-suru]
maybe [ou-tosuru] would be "if you try.." which we have also as [toshitara]
— contributed by: dc
- I believe Ex. 6406 has the wrong "mono" kanji in it. Sorry I can't type Japanese on this computer, but I'm sure you know what I mean : )
— contributed by: Lorenz
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tosuru
tagJ: とする
expE: assume, regard X as ~ , suppose
noteE: if we assume that n=1
JLPT: 1

Front: totan(ni)
途端（に） (とたん（に）)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
途端（に） (とたん（に）)
Meaning: as soon as, the instant
Example: as soon as I opened the door
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 「Aたとたん、B」: After doing A, or after A happened, almost simultaneously, B occurred. B is an abnormal/unusual event that happens suddenly. The case where B is a strange incident occurs often.
Vた形 + とたん
Vた形 + とたんに (used as an adverb) See example #75 and example #6204.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- This is a noun/adverb which expresses the idea that something occured the moment or took place..
example ..
ドアがあけた東端にカレーの匂いがした。
The moment I opened the door, I smelled curry.
— contributed by: brij_shukla2000
- VB た/ その/ VBたら, + 途端に
｛→と同時に｝
-> the action in PS takes place very soon or simultaneously with the action in PP
?-> PP - uncontrolable action, although when the SBJ of the VB is a 3rd person, a controlable VB in PP is acceptable
ex:＊私は先生の顔を見たとたん、立ち上がった。
　I stood up the moment I saw my techer. (wrong use)
ex:洋子さんは先生の顔を見たとたん、立ち上がった。
?->　その can precede TOTAN, この　and　あの　cannnot
ex：助かったと思った。そのとたん（に）、力が抜けて気を失ってしまった。I thought I was saved; then (lit: in that moment), my strenght was gone and I lost conscience.
-> と同時に　expresses the simmilar idea；does not have the restricions described in ?
[A]a)　先生の顔を{見たとたん・見ると同時に}宿題があったことを思い出した。
　b）＊私は 先生の顔を{見ると同時に・*みたとたん}立ち上がった。
-> と同時に expresses concurent states, while とたん is used only for actions
ex:群衆が遠くに｛見えると同時に・＊見えたとたんに｝太鼓の音も聞こえる。A crowd can be seen in the distance and, at the same time, drums can be heared.
-> と同時に can be preceded by Nouns& Adj,とたん no
— contributed by: deeana
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 疲れていたので、ベッドに入ったとたんに、眠ってしまった。
I was tired, so I fell asleep as soon as I got into bed.
— contributed by: dc
- 座った途端
the moment someone sat down
— contributed by: dc
- 犯人は警官の姿を見たとたん逃げ出した。
As soon as the criminal saw the policemans appearance, he started to run off.
— contributed by: d4
- 店に入ったとたん、いいにおいがした。急にお腹が空いてきた。
As soon as I entered the store, I smelled something good. I suddenly got hungry.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 一日中歩き回ってくたびれていたので、布団に入ったとたんに眠ってしまった。
Because I was worn out from walking around all day, I instantly fell asleep as soon as I got into the futon.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
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Related Grammar
- kanaikanouchini
- tatokoro (〜たところ can be used similarly to 〜たとたん but the latter is definitely 'timelike' and (IMO) more firmly 'instant'.)
User Comments
- the ーた　seems to be the verb plain past ending, so i imagine this can only be used for past events. eg
見るとたとたん　> as soon as I will see it
is wrong?
— contributed by: dc
- As you guessed 見るとたとたん is weird. I cannot make an example for "as soon as I will see it". Maybe, you cannot use とたん for future event.
— contributed by: Miki
- hmm できた。Please correct the English.
それを見ると、途端に、目が見えなくなる。sorewo miruto, totanni mega mienakunaru. As soon as you see it, you will lose your eyesight. ....
新品でも、開けると途端に中古になる。shinpin demo, akeruto totanni cyuuko ninaru. If it is brand-new, as soon as you open it, it becoms used.
— contributed by: Miki
- It would be easier if you could write the example also in romaji. The little box are very good but there are so many way of reading a kanji that I don｡ｭt know which to use for the sentence.
— contributed by: Futaro
- Surely you can use たとたん for future events:
先生はいつもベルが鳴ったとたんに、教室に入ってくる。「完全マスター」
— contributed by: sagittarius
- also, what is the difference in use between たとたん and たとたんに?
— contributed by: sagittarius
- sagittarius's exmplae express a habit, isn'it? Not a future event. た途端に may not be used for future events but is used for gussing events. eg 「先生はベルが鳴ったとたんに、教室に入ってくるよ。」or 入ってきますよ。 (chime) キンコンカンコン・キンコンカンコン 「ほら、来た。」
— contributed by: Miki
- とたん（途端）is often with に and used adverbially. so if you add に to #961, there would be a folloing sentence. 座ったとたんに、お茶をひっくり返した。The moment he sat down, he knocked over a cup.
— contributed by: Miki
- Example 75 needs a little correction:
it's ベッド　not ベット
— contributed by: Marcel
- [ex #75] corrected.
[ex #961] seems a good improvement.
In the notes,
東端【とうたん】(n) east end, eastern tip
is used instead of
途端【とたん】(n) just (now, at the moment, etc.).
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Deeanaさん　your grammar note looks like its well thought out and could be a great explination of this point, but I cannot make it past the short hand. whats the PS and PP?
— contributed by: tigert
- Tigertさん, I think that PP and PS refer to french grammar. Proposition Principale in french, also called main clause in english, is the part wich ends the sentence in japanese. Proposition Subordonnee, also called dependent clause in english, is the part wich comes first in japanese. Clause is 文節 in japanese.
Ex: お弁当を食べた学生が公園に行った。
お弁当を食べた->PS
学生が公園に行った。->PP
In other terms, PS is the part before とたん, and PP is the last part of the sentence.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- We have two entries たとたん and とたん（に） but if we look, this examples are almost all of them たとたん. Why don`t we merge both entries? Is it really necessary to have two different entries?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: totan(ni)
tagJ: 途端（に）
tagH: とたん（に）
expE: as soon as, the instant
noteE: as soon as I opened the door
JLPT: 2

Front: wakedehanai
わけではない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
わけではない
Meaning: It does not (necessarily) mean that 〜; I don't mean that 〜; It is not (true) that 〜; It is not the case that 〜
Example: It doesn't necessarily mean he understood.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- -> negates what one would generally conclude from the previous statements or situation
=it does not (necessarily)mean that~; it does not (necessarily) follow that~
— contributed by: deeana
- ＊わけではない sentences and their context (whether before or after) are often connected by conjunctions like が and しかし.
FORMATION:
いＡ + わけではない
なＡ + な + わけではない
Ｖ(plain form) + わけではない
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- [N]失敗というわけではない
it does not mean that it was a failure.
— contributed by: dc
- 全然見込みがないわけではないが、あまり期待はしない方がいいでしょう
it does not mean that there is no hope, but you'd better not expect too much
— contributed by: dc
- あいつは馬鹿というわけではないがそれにしても、やってることはどうかなあ。
While I am not saying he is stupid, I have my doubts when I look at what he is actually doing.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 世界中の人が同じ言語を話すわけではないので、現在、翻訳に多くの努力が費やされている。
Because people in the world don't speak the same language, much effort is now devoted to translation.
— contributed by: Miki
- あの男しかいないわけではないよ。
He is not the only pebble on the beach.
— contributed by: Miki
- あれは全く誤りというわけではない。
That is not altogether false.
— contributed by: Miki
- 今日はとりわけ暑いというわけではない。
It is not especially hot today.
— contributed by: Miki
- この規則はあらゆる場合に適用されるわけではない。
This rule can not be applied to every case.
— contributed by: Miki
- これらの卵が全部新鮮というわけではない。
It is not that all these eggs are fresh.
— contributed by: Miki
- すべての人が若い頃の夢を実現できるわけではない。
Not everyone can realize the dreams of his youth.
— contributed by: Miki
- 知り合いになれて嬉しくないってわけじゃないんだよ。
It's not that I'm not happy to meet you.
— contributed by: xabre24
- 人間は働くために生まれてきたわけではない。
It's not true that people were born in order to work.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 退院しましたが、病気が治って退院したわけではないんです。
I was discharged from the hospital, but it doesn't mean I was cured and discharged.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 梅雨には雨が降るけれど、ザーザー強く降るわけではありません。
It rains during the rainy season, but it doesn't necessarily rain hard.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- すべてが私の責任というわけではありません。
That is not altogether my fault.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は必ずしもすべての質問に答えたわけではない。
She did not answer all the questions.
— contributed by: karekano
- 金がすべてというわけではない。
Money isn`t everything.
— contributed by: karekano
- その会は特に出席がよいわけではなかった。
The meeting was not particularly well attended.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Used similarly to "That's not to say that ___"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I read manga for practice, and this phrase appears frequently in some form or another. I see it frequently when there has been some form of a misunderstanding (そういう訳じゃない、よ！)
— contributed by: LittleFish
- that might be the opposite of という訳で (for that reason) but also used for summing up meetings. See [wake]
— contributed by: dc
- Also you can say, というわけではありません
I feel わけではない is heavier maybe becuase it clearly denied with ない.
— contributed by: Miki
- #4195 This わけではない is different usage.
— contributed by: Miki
- This is 2kyuu
— contributed by: Bakurosareta
- Grade corrected
— contributed by: teska
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wakedehanai
tagJ: わけではない
expE: It does not (necessarily) mean that 〜; I don't mean that 〜; It is not (true) that 〜; It is not the case that 〜
noteE: It doesn't necessarily mean he understood.
JLPT: 2

Front: nihokanaranai
にほかならない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にほかならない
Meaning: nothing but; merely; none other than
Example: War is nothing but death.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This is an expression of a strong conclusion or decision. It can only be used with nouns.
＊ほかならぬ means "very important" or "none other." For example:
ほかならぬあなたの頼みだから、聞かないわけにはいきません。
"I can't help but listen since it's a request from none other than you."
FORMATION:
Ｎ + にほかならない
ほかならぬ + Ｎ
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- PLAIN FORMS (Verb, i/na Adjectives, Noun) + にほかならない
But in case of Noun an na-Adjective だ　is not added
There are also Noun/na-Adjective + である
when expressing reason から　can also be added
— contributed by: missshapoooo
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 戦争は死にほかならない。
war is nothing else but death
— contributed by: dc
- ここでやめるのは敗北を認めることにほかならない。
To quit now only means that we have conceded defeat.
— contributed by: dc
- シャルルマーニュの目的はまさにローマ帝国の栄光を取り戻すことにほかならなかった
The aim of Charlemagne was no less than to regain the glory of Imperial Rome
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 世界の歴史は自由意識の進歩にほかならない
The history of the world is none other than the progress of the consciousness of freedom.
— contributed by: dc
- この仕事が成功したのは皆さんのご協力の結果にほかなりません。
Success in this job is the result of everybody's cooperation.
— contributed by: Meghana
- その問題についていろいろな意見が出ているが、それは、みんなが関心を持ってい るからにほかならない.
It is because everyone has the concern though various opinions of the problem have come out.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼が他ならぬ大統領である。
He is no less a person than the President.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼をなぐったのは他ならぬ私だったのです。
It was me （I) that struck him.
— contributed by: karekano
- 失敗は初めての成功にほかならない。
the failure is nothing but the beginning of success.
— contributed by: belajar
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User Comments
- Teh example I added can also be translated as "To quit now means nothing else but to concede on our defeat."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- in english i think it would be just "conceded defeat" so edited your entry slightly...
— contributed by: dc
- Is it not "we would have conceded defeat"?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex#3122　シャルルマーニュ = Charles the Great チャールズ大帝 = カール大帝 Karl der Grosse. I think カール大帝is most popular as we learnt it during complusory education at Japan's school.
— contributed by: your name
- the word "concede" itself means acknowledging defeat. so concede defeat is wrong
— contributed by: devricha
- According to the book Im studing, its also possible to use it with verbs too, although in the description says it can only be used with adjectives.
— contributed by: Kitsunechan
- As it is not に　+ 他ならぬ,　I`m note sure if the　examples are right.
— contributed by: karekano
- You can concede a point in a debate, it doesn't imply total defeat. You can concede territory in a board game without losing the game.
Just because part of the meaning of "concede" is "to give something up" doesn't mean one can't clarify specifically *what* is being given up.
If we say "To quit now only means that we have conceded." the statement becomes totally superfluous. It means "Quiting means we quit." Well, duh. Without the word "defeat" there is no comparison of A to B. Defeat is a broader concept than "conceding".
— contributed by: Radish
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nihokanaranai
tagJ: にほかならない
expE: nothing but; merely; none other than
expJ: まさに〜だ・である
noteE: War is nothing but death.
JLPT: 2

Front: noni-2
のに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
のに
Meaning: in order to, to
Example: It takes time to learn Japanese
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- -my notes-
のに is different from ので
EX)From Jgram,Jlpt3
日本語を覚えるのに時間がかかります
のにis used the same exact way as ので, but のに means "despite" or "in order to".
Another Example:(From tai kims japanese guide)
毎日運動したのに、全然痩せなかった。
-end my notes-
— contributed by: tenkamuteki82
- I believe the example from Tae Kim's guide above refers to のに in the sense of "despite"/"although", not "in order to" as in this のに entry.
— contributed by: agnestan
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本語を覚えるのに、時間がかかります
It takes time in order to , learn japanese
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたに会うのには何時(いつ）/何処(どこ）がいいですか。
What would be the good time/place in order to /to see you?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- パスポートは海外旅行に行くのに必要です。
A passport is necessary in order to travel overseas.
— contributed by: agnestan
- 水着は泳ぐのに使う。
Swimwear is used for swimming.
— contributed by: agnestan
- 私がその仕事を仕上げるのに５ヶ月かかった。
It took me five months to complete the job.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- tameni
User Comments
- Form is [verb] + [nominaliser の] + に
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I'm not that certain of what I typed in the 'see also' now - although the two are quite different usages.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ex #4747 has furigana for 何時 as どこ, which is simply not true and should be read なんじ, which has nothing to do with place but is asking 'what time'.
Doko is normally written in just hiragana anyway.
reguarding the first example #586 日本語を覚えるのに時間がかかります
Is there an easy way to tell that it wasn't intended to mean 'despite that I am going to remember Japanese, it will take time' ?
(and wouldn't the verb 習う(ならう) 'to learn' fit this best?)
— contributed by: Norgus
- @Norgus, it does not sound like the "although" のに because when using the form ＡのにＢ to show a contrast, A and B must be contrastive. "I am going to remember Japanese" and "It will take time" are not really that contrastive. It just doesn't sound like that. That's all I can offer on the topic.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- ex#4747 何時 read as いつ, too.
— contributed by: Miki
- hi everyone.Correct me if I'm wrong but as I was searching for more examples on のに, I found that sometimes you can put it at the end of the sentence so as to create[ i wish...]. For example: I wish he could have driven a car a year ago.
１年前、彼に車の運転ができていたらよかったのに。
The translation is [ I wish he could have driven a car a year ago]. Is it a kind of ように?
thanx for the answer...
— contributed by: のぶた
- Hi のぶたさん、The のに of your question is not a kind of ように. Please refer to [noni3].
— contributed by: Miki
- In #586, I agree that 習う would be the better choice of word.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex #4747 is just plain wrong.
— contributed by: Televangelist
- This sentence is from a nihongo translation of the bible in Matthew 21:2. It has のに in it but I can't seem to match it with noni1-3 here. Is this another application of noni? And what does it mean in this sentence?
「そうすると、すぐに、ろばがつながれていて、いっしょにろばの子がいるのに気がつくでしょう。」
— contributed by: hoshigo
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: noni-2
tagJ: のに
expE: in order to, to
noteE: It takes time to learn Japanese
JLPT: 3

Front: noni
のに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
のに
Meaning: despite
Example: Despite running, I didn't catch the train.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I think this can better be translated as 'despite' or 'in spite of' or 'even though' rather than 'although' or 'but' as there are many forms of 'but' which is rather confusing.
EG: Even though I dashed down the stairs/ despite dashing down the stairs, I missed the train by one minute.
— contributed by: BB
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- せっかく階段を走って降りたのに、もう一歩のところで電車に乗れなかった。
Despite that I flew down the stairs, I still barely didn't catch the train.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 風が強いのに釣に行きました
Despite (the) strong wind, they went fishing.
— contributed by: zero
- めったに遅れなかったのに、遅刻常習犯の烙印を押された。
Even though I was rarely late, I was labelled a person who always comes late. 　
— contributed by: mahoujin
- 彼はとても年をとっているのに元気だ。
Although he is very old, he is strong.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼はお腹が痛いのに学校に行った。
He went to school in spite of a stomachache.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of のに
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Related Grammar
- noni-2 (Careful not to get のに (but / although) mixed up with のに (to / in order to).
The 'but' のに is joins two sentences while the 'in order to' is the nominaliser の + に)
- noni-3 (noni also has a third meaning which is wish.
今日の天気が昨日のような天気だったら良かったのに
I wish today's weather was as good as yesterday's
)
- kuseni
User Comments
- Ooops extra 'is' left in the see also after re-arranging the sentence.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I'm not that certain of what I typed now either - although the two are quite different usages.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- i wonder if explanations should go in the see also or the comments. its a bit redundant having both, but I like to have the seeAlso be informative as I will have a list of just these at some point.
— contributed by: dc
- Before that ... I think a [delete] link for the see alsos would be nice ^^v
— contributed by: Amatuka
- #5928 The Japanese does not make sense.
たまたま遅れなかったのに、means you were usually late.
たまにしか遅れなかったのに、means I was rarely late.
たまたま遅れたのに、means I happend to be late.
— contributed by: Miki
- Yeah, ex #5928 does not make much sense as is.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Erm. This is a JLPT3 entry isn't it? Not JLPT 2.
— contributed by: Awakened
- If I`m not mistaken　のに　carries with it a sense that the result was contradictory to what one would usually expect. IE 「If someone is dashing down the stairs, of course he/she will be able to catch his/her train. yet dispite all that dashing he/she failed to catch his/her train」
そな通りですか
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: noni
tagJ: のに
expE: despite
noteE: Despite running, I didn't catch the train.
JLPT: 2

Front: karaniha
からには
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
からには
Meaning: so long as, since
Example: so long as I am a woman
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Can be written as からには or からは.
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- やると決めたからには最後までやれ
So long as you commit yourself to do it, stick with it to the very end.
— contributed by: dc
- パリに行ったからには絶対エッフェル塔に昇りたい
Seeing as I went (came) to Paris, I absolutely want to go up the Eiffel Tower.
— contributed by: dc
- 他国を侵略したからにはその責任をとるべきだ。
Having intruded into another country, one has to take responsibilty for it.
— contributed by: dc
- 女として生まれたからには綺麗でいたい
Since I was born as a woman, I want to be pretty.
— contributed by: dc
- 約束したからには、守っていただきます。守らなければ死んでもらいます。
As/in that you have made a promise, please keep it. If you don't, die for me.
— contributed by: Pan
- 試合に出るからには、勝ちたい。
Since I am going for match, I would like to win.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 約束したからには、守らなければいけない。
Since I have made a promise, I must keep it.
— contributed by: Meghana
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- tsuideni
- kikkakeni
- since/because-group
- tieuacui
User Comments
- Need some details of the difference between 'からには' and 'から'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 強調　- emphasis only...
— contributed by: dc
- 〜だからこそ
— contributed by: dc
- see also node
— contributed by: dc
- からには has the connotation of "since" or "so long as" or "Now that" which cannot be dispensed with simply as "because." 女性に生まれたからには has the connotation of "So long as I was born a woman" instead of "because." Also 女性に生まれたからには is an awkward expression. Say 女として生まれたからには.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- noted, changed. will also update the comments shortly
— contributed by: dc
- I believe からは is synonymous with からには.
— contributed by: Pan
- More accurately, "Since I was born as a woman, I want to be pretty" should be "So long as I was born a woman, I want to stay pretty".
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Is the feeling or nuance of this similar to "As/so long as.....might as well??"
— contributed by: lucinda lohmanoota
- Also, my grammar indicates that the secondary clause often contains a duty, decision, recommendation, order or the like.
— contributed by: lucinda lohmanoota
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: karaniha
tagJ: からには
expE: so long as, since
noteE: so long as I am a woman
JLPT: 2

Front: ga suru
がする
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
がする
Meaning: to affect the senses (to taste, to smell of, to feel like, to give the sensation of etc.)
Example: This room smells of gas.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 「ちょっと目まいがするわ。」「顔色が悪いぞ。一日休んだほうがいいよ。」
" I feel sort of dizzy." "You look pale. You'd better take a day off." [F] [M]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- このスープは魚の味がする。
This soup tastes of fish.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この部屋はガスのにおいがする。
This room smells of gas.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたも血のにおいがするな.
I smell blood on you too.
— contributed by: gregory
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Appeared in JLPT 2 (Select particle, が)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- smack v. smack of sth : slight flavour of sth　お尻ぺんぺんも同じスペル。
— contributed by: Miki
- I think it would normally be the plural "smacks of"
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=smacks
"A distinctive flavor or taste.
A suggestion or trace."
I'm not sure it's a great translation though.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I was wrong. I mixed up the lines for v with that of n. It is for n-explanation but it should be used in singular according to an OXFORD dictionary. In contect "smack" is V after "This soup". いい訳に見えるけど。
— contributed by: Miki
- Not sure if the issue is resolved, but the phrase is always "X smacks of Y". Its a good enough translation, though, as a native speaker i can say this phrase has become _slightly_ archaic.
— contributed by: ixtli
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ga suru
tagJ: がする
expE: to affect the senses (to taste, to smell of, to feel like, to give the sensation of etc.)
noteE: This room smells of gas.
JLPT: 3

Front: nitsuiteha
については
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
については
Meaning: As for ~ concerning ~
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- お願いだから、二度とこの件については言及しないで。
Don't refer to this matter again, please.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Ａ氏については何とも申し訳ありません。
In the case of Mr A there is no excuse.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたの趣味について話してください。
Please tell me about your hobbies.
— contributed by: dbx
- あの件については彼女の指示に従っていいでしょう。
You can take the supervisor at her word on that.
— contributed by: dbx
- この問題についてはもう少しみんなでよく考えてみてください。
All of you please intend to think well a little more about this problem .
— contributed by: dbx
- かれらの関係についてはさっぱりわからない。
I am in the dark about the relation between them.
— contributed by: dbx
- このようなことについては直接お会いして、図面に書いたり、ロジックアナライザやオシロでタイミングを見たりしながら話し合ったほうが解決が速いです。
These things are much better spoken about face to face so that we can draw diagrams and demonstrate timings on logic analyzers and oscilloscopes where necessary.
— contributed by: dbx
- この奇妙な植物についてはほとんど知られていない。
Little is known about this curious plant .
— contributed by: dbx
- この計画については黙っていてください。
Keep mum about this plan.
— contributed by: dbx
- この件については、危険はたとえあるとしてもほとんどない。
There is little, if any, risk in this matter.
— contributed by: dbx
- この件については、私達は政府に反対だ。
We oppose the government on this matter.
— contributed by: dbx
- この件については彼が間違っているということを、私は彼にはっきり悟らせねばならない。
I must bring home to him the fact that he is wrong in this case.
— contributed by: dbx
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Related Grammar
- nitsuite (According to what Amatukaさん and 誠さん said)
User Comments
- I don't really know what's 'special' about 'については' that isn't just 'について' + 'は'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I agree with Amatuka, は is somehow an emphasis of the topic of sentence.
ex3812, is interpreted as について　＋　はなしてください
ex3819, i think 「危険はたとえあるとしても少ない」 would be natural. Otherwise, 「危険はほとんどない。」
— contributed by: 誠
- #3811 文字化け 何とも 申し訳 ありません。
— contributed by: Miki
- Question about something unrelated to については:
#3819 たとえあるとしても Is there a difference in that and たとえあったとしても ? Are these interchangable? I thought it had to be 'atta'...
— contributed by: petra
- I corrected #3811 according to what Mikiさん said.
I changed #3814 which was the same as #293.
I corrected #3817 English translation.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitsuiteha
tagJ: については
expE: As for ~ concerning ~
JLPT: 2

Front: osoregaaru
恐れがある (おそれがある)
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恐れがある (おそれがある)
Meaning: worry about, there is a possibility, there is fear that
Example: i worry this illness might be contagious
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- V辞書形　＋　恐れがある
NOUN　＋ 　の　＋　恐れがある
— contributed by: ztsubasa
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 戦争になるおそれがある
There is the likelihood of a war.
— contributed by: dc
- この販売方法は独禁法に触れるおそれがある
This method of sale has the likelihood of violating the Antitrust Law.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本産のトキは絶滅のおそれがある。
Nipponia Nippon (bird) is in danger of extinction.
— contributed by: Miki
- この車は、予算より高いおそれがある。
I worry that this car may be more expensive than my budget.
— contributed by: Miki
- 気が付いたときには遅すぎるおそれがある。
I'm afraid that it may be too late when you realize it.
— contributed by: Miki
- この小屋は倒壊のおそれがある。
This hut is in danger of falling down.
— contributed by: dc4
- そういう事故は再発するおそれがある。
Such an accident is likely to happen again.
— contributed by: dc4
- すごく重くなるおそれがあるけど、試してみたい
I worry it will be really heavy, but id like to try it
— contributed by: dc
- 今、対策をたてないと大事故につながるおそれがある。
I am afraid that this big accident is related with the fact that counter-measure have not been taken immediately.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 知人の会社は経営が相当苦しそうで、このままではつぶれるおそれがある。
I worry that the society of my friend, because the management seems extremely difficult, go to bankrupt if it stays as it is.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 雨が降っている夜には、できるだけ運転しない方がいい。事故を起こすおそれがある。
When it rains at night, if at all possible, I prefer not drive. I am afraid about causing an accident.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- そのプランでは、失敗するおそれがありますよ。
I fear that that plan may fail.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 早く手術じゃないと手遅れになる恐れがある。
I'm afraid that if we do not do surgery soon it will be too late.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- この病気は伝染の恐れがありません.
This sickness doesn't have the fear of infection.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 地震による津波が沿岸を襲う恐れがある。
There is a possibility that a tsunami cause by the earthquake will strike the coast.
— contributed by: karekano
- ここにいれば雨にぬれる恐れがありません。
We are safe from the rain here.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- kanousei (可能性 can also be used for 'nice' outcomes but おそれがある is generally for 'nasty' possibilities.)
- kiraigaaru ([kiraigaaru] is very formal)
User Comments
- 戦争に なる おそれがある literally means "There is the likelihood of a war breaking out" and does not mean "I worry there might be a war."
I also added an example.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Is this always used for things that have a negative outcome?
— contributed by: dc
- Yes, おそれ is related to "fear" so that the expression generally relate to those that have a negative consequence.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Q: can this be used with adjectives, or just verb-plain?
この車は高いおそれがある
I worry that this car is expensive.
〜高すぎるおそれがある
~ too expensive
— contributed by: dc
- この車は高いおそれがある is awkward and not normally used.
〜高すぎるおそれがある is okay but still somewhat awkward.
恐らくこの車は高すぎる may be acceptable..
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I ran these examples past a native speaker (a teacher of English). From what he said, if it refers to something physically happening (a war starting, a house collapsing, etc) then おそれがある is natural. If it refers to a situation (as in 3294) then だろう is natural sounding.
— contributed by: MM
- I should add that he said that all the examples were gramatically acceptable - only that some didn't sound entirely natural.
— contributed by: MM
- 恐れおそれ(n) fear/ horror/ (P) (WWWJDIC)
Q: is the kanji ever used in this contruction?
— contributed by: leslie
- 懼れ or 虞
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #7181 - Is this sentence correct? It sounds more like is should say: There is no fear of this illness being contagious.
— contributed by: melty
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: osoregaaru
tagJ: 恐れがある
tagH: おそれがある
expE: worry about, there is a possibility, there is fear that
noteE: i worry this illness might be contagious
JLPT: 2

Front: da
〜だ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜だ
Meaning: The 'copula' : expresses conditions. X is Y.
Example: I'm English.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- da is just like desu but is the casual form and it is used by children.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 犬だ！[inu da!]
It's a dog!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- イギリス人です。[igirisujin desu]
I am English.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- それはなんですか [sore WA nan DESU KA]
What is that?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あの人は誰でしたか。 [ ano hito WA dare deshita ka] deshita
Who was that person?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 田中さんではありませんでした。[ tanakasan deha arimasen deshita]
(That) wasn't Mr Tanaka.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 猫だった。[ neko datta ]
(That) was a cat.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 犬じゃない。[ inu ja nai]
(That) is not a dog.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- きつねじゃなかった？[ kitsuneja nakatta?]
Wasn't it a fox?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- まだプロじゃないです。[ mada puro ja nai desu. ]
I'm not a Pro yet.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- イギリス人でロンドンに住んでます。[igirisujin de rondon ni sundemasu.]
(I'm) English and live in London.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 田中さんがこの問題は難しすぎるだと言った。
Mr. Tanaka said, "this problem is too difficult."
— contributed by: Nightroad
- この本は新しいだ。
This book is new.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- iru (だ and いる can both indicate the presense of something living - used in different ways.)
- aru (だ and ある can both indicate the presense of something inanimate - used in different ways.)
- dearu (である is the formal, written equivalent of だ)
User Comments
- '犬だ' is something a young kid might say on seeing a dog.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note the <b>particle</b> は is _said_ 'wa' but (depending on romaji system used) may be written 'ha'.
The <b>kana</b> わ on the other hand is always said <b>and</b> written 'wa'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note that the <b>Xは</b> of <b>XはYです</b> is very often omitted if it is known from context.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- An interesting Japanese page on です can be found
<a href=http://homepage3.nifty.com/i-yasu/Lesson.htm>here</a>.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 寒いでした is awkward for me. Is it because I am not young enough? :( 寒かったでした。is more natural.
— contributed by: Miki
- I would recommend asking around among Japanese. 寒いでした is not used by native speakers - even young ones, though しないです is.
— contributed by: Eeker
- 寒かったでした is awkward becase 寒かった already talks about past and adding でした which also indicate something of past is redundant. 寒かったです would be proper.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- bamboo4 you are right. 寒かったです。is proper.
— contributed by: anon
- Right - 寒かったでした is not used by native speakers, but not just because of a redundancy in the expression of the past tense. It is because when you have an い-adjective, you do not conjugate the past tense into the です, you conjugate it into the adjective. Note that I was referring to 寒いでした (the example the author wrote in to this page), not 寒かったでした, but because of what I stated, both are non-native utterances ("wrong").
— contributed by: Eeker
- sorry, I am a native speaker.^^;
— contributed by: anon
- Sorry, I am also a native speaker.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- So we know that は　should be read wa, but somehow no one changes this page to reflect this. I wonder why.
— contributed by: Mitokomun
- I always found this "tense" for adjectives confusing. guess we dont have a past tense of "cold" in english. colded?
NG:　寒い　でした : cold , it was
OK:　寒かった　です: colded , it is
— contributed by: dc
- Mitokomun > romanized japanese textbooks that I have seen always write は as "ha" even when they know it should be pronounced "wa".
To make it even more confusing, there are occasions where it is pronounced "wa" too...
Maybe someone else can explain why this is, but we are sticking to the standard romanization method. I guess I got used to it but it really threw me at first.
check the [ha] page for more.
— contributed by: dc
- 寒い　でした is incorrect.
寒かった is ok.
寒かった　です is politer because of the word です which expresses the standard polite form.
犬だ is ok, all Japs say that. And if you change だ into です, it shows your politeness
— contributed by: Unnamed
- For understanding the logic behind the copula transformations across tenses, affirmative/negative form etc... it helps to fall back to a vision of だ as the contraction of the canonic (formal) form である.
canonic contraction
である　　　　　だ
であります　　　です
であった　　　　だった
でありました　　でした
であろう　　　　だろう
でありましょう　でしょう
You can then mostly rebuild the whole conjugation table by combining that with the following:
- は is (generally) appended to で for the negative form: では, contracted to じゃ in less formal situations
- conjugation of ある: negative plain form of 5段 verb ある is い-adjective ない, polite form of 5段 verb ある is irregular verb ござる
- standard understanding of 5段 verb and い-adjective conjugations
— contributed by: Max
- In the example #879 the romanized イギリス人 should be igirisujin. Also, if 住んで is the -te form of sumu, what does the form 住んでます do? I always see 住んでいます.
— contributed by: balrog-kun
- そのex #5524 はちゃう。「田中さんがこの問題は難しすぎるだと言った。」ってゆうより「田中さんがこの問題は難しすぎるって言った」ってゆった方がええやろ。
— contributed by: フリザ
- So, all conjugations of the copula are derived from contractions of である and ではある (for negative tenses). In the negative present and past possible tenses, the conjugations are ないでしょう and なかったでしょう. Why can't they also become ではないでしょう and ではなかったでしょう? Also, why can't the plain past and negative possible tenses be contracted from ではないだろう and ではなかっただろう to じゃないだろう and じゃなかっただろう?
— contributed by: karamu san
- Re Mitokomun and dc's comments on は/wa/ha:
I just checked about 20 text books/dictionaries. Without exception they all romanize the particle は as "wa". The only place I have ever come across the particle は written "ha" is on the Internet. I presume this is due to cases where computers have done automatic transcriptions of hiragana to romaji without regard for the grammatical context.
— contributed by: Sumofan
- balrog-kun is right about example #879. イギリス人 should be romanized as igirisujin and not igirujin.
— contributed by: lstep
- The copula verb is fun. I can help about when to use da as I teach Japanese at www.freewebs.com/kanjiwebs/
— contributed by: IMABI
- In example 626, can you/should you write 田中さんはいませんでした。since we are referring to an animate subject?
— contributed by: larainda
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: da
tagJ: 〜だ
expE: The 'copula' : expresses conditions. X is Y.
noteE: I'm English.
JLPT: 4

Front: no
〜の
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜の
Meaning: 's, of
Example: Fred's car. / Dixon of Dock Green
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- no (の) can be used in Japanese in so many ways that it's amazing.
One way is to show ownership:
This is my room.
これは私の部屋です。
Since in Japanese, no plurals exist this particle can act like an 's
So:
Kelly's car is very old.
ケリーの車はとても古いです。
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- フレッド君の車はどこにありますか。[fureddo kun nokuruma ha doko ni arimasu ka]
Where is Fred 's car?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- フレッド君のですか。[ fureddo kun no desu ka ]
(Is this) Fred 's ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「これは誰のペン？」「私の。」「koreha dare no pen?」「watashi no。」
"Whose pen is this?" "Mine."
— contributed by: Miki
- リリーの靴はどこにあるか知りません。
I don't know where Lilly's shoes are.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 〜の
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Related Grammar
- na (の can be used in modifying words with nouns much as な can with na-adjectives.)
User Comments
- Note how the object may be omitted if it is understood from context.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- の can be used in other ways which you will come across later in Japanese study.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Also traslates as "of".
Tree of the forest/the forest's tree:
mori no ki = mori no ki
(forest of tree) (forest 's tree)
— contributed by: Ayumi
- "koreha dare no pen" -- probably "kore WA dare no pen KA"?
— contributed by: 9000
- It's my understanding that 'ka' is usually left out in casual speech, where questions can be implied through intonation, but you should always use 'ka' in writing, of course.
— contributed by: metaphist
- I think that even in writing you can ommit the か in casual situations, simply putting the '?' as Miki did. In this context, adding か may change the nuance, I guess.
— contributed by: slack.hideo
- I was once told that adding ka at the end like that can make the question sound sort of interrogative or even threatening in some way.
EX Who is behind this Graffiti？
この落書きは誰の仕業か？
— contributed by: kadoka66
- Nice
わたしを分かります
— contributed by: Prof3ssor MGW
- To 9000 You've pointed up the difficulty of writing about wpeech. As written, the sentence is correct, but when spoken the 'ha' character changes to the 'wa' pronunciation. Just one of those little things that makes Japanese so special. An example would be これはゾンビですか?, Kore wa Zonbi Desu ka??, a manga/anime series.
— contributed by: Dogbreathsan
- what about joushi + no.. for example..
Thai e no sotsugyouryokou wo tanoshiminishite iru.
— contributed by: nrehv
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: no
tagJ: 〜の
expE: 's, of
noteE: Fred's car. / Dixon of Dock Green
JLPT: 4

Front: mo
〜も
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜も
Meaning: also
Example: this is also mine
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Just like how in English, we say, "me too!" Japanese uses the particle も
It rained today too.
今日も雨が降っていました。
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- これも私のです。[kore mowatashi no desu]
This is also mine.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたもジャズが好きですか？
Do you also like jazz?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたも私たちと一緒にいらっしゃいませんか。
Wouldn't you like to come with us, too?
— contributed by: Miki
- お客様もオレンジジュースになさいますか。
What about you? Will you have orage juice, too?
— contributed by: Miki
- あの小さいのもわたしのです。
That small one is also mine.
— contributed by: Miki
- いくつかこの土地のワインもございます。
We have also some kinds of local wine.
— contributed by: Miki
- 「ぼくもだよ。」
"Me, too." [M][casual]
— contributed by: Miki
- ピザも食べるのが好きですか。
o you like to eat pizza too?
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 〜も
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- ha (も can replace the topic marker は in a sentence.)
User Comments
- も replaces は in the first example sentence.
A previous [something] being mine is implied.
(e.g. 'あれは私のです。ええと、これも私のです。'
That (over there) is mine. Erm, and this is also mine. )
— contributed by: Amatuka
- #4863
地元のワインもいくつかございます。
We have some kinds of local wine as well.
— contributed by: Nick
- I think i need a ,japanes pronounciation along with the english translation and the meaning and pronounciation of new kanjis inthe sentences. thanx
— contributed by: roshuna
- roshuna:
I think you ment "I want" instead of "I need
I think what you need is a good kana workbook. you can find a link to it below.
http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Kana-Workbook-Practice-Hiragana/dp/0844285323/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199853246&sr=8-1
its under $10 and if you complete it. your studies of the japanese language will go a lot faster.
as for the kanji {plural form of kanji is kanji}
Welcome to everyones nightmare. the best one can do is memorize as much as possible and use a dictionary for the rest. Jim breens edict is one of the best, if not the greatest kanji dictionary available. its 100% free so take advantage of it. just cut and paste.
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/wwwjdic.html
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mo
tagJ: 〜も
expE: also
noteE: this is also mine
JLPT: 4

Front: kudasai
下さい (ください)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
下さい (ください)
Meaning: please
Example: Please give me,that
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [kudasai] is an auxiliary verb which indicates a polite request: "please do"
1) kudasai is a polite imperative form of [kudasaru], the honorofic version of [kureru] 'give'(me) and is used as an auxiliary verb with the te-form of verbs.
　ゆっくり飲んでください。
　please drink slowly/at your own pace
2) The negtative question form [kudasaimasenka] makes a request more polite　
　あした８時に来てくださいませんか。
　Won't you come tomorrow at 8 O'Clock?
3) [douzo] emphasizes the speakers request and makes it more polite.
　どうぞたくさん食べてください。
　Go ahead please, and eat as much as you like
4) In very informal speech, kudasai may drop(this form of request is often used by female speakers)
　はやく言って。
　go on say it (please)
　まだ帰らないで。
　dont come back yet (please)
5) [kure], the imperative form of kureru, can also be used in place of kudasai in informal male speech.[Vte/Vneg nai de] kure is the least polite request form.
　いっしょに来てくれ。
　can you come together (for me?)
(=can you let me go with you?)
　うちへ帰らないでくれ。
　don't come back to our place (OK?)
— contributed by: ramu
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- それをください。
That, please .
— contributed by: Amatuka
- みせてください。
Please show me.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あの方が言われる事を、何でもしてあげてください。
Do whatever he tells you.
— contributed by: Miki
- みなさま、ようこそご搭乗くださいました。
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard.
— contributed by: Miki
- 「塩をとってください。」「はい、どうぞ。」
"Pass me the salt, please". "Here you are".
— contributed by: Miki
- 「芝生に入らないでください」という標識があった。
There was a sign saying, "keep off the grass."
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼によろしくお伝えください。
Please give him my best regards.
— contributed by: Miki
- ５時にお電話下さいませんか。
Would you please call me up at five o'clock?
— contributed by: Miki
- あのビールをください。
I'd like that beer, please.
— contributed by: Miki
- あの窓を閉めてくださいませんか。
Would you be so kind as to shut that window?
— contributed by: Miki
- この花を送ってくださったのは佐藤さんかもしれません。
It may have been Mr SATO who sent these flowers.
— contributed by: Miki
- お母さんが私にかわいらしいお人形を買ってくださいました。
Mom bought a pretty doll for me.
— contributed by: Miki
- ようこそパーティーにお越しくださいました。
I'm glad you could come to the party.
— contributed by: Miki
- カードをもう一枚ください。
Give me one more card, please 。
— contributed by: karekano
- ビール二本ください。
Two beers, please 。
— contributed by: karekano
- 何か飲み物を下さい。
I`d like something to drink.
— contributed by: karekano
- 万一留守中にだれかが訪ねて来たらすぐにもどると伝えください。
If anyone should call while I`m out, please tell them (him/her) I`ll be back soon.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女が来るかどうか知らせてください。
Let me know if she is coming.
— contributed by: karekano
- どうぞうお入りください。
Please come in.
— contributed by: karekano
- お名前が聞きとれませんでした。　もう一度言ってください。
I didn`t catch your name. Repeat it, please.
— contributed by: karekano
- これをどうやったらよいか教えてくださいませんか
Could you show me how to do this?
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 下さい
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- onegai
User Comments
- Note : The object marker を is <b>said</b> 'o' but may be <b>written</b> as either 'wo' or 'o' depending on romaji system used.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ください can be used in two ways.
1. To ask for an object をください ( wo kudasai )
2. To ask for an action verb-te ください (v-te kudasai).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note みせる (miseru) is the <b>dictionary</b> form of the verb meaning 'to show'.
みせて (misete) is the <b>te</b> form of the verb meaning 'to show'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- i translated the examples in the notes above, can a native speaker please check?
— contributed by: dc
- what in level four grammar list(kanji and fuu )are not in level 4 JLPT syllabus.please check.
— contributed by: ramu
- ramu - I don't understand your question? you want us to check all the <A href='http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewList.php?lv=4' >JLPT4</a> items?
— contributed by: dc
- dear Dc every year JLPT test administrative comitte publishing syllabus of JLPT all levels exams.what i said before (kanji and fuu) these grammar points are not in JLPT level 4 syllabus.
— contributed by: ramu
- ramu, did you check all syllabus of all levels? すごいね。So what level do you think this or other entries would be?
— contributed by: Miki
- kanji and fuu not listed in jlpt levels,but level miki,tow text books we can find "fuu" in intermediate level text books."kanji" is not listed in level one syllabus but i think for facing listening nad reading comprahension aprts its better to know the the student of level one
— contributed by: ramu
- i changed this level 3 then for now. i thot 下さい is one of the first words one learns...
— contributed by: dc
- indigoharp noted on Tae Kim's Japanese Guide forums that くれ is not only the least polite form, but might actually be offensive:
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=10832#p10832
— contributed by: pazustep
- In a 少し example (#4927), 「水を少しくださし。」「いいですよ。」, くださし is written instead of ください. Is this a typo or is there a reason for it?
— contributed by: darkseed
- This entry seems to have been tuned from level 4 to level 2. It seems to easy to be level 2. Please tune it back to level 3. どうぞ三級に戻って下さいませんか。
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I went through the examples and replaced 下 with くだ. Japanese manuals of style say to use the kanji with NOUNを下さい, contrasted with the TE-form VERBてください, in which you do not use the kanji.
It's not technically incorrect, but it's preferred, similar to how in English spelling out zero through ten is preferred, but using numbers for values greater than ten is preferred.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- How does onegai compare to kudasai in usage? Can a description and demonstration be added into this article, or does it need a separate page?
— contributed by: enkephalin07
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kudasai
tagJ: 下さい
tagH: ください
expE: please
noteE: Please give me,that
JLPT: 2

Front: kore, sore, are
これ(此・是・之・惟)、それ(其), あれ(彼) (これ, それ, あれ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
これ(此・是・之・惟)、それ(其), あれ(彼) (これ, それ, あれ)
Meaning: this, that, the other
Example: this is mine, that is yours and the other is anybody's guess.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- The kanji are just given for reference. Kana spelling is normal today.
These words are part of what is called kosoado. The ko, so and a indicate the relation to the speaker, the re turns them into the pronouns for a certain object.
The most important thing to remember is that you cannot these words to say, for example, "I want this apple" = "kore ringo ga hoshii." That is wrong. You can only use them for "I want this."
("this apple" would be "kono ringo")
— contributed by: blutorange
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- それはりんごケーキです。[sore ha ringo ke-ki desu.
That is apple cake.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あれは何のケーキでしょうか。[ are ha nan no ke-ki deshou ka. ]
I wonder what that cake is [over there] ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- これはイチゴケーキです。[kore ha ichigo ke-ki desu.]
This is strawberry cake.
— contributed by: Amatuka
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of これ(此・是・之・惟)、それ(其), あれ(彼)
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- kore : near to speaker
sore : near to spoken to
are : far from both speaker and spoken to
— contributed by: Amatuka
- There are more words than these in the 'set'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kore, sore, are
tagJ: これ(此・是・之・惟)、それ(其), あれ(彼)
tagH: これ, それ, あれ
expE: this, that, the other
noteE: this is mine, that is yours and the other is anybody's guess.
JLPT: 4

Front: toshite
として
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
として
Meaning: as; in the capacity of
Example: I'm using this room as a storeroom.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Noun + として
— contributed by: Tori
- indicates the capacity, role or function of someone or something
— contributed by: Tori
- ＊This is a compound particle which indicates the capacity, role, or function of someone or something.
FORMATION:
Ｎ + として
＊Be careful! としては ([toshiteha]) has a different connotation. See that entry for more.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は単に冗談としてそれを言った。
He said it merely as a joke.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 先生として働いています。
I work as a teacher.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は医者としてあなたに言います。
I'll tell you this as a doctor.
— contributed by: Tori
- １８歳以上の者はだれでも大人としてみなされる。
Anyone over eighteen years of age counts as an adult.
— contributed by: dc
- １月の輸出は１００億ドルと、同月としては最高記録になった。
Exports in January totalled $10 billion, a record for the month.
— contributed by: dc
- ２５０キロというのは相撲取りとしても並外れた体重だ。
Two hundred fifty kilograms is an extraordinary weight even for a sumo wrestler.
— contributed by: dc
- ２つのことを一度にしようとしてはいけません。
Don't try to do two things at a time.
— contributed by: dc
- ４億人の人が英語を第一言語として話します。
400 million people speak English as their first language.
— contributed by: dc
- ＧＮＰは一定期間に国によって生産されたすべての商品とサービスの市場価値の総額として計算される。
GNP is measured as the total market value of all the goods and service produced by a nation during a specified period.
— contributed by: dc
- あいつはギャンブラーとして名が通っている。
That man is notorious as a gambler.
— contributed by: dc
- あいつは海千山千だから、取り引き相手としてはかなり手強いぞ。
All those tricks he's got up his sleeve make him a formidable client.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたがばか者のように振る舞えば、ばか者として扱わなければならない。
If you act like a fool, you must be treated as such.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたの解答には私たちとしてはまったく不満だ。
Your answer is anything but satisfactory to us.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたの言うことは認めるとしても、私はそれでもその計画には反対だ。
Accepting what you say, I'm still against the project.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたの言うとおりだとしても、私達はまだあなたの計画に賛成できない。
Granting that you are right, we still can't approve of your plan.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたは初心者としてはテニスがうまい。
You are a good tennis player, as beginners go.
— contributed by: dc
- けんは早起きを習慣としている。
Ken gets up early, as a rule.
— contributed by: dc
- ここが彼女が秘書として働いている所です。
This is the place where she works as a secretary.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたは芸術家としての無限の可能性を秘めている。
You have infinite possibilities as an artist.
— contributed by: dc
- このような（子供の）態度は、自分たちがある程度独立していることを示そうとしての結果なのである。
This is because they are trying to prove they are somewhat independent.
— contributed by: dc
- この国ではイデオロギーや宗教が人としての人格形成に役立つ例があまりに少ない。
The ideology and the religion are little and a useful example for the personality forming as the person is too few in this country.
— contributed by: dc
- そのコンサート旅行が成功したので彼女の歌手としての名声は固まった。
The successful concert tour established her reputation as a singer.
— contributed by: dc
- その会社はすでにロボットメーカーとしての名声を確立した。
The company has already established its fame as a robot manufacturing company.
— contributed by: dc
- その結果として、大切な躾や社会道徳の教育がおろそかにされてきたことは否めない。多くの親自身が、子供の勉強を優先するあまり、他人への思いやりなど社会の一員としての責任を忘れがちになっているのも事実である。
By placing excessive importance on scholastic achievement, many parents have forgotten such basic social courtesies as consideration for others.
— contributed by: dc
- ジャーナリストとしての彼の経歴は優れた実績でいっぱいだった。
His career as a journalist was full of distinguished achievements.
— contributed by: dc
- フローレンス・ナイチンゲールは専門職としての看護を始めた人として有名である。
Florence Nightingale is famous as the woman who began professional nursing.
— contributed by: dc
- この部屋は物置として使っている。
I'm using this room as a storeroom.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 李さんは自動車の会社でエンジニアとして働いている。
Mister Lee is working in a car maker firm as an engineer.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼女は彼の手伝いさん兼料理人として働いた。
She worked as a maid and cook for him.
— contributed by: karekano
- あなたの医者として、食事の量を減らすように忠告します。
As your doctor, I advise you to eat less.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私はその報告を信頼できるものとして認めた。
I accepted the report as trustworthy.
— contributed by: karekano
- その本お代金として８００円払った。
I paid eight hundred yen for the book.
— contributed by: karekano
- 撃ｪどこへ行ってしまったのか誰が一人として知らない。
Nobody knows where Kei has gone.
— contributed by: karekano
- 当選されたとして、まず何がしたいですか？
Suppose you are elected, what would you like to do first?
— contributed by: karekano
- 提案は時期尚早だとして却下された。
The proposal was turned down because it was premature.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of として
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- toshitemo (としても same base as として with a も for 'even'.)
- nitotte (I used to get these confused a lot.
toshite: as a (teacher)
nitotte: for (me))
User Comments
- I used to find it hard to understand difference between toshite and nitotte. These examples may clarify
sensei [nitotte]... = for the teacher (he was weird)
sensei [toshite]... = as a teacher (I came to japan)
— contributed by: dc
- toshite is usually used to explain a role. not "as me" but as something - a teacher, a policeman.
— contributed by: dc
- does anyone know aything about としての　?
— contributed by: Tori
- Welcome, Tori. I added some examples. FYI the link above "Search big database..." will find example sentences you can then cut and paste in.
— contributed by: dc
- also from #5880 onward are examples of としての .. the の usually seems to be used when preceding a noun. (kind of like a reverse noun clause?)
— contributed by: dc
- Thank you so much for that info
— contributed by: Tori
- I have an important question.
What's the meaning of the usage of 〜を〜として?
チンさんを先生として、中国語の勉強会を開いた。
I don't understand the meaning of を. In this case, として should be translated as "as"?
When and how I use the pattern 〜を〜として or 〜を〜とする or 〜を〜とした?
— contributed by: king
- King [として]　and [とする] are diffrent grammar points
— contributed by: tigert
- 李さん is the same thing as Mister Lee? I just knew this kanji as Sumomo...
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toshite
tagJ: として
expE: as; in the capacity of
noteE: I'm using this room as a storeroom.
JLPT: 2

Front: ~tokoro (da)
〜ところ(だ) (所だ・処だ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ところ(だ) (所だ・処だ)
Meaning: I am about to / I was about to
Example: He arrived just as I was about to give up.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私は息子がクッキーを盗み食いしようとしているところを見つけた。
I caught my son stealing from a cookie jar.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- バスは発車するところだった。
The bus was about to start.
— contributed by: dc
- 今、食べる所です。
Right now, I'm just about to eat.
— contributed by: agnestan
- これから、部屋を掃除するところです。
I'm just about to start cleaning up my room.
— contributed by: agnestan
- 食事がおいしくないといってくれて、ありがとう、危うく食べる所でした。
Thanks for telling me the food wasn't good, I was just about to eat it.
— contributed by: agnestan
- 私はもう少しで宿題を忘れるところだった。
I almost forgot my homework.
— contributed by: lenzras
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 〜ところ(だ) (所だ・処だ)
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- tatokoro ([verb]たところ and [verb]るところ same principle, different case.)
User Comments
- [verb dictionary form] + tokoro
— contributed by: Amatuka
- "about to" is also volitional form 彼女に電話をしようとしたところ、電話がかけて来た。 Just as I was about to ring her, the phone rang.
— contributed by: dc
- 1. That's a 'たところ'
2. I'd translate it as "Just as I decided to phone her [...]" because the 'とした' is past tense.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- dc,very detailed correction
電話がかかってきた。or (sbが)電話をかけてきた。
— contributed by: Miki
- OK, I've added it to tatokoro - further discussion over there.
— contributed by: your name
- [tatokoro]
— contributed by: dc
- I've done a little cleanup for the Quizes sake.
— contributed by: jmadsen
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ~tokoro (da)
tagJ: 〜ところ(だ) (所だ・処だ)
tagH: 〜ところ(だ)
expE: I am about to / I was about to
noteE: He arrived just as I was about to give up.
JLPT: 3

Front: iru
いる (居る)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
いる (居る)
Meaning: Is (animate)
Example: There's a dog in that car.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [iru]
Like [aru] iru is also an stative (non-action) verb. Iru, unlike aru is used to express "is" or "exists" for living things, people, or beings, with plants being excluded.
Like [aru], iru uses [ni]/に to indicate the location when specified.
[iru] also is used as an auxillary verb to form progressive tenses. Similar in function to English's verb "to be" in the following: He is going, I was going, We are going, etc.
[iru] does not require the use of [ga]/が.
When [iru] is used in an auxillary form, it can be used with non-living things just like [aru].
For an auxillary form, [iru] is usually preceeded by the -te form of the other verb. Then iru is conjugated accordingly.
Aruite imasu. --> (He/she,you/it/etc.) is walking.
Aruite imashita. (He/she,you/it/etc.) was walking.
Note that iru cannot be used for the future tense, as there isn't a real future tense in Japan. Therefore, sentences like "He will be going." will not exist.
Other notes
[iru] is commonly written with kana alone, instead of kanji. Kanji can be used in written Japanese to indicate subtle nuances in meaning.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その車に犬がいます。[sono kuruma ni inu ga imasu]
There is a dog in that car.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あしたは家にいるつもりだ。
I will stay at home tomorrow.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はまだ休暇でハワイにいる。
He is still on vacation in Hawaii.
— contributed by: Miki
- その時私は家にいました。
I was at home then.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたはどのくらいカナダにいたのですか。
How long did you stay in Canada?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたはニューヨークにいたことがありますか。
Have you ever been in New York?
— contributed by: Miki
- ７０ぴきぐらいねこが近所にいた。
There were about 70 cats in the neighbourhood.
— contributed by: Miki
- たなかさんはいますか？　
Is Mr. Tanaka here?　Tanaka san wa imasu ka?
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- はい、います。
Yes, [he/she/living animal/being] is. Hai, imasu.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 猫は何処にいますか？　ねこはどこにいますか？
Where is the cat?　Neko wa doko ni imasu?
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- メリさんは来月日本にいるでしょう。メリさんはらいげつにほんにいるでしょう。　
Mary will probably be in Japan next month.　Merii san wa raigetsu Nihon ni iru deshou.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
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- aru ([iru] for living things, [aru] for objects.
I find a way to remember which is which is that people _need_ (iru is also the verb to need) stuff.)
User Comments
- 'iru' for _need_ has a) a different kanji and b) is godan not ichidan.
"kare wa iranai" "I don't need him(boyfriends)"
"kare wa inai" "He's not here(I don't have a boyfriend)"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I remember that "iru" is for living things because it is used in the construction te+iru for the present progressive tense. And it is usually a living creature that is presently doing something. This isn't always true I guess, but it helps me remember the difference.
— contributed by: your name
- ている [teiru] can't be used with the verbs of existance (e.g. ある [aru] and いる [iru])
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I thought you can say あっている when talking about past experience, as in:
Ａさん：私の息子にもう会ったことがあるはずだよね
Ｂさん：確かじゃないけど、あってると思う。
A：I expect you have already met my son, right?
B: I'm not sure, but I think I have.
please correct me if I'm wrong because I have been wondering about this! ^-^
— contributed by: Sasuke21
- あっている is past of 会う＋いる and いる in this sense denotes the continuation of some status or event, here the fact that you have met and that situaiton continues to exist.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- My two Japanese (native) teachers say that iru applies only to animal life, or more specifically, as they say, 'something that has a heart'. So for trees, flowers etc. you use aru. Also, how about animals without hearts? I think those exist, like jellyfish or something.
— contributed by: zeptimius
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: iru
tagJ: いる (居る)
tagH: いる
expE: Is (animate)
noteE: There's a dog in that car.
JLPT: 4

Front: Basic Japanese Grammar
基本的な　日本語　文法 (きほんてきな　にほんごぶんぽう)
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基本的な　日本語　文法 (きほんてきな　にほんごぶんぽう)
Meaning: Basic Grammar Terms
Example: -I am Praveen
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
There are currently no examples for this grammar entry.
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User Comments
- copula : 連結詞（the V "be", to link a S to its complement.)
intransitive : Vi
transitive : Vt
particle : 不変化詞って何…。『副詞の一部・冠詞・前置詞・接続詞・間投詞など語尾変化のない品詞』
— contributed by: Miki
- onomatopoeia [α`nэmae`tэpi':э]n. onomatopoe(t)ic adj.
— contributed by: Miki
- Need to change the definition of 'case particle' I think.
"Attaches to a word to indicate what sort of relationship it has to the verb of the sentence."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- There's an interesting page <a href=http://lingo.stanford.edu/pubs/tbaldwin/anlpf98.pdf>here</a>
<b>relative clause</b>: A relative clause is a sub-sentence that modifies the noun (also known as 'noun head') it is placed before. For example 万足したユーザー. [mansoku shita yu-za-] A user who has been satisfied.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- <b>nominative</b>: The subject particle が [ga] is also referred to as the <a href=http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=nominative>nominative</a> an English grammar term defined as "Of, relating to, or being the case of the subject of a finite verb (as I in I wrote the letter) and of words identified with the subject of a copula, such as a predicate nominative"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- <b>Accusative</b>: The object particle を [wo / o] is also referred to as the <a href=http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=accusative>accusative</a> an English grammar term defined as "Of, relating to, or being the grammatical case that is the direct object of a verb or the object of certain prepositions."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- <b>genitive</b>: The possessive particle の [no] is also referred to as the <a href=http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Genitive>genitive</a> an English grammar term defined as "1. Of, relating to, or being the grammatical case expressing possession, measurement, or source.
2. Of or relating to an affix or construction, such as a prepositional phrase, characteristic of the genitive case."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- <b>postposition marker</b>: Various particles may be referred to as 'postposition markers'. This word is derived from the English grammar term <a href=http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=preposition>preposition</a> and indicates a marker placed after a substantive to indicate the relation of that substantive to a verb, adjective or other substantive.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- <b>predicator</b>: The main constituent of a sentence - the verb or adjective at its end.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Another useful page <a href=http://homepage3.nifty.com/taketoki/kodawaru.html>here</a>
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Basic Japanese Grammar
tagJ: 基本的な　日本語　文法
tagH: きほんてきな　にほんごぶんぽう
expE: Basic Grammar Terms
noteE: -I am Praveen
JLPT: 4

Front: te
〜て
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〜て
Meaning: ([verb]-te, connects two sentences)
Example: I'm going to the book shop to buy it.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- te is more of a "parallel" tense in Japanese. It reflects that the verb goes on along with the rest of the sentence or in a sequence.
te-iru is the same way, the verb is going on at the same time "you exist" hence the -ing.
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- The -te form has many uses; here there are just some of them:
1) It's a way to connect two sentences (a kind of equivalent expression for "and").
2) Equivalent to English "-ing".
3) -te+iru: to describe an action that is now happening or that is not already finished.
[There are similar grammatical structures with verbs like "shimau", "ageru", "yaru", "miru"... but I guess they should have their own section]
4) Replacing an adverb.
5) Motte+iku/kuru: to bring, to take, to carry something.
6) Present perfect in some cases.
When the -te form is applied to adjectives finished in -i, it has also a copulative function: joining two or more adjectives by adding -kute instead -i.
天気が悪くて、たいへん困りました。
The weather was bad, and that bothered us.
あの映画は短く面白いです。= あの映画は短くて面白いです。
That film is short and amusing.
[I must apologize for the possible mistakes this note may have. English is not my native language]
— contributed by: fio
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この赤くて大きい車は田中さんのです。 [kono akaku1teookii kuruma ha tanakasan no desu.
This large and red car is Mr Tanaka's.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 本屋に行って買います。[honya ni itte kaimasu.]
I'm going to the book shop and buying it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 茶碗を口のところまで持ってきて、箸でごはんをかきこむのは行儀が悪い。
Brining the bowl up to your mouth and shoveling rice in with Chopsticks is bad manners.
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- メロンを食べて、コーヒーを飲ました。(1)
He ate some melon and drank some coffee.
— contributed by: fio
- 歩いて来ます。(2)
I come on foot (walking).
— contributed by: fio
- 妹は遊そんでいます。(3)
My younger sister is playing (right now).
— contributed by: fio
- 社長はたいへん怒っています。(3)
The director is very angry (he became angry and is still angry).
— contributed by: fio
- 喜んで手伝います。(4)
It'll be a pleasure to help you out.
— contributed by: fio
- 手紙をもって行きました。(5)
I brought the letter (lit. "having the letter, I came").
— contributed by: fio
- 田中さんは出掛けています。(6)
Mr. Tanaka's gone out (Mr. Tanaka is not here).
— contributed by: fio
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User Comments
- Note, many, many, other uses of [vte].
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Hmm, not the most natural example sentence in the world ^^v
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Also -i adjectives join with -kute -くて
The copula has the 'te' form of で.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Verbs with auxillary verbs and auxillary adjectives use the -te form. e.g. <b>やってみてください。</b>
やる(in -te form, to do) みる (in -te form, to try) ください (request). All together <b>Please try to do it.</b>
— contributed by: Amatuka
- It is sometimes much the same as 'and'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- [List of conjugations to be done]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- It's a JLPT level 4 grammar point (both the -て and -くて forms, btw), and not a level 3 one; Only some of the -て + verb forms are part of the JLPT level 3 grammar requirements
— contributed by: Aria
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: te
tagJ: 〜て
expE: ([verb]-te, connects two sentences)
noteE: I'm going to the book shop to buy it.
JLPT: 3

Front: karasuruto
からすると
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からすると
Meaning: from, you can judge, based on
Example: based on his expression
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- noun + からすると/からすれば/からして
— contributed by: rochin
- からするとの代わりにからすれば/ からしても使えます。
— contributed by: rochin
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 部長のあの表情からすると、この企画はあんまり進めたくないようだ。
from the chief's expression, you can tell he doesn't want to proceed with that plan.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本人一般の考え方からすると彼の態度は非常識だと言われるかもしれない。
Viewed from the japanese way of thinking, his attitude could be said to be not-common sensical.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼のメールから判断すると馬鹿な人です。
Judging from his email, he's stupid.
— contributed by: dc
- この空模様からすると、雨になりそうだ。
Judging from the look of the sky, it is likely to rain.
— contributed by: dbx
- この見地からすると、君の言うことは正しい。
From this point of view, you are right.
— contributed by: dbx
- みんなの話からすると、それは真実だろう。
By all accounts, it is truth.
— contributed by: dbx
- 空模様からすると、雨はしばらくはやまないだろう。
From the look of the sky I'm afraid the rain won't let up for a while.
— contributed by: dbx
- 空模様からすると、今夜あたり雪になるかもしれない。
From the look of the sky, it may begin to snow tonight.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の美的観点からすると。
From my aesthetic point of view.
— contributed by: dbx
- 周りの事情からすると彼女の話は本当らしかった。
The circumstances gave color to her story.
— contributed by: dbx
- 買い手の立場からするとこれらのＣＤプレーヤーの値段は高すぎる。
From the buyer's point of view, the prices of these CD players are too high.
— contributed by: dbx
- アメリカ人からすると、日本人の働きすぎは理解できません。
From an American's viewpoint, I cannot understand why Japanese overwork.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 話し方からすると、かれは、東京の人ではないようだ。
From the way he speaks, I will swear that he is not from Tokyo.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- さっきの態度からすると、あの人はあやまる気は全然なさそうだ。
Seeing its attitude lately, it seems that this gentleman does not have any desire to excuse itself.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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Related Grammar
- karamiruto
- karaiuto
- karasuruto-2 (Note two からすると entries, (karasuruto-2 is slightly dubious though ;-))
User Comments
- i changed this - before i thot it was "from" as in "from his point of view"
— contributed by: dc
- but i guess it can include both meanings. for 2級 the new one is listed...
— contributed by: dc
- The first listed certainly seems to differ in usage from the next two. You could always split off からすると-2 if you want.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- for now I broke that off as a separate ex, although we dont have a grammar entry yet. it is also kind of lengthy for my phone!
— contributed by: dc
- I think the second example is a) "From the point of view of" and b) Badly translated.
非常識 is /lack/ of common sense.
"Viewed from the Japanese way of thinking it could be said that his attitude is non-sensical."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- OK, feel free to edit the translations...
I usually try and do literal-ish translations to keep things in the same order. prefer an easy-to-map translation to perfect english..
— contributed by: dc
- > prefer an easy-to-map translation to perfect
> english.
Sure, but I think you were missing the <b>'not'</b> making it not literal-ish but 100% back-to-front.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In the third example, it should be 愚かな人です.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- In the third example, as Miki said, you can use 馬鹿な人です instead of 愚かな人です both of which mean the same.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- got it. 馬鹿な人です。
— contributed by: dc
- In the last example, I would prefer から判断すると instead of からすると. The former is more natural.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- changed. in english, this might be "judging from" rather than just "based on". "judging from his expression, he didn't like it" is often used.
— contributed by: dc
- Okay, dc.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex #3445 私の美的観点からすると in English should be "From my aesthetic point of view"
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Bamboo4さん> I edited ex #3445 as you said.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: karasuruto
tagJ: からすると
expE: from, you can judge, based on
noteE: based on his expression
JLPT: 2

Front: toiukotoda
ということだ
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ということだ
Meaning: it must mean, it boils down to
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This has two meanings
1. something I heard:
新聞によると、また地下鉄の運賃が値上げされるとういうことだ。
I heard (read!) from the newspaper that subway fares will increase again.
2. it means that, as mentioned here
(thanks Brett)
— contributed by: dc
- dc is correct.
ということだ(1): "It seems that〜" (something heard or read).
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + ということだ
いＡ + ということだ
なＡ・Ｎ + (だ) + ということだ
ということだ(2): "The fact that 〜 means 〜" (in other words; that is to say; in short)
FORMATION (same as above):
Ｖ(plain form) + ということだ
いＡ + ということだ
なＡ・Ｎ + (だ) + ということだ
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- ＊Be careful!
There is a difference between (1) 〜というのは、〜ということだ　and (2) 〜ということは、〜ということだ.
(1) is meant to give a defintion, explanation, or interpretion of a word, phrase, or sentence.
(2) is meant to provide an interpretation of a fact (or something nearly factual).
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今回のレッスンテーマ＝　恋ということだ。
The theme of this time's lesson is that thing called love.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あいつが来ないのは何か後ろめたいことがあるということだ。
The fact that that guy did not show up boils down to (must mean) he is feeling guilty about something.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- なんということだ！
What the hell does this mean!
— contributed by: dc
- その報告書によると不況になるということだ。
The report states that there will be a depression.
— contributed by: dbx
- なるほど君の計画はもっともらしく聞こえるが、肝心なのは、それで取り引きが増えるのかどうかということだ。
Your plan sounds good, but the bottom line is : "Will it bring us more business?"
— contributed by: dbx
- ボブとルーシーは交際をやめたということだ。
I hear that Bob and Lucy have broken.
— contributed by: dbx
- 警察によれば、真夏のうだるような暑さがその一揆に火をつけたということだ。
According to the police, it seems that the midsummer heat is to blame for sparking the riot.
— contributed by: dbx
- 結局は自分がかわいいということだな。
After all, it must mean that I'm cute.
— contributed by: dbx
- 手紙が戻ってきたということは、彼女はもうこの住所にはいないということだ。
The fact that the letter came back means that she no longer lives at this address.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
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Related Grammar
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User Comments
- ということだ suggests a definitive statement or conclusion on the part of the speaker. I think it can be translated as "boils down to" or "must mean." I have added an example and want to know hou you guys think of it.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- bamboo > the examples look good. the second one puts "ということ” three times in the same phrase!
— contributed by: dc
- I have mostly heard "ということです。" at the summary of a meeting, like "well, thats about it".
— contributed by: dc
- <b>*Ahem*</b> So, the "It is said" is wrong and I'm changing it to "it must mean, it boils down to"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- OK the meaning of the grammar item has been cleared up - but the first example still has a question over it.
- Should the first example be translated as <b>"The theme of this time's lesson is - It must be love."</b> ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Sticking at -2 check for now.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Taking a hint from the Japanese tile of a song "What is this thing called love," I like "that thing called love" and that would in Japanese be 「恋というもの」.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I suggest you change the first exmaple to 恋というもの instead of 恋ということだ
— contributed by: bamboo4
- but then it would not be relevant to this page! I think these are Google'd sentences amatuka found...so 人により、正しい日本語。
— contributed by: dc
- I think the example comes from a title of a メルマガ.
★今回のレッスンテーマ＝　恋ということ
★今回のレッスンテーマ　　自由について
So I think the example is OK from a point of view of a reader.
— contributed by: Miki
- This has two meanings
1. something I heard:
新聞によると、また地下鉄の運賃が値上げされるとういうことだ。
I heard (read!) from the newspaper that subway fares will increase again.
2. it means that, as mentioned here
— contributed by: Brett
- "The thing called love" is right. Analogous phrase's Korean "ranun goshida'.
— contributed by: Andrzej
- I think there is a contradiction in the sentence 'あいつが来ないのは何か後ろめたいことがあるということだ'
For 'to iu no ha....to iu koto da' the explanation goes as follows: is meant to give a defintion, explanation, or interpretion of a word, phrase, or sentence
The above sentence is unrelated to any definition or interpretation of words or sentences, but rather an interpretation of a fact or action. So according to the explanation in point (2)　being: to provide an interpretation of a fact (or something nearly factual), the correct phrase would be あいつが来ないことは何か後ろめたいことがあるということだ'
Because we're not interpreting words, but something factual.
どう思いますか？
— contributed by: lullemans72
- First post, hope it's not too wrong :-) Could we say that the "it boils down to" interpretation is similar to つまり？ As in, "in other words", "that is to say". Or am I misunderstanding it? I'm aiming at 2kyu this year, so I will be referencing this site a lot.
— contributed by: mark24173
- I think the easiest way to understand this GP is "何々 is the same as saying 何とか何とか"
Aさん:　これから僕はお金をためるとします｡
From now on I`m going to save my money.
Bさん：そうか､パチンコ屋さんに行き止めということですか?
so, your saying your going to stop going to the pachinko parlor?
it seems that this grammar is used to paraphrase or summarize the topic
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toiukotoda
tagJ: ということだ
expE: it must mean, it boils down to
JLPT: 2

Front: kanarazushimo
必ずしも (かならずしも)
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必ずしも (かならずしも)
Meaning: not necessarily
Example: Big men are not necessarily strong men
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This is usually used in the patterns:
(a) does not neccesarily mean (b)
(big) kanarazushimo (strong) [tohakagiranai]
(big) kanarazushimo (strong) to iu [wake] de ha nai
(big) kanarazushimo (strong) [bakari] de ha nai
(big) does not neccesarily mean (strong)
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 善人が必ずしも成功するとは限らない。
the good will not neccesarily prosper.
— contributed by: dc
- パリに行ったとは言え必ずしもエッフェル塔を登らなくてはならないわけではない。
Just because you go to Paris, it is not necessary to climb the Eiffel Tower.
— contributed by: dc
- 身体の大きな男が必ずしも強い男とは限らない
big men are not necessarily strong men.
— contributed by: dc
- 渋谷といっても、必ずしもにぎやかな店ばかりだとは限らない
Just because it's Shibuya that does not neccesarily mean it has nothing but busy shops
— contributed by: dc
- 東京だといっても必ずしもなんでも高い訳ではない
Just because its Tokyo does not neccesarily mean everything is expensive
— contributed by: dc
- お金持ちが必ずしも幸せとは限らない
rich people are not neccesarily happy
— contributed by: dc
- 語学が得意だからといって、必ずしも就職に有利だとは限らない
just because (you say?) you have a good linguistic ability doesn't neccesarily mean that its helpful to get a job.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本人は礼儀正しい人々だと言う人もいるようだが、実態は必ずしもそうではないと私は思っている。
There are people who say that Japanese are very polite, but the fact of the matter is that I do not necessarily think that is correct.
— contributed by: dc
- 金持ちは必ずしも幸福とは限らない。
The rich are not necessarily happy.
— contributed by: karekano
- 必ずしも君の言う通りではない。
You are not necessarily right.
— contributed by: karekano
- 金はそれ自体では必ずしも幸福をもたらすとは限らない。
Money, as such, not necessarily bring happiness.
— contributed by: karekano
- 偉大が必ずしも賢いとは限らない。
Great men are not necessarily wise.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
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User Comments
- Wouldn't that be "go up the Eiffel Tower" unless they are particularly masochistic ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- is there a smily mark for "dry english humor"?
— contributed by: dc
- Of course. But only the English can see it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I changed the Jpaanee verison to conform to the "dry English humor."
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kanarazushimo
tagJ: 必ずしも
tagH: かならずしも
expE: not necessarily
noteE: Big men are not necessarily strong men
JLPT: 2

Front: katoomouto-2
かと思うと (かとおもうと)
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かと思うと (かとおもうと)
Meaning: When I think it may
Example: When I think that it may continue this way I really get depressed.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- これからこの状態が続くのかと思うと落ち込んでしまう。
When I think that this state may continue from now on I get really depressed.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 今、自分が親にやってもらっていることをやらないといけないかと思うとぞっとします。
When I think that now I may have to do those things my parents did for me it gives me the shivers.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- イギリス人かと思ったらアメリカ人だって
Just when I was thinking he was English, he said he was American
— contributed by: dc
- クリスがどんなにむかつくかと思うと、頭が痛くなりそう。
I fear I'm getting a headache thinking about how annoying Chris is.
— contributed by: Miki
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Related Grammar
- katoomouto (かと思うと - same text, different meaning.)
User Comments
- When you think [___] you get [certain feeling].
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I don't think that this usage is limited to かと思うと. と思うと probably has plenty of examples.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- often this is used when a second, contradicting thought follows.
— contributed by: dc
- I don't think that last example is the same usage.
What the others have in common are
1. Continuing, every time type occurrence (e.g. When [every time] I think X ...)
2. The result is feeling / emotion related.
The third example is a) Past tense, once off.
b) The second half of the sentence /isn't/ the result of the first.
c) Isn't かおもうと but かおもったら
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Kono joutai ha kono mama da to tsudzuku ka to omou to ochikonde shimau.
When i think this situation might continue on like this i get really depressed.
What do you guys think about how this sounds?
(roomaji de Gomen ne ^^')
— contributed by: Exrulez
- I think it doesn't need that "da to" in there hehe
— contributed by: Exrulez
- When 'dato' is used, J would be この状態が（このまま）続くのだと思うと、落ち込んでしまう。
ちなみに、type tuduku　で　つづく、続く
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: katoomouto-2
tagJ: かと思うと
tagH: かとおもうと
expE: When I think it may
noteE: When I think that it may continue this way I really get depressed.
JLPT: 2

Front: mo-2
〜も
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〜も
Meaning: (with -ve) neither ... nor , also not, either
Example: That isn't mine either.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- コーヒーも紅茶も飲みません。[ko-hi- mo koucha mo nomimasen.]
I drink neither coffee nor tea.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- これも会社の車じゃありません。[kore mo kaisha no kuruma ja arimasen.]
This isn't a company car either.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「ぼくの父は酒を飲みません。」「私の父もなんです。」
"My fater doesn't drink." [M] " Neither does my father."[M/F]
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたがスキーに行かないのなら、私も行きません。
If you don't go skiing, I won't, either.
— contributed by: Miki
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Related Grammar
- mo (も can be used both +ve and -ve sentences.)
User Comments
- First sentence も 'overrides' a は particle, second one an 'を' particle.
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mo-2
tagJ: 〜も
expE: (with -ve) neither ... nor , also not, either
noteE: That isn't mine either.
JLPT: 4

Front: ikura
いくら (幾等)
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いくら (幾等)
Meaning: how much
Example: How much is a postcard?
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- いくらis used to give the quantitative measurement of certain things.It is generally ised while asking about the price of an commodity(nedan wa ikura desu ka?).
— contributed by: naik
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 葉書は幾らですか。 [hagaki ha ikura desu ka.]
How much for a postcard?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「それはいくらかかりましたか。」「1,000円かかりました。」
"How much did it cost?" "It cost me a thousand yen."
— contributed by: Miki
- いくらお金をもってますか。
How much money do you have with you?
— contributed by: Miki
- それがいくらするのか前もって彼に聞いたほうがよい。
You had better ask him in advance how much it will cost.
— contributed by: Miki
- このＴシャツの値段はいくらですか。
How much is this T-shirt?
— contributed by: Miki
- このＴシャツはいくらですか。
How much is this T-shrit?
— contributed by: Miki
- このオートバイがいくらか、私は知りません。
I don't know how much this motorcycle would cost.
— contributed by: Miki
- このカメラはいくらですか。
How much is this camera?
— contributed by: Miki
- このスイミングスクールの月謝はいくらですか。
How much is the monthly fee of this swimming school?
— contributed by: Miki
- このツアーは1人いくらですか。
How much is the tour per person?
— contributed by: Miki
- このバスの料金はいくらですか。
How much is the fare on the bus?
— contributed by: Miki
- このペンはいくらしますか。
What does this pen cost?
— contributed by: Miki
- このホテルの宿泊料金はいくらですか。
What are the charges in this hotel?
— contributed by: Miki
- イクラはいくらですか
How much is the salmon roe?
— contributed by: feralkat
- このシャツと靴はいくらですか。
How much are these shirts and shoes?
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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User Comments
- #4816
"I don't know how much this motorcycle is" should be "I don't know how much this motorcycle would cost."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- fixed, but not sure if the english was wrong to start with really...
— contributed by: dc
- Just a note to say that いくらか is a completely diferent word meaning "a relatively small amount."
いくらか得したの = Did you make some gain?
いくら得したの = HOw much gain did you make?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I'm not sure it's wrong per se, but it is bad English because it's unclear when stated alone. In a known context it would be fine, but alone it could mean anything like, "I don't know how much this motorcycle is loved."
— contributed by: feralkat
- ...and I concur with bamboo4 that いくらか means "some," and could be confusing Japanese to a non-native speaker, but in this case and in this context it clearly means "how much?"
— contributed by: feralkat
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ikura
tagJ: いくら (幾等)
tagH: いくら
expE: how much
noteE: How much is a postcard?
JLPT: 4

Front: de
〜で
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〜で
Meaning: by means of, by, [action] at a place
Example: I came by car.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- で has many uses. It can be used for sentences like:
I went to the park by bus.
バスで公園に行きました。
Or 'with' when talking about objects such as:
パソコンで日本語とイタリア語を勉強しています。- With my PC, I'm studying Japanese and Italian.
It can be used with 'jibun' (myself) and hitori (alone)
一人でこのケーキを作りました。-I made this cake alone.
自分で料理しました。- I cooked by myself.
It can be used as a price for something:
曙ﾜドルでゲームを買いました。- I bought this game at the price for 15 dollars.
A location where something took place:
喫茶店でドーナツを食べました。- I ate a doughnut at the cafe.
It can mean 'within'...
一日で本を読みました。- I read it within a day.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 車で来ました。 [kuruma dekimashita. ]
(I) came by car.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ひとりで行きますか。[hitori deikimasu ka. ]
Are you going by youself?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ペンで書く。
I write with a pen.
— contributed by: Miki
- 町角で
At the corner of the street
— contributed by: IMABI
- 食料品店でそれを買いました。
I bought it at the grocer's shop.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 彼女はその市で働いている。
She works in that city.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 海で泳ぐのが好きです。
I like swimming in the sea.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 通りで遊ぶ。
Play in/on the street.
— contributed by: IMABI
- この店は八時で閉店です。
This store closes at eight o'clock.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 私は三回目で試験に合格しました。
I passed the test on on the 3rd time.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 彼は八十歳で亡くなりました。
He passed away at the age of 88.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 二、三日で帰るつもりです。
I plan to return home in two or three days.
— contributed by: IMABI
- ナイフで肉を切るのは本当に難しい。
Cutting meat with a knife is really difficult.
— contributed by: IMABI
- みずほでお勤めですか。
Do you work at at Mizuho?
— contributed by: IMABI
- 彼は鉛筆で手紙を書きました。
He wrote a letter with a pencil.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- de, ni, mae (I just added a page trying to clarify the differences)
- at+in+on
User Comments
- As with である, I do not see why this has it's own page. で is the "て-form" of だ and as such operates largely the same way any て-form would. For example: そのペンを使って書いた。- "I wrote it using that pen". The fragment "using that pen" is equivalent to the fragment "by car" in the example given by the author. This simply means that when だ's て-form is used (で) with a noun, we add "by", whereas in the case of a different verb's て-form, that verb + ing suffices in expressing the means by which something is done. When critically analyzing the fundamental grammatical structure of this Japanese without applying our English-based perceptions to it, で should not be distinguished from だ on a separate page. It's colloquial interpretations according to English-based perceptions might just be sidenotes on that page.
— contributed by: Eeker
- Eeker, why don't you make a new entry?
— contributed by: anon
- I think that convoluted explanation proves why "de" needs its own separate page. While the explanation may be correct, it's too labyrinthine to be usefully instructive when "de" pops up in Japanese study (quite early). "De" functions as a particle, regardless of its roots, and it's too comon a term to be stuck as a footnote to "da". It deserves its own page.
— contributed by: Synonymous
- I find it most helpful to have the convoluted explanation and the technically redundant but simpler entry in the same place. Thanks Amatuka and Eeker.
— contributed by: denzil
- This might be a result of applying the English-based (or foreign-based in general) perceptions, but most of the people reading this are actually English speakers trying to learn Japanese and articles like this one make the learning easier, especially in the early stage, when you don't necesarily know about て-forms.
— contributed by: balrog-kun
- Eeker, thanks for the explanation. Suddenly です as 「-で あります」starts to make much more sense.
— contributed by: 9000
- Sometimes a で is just a で.........
if you bring up that first explanation to an average japanese person, they`d probably look at you like you were nuts!!!!
— contributed by: gren
- I agree with dezil and 9000--lights and bells went off after I read Eeker's entry. That said, I'm rarely a purist, and I think a separate entry is merited for the JLPT 2/3 levels (including at least a pointer to Eeker's entry). Thanks everyone for your contributions.
— contributed by: jameserb
- I put many usages of the word de up on my site where I teach Japanese www.freewebs.com/kanjiwebs/ as this is not near enough of examples for people to know what de is. At least 1 example for each usage and that is not near as what is shown here.
— contributed by: IMABI
- While I appreciate, though seldom understand, the nuances of language, as a beginner in the learning of Japanese, I really appreciate keeping things as simple as possible, such as giving ”で”it's own entry. Also, I am grateful for the use of hirigana in addition to kanji.
— contributed by: jdrankin
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: de
tagJ: 〜で
expE: by means of, by, [action] at a place
noteE: I came by car.
JLPT: 4

Front: ni
〜に
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜に
Meaning: (location marker, time marker, direction marker)
Example: There's a dog in that car.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ni can mark time such as:
At 3:00 pm, I studied French.
午後三時間にフランス語を勉強しました。
An object location marker:
In Tokyo, there is the Tokyo Tower.
東京に東京タワーにあります。
And direction:
I'm going to the store tomorrow.
明日店に行きます。
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その車に犬 が います 。[sono kuruma ni inu ga imasu ]
There is a dog in that car.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- １０時に約束があります。
I have an appointment at ten.
— contributed by: Miki
- きっかり９時に来なさい。
Come at nine o'clock sharp.
— contributed by: Miki
- １０人の学生が同時に立ち上がった。
Ten students stood up all at once.
— contributed by: Miki
- ２時に空港に見送りに行きます。
I'm going to see her off at the airport at 2:00.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は休暇でコロラドにいる。
He is on vacation in Colorado.
— contributed by: Miki
- だれか玄関にいる。
Someone is at the door.
— contributed by: Miki
- その町はロンドンのすぐ北にある。
The town lies just above London.
— contributed by: Miki
- その店は通りの左側にある。
The shop is on the left side of the street.
— contributed by: Miki
- アルプス山脈はヨーロッパの中央にある。
The Alps are in the centre of Europe.
— contributed by: Miki
- サンフランシスコはアメリカの西海岸にある。
San Francisco is on the West Coast of the U.S.
— contributed by: Miki
- テレビのリモコンがソファーの下にある。
A TV remote control is under the couch.
— contributed by: Miki
- バス停は学校の近くにある。
The bus stop is near our school.
— contributed by: Miki
- ローマはイタリアにある。
Rome is in Italy.
— contributed by: Miki
- 空は私たちの頭上にある。
The sky is over at heads.
— contributed by: Miki
- 午後６：００にビデオを作りました。
I made the video at 6:00 pm.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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User Comments
- There are a few places where に can't be used.
×友だちにのプレゼント [tomodachi ni no purezento] BAD
○友だちへのプレゼント [tomodachi he no purezento] GOOD
And some where only に can be used
事務所にパソコンがある [jimusho ni pasokon ga aru]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In the Notes section, the first sample talks about three hours, the time span, not three o'clock,
三時間 is not 三時
And the second means
It's in Tokyo *at the Tokyo Tower.
I think.
— contributed by: arachanox
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ni
tagJ: 〜に
expE: (location marker, time marker, direction marker)
noteE: There's a dog in that car.
JLPT: 4

Front: ne
〜ね
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ね
Meaning: isn't it?
Example: Isn't this nice!
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ”ね”(ne) goes at the END of a sentence and nowhere else.
— contributed by: Xephyer
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- これはいいですね。[kore ha ii desu ne.]
Isn't this nice !
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ええと、映画館は駅の近くにありますね。[eeto, eigakan ha eki no chikaku ni arimasune.]
Er, the cinema is near the station, right?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 突然寒くなったね。
It has suddenly got cold, hasn't it?
— contributed by: Miki
- 「彼女は音楽が好きだね。」「そうだね。」
"She likes music, doesn't she?" "So she does."
— contributed by: Miki
- ９時でよろしいですね。
Would 9 o'clock be all right?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたのお母さんは、とても若いですね。
Your mother is very young, isn't she?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは一度も沖縄に行ったことがありませんね。
You have never been to Okinawa, have you?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたはおもしろい場所をたくさん知っていますね。
You know many interesting places, don't you?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたはその計画に賛成ですね。
You are in favour of the plan, aren't you?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたはタバコを吸わないんですね。
You don't smoke, do you?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは泳げますね。
You can swim, can't you?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは昨日家にいましたね。
You were at home yesterday, weren't you?
— contributed by: Miki
- 「一杯飲もうよ、ね。」「うん、そうしよう。」
"Let's have a drink, shall we?" "Yes, let's."
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
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User Comments
- Sentence ending particle.
Used either for seeking agreement, or when sharing one's impression with someone else.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Contrary to what big fat header in notes says, there does exist a usage of ね not at the end of sentence. This is similar to English meaningless "like", as in:
それで、彼はね、全部納豆がきらいんだよったね。
So, he was all like, "I hate nattou", right.
Here the first ね serves only the purpose of engaging the listener more, and just like in English, it can be overused easily.
— contributed by: mathrick
- ね is often used with statements about things that are fairly obvious (the 'classic' example is いい天気ですね。 - "Nice weather, isn't it."). It can (but doesn't always) have a similar effect on a sentence as "I see that..." in English (example from Chrono Trigger, slightly modified to not be feminine):
やっと起きたんだね。 (yatto okita nda ne.)
I see you're finally up.
And mathrick is absolutely right, though that's arguably a different ね. I think of it as being something like interrupting yourself to make sure the other person's paying attention, sort of like interjecting "okay?" or "listening?" into the sentence. Maybe it's just me, but overusing this seems to make you sound girlish. Take this line, for instance (from the song Dreamer -a innocent magical girl-):
街に出かけたら今日も　声かけられた (machi ni dekaketara kyou mo koe kakerareta)
でもね実はね私　興味ない (demo ne jitsu wa ne watashi kyoumi nai.)
I was called out to [probably closer to "hit on" given the context] again today when I went out into the city
But, okay?, the truth is, you listening?, I'm not interested.
And just to confuse things more (not really), there's yet another ね. Stick it at the beginning of a sentence (or even as its own sentence) as sort of a demand for attention (another example from Chrono Trigger):
ね、いいでしょクロノ？ (ne, ii desho kurono?)
Hey, you don't mind, right, Crono?
— contributed by: KWhazit
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ne
tagJ: 〜ね
expE: isn't it?
noteE: Isn't this nice!
JLPT: 4

Front: nani
何 (なに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
何 (なに)
Meaning: What
Example: What will you have?
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Use nan before b, p, d, t, n, r, and z. Use nani before all other letters.
— contributed by: izumichan31
- Nan and Nani
Generally nan, or nani is used for which ever flows better.
However, Nani is used when wanting to be more polite and formal.
Other situations may require getting a feel for using nan versus nani, or memorization.
In general, if the following word begins with a syllable from the t, n, and d groups. Nan is used.
Common usages:
Nan is used before particles [no]/の, [de]/で and verb da/desu.
Nani is used Before [ka]/か and [ni]/に,
If nan was used before ka/か, it would sound like the word nanka, which means "things like" or "something like that" which is also considered rude.
Nanika is instead used. Both nanka and nanika mean "something", but nanika is polite.
If nan was used in the case of ni/に, it would produce nanni なんに. This　sounds similar to nannimo なんにも, which means "nothing at all".
Generally mo/も、to indicate nothing, or absence. This could confuse a listener, waiting for a [mo] to be uttered.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 何にしますか。[nani ni shimasu ka. ]
What will you have?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 何の用ですか。[nan no you desu ka.]
What is your business (here / with me) ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この花は英語で何（なん）と言いますか。
What do you call this flower in English?
— contributed by: Miki
- この箱の中に何があるのか。
What is in this box?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたの好きな食べ物は何ですか。
What is your favourite food?
— contributed by: Miki
- お名前は何ですか。(なん) おなまえはなんですか [onamae wa nandesu ka.]
What is your name?
— contributed by: Miki
- あれは何ですか? (なん)あれはなんですか。[are wa nan desu ka?]
What is that?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたが本当に言いたいことは何ですか。
What is it that you really want to say?
— contributed by: Miki
- 何を見ましたか。
What did you see?
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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User Comments
- Note that 何 will be either なに or なん depending on where it is used.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- instead of anatano namae wa nan desuka I think it is more ploite to say onamae wa nandesuka
— contributed by: simbauk
- Ex 4870/71 the use of あなた seems odd to me as it seems to be trying to impose unnecessary and perhaps misleading English style on Japanese but I am not a native J-speaker and am a novice - any comments from native speakers?
— contributed by: walter
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nani
tagJ: 何
tagH: なに
expE: What
noteE: What will you have?
JLPT: 4

Front: (go,o,mi,on)
御 (ご、お、み、おん)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
御 (ご、お、み、おん)
Meaning: (honorific) respected-___
Example: Is your * husband * well?
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- i'm a nurse student
— contributed by: ketuahimikawa
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ご主人はお元気ですか。[goshujin wa ogenki desu ka]
Is your husband * well?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたはどちらのご出身ですか。[anata wa dochira no go shusshin desu ka.]
Where do you come from?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは御両親のどちらに似ていると思いますか。
Which of your parents do you think you take after?
— contributed by: Miki
- ご家族はいかがお過ごしですか。
How is it going with your family?
— contributed by: Miki
- 神の御名
The name of God
— contributed by: IMABI
- 「体」と言う言葉は尊敬語では「御身・おんみ」です。
"Karada" in honorifics is "Onmi".
— contributed by: IMABI
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User Comments
- Note: 主人 is non-PC (because it can also be used to mean 'master'). I think 夫(おっと) is more common now ...
— contributed by: Amatuka
- When I talk about "my" husband, I would say 夫 but talk about other's husband, we don't use 夫 and usually use ご主人。
— contributed by: Miki
- note : When you talk about "your" wife, you'd say 妻(つま）、家内（かない）、or 女房（にょうぼう）. And when you talk about other's wife, 奥様（おくさま）。
— contributed by: Miki
- But we don't have a custom to call somebody's husband by name though it has been changing.
ah, だんな is also used but this may be also 考え直すべき問題??
— contributed by: your name
- Yeek. I really messed up the editing on the English bit of my comment.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I think it was what was talked about in this book that I was thinking of. (Not that I've read it myself ;-)
<b>「主人」ということば−女からみた男の呼び方−</b>
<b>概要:</b>「主人」の使われ方が雇用関係から、夫婦関係にシフトし定着したのは、戦後の「一億総中流化」意識が原因とか…。「家内」とともに考え直すべき問題。
— contributed by: Amatuka
- > だんな [...] may be also 考え直すべき問題??
I'd guess so - but it isn't <b>my</b> language for me to be 考え直すing. ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: (go,o,mi,on)
tagJ: 御
tagH: ご、お、み、おん
expE: (honorific) respected-___
expJ: 尊敬を示す語
noteE: Is your * husband * well?
JLPT: 4

Front: monodesukara
ものですから
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ものですから
Meaning: because
Example: I am late because my alarm clock is broken
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- どうして遅刻したんですか？目覚まし時計が壊れていたものですから。
Why are you late then? The thing is my alarm clock's broken.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- いつもの列車に乗り遅れたものですから。
I missed my usual train.
— contributed by: dbx
- ご迷惑をおかけしますが、急を要することが起こったものですから。
Sorry to bother you, but I'm afraid something urgent has come up.
— contributed by: dbx
- その件に関しては発言する立場にないものですから。
I'm not in a position to say anything about that.
— contributed by: dbx
- それは本当に役にたつものですから、ぜひ買うべきです。
It's really a very useful thing; you ought to buy it.
— contributed by: dbx
- もう一度おっしゃって下さいませんか。お名前がはっきりと聞き取れなかったものですから。
I beg your pardon; I didn't quite catch your name.
— contributed by: dbx
- メキシコでは、多くの困難を経験しました。スペイン語が全然わからなかったものですから。
I went through a lot of difficulties Mexico because I couldn't understand Spanish at all.
— contributed by: dbx
- 家族の所へ行きたいものですから、２〜３日休みをとってもいいでしょうか。
May I take a few days off to visit my family?
— contributed by: dbx
- 子供が６人いるものですからね。
We've got six children, you know.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の代わりにこれをしていただけませんか。私は大変に忙しいものですから。
Could you take care of this in my place? I'm too busy.
— contributed by: dbx
- 　事故で電車が遅れたものだから、遅くなったすみません。
言い訳 @Because~ (give a reason(excuse))
— contributed by: khongbietboi
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Related Grammar
- monode
User Comments
- Presumably also 'monodakara'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- bienvenue Ludo!
— contributed by: your name
- Shouldn't it be:
ex #5997 遅くなってすみません。
?
Monodakara is used when you want to justify yourself about something
— contributed by: Ludi
- ex#5997 遅くなったすみません should be separated in writing. 遅くなった。すみません。But 遅くなったin this sentence sounds rude and childish. If you are making an excuse, you should say 事故で電車が遅れたものですから、遅くなりました。or 遅くなってしまいました。すみません。
— contributed by: Miki
- Right, monodakara only for justify and defending, use it will be thought that you lie
— contributed by: ngonhan2k7
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: monodesukara
tagJ: ものですから
expE: because
noteE: I am late because my alarm clock is broken
JLPT: 2

Front: mitai
みたい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
みたい
Meaning: looks like
Example: Seems like he's caught a cold.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は風邪をひいたみたいです。
Seems like he's caught a cold.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- まるで夢みたい
It's like a dream
— contributed by: bamboo4
- お前みたいな奴は見たことがない
I've never met the likes of you!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 京都みたいな所に行くのが好きです
I like to visit places like Kyoto
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 外国に行くみたいなことを言っていました
He was talking like he was going abroad
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 明日雨が降るみたいなあ。
It seems that tomorrow it's gonna rain...
— contributed by: slack.hideo
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Related Grammar
- fuu (風 is usually more like 'style' or 'way of doing' than みたい.)
- rashii (rashii seems to be a bit more mature than mitai)
- looks/seems/heard-group
User Comments
- Need to check up on the difference between みたい and よう usage.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Don't confuse <b>みたい (seeming)</b> with <b>みたい (wanting to see)</b>. The latter is the たい (tai) desirative form of みる (I'm not sure how 'seeming' みたい was derived)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 'seeming'みたい is a part of みたいだ, which is derived from 見たようだ according to 大辞林(daijirin).
— contributed by: Miki
- The first time I came across みたい in that form (the example) I processed it from the literal meaning
"I want to see that he has a cold"　->
"I want to say he has a cold" ->
(oh!) "Seems like he has a cold" . . .
Ok, it's a stretch but well these are the things you do when you have no one to ask.
— contributed by: nadine
- There are certain nuance changes in みたい as my added examples show.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mitai
tagJ: みたい
expE: looks like
noteE: Seems like he's caught a cold.
JLPT: 3

Front: fuu
風 (ふう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
風 (ふう)
Meaning: Style
Example: Japanese style apartment
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本風のマンションでいいです。
A Japanese style apartment is fine.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- たまにタイ風焼きうどんを食べます。
I sometimes eat Thai-style stir-fried noodles.
— contributed by: Miki
- 露天風呂のある純和風旅館に泊まった。
We stayed at a purely Japanese-style hotel with an open-air bath.
— contributed by: Miki
- どんな風に卵を作れますか？
In what kind of style can you cook eggs?
— contributed by: Nightroad
- フランス風に料理する。
Cook （(in) the）French style.
— contributed by: karekano
- この家はジョージ王朝風に建てられた。
That house was constructed in Georgian style.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Note Japanese 'AdSpeak' transformed the meaning of 'manshion'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 和風　> japanese style
— contributed by: dc
- why is it de ii desu? and not ga ii desu?
"nihonfuunomanshiongaiidesu"
— contributed by: rahulsangole
- Regarding "nihon-fuu no manshon GA iidesu", nihon-fuu no manshion would be your first priority in your selection list. Meanwhile "nihon-fuu no manshon DE iidesu" implys "I don't care much what style of apartment is, but Japanese-style is fine if you recommended or if anything, Japanese-style is preferable.
— contributed by: anon
- #5523 Japanese is weird. I would say どんな卵料理が作れますか。
For exmaple 「何風のお好み焼きが作れますか。」「広島風です。」
or どんな風に卵を料理しますか。How do you cook an egg?
— contributed by: Miki
- "sono fuu ni" ~ "in that style"
— contributed by: takamichi
- Changed JLPT 4 to JLPT 2 as that's where ふう belongs... (かぜ is JLPT 4, 風 (kanji) is JLPT 3 and ふう is JLPT 2)
— contributed by: seifip
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: fuu
tagJ: 風
tagH: ふう
expE: Style
noteE: Japanese style apartment
JLPT: 2

Front: na
〜な
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜な
Meaning: (particle used with na-adjectives)
Example: What a strange man!
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私はきっと変な人だと思われてる。
I'm sure I'm thought of as an odd person.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼女はきれいな足をしている。
She has beautiful legs.
— contributed by: Miki
- 静かなレストランに行きましょう。
Let's go to a quiet restaurant.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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User Comments
- な is used by na-adjectives to modify the word that follows them.
This is exactly the same way の is used with nouns to modify the word that follows <b>them</b>.
な derived from なる - and なる can still be used in some circumstances in the same way.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- E.g. 車 - (a) Car.
Modify with な-adjective,
大きな車 - (a) Large car.
Modify with noun
フレッドの車 - Fred's car.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note that the same word can often be used <b>both</b> as a na-adjective and as a noun.
Also quite a lot of i-adjectives can (with the i removed) be used as na-adjectives.
e.g. 大きい車 vs. 大きな車
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: na
tagJ: 〜な
expE: (particle used with na-adjectives)
noteE: What a strange man!
JLPT: 3

Front: naru
なる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なる
Meaning: Used much like the な of na-adjectives - somewhat archaic.
Example: With my sacred sword I shall smite thee!
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 悪魔め！俺様は聖なる剣で貴様を倒す！
Foul demon! _I_ will smite you with this sacred * sword!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- スター・ウォーズのエピソード４の副題は、「新たなる希望」である。
The subtitle of Episod IV of Star Wars is "a new * hope".
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- na (な derived from なる, but nowadays naru is fairly restricted in usage (classical and religious contexts))
User Comments
- Also used a lot in fantasy computer games. ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- P.S. Don't use 俺様 unless you happen to be a samurai from the past or egotistical hero of a bad Anime.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- P.P.S. That's probably a horrible horrible example sentence ^^v
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Incidently, is that 剣 read つるぎ ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 剣 read つるぎ and けん。You can use both way in context.
— contributed by: Miki
- Ah, I thought that might be the case - but I wasn't sure.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 単なる is probably a more common word.
— contributed by: SlyEcho
- the word naru came to me in a dream...in the form of a woman and she was gorgous ...sighhhh
— contributed by: cary
- 悪魔め！俺様は聖なる剣で貴様を倒す！
スター・ウォーズのエピソード４の副題は、「新たなる希望」である。
These are both well-written.
— contributed by: Nick
- Thank you (^o^) I am quite good at Japanese.
— contributed by: Miki
- This shows up constantly in the (imitation?) archaic style that seems to be preferred for writing spell incantations in the fantasy genre.
Taking a few examples from spell incantations in the Slayers anime...
ドラグ・スレイブ（竜破斬） (Dragon Slave):
...偉大[なる]汝の名において　我ここに　闇に誓わん...
...I hereby swear unto darkness by thy * great name...
リカバリイ（治療） (Recovery):
聖[なる]癒しの御手よ　母[なる]大地の息吹よ...
O holy * healing hand, O breath of Mother * Earth...
Looking at 母なる大地, it seems that なる can also be used with nouns (like の in modern Japanese).
— contributed by: KWhazit
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naru
tagJ: なる
expE: Used much like the な of na-adjectives - somewhat archaic.
noteE: With my sacred sword I shall smite thee!
JLPT: 3

Front: no-2
〜の
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜の
Meaning: Turn a phrase ending in a verb into a 'noun phrase'
Example: Getting married is such an effort!
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 結婚するのは大変だ。
Getting married is such an effort!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「さあ、皆さん、正々堂々戦いましょう」全選手が周りに集まるのを待って先生が言った。
"Well, everyone, let's play fair and square." the teacher said after waiting for all the players to assemble * .
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 夢に耽ったり、生きることを忘れてしまうのはよくない。
Becoming absorbed in a dream, forgett ing to live is no good.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私も買い物に行くのが好きです。
I also like to go shopping.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
- アルバイトをしながら学校に行くのは大変ですね。
Having a part time job while going to school is hard, right?
— contributed by: doing
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- no (Don't get の 'makes noun phrase' mixed up with の 'use noun to modify word'.)
- no-3 (Don't get の 'makes noun phrase' mixed up with の 'question particle'.)
User Comments
- Possibly also 'verb phrase'. Must check some time.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 大変 in context has meanings of "such an effort" or "difficult".
— contributed by: Miki
- This use of の looks similar to use of "koto" (事) after verbs, doesn't it? Like in "話す事 が 出来る" = "I can speak".
— contributed by: 9000
- Yes, but their uses have different rules. Koto is used for more abstract things than no.
— contributed by: DarrkAngel
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: no-2
tagJ: 〜の
expE: Turn a phrase ending in a verb into a 'noun phrase'
noteE: Getting married is such an effort!
JLPT: 3

Front: tabi, tabini
たび、たびに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
たび、たびに
Meaning: each time, every time, whenever
Example: Whenever I go overseas, I realize the merits of my own country.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- As far as I know, たび, means "every time". i.e. every time I get together we have a good time.
— contributed by: bob
- This grammar can use past and non・past verbs in front of it. The translation is therefore slightly different: "Whenever I go" versus "Whenever I went."
V(plain form) + たび・たびに
N + の + たび・たびに
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- Windows Messenger にサインインするたびに、プログラムをアップグレードするように求められます。
Whenever I sign in to Windows Messenger it wants me to upgrade the program.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 東京に行くたびに言っている気がする
I get the feeling I say that whenever I go to Tokyo.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- かのじょはあうたびにきれいになる。
Every time I meet her, she is always beautiful.
— contributed by: devking64
- 課長は出張のたびに、みんなにお土産を買ってくる。
Whenever the section manager goes on a business trip, he brings back souvenirs for everyone.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼女はやるたびに失敗した。
As often as she tried, she failed.
— contributed by: karekano
- 会いに行くたびに彼女は留守だった。
Every time　I went to see her, she was not at home.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私は旅行のたびに、絵葉書を買います
Every time I travel, I buy a postcard
— contributed by: thokyo
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- toki (ときに can be used in much the same way as たびに)
- nitsuke
User Comments
- Generally たびに, kanji is 度
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Since tense is not an important part of Japanese, you would use 行く度に(and you do not use 行った度に) and 行く度に has a strong implication that you did that in the past. How else can you say, 行く度に you did something? The sentence 日本に行く度に温泉に行きます therefore indicates that every time you visit Japan, you go to hot spring spas and you have done so in the past.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I don't think anybody disagrees that 行った度に is bad.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I don't think the first one is translated reasonably. It algo so implys "each time".
これはどうですか？
I get the feeling I say that whenever I go to Tokyo.
— contributed by: Miki
- Aha. So I'll clear that up change this to -1 from -3.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ありがとう、みきさん。
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I read in the Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese grammar that the formation for (n,vs) type verbs like 勉強するshould be 勉強度に . In that case, サインインする度に in example #731 should be サインイン度に, shouldn't it? Please verify.
— contributed by: zep3xvii
- zep3xvii, I don't think 勉強度に is correct. 勉強する度に is correct. Therefore, サインインする度に is correct.
— contributed by: Miki
- perhaps 勉強たびに is incorrect, but how about　勉強のたびに　and サインインのたび？
— contributed by: sagittarius
- 勉強のたびに and サインインのたびに are correct.
— contributed by: Miki
- I added [nitsuke] as a see also. Anyone care to explain the difference?
— contributed by: yookoso
- The particle "ni" in tabi ni can't be dropped then i wonder why this grammer pattern is added as[tabi,tabi ni] .
— contributed by: ichigo_venky
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tabi, tabini
tagJ: たび、たびに
expE: each time, every time, whenever
noteE: Whenever I go overseas, I realize the merits of my own country.
JLPT: 2

Front: nitomonatte
に伴って (にともなって)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に伴って (にともなって)
Meaning: as; in proportion to; with
Example: The number of problems related to the sale of pets has been increasing with the recent pet boom.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊When と共に(とともに) means 'as,' it can be rephrased as につれて, に伴って(にともなって), or に従って(にしたがって).
EXAMPLE: 景気の回復[と共に/につれて/に伴って/に従って]失業率が下がってきた。(As business recovers, the unemployment rate is coming down.)
FORMATION:
Ｖ(dict. form) + に伴って・に伴い
Ｖ(dict. form) + に伴う + Ｎ
Ｎ + に伴って・に伴い
Ｎ1 + に伴う + Ｎ2 ("accompany" is often a plausible translation)
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 地震に伴って火災が発生することが多い。
Fire outbreaks are often associated with earthquakes
— contributed by: dc
- 軽石噴火：粘性の高いマグマの活動に伴って発生す ることが多い。
Pumice Eruptions : Many incidents of occurences associated with [volcanic] activity of highly viscous magma.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 少子化に伴い高齢者が高齢者を介護するようになるだろう。
Along with the declining birth rate, the elderly will begin to care for the elderly.
— contributed by: Miki
- 人口が増えるに伴って、　いろいろな問題が起ってきた。
Various problems have come up along with the increase in the population.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 経済発展に伴う環境破壊が問題になっている。
Environmental destruction is becoming a problem as the economy develops.
— contributed by: sw
- ペットの販売に関するトラブルが、最近のペットブームに伴って増加しています。
The number of problems related to the sale of pets has been increasing with the recent pet boom.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 秋が深まるに伴って、山の紅葉が進む。
The mountain's autumn colors advance as autumn deepens.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 地震に伴う火災で、多くの人命が失われた。
Because of the fires that accompanied the earthquake, there was a large loss of life.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 発熱に伴って、吐き気もしてきた。
Along with the fever I also began to vomit.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- この町でもどんどん人口が増加している。それにともなってスーパーや銀行もでき、便利になってきた。
The population has increased in this town rapidly, you could see the supermarkets and bank also As well,it has been useful.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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Related Grammar
- nitsurete
User Comments
- I think "be associated with" is good. Along with implies something "be followed by" something but "at the same time".
— contributed by: Miki
- mikiへ
so nitomonatte means
　　"at the same time",
not
　　one after the other /
　　one thing caused by another"
— contributed by: dc
- can you explain any difference with nitsurete or totomoni ?
— contributed by: dc
- Sorry, my English was wrong.
ni tomonatte means
"one thing caused by another"
not
"at the same time", "one after the other"(kougo??)
— contributed by: Miki
- I think 'one thing caused by another' does not preclude them both happening over the same (general) time period.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I don't remember what was there before now. ^^v
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Oh, and
はじめまして、みきさん。これからもどうぞよろしくね。
;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- こちらこそ。:)
— contributed by: Miki
- I would vote for: "Earthquakes are often accompanied by outbreaks of fire." に伴ってdoes not have the meaning of "as a result of" or "as the consequence of" even though it is broad enough to encompass such situation in volving causality. It can be an accidental, as opposed to causal, happenstance.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Hmm, however it does have an strong 'direction' and at least a hint of an /implication/ of causality.
Take the statement "Psychosis is often associated with canabis use." vs. "Canabis use is often associated with psychosis."
I think there's a fairly clear difference in implied meaning between the two.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- OK I've added another example and a bit to the grammar. Is this good to go to better 'check' number?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The study book I'm using indicates that に伴って can indicate a causal relationship (as につれて and にしたがって), but it can ALSO be used for situations that arise simultaneously (同時に起きる) - supporting "earthquakes are often accompanied by ..." (which also gets my vote).
— contributed by: srobertson
- I saw this sentence in an email from a friend today:
住所変更に伴う、やらなきゃいけないことがたくさんあって.
She was apologizing for not writing sooner because she had a lot to do in conjunction with her move to a new apartment. This is the dictionary form not the te form but I guess it fits?
Also, does anyone think there should there be a きゃいけない (colloquial) entry?
— contributed by: yookoso
- As indicated before, 伴って does not have the direct causal relationship with the event in which the secondary event occurs. There may be such causal relationship or there may not be, so that the expression does not exclude causality but that's not the only meaning that you get out of 伴って.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Just my two cents, but I think 伴って means "as...", like "as something happens, something else happens", same as に従って. [6420] Any objections?
— contributed by: sw
- Usage of に伴って does have a cause-effect relationship meaning, however this isn't necessarily true. If A is the cause and B is the resulting effect, B can also come about as an indirect effect that A causes.
So to bamboo4 and swさん、you're both correct.
— contributed by: Tetsuzan
- English translation should be "Alongside", IMHO.
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitomonatte
tagJ: に伴って
tagH: にともなって
expE: as; in proportion to; with
expJ: とともに; につれて; に従って
noteE: The number of problems related to the sale of pets has been increasing with the recent pet boom.
JLPT: 2

Front: nisuru-2
にする
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にする
Meaning: To decide on, to choose
Example: Let's make it Sunday.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar p. 310
— contributed by: anon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- うちは毎年９月末の日曜日にすると決まっているのです。
It's our rule to make it the last Sunday of September every year.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そのようにすると後で困らない？
Shou you decide to do it that way, would you not be embarrassed later on?
— contributed by: bamboo4
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Related Grammar
- nisuru (Two different usages in one にする fixes on a particular choice, the other にする makes something so.)
User Comments
- The Japanese is not natural from the context. It should be 毎年9月の最終日曜日.
For example, if the Sunday was 26th, we don't say 9月末（９がつすえ）。
ちなみに、月末（げつまつ） is at the end of month. 下旬（げじゅん） is end of month.
— contributed by: Miki
- 9月末 is read ９がつまつ.
hmm but I found some sites 毎年○月末の▲曜日…。
— contributed by: Miki
- I agree with Miki. It sounds more natural. If you don't like 最終日曜日、you can say 最後の日曜日.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nisuru-2
tagJ: にする
expE: To decide on, to choose
noteE: Let's make it Sunday.
JLPT: 3

Front: kanousei
可能性 (かのうせい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
可能性 (かのうせい)
Meaning: Existence of possibility
Example: It could explode.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 再発の可能性が少しあります。
There's a slight possibility of a recurrence.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 生物兵器テロの可能性が高い感染症について
Concerning terrorist biological weapons with high infection risk.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ＵＦＯ説は少し可能性が低いとされている。
UFO theory is held to be rather low probability .
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ほとんど可能性がないといってもいいのですが，
You can pretty much say that there is no chance [of that occuring] but,
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そのことをきっかけにして事件に巻き込まれる可能性がなきにしもあらずだと思います。
You can't escape the possibility that this fact could be used as an opportunity to get [them] mixed up in a [dangerous] incident.
— contributed by: Amatuka
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User Comments
- Often 可能性が高い and similar phrases.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- You can just say 可能性がある。Don't need to say how mcuh possibility there is.
可能性が高い／低い。
全く／ほとんど 可能性がない。可能性がなきにしもあらず。
Anybody pls translate them.
— contributed by: Miki
- You're working me hard. ;-)
What do you think of those translations - close enough?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- As for the seconde example, if English is correct, Japanese word order is wrong.
生物兵器テロの 可能性 が高い感染症について →
高い感染症の可能性のある　生物兵器テロについて
— contributed by: Miki
- If the Japanese correct, English would be...
Concerning infection could be used by terrorist biological weapons.
Not sure. Please correct the English.
— contributed by: Miki
- because the key word here is RISK, you'll still have to keep that in the sentance Miki:
"Concerning terrorist biological weapons, there's a high risk of infection." sounds very natural in English.
— contributed by: dadako
- Silly question perhaps, but is this really grammar? Seems like just a vocabulary word to me...
— contributed by: yookoso
- yookoso, you are right. I didn't mind if this is grammar or not.
Anyway, let's finish. English is correct. With RISK, how about this? 生物兵器テロについて、感染症の高い危険性がある。
— contributed by: Miki
- i guess this isn't real grammar, but i find it a very often used _construct_, so put it in. I use it a lot (working in the realm of the near-possible)
also
可能性がある (there is a possibilty that...)
and
可能です (is possible...)
are two separate ways of using the phrase that took a while to get used to.
— contributed by: dc
- The second Japanese example is a sentence fragment, and a better translation would probably be:
"Regarding the high risk of a terrorist biological weapon spreading an infectious disease, ... "
The other translations given sound clumsy.
— contributed by: Paul
- I found a site used the Japanese sentence. I think 生物兵器テロとして用いられる可能性が高い感染症について is better as an example here. Concerning infections used with high possibility as bioterrorism agents/disease かな？
— contributed by: Miki
- らずだ - I was not able to use any tool to translate or explain this phrase
— contributed by: jokuah
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kanousei
tagJ: 可能性
tagH: かのうせい
expE: Existence of possibility
noteE: It could explode.
JLPT: 3

Front: naa
なあ、な〜、な
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なあ、な〜、な
Meaning: Adds emphasis - sentence ending particle; Emphasizes personal desires
Example: Won't it be great if we can go fishing tomorrow?
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- hora! watashi no aibou no aidea wa ii naa?
trans:see here! isnt my partner's idea great?
— contributed by: jeina419
- 〜なぁ　Emphasizes the speakers personal feelings as supposed to 〜ね which seeks confirmation from the listener.
明日は晴といいなぁ　
it would be nice if it was sunny tomorrow.
明日は晴といいですね
wouldn`t it be nice if it was sunny tomorrow.
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 明日は釣れるといいなあ！
Won't it be great if (we) can fish tommorow!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 冷たいビールを飲みたいなあ。
I'd really like a cold beer. / I could really go for a cold beer.
— contributed by: cdo4
- 腹減ったなあ。
I'm so hungry.
— contributed by: erikku
- きれいだなぁ〜。
Oh, how beautiful.
— contributed by: burakkuneko
- 冷たいビールをのみたいなぁ〜。
I want to drink a cold beer.
— contributed by: burakkuneko
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- na-2 (Don't get the 'emphasis' な mixed up with the 'negative command' な.)
User Comments
- Short and long なあ versions, both mean the same thing.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Won't it be gret if (we) can fish tomorrow. ではありませんか？　釣る=to fish、釣りに行く=to go fishing
— contributed by: Miki
- Hmm, true. But you can't <b>fish</b> without <b>going to fish</b> so it's not such a big difference.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- "going to fish" is probably rather more common - but both are OK so I'll change it as you suggest.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In note, I think "watashi no aibou no aidea wa ii deshou?" would be better instead of "... naa."
Or "yappari watashi no aibou no aidea wa iinaa." might be ok. tras. what I expected, my partner's idea is great.
— contributed by: Miki
- It seems that "naa" is used with sentences which are suggestive, while "yo" is more definite.
— contributed by: FatPianoBoy
- Wouldn't it be great if (we) can go fishing tomorrow?
It can also be 明日は釣りに行けるといいなあ
If you don't translate literally/exactly in English terms, both the meaning is the same.
— contributed by: 誠
- If it is just 釣れるといいなあ
It means:
How nice(Wouldn't it be great) if (I) can(ability) fish..
— contributed by: 誠
- #5900 If this means "are you going on a trip? I'm jealous.", J would be either「旅行に行くの？いいなぁ〜」or 「旅行に行くのか。いいなぁ〜」.
— contributed by: Miki
- How do I change 'as supposed' to 'as opposed'?
I can't figure out how to edit that section
— contributed by: lou1sb
- Is naa used only by men?
— contributed by: takezo
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naa
tagJ: なあ、な〜、な
expE: Adds emphasis - sentence ending particle; Emphasizes personal desires
expJ: 自分のしたいことや欲しいものなど
noteE: Won't it be great if we can go fishing tomorrow?
JLPT: 3

Front: nasai
なさい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なさい
Meaning: Informal Imperative (request form)
Example: Sit down.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Drop the ーます from the ーます form and add なさい to make this form.
— contributed by: sarruby
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 「一人で間違えずに歌える自信のある人だけ座りなさい。」と指示しました
[The teacher] directed that (just) people who had the confidence that they could sing, on their own, without error should sit down.
— contributed by: dc
- 早くしなさい。
Do it quickly.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 好い加減にしなさいよ。
Shape up!
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- 野菜を食べなさい！
Eat your vegetables!
— contributed by: hua
- 座りなさい。
Sit down.
— contributed by: hua
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- na-3 (The command form な is based on the request form なさい (or similar). な is much more forceful.)
- kudasai (なさい and ください can both be used to make requests, although なさい is probably more forceful.)
- http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/reque (Tae Kim's guide.)
User Comments
- I guess this is half way between a 'polite command' and a 'fairly forceful request'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- [V-masu base] + nasai
— contributed by: Amatuka
- '[The teacher]' isn't explicitly in the Japanese version, but the English might look odd without it.
'(just)' wouldn't be natural in the English - the だけ in the Japanese doesn't explicitly tranlate.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The Japanese translation is quite nice except the tense.
「…。」と、（先生は）指示しました／指示した。
— contributed by: Miki
- thanks, updated..
— contributed by: dc
- In the English version of the first example, perhaps "just those" instead of "(just) people."
Also, I don't know how they do it in schools abroad, but in Japan, the teacher normally says "should stand up" instead of "should sit down."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- The coloring in ex #1248 is very confusing. The 'し' looks to be part of '早く', which is not the intention, if I understand correctly.
— contributed by: anon
- fixed.
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nasai
tagJ: なさい
expE: Informal Imperative (request form)
noteE: Sit down.
JLPT: 3

Front: ni-2
〜に
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜に
Meaning: to, from (indirect object marker)
Example: I was given this by my mother.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- これは母に貰いました。 [kore ha haha ni moraimashita. ]
I got this from my mother.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そこに着いたら私に教えてください。
Please let me know when we get there.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私はともだちに電話をします。
I will call a friend.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私はあなたにりんごをあげる。
I will give an apple to you.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は先生にしかられた。
He got scolded by the teacher.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- ni (Note に use for object/time location vs. indirect object marker.)
User Comments
- Remind me to check up on 貰う etc. with all that in-group / out-group etc stuff.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- に marks the indirect object of the verb
receiver of the action
— contributed by: Miki
- Some E translations don't have right words just for に and I put verb instead. Please change English if you have better translation.
— contributed by: Miki
- there is a mistake in the grammar in #4899
should be something like "please let me know when you get there."
— contributed by: ck1984
- "に marks the indirect object of the verb
receiver of the action"
this causes some confusion with ex #4902 since 'he' is the one receiving the scolding?
— contributed by: skysongz
- I was a bit confused about this as well, though thinking of it as marking an indirect object helps so much-- all of the books and things have explained it in a way that connects it to its first meaning...
— contributed by: Saralynne
- Isn't the verb in #4902 in passive form? If that's the case, then に denotes the agent (I think that's the correct English term) of the action. In other words, the one acting/subject.
That's why the English translation is in passive form also. I think.
— contributed by: yari
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ni-2
tagJ: 〜に
expE: to, from (indirect object marker)
noteE: I was given this by my mother.
JLPT: 4

Front: ha-2
〜は
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜は
Meaning: 'ha (wa)' used to indicate contrast
Example: I don't eat /meat/ (but I do eat fish).
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私は肉は食べない。
I don't eat / meat / . (but I eat fish)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「セリーナをみせて！」「心配は要らない。いきてはいる、いきて。」
"Show me Serena!" "No need to worry. She's / alive / . Alive (but _not_ well)."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- いや、でも野球を見に行くのは好きだけどね。
No, but I like * going to baseball.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は、足し算は好きだけど、引き算は嫌いだ。
I like * addition but * subtraction.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は上海で住んでいたので、戦争は彼とは全く関係のないところで行われていた．
Because he was living in Shang-hai, the war was being fought (lit. performed) in places that did not have a connection with him at all.
— contributed by: nexalacer
- 魚は食べますが、肉は食べません。さかなはたべますが、にくはたべません。
I eat * fish, but I don't eat meat.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
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Related Grammar
- ha (Note use of は to indicate contrast vs. indicating the topic of a sentence.)
User Comments
- The 'normal' negative sentence would be 私は肉を食べない。'I don't eat fish'.
With the object marker を overridden by は this implies that not eating meat is in contrast to eating something else (for example fish).
<b>Note:</b> When Japanese refer to meat (肉) they generally would not understand that as including fish (魚).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This contrastative は can fit in places that you might not expect. Take <b>生きている '(she's) alive.'</b> vs. <b>生きてはいる '(she's) alive (but not well).'</b>.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- P.S. How's the Hero / Villain / Hostage example?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Very helpful :)
— contributed by: Kana-chan
- In your comment, you said "私は肉を食べない。'I don't eat fish'”, but obviously you meant to say 'I don't eat meat'. I also liked the hostage example! :-)
— contributed by: khyron
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ha-2
tagJ: 〜は
expE: 'ha (wa)' used to indicate contrast
noteE: I don't eat /meat/ (but I do eat fish).
JLPT: 3

Front: そう
そう
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
そう
Meaning: I hear that
Example: I hear it's going to snow.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [looks/seems/heard-group] for similar examples
— contributed by: dc
- There are two connotations to sou
note the difference in verb ending
[sou] they say/i heard
雨が降るそうです
fur<b>u</b>-sou
iku-sou
omoshiroi-sou
genki-da sou
[sou-2] looks like/seems
雨が降りそうです
fur<b>i</b>-sou
omoshiro-sou
genki-sou
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 天気予報を聞いてたら雪が降るそうです。
When I listened to the weather forcast they reckoned it's going to snow.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 電話したら彼はいないそうです。
Upon phoning, I was told that he wasn't there.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 彼はいないのですかと聞いたらそうだといわれました。
When I asked if he was not there, I was told that it was so.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- そうですか！
Is that so!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- なんでそうやねん(Kansai Dialect)
Why so?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- そうだと言ったんだよ！
I said it was so! (that way)
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
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Related Grammar
- sou (Don't get そう (I hear that) mixed up with そう (it looks like). )
- rashii ([rashii] is "I heard that" where [sou] is more "seems like")
User Comments
- I don't like that example. I should have looked a little longer and got a better one. ^^v
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed by [V-ru] + sou.
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: そう
expE: I hear that
noteE: I hear it's going to snow.
JLPT: 3

Front: gatai
がたい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
がたい
Meaning: Vm, ~ difficult to
Example: hard to understand
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Implies that something is so difficult that it can't be done. For something that's just really difficult to do it's better to use 〜にくい or 〜づらい.
Also, the verbs it's used as a pair with are pretty limited. Here are a few more:
賛成しがたい, but 反対しがたい you absolutely can't say.
表現しがたい
考えがたい
動かしがたい事実
受け入れがたい
— contributed by: brazenxvirtue
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その景色の美しさは筆舌に尽くしがたい。
The beauty of the scenery is hard to describe
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 抑え難い衝動
An un controllable urge.
— contributed by: Exrulez
- 人生にはおうおうにして即決し難い事柄に出くわすことがあります。
In one's life, there are occasionally situations where it is difficult to make on-the-spot decisions.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- この勝負は白黒つけがたい。
It's hard to decide who the winner of this match is.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 彼女は，とてもえらくなってしまって、近寄りがたい。
She's become diffiult to approach since being promoted to her new high position.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 彼が宝くじで1億円当てたなんて、すぐには信じがたい話だ。
He won Y100,000,000 in the lottery? I find it hard to believe such a story.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- これは正解ではないが、間違っているとも言いがたい。
This isn't the right answer, but I can't say it's a mistake either.
— contributed by: brazenxvirtue
- 日本に来て色々と得がたい経験をした。
Since I've come to Japan, I've had a lot of valuable experiences (hard to get experiences).
— contributed by: brazenxvirtue
- あんな気の弱そうな人が　"人殺し”なんて信じがたい。
I can't believe such a timid person could be a murderer.
— contributed by: brazenxvirtue
- 親が子を、若者が老人を虐待するような犯罪は許しがたい。
Parents who abuse children or young people who abuse the elderly, those types of crimes I/we can't forgive (excuse).
— contributed by: brazenxvirtue
- 彼女が１等をとったなんて信じがたい。
It is incredible that she should have won the first prize.
— contributed by: karekano
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- kaneru
User Comments
- First example : Lit. "The beauty of the scenery is hard to express completely."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Kanji 難い
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from Verb -masu base + gatai
Vm - Verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I've noticed that the verbs that tend to use GATAI　are pretty scarce so is there a time when this grammar point should be used or can it be used for anything without any problems?
— contributed by: Exrulez
- By definition, 難い means "difficult" so that it is associated with things that has problems to begin with.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Would something like　「今夜早く暗くなって道が見難い」be something you say or write (or be quite possibly neither)?
— contributed by: Leslie
- First of all, 見難い is read as minikui here. This is used in conversation and writing. But in writing, 今夜は is better in this sentence.
If you meant "something-gagai", we use it in both cases as well but the sentence sounds rather formal in speaking.
— contributed by: anon
- Common examples:
想像しがたい
許しがたい
耐えがたい
得がたい
信じがたい
表しがたい
— contributed by: Arma
- The word pattern "...し難い" can produce many examples.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- See also "nikui"?
— contributed by: theWonderer
- 〜がたい suggests that s.th. is extremely difficult or nearly impossible to do. It is often used with words such as shinjiru (to believe), taeru (to endure),rikaisuru (to understand), eru (to obtain), suteru (to discard), and hanareru (to be seperated from), and refers to mental activity instead of actual deeds. For example, sutegatai implies that one finds it difficult to part with a memory or s.th. one is attached to.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: gatai
tagJ: がたい
expE: Vm, ~ difficult to
noteE: hard to understand
JLPT: 2

Front: ge
げ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
げ
Meaning: Ab, seems (〜そう）
Example: seems fun
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- When using this grammar with an adjective or verb, you can only use those that express emotions or feelings of the heart. For example, うれしげ、悲しげ、楽しげ、不安げ、自信ありげ.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- FORMATION:
いＡ(take off い)+げ
なＡ+げ
Ｖ[〜ありげ]
〜げだ
〜げに+Ｖ
〜げな+Ｎ
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- とても寂しげな表情で笑う。
He smiled with a very lonely looking expression..
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あの子供は楽しげだね？
Those kids seem happy don't they?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- おとなげがない。
Not worthy of a man of age.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 彼は得意げな顔で、みんなに新しいカメラを見せた。
With a proud face, he showed everyone the new camera.
— contributed by: srobertson
- 彼は寂しげに一人で公園のベンチに座っていた。
He,like a lonely person, was sitting on a bench in the garden.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 遠足に来た子供たちが楽しげにお弁当を食べていた。
The children that came on the hike seemed to be happily eating their boxed lunches.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼は何か言いたげだった。
He looked like he wanted to say something.
— contributed by: hana
- あの人はさびしげな目をしている。
That person has a lonely look in his eye.
— contributed by: hana
- そのニュースを聞いたら、彼は嬉しげになった。
He seemed very happy when he heard that news.
— contributed by: agnestan
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- sou
User Comments
- Generally used with i adjectives for feelings / emotions.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from Adjective base + ge (e.g. i-adjectives lose final i)
Ab = Adjective Base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Is there a げ used for N adjectives?
— contributed by: Exrulez
- bamboo4, I thought 大人げない is a good example but is this irregular? This is different from others. 大人げ is always followed by ない. 大人げ が ない or 大人げない.
— contributed by: Miki
- I'm not sure, but I'd guess 大人げない follows a similar pattern to 何げない、さりげない、すげない etc., rather than following this grammar pattern. Adjectives combined with げ inflect as ーな adjectives. 大人げない doesn't seem to work that way.
— contributed by: srobertson
- 〜げcan be used for i- and na-adjectives
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ge
tagJ: げ
expE: Ab, seems (〜そう）
noteE: seems fun
JLPT: 2

Front: gimi
気味 (ぎみ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
気味 (ぎみ)
Meaning: Vm、N slight tendency toward, seems like, feels so..
Example: He is on the heavy side.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- gimi
Verbs = V conjunctive form + 気味
疲れ気味
Nouns = N + 気味
きんちょうぎみ
— contributed by: hana
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 風邪気味だから行きたくない。
I have a slight feeling that I (will) have a cold, so I don't want to go.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はいくぶん太り気味だ。
He is on the heavy side.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 風邪気味 WWWJDIC Examples link">風邪気味 WWWJDIC Examples link
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 仕事が忙しくて最近少し疲れ気味だ。
Because I am busy with work, nowadays I feel little bit tired .
— contributed by: Meghana
- 私は最近太りぎみなのでジョギングを始めました。
I've taken up jogging because I feel I've gotten a bit heavy recently.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 私の時計はおくれぎみなので、修理に出した。
My watch seemed to be running slow , so I took it in to be repaired.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 今日は風邪気味だから、家にいよう。
Because I feel as if I caught cold today, I want to stay at home.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 新入社員は緊張気味の顔をしていた。
The new employee looked a little bit nervous
— contributed by: lilibr
- この所忙しくて少し疲れ気味だから、今日は早く帰る事にした。
I've been feeling a bit tired recently, so I decided to go home early today.
— contributed by: Rollocoasta
- 今朝は一寸風邪気味だ。
I have a slight feeling of a cold this morning.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 彼は少し太り気味だ。
He is on the fat side.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Formed from verb-masu base + gimi
or from noun + gimi
Vm = Verb -masu base
N = noun
— contributed by: Amatuka
- expresses a feeling that, although not serious at the moment, there seems to be a sign of or a tendency toward a particular condition, as in, feeling a cold coming on or sensing that one is a little overweight (see my examples above).
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- how would you say 'I tend to slack off at work'?
(is this ok?「仕事やってるときに怠け者気味です」)
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- Yes I am also interested in this question above, it seems right to me.
彼は哀しい気味です。He tends to be a bit sad
-ish. i know it's not correct English, but people still use "ish" to make words. Can it be used in this way with 気味？
— contributed by: anna.kendall
- So what is the difference between 「がち」and 「ぎみ」？
— contributed by: erekose200
- The main difference between 「がち」and ぎみ is that 「がち」usually describes a general tendency in someone or something while 「ぎみ」describes a visible indication of a tendency.
e.g. 1 田中は最近太りがちだ
Tanaka has a general tendency to gain weigh but is not necessarily overweight at the moment of speech。Compare with;
２）田中は最近太り気味だ
Tanaka is showing signs of being overweight。
Also 「がち」Cannot express the idea of "a touch of" or " a little".
(taken from the Intermediate grammar dictionary)
— contributed by: bluntcrayon
- does gimi work with adjectives?
like 暑い気味
— contributed by: hungry-sumo
- gimi cannot be used with i-adjectives
— contributed by: geddoe
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: gimi
tagJ: 気味
tagH: ぎみ
expE: Vm、N slight tendency toward, seems like, feels so..
noteE: He is on the heavy side.
JLPT: 2

Front: ijou
以上 (いじょう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
以上 (いじょう)
Meaning: Vru, since; now that; once; as long as
Example: as long as you're here, we may as well have fun
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 先生である以上は
as long as (someone) is a teacher
— contributed by: dc
- 学生である以上は勉強すべきだ。
So long as you are a student, you should study.
— contributed by: dc
- これだけ禁煙、禁煙と言われる以上、喫煙というのは公序良俗に反する行為なんだろうね。
There are so many anti-smoking campaigns these days maybe it really is a threat to the public order.
— contributed by: Miki
- 公僕も人間であること、また人間である以上過ちを犯す可能性があることを、彼は認識している。
Americans realize that public officials are human and that as human beings these officials are capable of misdemeanor.
— contributed by: Miki
- 契約書に書かれている以上、期日までにこの仕事を完成させなければならない。
As is written in the contract, we must complete the job by the appointed date.
— contributed by: dekirukana
- いったん仕事を引き付けた以上は,途中で止めることはできない.
If once you attracted that job,you cannot stop on the mid way.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼を信頼できない以上雇うべきではない。
Since you don`t trust him, you should not employ him.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼と戦った以上、今まで私にまだ話し掛けていない。
since an argument with him, until now he still has not greeting to me.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- karaniha (以上は in context can be replaced with からには. )
- ueha (very similar)
- kagiri
User Comments
- Formed from Vru + ijou.
Also from 'continuing action' e.g. 使ってる以上
Vru = dictionary form. （〜る for ichidan / regular group 2 verbs)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 以上は in context can be replaced with からには.
— contributed by: Miki
- is this the same as [kagiri] ?
学生である限り、勉強します
学生である以上、勉強します
are identical in meaning/nuance?
— contributed by: dc
- Since/Till I am a student, I will study
Being a student,I will study.
— contributed by: shrutinarula
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ijou
tagJ: 以上
tagH: いじょう
expE: Vru, since; now that; once; as long as
noteE: as long as you're here, we may as well have fun
JLPT: 2

Front: kanenai
かねない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かねない
Meaning: Vm, capable of (a bad thing)
Example: he is capable of anything
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Kanenai is used only for negative results or things which we don't want to happen
— contributed by: vinodh1878
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あの男はどんなばかなことでもやりかねない。
He might do any stupid thing (LIT: there is not a stupid thing he would not do).
— contributed by: dc
- 真面目なように見えるが彼は嘘をつきかねない。
He looks very serious, but he can't help lying.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あの男は裏切りもしかねない。
He is capable of treachery.
— contributed by: dc
- この手の雑誌は若者に害を与えかねない。
This kind of magazine can do harm to young people.
— contributed by: dc
- しかし贈り物をひけらかすことは、何も持ってこなかった客を当惑させることになりかねない。
But showing off the presents could embarrass the guests who did not bring one.
— contributed by: dc
- その少年は盗みをしかねない。
The boy is capable of robbery.
— contributed by: dc
- イスラム系共和国が独立国家共同体に参加しない場合、それらの国々は独自の勢力を形成し、一触即発の民族的、宗教的な亀裂を生じかねない、と?A、西側の消息筋は警告しています。
Soviet and Western observers have warned that if the Muslim republics do not join the commonwealth, they may from a separate group, setting up a volatile ethnic and religious split.
— contributed by: dc
- インフレを抑制しようとして金融政策に偏重すると、金融、したがって景気を必要以上に締め付けることになりかねない。
Excessive reliance on monetary policy an attempt to curb inflation could unnecessarily constrain credit and hence business.
— contributed by: dc
- スキャンダルは嘘を魔ｫかねない。
Scandal could expose the lie.
— contributed by: dc
- 一瞬のちゅうちょでもパイロットは命を落としかねない。
A moments hesitation may cost a pilot his life.
— contributed by: dc
- 一瞬躊躇すればパイロットは命も落としかねない。
A moment's hesitation may cost a pilot his life.
— contributed by: dc
- 学校へ行ったことのない人は貨物自動車からものを盗みかねないが、大学教育を受けた人なら鉄道全部を盗みかねない。
A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.
— contributed by: dc
- 規則にうるさいレフェリーは試合を台無しにしかねない。
A fussy referee can ruin a bout.
— contributed by: dc
- 新しい調査では、６５歳以上の病院患者の診察記録には誤りが多く、重大な診察ミスにつながりかねない、ということです。
A new study suggests that hospital records for patients older than 65 are often incorrect, which may lead to serious treatment errors.
— contributed by: dc
- 奴はうそもつきかねない男だ。
The man is quite capable of telling lies.
— contributed by: dc
- 冬に暖かい服装をしていないと、ひどいかぜをひくことになりかねない。
Not intelligence and experience enabled him to deal with the trouble.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼ならそれくらいの事はいいかねない。
He can say such things.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はそんなことをやりかねない。
He is capable of doing such a thing.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はどんな悪事でもやりかねない。
He's capable of wickedness of any kind.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は望む物を手に入れるためには人をもだましかねない。
He is capable of deceiving others to get what he wants.
— contributed by: dc
- ジョンさんは作りたてチョコケーキを全て食べかねない。
John cant help but to eat the entire freshly made chocolate cake.
— contributed by: timmy43
- 嘘をつきかねない男だ。　
A man capable of telling lies.
— contributed by: karekano
- 準備は足りないので、落第しかねない。
Because of insufficient preparation, he might fail.
— contributed by: belajar
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User Comments
- kaneru=hesitate to, find it hard to | kanenai = doesn't think twice about / will happily do (a bad thing)
— contributed by: dc
- Formed from verb -masu base + kanenai
Note that the '-nai' conjugates as a normal negative
(e.g. kanemasen, kanenakatta possible)
Vm = Verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I'm not sure of the seconde J-example.
真面目なように見える_が_彼は嘘をつきかねない。
or
真面目なように見える qualify 彼?
E-translation matches the former.
— contributed by: Miki
- "That person who looks serious just can't help lying." for the latter, huh?
I agree I think it should probably be が there.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Incidently, is the following Japanese grammatical?
真面目なように見えるが真面目でもないが、彼はやる事はやっている
He looks serious but he isn't, but he does the things to be done.
(The English is dubious because of the two 'but's in the same sentence.)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This Japanese is awkward.
真面目なように見えるがそうではないが、…。
真面目なように見えるが真面目ではないのだが、…。
— contributed by: Miki
- I find the terms "likely to" and "liable to" more descriptive for かねない, could we add that to the "capable of" under meaning in the top of the page?
— contributed by: Rukawa
- Can someone double check #4228? Thank you
— contributed by: ^_^
- In #4228, Japanese does not jibe with English.
English should be: In winter, unless you dress warmly, you could come down with a nasty cold.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- When I read this the words "cannot help, unable to help (something)," maybe "(sometimes) cannot help but" come to mind to describe this.
— contributed by: LittleFish
- So would this be right?
彼はうるさいことを話しかねない。
He cant help saying annoying things?
I guess I am not sure how to form a negative verb sentence using this pattern...
He cant help not doing the dishes.
and in the examples above there seems to be no difference if it is a -ている (ing) sentence or dictionary form.
— contributed by: anna.kendall
- 真面目なように見えるが彼は嘘をつきかねない。
He could lie but look serious.
あの男は裏切りもしかねない。
He's quite (also) capable of betrayal.
ジョンさんは作りたて チョコケーキを全て食べかねない。
John is capable of eating the entire freshly made chocolate cake.
— contributed by: slopethisway
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kanenai
tagJ: かねない
expE: Vm, capable of (a bad thing)
noteE: he is capable of anything
JLPT: 2

Front: ijou-2
以上 (いじょう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
以上 (いじょう)
Meaning: exceeding, above
Example: More than two hours
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私は二時間以上も待った。
I waited more than two hours.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- １０００銘柄以上の株が取引所に上場されている。
More than 1000 issues are listed on the stock exchange.
— contributed by: Miki
- １０ドル以上は使いたくありません。
I don't want to spend more than $10.
— contributed by: Miki
- １５種類以上のパイをご用意しています。
There are over 15 different kinds of pies.
— contributed by: Miki
- １８２０年から１９７３年の間に合衆国は、４６００万人以上の移民を受け入れた。
Between 1820 and 1973, the United States admitted more than 46 million immigrants.
— contributed by: Miki
- １８歳以上の者はだれでも大人としてみなされる。
Anyone eighteen years of age and over counts as an adult.
— contributed by: Miki
- 20人以上の人
Better than twenty people.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたのことを友達以上には考えられないの。
I can't think of you as more than a friend.[F]
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは必要以上のカロリーを摂っている。
You take more calories than necessary.
— contributed by: Miki
- あの音にはもうこれ以上我慢できない。
I can't put up with that noise any longer.
— contributed by: Miki
- あらゆる事を考慮に入れれば、結果は私の期待以上だ。
Taking everything into consideration, the result is better than I expected.
— contributed by: Miki
- この計画以上にすぐれたものはまず作れない。
This plan can hardly be improved upon.
— contributed by: Miki
- これ以上まけられませんか。
Is this the best price you can offer?
— contributed by: Miki
- 君が私を愛している以上に私は君を愛している。
I love you more than you love me.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私の祖母は私が欲しがる以上のものをくれた。
My grandmother gave me more than I wanted.
— contributed by: Miki
- 人生には目に見える以上のものがある。
There is more in life than meets the eye.
— contributed by: Miki
- 動物も植物も、一般に考えられている以上に日光を必要とする。
Plants and animals require more sunshine than is generally supposed.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は期待以上のことをなしとげた。
He accomplished more than what was expected of him.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼の負債は支払い限度以上に達している。
His debts amount to more than he can pay.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は名誉を富以上のものと見ている。
He values honor above wealth.
— contributed by: karekano
- 二年以上前この写真を撮ったんです。
I took this picture more than 2 years ago.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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Related Grammar
- ijou (Note two different usages of 以上)
User Comments
- Formed from noun (or noun phrase?) + ijou
N = noun
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 500g以上 : 500 grams and over
500g未満 : less than 500 grams
500g以下 : 500 grams and below
— contributed by: Miki
- ex4572-4575 Please move or delete the examples if these are not fit. These are not fit to [ijou].
— contributed by: Miki
- Technically, X以上 includes X, but in normal usage people often use it to mean "more than."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Ex 4564: It should be " You take more(not move) calories than necessary".
— contributed by: prahlad
- ex #4564 fixed!
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ijou-2
tagJ: 以上
tagH: いじょう
expE: exceeding, above
noteE: More than two hours
JLPT: 4

Front: jou
上 (じょう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
上 (じょう)
Meaning: point of view
Example: this film isn't good from the educational POV
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この映画は教育上良くない。
from an educational point of view this film is not good
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 健康上の理由で、引退することにした。
For health reasons, I have decided to retire
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 計算上はこれで正しい。
In terms of calculation, this is correct
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ２国間の貿易上のアンバランスを改善しなければならない。
The trade imbalance between two nations should be improved.
— contributed by: Miki
- あくまで理論上では、その計画は可能である。
Only in theory, the project is possible.
— contributed by: Miki
- 結果の不正確さは言うまでもなく、方法論上の問題が数多く存在している。
There are a number of methodological problems here, not to mention the inaccuracy of some of the results.
— contributed by: Miki
- この場合は、翻訳は事実上不可能だ。
In this case, translation is virtually impossible.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私たちは、一緒に暮らしているけれども、法律上は夫婦ではないんです。
Even though we're living together, from a legal standpoint, we're not married.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 法律上
In the eyes of the law
— contributed by: IMABI
- 実際上は
In practice
— contributed by: IMABI
- この計画は理論上は問題ない。
This plan is excellent in theory.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Formed from noun + jou
N = noun
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: jou
tagJ: 上
tagH: じょう
expE: point of view
noteE: this film isn't good from the educational POV
JLPT: 2

Front: joude
上で (じょうで)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
上で (じょうで)
Meaning: In, On
Example: X-windows doesn't run on Virtual-PC.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- Virtual PCじょうで、 Xwindowsが立ち上がりません。.
X windows doesn't start up on Virtual PC.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- いろいろな動物が地球上から姿を消した。
Many kinds of animals have vanished from the earth.
— contributed by: Miki
- 空気が無ければ、我々は地球上で生きられないだろう。
If it were not for air, we could not live on the earth.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Formed from noun + joude
N = noun
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I often hear people at work use joude as in "PC jyou" on the PC...
— contributed by: dc
- ex#4599 this is for reference.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: joude
tagJ: 上で
tagH: じょうで
expE: In, On
noteE: X-windows doesn't run on Virtual-PC.
JLPT: 2

Front: bekida
べきだ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
べきだ
Meaning: V, ought to, must
Example: you must call your parents
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- vru +bekida
suru-subekida,suru bekida
— contributed by: jayati
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 子供たちには真実を話すように教えるべきです。
Children should be taught to speak the truth.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私が彼を助けるべき理由はまったくありません。
There is no reason why I should help him.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「金を選ぶべきだった。」
"I should have taken the money."
— contributed by: Miki
- 「太っている人はみんなダイエットすべきだと思う。」「あなた、私のことを言っているの。」
I think all fat people should go on a diet. Are you referring to me?
— contributed by: Miki
- 10月に総会を開催すべきだという提案があった。
There was a suggestion that the general meeting should take place in October.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたにはもっと早く全てを打ち明けるべきだった。
I should have told you everything earlier.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたはこの機会を利用すべきだ。
You should make use of this chance.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたはそれを初めに言っとくべきだった。
You should have mentioned it at the outset.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは、この二行を省くべきだ。
You should omit these two line.
— contributed by: Miki
- 年上の人には敬意を払うべきだ。
You should respect your elders.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女を軽視すべきではない。
You should not think lightly of her.
— contributed by: karekano
- ﾄﾑはきのう歯医者に行くべきだったのに。
Tom should have gone to the dentist yesterday.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女の欠点には目をつぶってやるべきだ。
You must bear with her faults.
— contributed by: karekano
- 通商障壁は低くすべきだ。
The trade barriers must be lowered.
— contributed by: karekano
- 刃物は赤ん坊の手の届かない所に置くべきだ。
We have to hide sharp things from babies.
— contributed by: karekano
- ジョージは体重が減っている。医者にみてもらうべきだ。
George is losing weight. He ought to see a doctor.
— contributed by: karekano
- どんな場合でも、まじめに職を捜している人は職業安定所に当たってみるべきです。
In any case, serious job-seekers had better turn to an employment angency for help.
— contributed by: karekano
- 借金せずに暮らすぐらいの分別はあってしかるべきだ。
You should have more sense than to get into debt.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
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User Comments
- see also すべき a contraction of する + べき
— contributed by: Amatuka
- does not always come before the cupola (da, desu etc)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- My preference would be to have the entry as べき, but it's your database. ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from Verb + beki
Past tense, negative etc are possible.
V = verb
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I was just going through the grammer "bekida". I find this grammer is figuring in both level 3 and level 2. I find that the expalnations are contradictory to each other. I feel the entry in level 3 should be deleted .
— contributed by: prahlada
- this is the same べき that is in level 3 the only diffrence is the だ sentence final, which has nothing to do with the should or ought to part of the grammar. it is just the casual sentance ending. so I think this entry should be merged with the level 3 and then deleted.
— contributed by: tigert
- I think 真実 in ex #141 should be 信実 according to the translation.
— contributed by: Cyrus
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: bekida
tagJ: べきだ
expE: V, ought to, must
noteE: you must call your parents
JLPT: 2

Front: kkonai
っこない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
っこない
Meaning: Vpm, impossible to
Example: I cant possibly get a Nobel prize
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊If you wish to use this more politely, 「っこありません」is acceptable.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(minus ます) + っこない
＊「できっこない」、「わかりっこない」、or other verbs of possibility are often used.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ノーベル賞なんて、僕は貰えっこない
I can't possibly get a Nobel prize.
— contributed by: dc
- そんなこと有り得っこない！
Such a thing is impossible!
— contributed by: Miki
- その点はまちがいっこない。
There's no mistaking about that.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私がどんな目にあったか、君にはわかりっこない。
You will never realize what I went through.
— contributed by: Miki
- 将来何が起こるかなんて、誰にもわかりっこない。
What will happen in the future there is no way anyone could tell.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼を彼の弟と間違えっこない。
You can't mistake him for his younger brother.
— contributed by: Miki
- 頑固な妹はそんなに方法で心が溶けりっこない。
stubborn younger sister, in such a way, his heart melted is impossible.
— contributed by: belajar
- プロレスラーには勝てっこないよ！
No way can I win against a pro wrestler!
— contributed by: fox
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- はず (this grammar is similar to はずがない [hazu ga/wa nai])
- wake (this grammar is also similar to わけがない [wake ga/wa nai])
User Comments
- Formed from verb potential -masu base + kkonai
Vpm = Verb potential -masu base.
(貰える→貰えます→貰え)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- note : potential = 可能法
可能動詞：ex「読む」「書く」に対する「読める」「書ける」などの類。命令形をもたない。
— contributed by: Miki
- → Potential form : Ex. kaku (write) → kakeru (able to write), yomu (read) → yomeru (able to read) and such forms. There is no imperative form for potential verbs. [e.g. You cant say "You! Be able to read!" ;-) ]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あまつかって、自動翻訳機みたい。
— contributed by: Miki
- そりゃそうけど、やっぱり機動戦士翻訳機モビルスーツの方がかっこいい ^_^
— contributed by: Snake
- そうかの〜(^_^;) 。どっちでもいいけど翻訳機、欲しいな。英語は、苦手。皆さん、さっさと日本語上達してね。
— contributed by: Miki
- そうといわらても、やはりガンダム翻訳機はタケエ！
（貯める貯める！）。。じゃなくて（勉強勉強！）とか。。
ええと。。なんでもない (^ ^);``
— contributed by: Snake
- How about 読めろ or 書けろ. Is that not possible?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- この漢字くらい読めろよ！の「読めろ」ですね。hmm we don't say 読められる　but we seem to have derivative words like 読めろ、書けろ. But we can also say　このぐらい 歌えろよ or 歌えれよ. What do you explain this?
— contributed by: Miki
- That's my question to Amatuka-san, when he says There is no imperative form for potential verbs. [e.g. You cant say "You! Be able to read!" ]
— contributed by: bamboo4
- このくらい_読め_てよ or 書け_てよ are not potential but imperative form. 読め_ろ、書け_ろでわかれるんじゃない？ろ may be this?（間投助）〔上代語〕文の終わり、または文中の連用修飾語に付いて、感動の意を添えて聞き手に働きかけるのに用いられる。from 大辞林. what do you think?
— contributed by: Miki
- ろ I think is a particle which attach to the imperative form of verb to show it is an order. It used to be a dialect of Kanto area in the old days, but became popular even in Kyoto during the Middle Ages (12th Century to 16th Century in Japan).
— contributed by: bamboo4
- That means 読め(+ろ)、書け(+ろ) are imperative form of 読む、書く and are not of potential verbs 読める、書ける. With this, you can exaplin 歌え+ろよand 歌えれ+よ(imperative form for potentioal verb, too. The former of dictional form is 歌う and the latter is 歌える（可能動詞）. どうでしょうか？
— contributed by: Miki
- I give up, Miki-san. 読めろ and 書けろ are not proper Japanese but they are the products of the younger generation to begin with. I have no incentive or desire to defend them.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I don't know if they are so called correct Japanese or not. Let's leave them.
— contributed by: your name
- Meaning: Not going to... / No chance of...
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kkonai
tagJ: っこない
expE: Vpm, impossible to
noteE: I cant possibly get a Nobel prize
JLPT: 2

Front: sou
そう
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
そう
Meaning: Vm, Looks like
Example: Looks like snow'll fall.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This form is
(Verb masu stem) + sou
降りそう
furisou
= seems it will rain
(i-Adj base) + sou
美味しそう
oishisou
= seems delicious
(na-Adj base) + sou
暇そう
himasou
= seems to have time
With negatives the -nai becomes -nasa：
降らなさそう
furanasasou
= seems like it won't rain
— contributed by: dc
- make sure to check [sou-2] for the difference between the two -sou endings... i heard / it seems
— contributed by: dc
- = look; look like; appear; seem; feel like
-auxiliary adjective which indicates that what is expressed by the preceding sentence is THE SPEAKER'S CONJECTURE concerning an event in the future/ present state of someone/ sth (never a past state/event), BASED ON WHAT THE SPEAKER SEES OR FEELS.
-used only when the speaker directly observes sth
-cannot be used to express the speaker's conjecture concerning a past event/ state
-Noun/ Noun+ copula cannot precede sou da (in this case we use rashii), but N+copula neg/nonpast can:
ex: a)* 加藤さんは学生そうだ。
　　b)*　加藤さんは学生だそうだ。=Mr　Katou looks like a student.　
　　c)加藤さんは学生じゃなさそうだ。=Mr　Katou　doesn't look like a student。
- in this construction, the negative form of verbs usually don't precede sou da. Instead, Vmasu sou ni/ mo nai is used:
a) 彼は車を売りそうに・もない。＝ He doesn't seem to sell his car.
　　b) この問題は学生は出来そうに・もない。= It doesn't seem that the students can solve this problem.
-also used to express the speaker's conjecture concerning his own non-volitional future actions based on what he feels:
a)僕はこのケーキを残しそうだ。＝I'm affraid I can't eat all this cake.
　b)私はとても疲れていてたおれそうだ。=I'm so tired that I feel weak (lit:like I'm falling down)
- sou da is a NA Adjective; the prenominal form is SOU NA:
a)　高そうな車＝a car which looks expensive/ an expensive-looking car
b)雨が降りそうな空＝(lit:) the sky which looks like it will bring rain
— contributed by: deeana
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 雪が降りそうですね。
Looks like it's going to snow doesn't it?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 美味しそうなデザートですね。
Doesn't the dessert look delicious!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「起こしてくれればよかったのに」翌朝ロンが不機嫌そうにいった。
"You could have woken me up ..." Ron said the following morning in a grumpy [seeming] way.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この本は高そうです。
This book looks expensive
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 饂飩が美味しそう！何時食べられるの？
The udon looks delicious. When can we eat?
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- これは、食べられそうではありません。
This doesn't look like it's edible.
— contributed by: Miki
- 教室は静かそうだ。
The classroom seems quiet (to me).
— contributed by: deeana
- 雨が降りそうだ。
It seems (to me) that it will rain. (I say after I have looked at the sky and saw clouds) sou
— contributed by: deeana
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- だろう
- looks/seems/heard-group
- you
User Comments
- Negative can also be formed by +ve そう followed by
ではありません (etc.)
美味しそうじゃないよ！ "It doesn't look tasty!"
— contributed by: your name
- Vm = Verb -masu base
降る→降ります→降り
— contributed by: Amatuka
- <b>Possibly</b> the '不機嫌そう' use in the example is another way of distinguishing between what you can actually know (whether somebody <b>sounds</b> grumpy) vs what only they know (how they <b>feel</b>).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Appparently the [sou] ending can be used to connotate both heard and seems:
負けるそう　
makeru-sou desu
= I heard he will lose
負けそうです
make-sou
= seems he will lose
— contributed by: dc
- 来るそう　= I heard he will come
きそう = it seems he will come
— contributed by: dc
- watch out with きそう, it sounds too close to くそ
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- hmm Do you mean くそ is the one「きそう、(-.-;) くる、くる　I have to go to the bathroom」? Or くそ！くそっ！ Both are the same in English, too でしょ？
— contributed by: Miki
- ex#3137 KS is too good at Kanji. Usually we use うどん.
— contributed by: Miki
- In the real world, nobody would confuse between 来そう and くそ.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I added a See Also to よう...
Unless I am mistaken if you want to use a noun, you use N + のよう (e.g. 先生のよう).
But, for a negative you use N + ではなさそう (e.g. 先生ではなさそう)
Also, somewhere I read that the negative for a verb is V (ます form) + そうもありません NOT the そう followed by ではありません mentioned in the first comment. Is this true?
As for V-tai form I think たい acts like A1 adjective.
いい uses よい instead (e.g. よさそう / よくなさそう)
Finally, note that そう acts as な-adj (you can probably guess this from the examples but I thought I would state it explicitly).
Any corrections very welcome...
— contributed by: yookoso
- そう followed by ではありません can be used. I added eg.
What is A1 adjective?
— contributed by: Miki
- ex#3258 I think これは食べられそうではありません。is fine.
When 思いません is followed, これは食べられるとは思いません。would be better.
— contributed by: anon
- One more rule/example:
If you want to say いい　+　そう (looks good)
then you need to use よさそう
— contributed by: Neale
- Beware forming this construction with かわいい （可愛い）. かわいそう（可哀相） does not mean "looks cute", but "pathetic" or "pitiful", as my friend managed to find out to his chagrin.
— contributed by: seanolan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sou
tagJ: そう
expE: Vm, Looks like
noteE: Looks like snow'll fall.
JLPT: 3

Front: ninaru
になる
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になる
Meaning: To become
Example: It's become a real mess!
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- になる(くなる）USAGE
い形容詞 （−い＋く）＋なる
Example たかい >>>たかくなる
な形容詞 （−な＋に）＋なる
Example きれいな >>>きれいになる
名詞 （＋に）＋なる
Example かくし>>かくしになる
— contributed by: moomoochoo
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ざっと計算しても大変なことになる ！
Even by a rough calculation we are going to be in a terrible state!
— contributed by: dc
- 未来には先生になりたいです。
In the future, I want to become a teacher.
— contributed by: Nightroad
- この薔薇の花はもっと美しくなりました。
This rose has become more beautiful.
— contributed by: Nightroad
- 注意しなかったので,病気になりました。
Because I wasn't careful,I became sick.
— contributed by: kitakaze
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- kotoninaru
User Comments
- Is there a difference between -となる and -になる??
— contributed by: drgon76
- in the example above the と is a half of こと 「事 」
I think it is almost always になる
に as in "to" (a place). maybe sometimes its omitted.
　大変となります...
someone native will have to answer...
— contributed by: your name
- I don't think there is a difference between them when noun + -となる or -になる.
eg. ok 雨になる。雨となる。社長になる。社長となる。
But I agree -になる is used mostly.
— contributed by: Miki
- One would say 大変なことになります in stead of 大変となります.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ざっと計算しても means "even with a rough computation" and there is no meaning to it which would suggest "Even though I budget all the time."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 直した
— contributed by: dc
- #5521 We usually say, 将来は、先生になりたいです。instead of 未来は.
— contributed by: Miki
- Agree with みきさん。
— contributed by: 誠
- 私の息子を先生になりたいです　(I want my son to be a teacher)　is gramatically correct? If not, how it should be said? Should を be replaced by が?
— contributed by: Paty
- Maybe it should be 私の息子に先生になって欲しい。???
— contributed by: Paty
- 私の息子を先生になりたいです isn`t the を　miss used here. I thought that with なる the object always took the が particle?
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ninaru
tagJ: になる
expE: To become
noteE: It's become a real mess!
JLPT: 3

Front: ka-2
〜か
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〜か
Meaning: whether, the question of (sub sentence question)
Example: Regardless of whether I had written it...
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ka (to)
The verb of the main sentence is a question or knowledge verb.
— contributed by: Stefanie
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私が書いたかを問わず、(全て）「作者：あまつか」です。
Regardless of whether I had written it or not it's (always) "Author : Amatuka".
— contributed by: Amatuka
- おまえは・・・・俺が誰か知ってるのか。
You ... Don't you know who I am? [Lit: Do you know who I am?]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 今度の出張はいつかまだ分かりません。
Regarding my next business trip, I still don't know when it's going to be.
— contributed by: agnestan
- Please tell me who you went out with.
誰が一緒に出掛けたか教えてください。
— contributed by: nathy1985
- 書類どこにあるか(と)聞きました。
I asked, where the documents are.
— contributed by: Stefanie
- 飛行機がいつ到着するかわからない。
I don't know when the airplane arrives.
— contributed by: Stefanie
- 友達にどんなプレゼントがいいか尋ねた。
I asked my friend what kind of present she wants to have.
— contributed by: Stefanie
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- kadouka
User Comments
- Forms a 'noun phrase' a bit like の only here the meaning is like 'the answer to [___]' (where [___] is the sub-sentence ending in か.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This entry is a little clumsy, I'll fix it up later -2 check for now.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Incidently, if that was
誰か 【だれか】 (n) (uk) someone; somebody; (P)
then I guess the translation would be
"You ... Do you know I'm somebody?" So I'm fairly confident it's '誰' + this 'か' rather than the usual '誰か'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- the grammar 「か」itself is a level 3, but these examples include many other grammar items (お問わずetc). maybe difficult for people at level3.
— contributed by: dc
- Is the following correct....
君が言うか問うわず、気持ちが分かります
— contributed by: naren
- naren, It may be better 言うかを問わず. But I would say 君が言わなくても、気持ちが分かります。I can understnad your feeling if you don'te tell me.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ka-2
tagJ: 〜か
expE: whether, the question of (sub sentence question)
noteE: Regardless of whether I had written it...
JLPT: 3

Front: doushite
どうして
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どうして
Meaning: why?, what for?
Example: Why didn't you come?
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- どうして　must end with <b>んです</b>　instead of まです　form
— contributed by: natsumi
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- どうしてそんなことが起こったのか。[ doushite sonna koto ga okotta no ka. ]
How did such a thing come about?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- どうして来なかったのですか。[doushite konakatta no desu ka. ]
Why didn't you come?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- どうしてこんなに暑いのですか。[doushite konna ni atsui no desu ka.]
Why is it so hot?
— contributed by: Miki
- どうしてそんなに怒っているの。[doushite sonna ni ikatte iru no.]
Why are you so angry?
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- Japanese is awkward.
どうして来ないのですか。
Why don't you come?
どうして来るのですか。招待していなのに。
Why do you come?
— contributed by: Miki
- Do you know「来る」カ行変格活用?
— contributed by: Miki
- →Kuru's 'ka' line conjugation? ;-)
-ve くる→こない
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I don't know if it help you lean 来る conjugation. It is also said to be カ行の三段 in a dictionary but I leant as カ行変格活用 at school as a child.
「こ・き・くる・くる・くれ・こい」
来ない・来ます・来る。・来るとき・来れば・来い！
— contributed by: Miki
- See the meaning of どう at "ka dou ka."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- which is here kadouka
— contributed by: dc
- どうして来るのですか。招待していなのに。
Why do you come?
The above is rather ambiguous. The English translation should be "Why do you want to come,even when not invited."
Besides, the expression is pretty rude. Consider: どうしてお出でになりたいのですか、ご招待申しあげてもいませんのに.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- bamboo
I have never said "why do you want to come, even when not invited" in my entire life. (native English speaker)
A natural translation would be "Why are you coming? I didn`t invite you."
English is a little more direct than Japanese. translating a phrase word for word never sounds natural.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: doushite
tagJ: どうして
expE: why?, what for?
noteE: Why didn't you come?
JLPT: 4

Front: gari
がり
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がり
Meaning: Vm, tend to, sensitive to
Example: he overheats easily
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Vmasu+gari = tend to, sensitive to
— contributed by: quytd
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は暑がりで、冬の間も半袖を着ている。
He is sensitive to heat and wears half-sleeve shirts even in winter.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あいつは恐がりでトカゲを見ただけで怖気をふるう。
That guy is really easy to scare and he get scared shitless even when seeing a lizard.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- そんな強がりを言ってみても何になる。
Where does it get you by talking tough like that!
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- Formed from [Verb -masu base] + gari
[Vｍ] for 'Verb -masu base'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- We say 怒りがち, not 怒りがり。
私のボスは、短気で怒りがち。
watashi no boss wa, tanki de okori gachi.
My boss is short-tempered and tends to get angry easily.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は暑がりで、冬の間も半袖を着ている。
kare wa atsugaride,fuyu no aida mo hansode wo kiteiru.
He is sensitive to heat and wears half-sleevs shirt even in winter.
— contributed by: Miki
- > We say 怒りがち, not 怒りがり。
So I see - not a single Google hit for the latter.
Glad it wasn't one of my examples. ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Hi! New Here ^O^, i just noticed that がり seems to be used Adjective+がり and がち as in Verb-masu base+がち？　Or are there other examples were a verb +がり is used in a correct way?
暑がり
起こりがち？
Thanks!
— contributed by: Exrulez
- You don't say 怒りがち or 怒りがり. They don't exist in the Japanese vocabruary. It has to be 怒りっぽい. You can say 曇りがち、遠慮がち etc. It is used to mean "there is the tendecy to" or "it is frequent that...."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- hmm, this conflicts with the explanation at [gachi]
— contributed by: dc
- 怒りっぽい is typical. It's better to be changed to this from 怒りがち. 怒りがち is quite popular but it doesn't sound correct Japanese now. hmm
— contributed by: Miki
- がり added to an adjective makes it into a verb of Godan inflection.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- how about gari-ya? I am not sure where, but I know I have heard 恥ずかしがりや before.
Also, someone told me that ppoi and gachi are similar in meaning, but gachi is more for written and ppoi is more casual for spoken conversation.
— contributed by: Alanna
- や in 恥ずかしがり屋 is a dimunitive giving a status to a particular tendency. It cannot be used in all situations, and does not change the basic meaning of がり.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- di･min･u･tive [dim&iacute;njutiv] a., n. ちっちゃい; 【文法】指小の, 指小辞; 親愛語［形］.
— contributed by: Miki
- 恥ずかしがり屋 is a perons who is easily embarrassed or has a shy nature.
新しがり屋(atarasigariya):なにかにつけて新しい流行のものを好み、それを自慢したがる人。neophilia
寂しがり屋／淋しがり屋(sabisigariya)：普通の人よりも敏感に寂しさを感じる人。person who always needs company
— contributed by: Miki
- -ぽい and -がち are similar in meaning. I think that the forepar are differenct and usually there are basic patterns which to be followed.
Pls try search by ぽい, condition 国語辞典、後方一致.
http://jiten.www.infoseek.co.jp/Kokugo?qt=%A4%DD%A4%A4&sm=2&pg=result_k.html&col=KO&sv=DC
— contributed by: Miki
- I hear "暑がり"->sensitive to heat
and "寒がり" -> sensitive to cold
all the time. I can't vouch for any other uses of 'gari' like that though.
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- That's right
— contributed by: quytd
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: gari
tagJ: がり
expE: Vm, tend to, sensitive to
noteE: he overheats easily
JLPT: 2

Front: monoda
ものだ
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ものだ
Meaning: a thing that, the thing
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- だってクリスマスは家族が一緒になって祝うものだろう。
Because Christmas about [the thing of] family coming together to celebrate isn't it?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 会社はつぶれるものだ
A company is a thing that can go bankrupt.
— contributed by: dc
- 人間の命ははかないものだ。
It must be concluded that human life is but ephemeral.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 約束したら、きちんと守るものだ
(It is common sense/Generally it is known that) When one has made a promise, one should keep it properly
— contributed by: 誠
- 自分のことだけではなく、相手の立場に立って考えることのできる人、それが大人というものです。
This is not something personal. Despite it is known this is for adults, there are people able to think about it with partners in a posed way.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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User Comments
- This is an example where the English is forced - but the Japanese quite natural. It's difficult to get the nuance across.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Sort of "To be a company is to be [at risk of going] bankrupt."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Not sure the example I've just added goes with the other one. まあ、いいだろう。
— contributed by: Amatuka
- How about "Of course", "its obvious", "everyone knows", "naturally". I think it can be used to say that it is something that is always so. (一般的なこと)
— contributed by: blabby
- It shouldn't be translated as " a thing" since もの（thing) and ものだ are different, the latter is a grammar. 〜ものだ has different meanings and one of it is 〜が一般的な常識だ as what bladdy さん said. Translated as " It is known that..." , "It is common sense that ...." , "It is commonly known that...." , "It is generally known that...."
— contributed by: 誠
- ex #1215 (As we know/As it is generally known), human life is but ephemeral
— contributed by: 誠
- ex #1202 " (Generally known), companies do have the possiblity of facing bankruptcy".
Where here I treat the sentence as 会社は潰れる　＋　ものだ. But if you want to say " The company is a thing that can face bankruptcy" then you are treating it as 会社は＋潰れるものだ which is a dfferent meaning.
So ex#1202 isn't a good example and I think can be safely removed. 〜ものだ usually used in advising or reminding someone of something of a common sense and a sense of "should"ness or obligation .
"It is common sense that (one should)...."
— contributed by: 誠
- Oh uhm.. no.
Please don't confuse this construction with an other use of mono da.(-> monoda-2)
While this one here is used to create a sentence structure which represents a characteristic of the subject instead of describing the actions taken or received by the subject (change of sentence pattern) the latter may be used to express something as common sense [it is (generally) known/common sense that ...(should)"(also an ideal or one’s conviction)] with an emotional nuance.
So actually I'd say that example #1202 is the one to show this grammars use most obviously. #5894, however, should be moved to "monoda-2".
But as mono da has so many meanings it's hard to differenciate. Though one..
Source: A Dict. of Intermediate Jap. Grammar, p.189;
— contributed by: nay
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: monoda
tagJ: ものだ
expE: a thing that, the thing
JLPT: 2

Front: tsutsu
つつ
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つつ
Meaning: Vm, -ing
Example: even knowing I need exercise, I don't
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- masu-stem + tsutsu
食べつつ
— contributed by: dc
- 〜つつ(1)
「Ａつつ、Ｂ」: A and B are done simultaneously.
＊This expression is more "solid" than ながら. See examples #6213, #6214, and #6215.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(minus ます) + つつ
〜つつ(2)・つつも
＊This expression is used alongside negative emotions. The forms used most often include: 「〜と思いつつ」 and 「〜と知りつつ」. See examples #6216, #6217, and #6218.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(minus ます) + つつ・つつも
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- コマーシャルのマーケティングの仕事をやりつつ、音楽の仕事もやりました。
While continuing with the commercial marketing work I also worked in the music industry.
— contributed by: dc
- 食べつつパソコンも使う
While eating, I also use the PC
— contributed by: dc
- 道を歩きつつ本を読む。
Read the book while walking down the road.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 事態は、改善されつつある。
The situation is in the process of improvement.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ミルクパンをほおばりつつ、チョコパイにも手を伸ばす。
While stuffing my face with milk bread, I also reach for chocolate pie.
— contributed by: maky
- 昨夜、久しぶりに会った友達と酒を飲みつつ語り合った。
Last night, I met up with friend I hadn't seen in a while, and we talked together while drinking.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 目の前の美しい山を眺めつつ、自分に絵の才能のないことを残念に思った。
While gazing at the beautiful mountain before me, I thought it was a pity that I have no talent for painting.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- このレポートでは、調査の結果を分析しつつ、今後の問題点を明らかにしてみたいと思う。
In this report, I tried to analyze the results of the investigation while shedding some light on future issues.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 運動不足は体に悪いと知れつつ、時間がなくて運動ができない。
Even while knowing that a lack of physical activity is bad for my body, I don't have the time and can't exercise.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- もらった手紙に返事を書かなければと思いつつ、もう10日も経ってしまった。
Even while thinking that I have to reply to the letter I received, ten days have already passed.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 試験の準備を早くはじめようと思いつつも、まだはじめていない。
Even while thinking that I have to hurry up and start preparing for the exam, I haven't yet started.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 今夜漢字を勉強しようと思いつつ、テレビゲームをやってしまいました。
Thinking I'd study kanji tonight, I ended up playing video games.
— contributed by: aoiaki
- もう起き なければと思いつつも, なかなか起きられない.
Even though I want to getup early, but still I`m in the bed.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- その病気は蔓延しつつあるそうだ。
It is said that the disease has been spreading.
— contributed by: karekano
- 地球は温室効果の増大によりしだいに暖かくなりつつある。
The Earth is gradually becoming warmer because of an increase in the greenhouse effect.
— contributed by: karekano
- これ以上はやめておくべきだと思いつつ、彼はビールをもう一杯注文しました。
He ordered another glass of beer, though he knew he shouldn`t.
— contributed by: karekano
- 立ち止まりつつ涼みます。
to stop while cool off
— contributed by: belajar
- 先生に臨みたいと思いつつ、先生を避けました。
Despite wanting to meet with the teacher, I avoided him.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of つつ
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Related Grammar
- nagara (~ながら and ~つつ have similar usage.)
User Comments
- Pls see also 〜ながら
— contributed by: Miki
- Formed from Verb -masu base + tsutsu
Vm = Verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Is 何々つつ　mostly a written expression? People look at me funny when I talk like a book, so I'd like to clear that up.
Any chance of tagging the expressions on jGram as being either mainly written or spoken?
— contributed by: Leslie
- <b>tagging</b> written/spoken should be there, you're right. Also, degree of formailty (t-shirt or tie icon?).
It could be added to the notes section as a text note, though it would be nice to have a popup menu i guess... means more work for people entering stuff though.
— contributed by: dc
- I agree that, in conversational context, you don't use つつ but use ながら.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Here, here. I am studying a grammar book right now, but I always have to ask my teacher whether or not a certain piece of grammar is conversational or not. Some kind of Icon or note would be MOST HELPFUL!
— contributed by: JLJZEN
- Example #3267 belongs in another category. Also, there are two ways of translating つつ on its own.
つつ(1) is close to ながら, but つつ(2)・つつも is similar to 〜ているのに.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- I think there is a spelling mistake in #6214.
It should be:
目の前の美しい山を眺めつつ、自分に絵のの才狽ﾈいことを残念に思った。
— contributed by: nuka
- #6214　I edited as it looked garbled. 自分に絵のの才狽ﾈいことを残念に思った。→ 自分に絵の才能のないことを残念に思った。
— contributed by: Miki
- I have to disagree with bamboo4. The native Japanese speakers around me use this expression quite a bit in conversation (though certainly they use ながら even more).
— contributed by: etihwttam
- I'm having difficulty understanding when I should use つつ in a sentence versus ながら. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
— contributed by: zerorin00
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tsutsu
tagJ: つつ
expE: Vm, -ing
noteE: even knowing I need exercise, I don't
JLPT: 2

Front: na-2
〜な
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜な
Meaning: Vru, (negative command - sentence ending particle)
Example: Don't do that!
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Group 1: Change the last sound of the ます-form into the え sound. E.g. やすみ「ます」->　やすめ
Group 2: Append ろ to the ます-form. E.g. ねろ / 寝ろ
Group 3: します->しろ きます->こい
Quite 'rough' speech, normally only used by men or those in senior positions.
— contributed by: yutenji
- This construct expresses a rough negative command ("Don't you dare do X!"). It takes the [dictionary form] of the verb and appends 〜な to it.
— contributed by: FekketCantenel
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- バカなことするな！
Don't do something that stupid!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あまり　飲むな
dont drink too much.
— contributed by: yutenji
- 馬鹿なことをするな。
on`t be silly.
— contributed by: karekano
- 誰も動くな。
on`t anybody move.
— contributed by: karekano
- 心配するな。
on`t worry.
— contributed by: karekano
- 気にするな。
Never mind.
— contributed by: karekano
- 決して約束を破るな。
Never break your promise.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Formed from dictionary form verb + na
Vru = 'Dictionary' form verb (e.g. 歩く、する、いる)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ふざけるな！　(they often say it in anime etc. means
something like... how to say it... 'stop that!',
'don't make me a fool')
— contributed by: hassan
- ふせげるな？
— contributed by: anon
- We don't say ふせげるな! but we say ふせぐな！ 防ぐ+な
ふざける is 'Dictionary' form verb and not potential form. ふざけるな can be also said as ふざけるんじゃない　
— contributed by: Miki
- ふざけるな　or ふざけないで meaning : " don't/ stop messing around and behave yourself"
ふざける = basic meaning is " to play around", "to mess about" but can also mean " to talk nonsense".
— contributed by: 誠
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: na-2
tagJ: 〜な
expE: Vru, (negative command - sentence ending particle)
noteE: Don't do that!
JLPT: 3

Front: nagara
ながら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ながら
Meaning: Vm, despite while, although
Example: while knowing that smoking is bad, I just keep doing it
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私はその薬が危険だと知りながら飲みつつけていた。
While knowing that medicine is dangerous I continued to take it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 二人はほほえみながらハリーを見つめるばかりだった。
They [the pair] just looking intently at Harry while smiling.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 各社は供給過剰などのリスクもにらみながら、事業展開を進めることになる
While taking keenly into account the supply surplus risk, each company will be proceeding with the deployment of its business.
— contributed by: drgon76
- くる、くると言いながら来なかったじゃない。
Despite saying "I'll come, I'll come", you didn't show up, did you.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- この掃除機は、小型ながら性能がいい。
Despite being compact, this vacuum cleaner works well.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 今週、風邪を引いていながら、仕事へ行った。
This week, despite having a cold, I went to work.
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 秋子さんは, ピアノを 弾きながら 歌いました。
Akiko sang while playing the piano.
— contributed by: Naino
- 運転しながら, 音楽を聞きます
I listen to music while driving.
— contributed by: Naino
- 森さんはお茶を飲みながらテレビを見ています。
Mr. Mori is watching TV while drinking tea.
— contributed by: slack.hideo
- 歩きながら話しませんか。
Why don't we talk while walking?
— contributed by: adamstudio
- お茶お飲みながら話しましょう。
Let talk while drinking tea.
— contributed by: adamstudio
- 話を聞きながらメモしてください。
Please take notes while listening to the conversation.
— contributed by: adamstudio
- 運転しながら電話をしないでください。
Please don't talk on the phone while driving.
— contributed by: adamstudio
- ピアノを弾きながら歌えますか？
Are you able to sing while playing the piano?
— contributed by: adamstudio
- 彼は話しながらタバコを吸っていた。
He was smoking as he talked.
— contributed by: karekano
- 本を読みながら眠ってしまった。
While I was reading, I fell asleep.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私たちは食事をしながらその問題を論じた。
We discussed the matter over (our) dinner.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼はパイプをくわえながら話す。
He speaks with a pipe in his mouth.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は金はありながら幸せではない。
He is rich but not happy.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は病気でありながら学校へ行った。
Though she was ill, she went to school.
— contributed by: karekano
- 遺憾ながら彼女は重傷を負っておられると垂ｵ上げねばなりません。
I regret to tell you that she is seriously injured.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女と離れながら、恋が残ってある。
even part with her, love is still existing.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Pls see also つつ
— contributed by: Miki
- On a minor note, in Japanese '二人' this, that and the other is common usage while in English 'the pair' would generally sound odd - and 'They' be used in its place.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from Verb -masu base + nagara.
Vm = Verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The third example is an abstract taken from the Jap newspaper.......
— contributed by: drgon76
- So what?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- while "ながら" is a word used in speaking, ”つつ" is used in writing. if you know some other similar situations regarding other words listed on JGram, please post this kind of explanation, won't you.
— contributed by: beholder
- ながら is used in both in speaking and in writing.
— contributed by: anon
- ながら can only be used when the subject of the two actions is the same; use Vte-iru aida if there are two different people doing two things at the same time. Also, the action expressed by Vm nagara is always secondary to the action expressed in the main clause.
— contributed by: yookoso
- Should not ｰ?ﾟ､ﾄ_､ﾄ_､ｱ､ﾆ､､､ｿ｡｡be changed to ｰ?ﾟ_､ﾅ_､ｱ､ﾆ､､､ｿ｡ｩ
— contributed by: sorarobu
- Ooops, sorry..
Should not "nomitsu_tsu_kete ita" be changed to "nomitsu_zu_kete ita"?
(Please delete the above　mojibake)
— contributed by: sorarobu
- I might be repeating it but..nice and short from my handbook:
Vconj + ながら "while doing~"
Vconj + nagara expresses simultaneous actions performed by one subject.
From my mouth:
Of the two verbs in a sentence, -nagara is added to the one in which you'd in English use -ing.
*Vconj = Verb, conjunctive-form.
Conjunctive form is the 2nd base (or as I always think it, the 'i' base) in the japanese syllabary chart. The base you use in -masu, -nasai, -sou da, -tai/tagara etc. (Can you tell I dislike the name 'masu-base'? :D)
— contributed by: Naino
- ex #5814 had the incorrect form 性狽ｪいい。 Corrected this to a possible 性能がいい。
— contributed by: fugu68
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nagara
tagJ: ながら
expE: Vm, despite while, although
noteE: while knowing that smoking is bad, I just keep doing it
JLPT: 2

Front: darake
だらけ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
だらけ
Meaning: covered with; littered with; infested with,full of
Example: This website is littered with mistakes.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- だらけ refers to bad things or objects, such as "mistakes," "garbage," etc. It is only used after nouns, but can be used in one of two ways.
N + だらけ
1. 「Aは(が)Bだらけだ」:　部屋はゴミだらけだ。
2. 「BだらけのA」: ゴミだらけの部屋
*Note that the 2nd use is not a complete sentence.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この本は間違いだらけだ。
This book is littered with mistakes.
— contributed by: dc
- この公園は、犬だらけだ。
There are dogs all over this park.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- うちの庭は雑草だらけだった。
Our garden was full of weeds.
— contributed by: Miki
- うわぁ、観光客だらけ。
Look at the mob of tourists.
— contributed by: Miki
- この制度は欠陥だらけだ。
This system is bristling with defects and drawbacks.
— contributed by: Miki
- 石けんだらけの手で私に触らないで。
Don't touch me with your soapy hands.
— contributed by: Miki
- そのテーブルは一面にほこりだらけだった。
The table was all covered with dust.
— contributed by: Miki
- その部屋は紙くずだらけだった。
The room was littered with scraps of paper.
— contributed by: Miki
- それは矛盾だらけだ。
It's a bundle of contradictions.
— contributed by: Miki
- ラグビーの試合の後、全身打ち身だらけだった。
My whole body was one big bruise after the rugby game.
— contributed by: Miki
- 今は虫歯だらけだ。
I have a lot of bad teeth.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女の顔はにきびだらけだった。
Her face is covered with pimples.
— contributed by: Miki
- 妻の趣味で、僕の服は、ブランド物だらけになってしまいました。
Because of my wife's taste, my closet has become full of brand-name clothing.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 昨日からの雨がようやくやんだが、運動場はまだぬれていた。試合を終えたサッカー三種の顔はみんな泥だらけだ。
It was raining since yesterday, and the sports ground was still wet. When the contest finished, the faces of the three soccer team players were covered with mud.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 私には、世界のあちこちに友達がいて、絵葉書を送ってくれる。そういう絵葉書を壁にはり始めたところ、それが、いつのまにかものすごい数になった。今や壁という壁が絵葉書だらけになってしまった。
As I have friends here and there in the world, I receive the picture postcards they send to me. Once, I began to pin such postcards in a wall. Without even noticing it, they increased in number to a great extent. Now, the wall we are speaking about is definitely covered with postcards.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- この紙は字だらけです。
This paper is all covered with letters
— contributed by: amenya
- 彼女の生涯は悲しいことだらけだった。
Her life was full of tragedy.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は不平だらけだ。
She is full of complaints.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼の手は泥だらけだった。
His hands were muddy all over.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- mamire
User Comments
- Generally used with negative nuance
— contributed by: Amatuka
- <a href=http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/search.php?MT=%A4%C0%A4%E9%A4%B1&kind=je&mode=0&jn.x=35&jn.y=13>Sanseido link</a>
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Used immediately after noun.
N = Noun
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In #4446, one would normally say 泡だらけ instead of 石鹸だらけ.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- In #4452 ,I think It's rather "彼女の顔はにきびだらけだ instead of "彼女の顔はにきびだらけだった"
— contributed by: gigoutou
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: darake
tagJ: だらけ
expE: covered with; littered with; infested with,full of
noteE: This website is littered with mistakes.
JLPT: 2

Front: kai
〜かい (〜 かい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜かい (〜 かい)
Meaning: ? (for casual questions)
Example: You OK?
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- よく聞こえなかったけど、なんか言ったかい。
Didna really catch that, you say something ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「大丈夫かい？なんか様子がおかしいよ」と、ロンが言った。
"You OK ? You look a little odd somehow," Ron said.
— contributed by: Amatuka
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Related Grammar
- 〜だい (かい for yes/no questions, だい for other casual questions.)
- ka (か [e.g. with Vmます] (typical 'outgroup' question) かい [e.g. with Vru] casual question.)
User Comments
- Typical 'standard politeness' question ends in
ですか or Vmますか。(e.g. いますか。Are (you) in?)
Casual questions can omit the ? particle and use
tone. (e.g. 誰だ？ Who is it?)
Alternatively だい and かい can be used.
The <b>plain</b> form with か is quite abrupt and rough.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- よく聞こえなかったけ（れ）ど、なんか言ったかい。
— contributed by: Miki
- ありがとう！
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Didna = (northern) slang for 'Did not'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- kai is used at the end of a sentence (well it <b>is</b> a sentence ending particle ;-)
S = Sentence
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Amatuka, could you define northern? I was wondering about that when I saw it
— contributed by: Rich
- thats a term from 'blighty and means those folks who live in the north of the country. See Billy Bragg, and even further toward Scotland, Billy Connoly, more extreme "didnee" than "didna"...
— contributed by: your name
- HOw did we end up close to the Scotland border?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- wouldn't it be easier to change it to "didn't"? Didna isn't a word
— contributed by: hawken
- wondering, is 'didna' accented slang? "'ain't" might then fit...
— contributed by: sakana-rin
- よく聞こえなかったけど、なんか言ったかい。
Well-written!
「大丈夫かい？なんか様子がおかしいよ」ロンが言った。
Add "と、" in front of ロン.
— contributed by: Nick
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kai
tagJ: 〜かい
tagH: 〜 かい
expE: ? (for casual questions)
noteE: You OK?
JLPT: 0

Front: 〜だい
〜だい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜だい
Meaning: ? (for casual questions)
Example: Who's it?
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- The equivalent of a question mark. Used mostly in informal male speech. Ungrammatical for questions that can be answered "yes/no" (see also "kai"). Unsuitable for asking a superior a question.
There is a second "dai" at the end of sentences. It is equivalent to a weak exclamation point and is heard in the speech of little boys. "Sore boku no dai." That's mine!
— contributed by: american57
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 誰だい。
Who is it ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 何をこそこそしているんだい。
What are you doing sneaking around ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- いつまで起きているんだい。早く寝なさい！
When are you staying up to ? Just go to bed!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- その優しげな目の奥にあるのは本当に何を知りたいんだい?
What do you wanna know in your cute eyes?
— contributed by: agiprasetiadi
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 〜だい
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- ka (か [e.g. with Vmます] (typical 'outgroup' question) だい [e.g. with Vru] casual question.)
User Comments
- Typical 'standard politeness' question ends in
ですか or Vmますか。(e.g. いますか。Are (you) in?)
Casual questions can omit the ? particle and use
tone. (e.g. 誰だ？ Who is it?)
Alternatively だい and かい can be used.
The <b>plain</b> form with か is quite abrupt and rough.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Need better example ^^v
— contributed by: Amatuka
- いつまで起きているんだい。早く寝なさい！
何をこそこそしているんだい。
— contributed by: Miki
- I'm not sure about "いつまで起きているんだい 。"
Would that be more like
<b>"When do you think you're staying up till?"</b>
?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- dai is used at the end of a sentence (well it is a sentence ending particle ;-)
S = Sentence
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I'm not sure of the difference of nuance in English. The situation u use this sentence would be when you scold a child, when you tell a person feeling bad, etc.
— contributed by: Miki
- Is だい only used when there's a negative nuance (i.e. when someone is being scolded?)
— contributed by: jacobhart
- No, I don't think so. For example,　君の犬の名前は、なんていうんだい？ What's your dog's name? It doesn't have negative nuance at all.
— contributed by: Miki
- い is a particle added to the end of sentence for added emphasis and predominantly used by male speaker in an anvironment where politeness to the extent of requiring the use of honorifics is not required.For example an average (note "average")female speaker would not say なんだい but in the equal environment she would say なによ.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Female would say の instead of だい.
いつまで起きているの。犬の名前は何ていうの。
— contributed by: Miki
- There is some screw up because the second "dai" is supposed to be 第 which should be deleted because it has nothing to do with grammar.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I don't think だい as a suffix particle belong to Level 1.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- changed it to level2. tho to be honest i havent heard this much..
— contributed by: dc
- is 'dai' is masculine?
— contributed by: whitepeacock
- Ive been told that dai is only used with question words (なに、どこ、いつ　etc).
If not with a question word then kai is used.
I think only certain regions of Japan use them.
— contributed by: childsnake
- I've usually heard old women and men use 'dai' more than anyone.
— contributed by: nazonatte69
- I have asked everyone I work with in date and no one has ever heard だい used in this way. where did this come from?
ADDITON:
A have finally heard this grammar point used by a native Japanese person. she is a 70yr+ English teacher. I asked her about it, and she said it might be a word used more often by older people.
darn wipper snappers don`t use it to often.
— contributed by: tigert
- I looked in the PDF of Meguro Language Center for JPLT2 and I didn't found strings "だい。" or "だい?" in the list of grammar points appearing in past test.
I looked in the site http://www.japonin.com/intermediate-grammar-list.php and there is no reference too.
Are you sure this is useful for level 2 of JPLT?
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I'm watching Tiger & Dragon dorama. And the dorama shows that Edokkos (the owns whose family is from tokyo) use it all the time, even the young ones.
— contributed by: wuerges
- This is actually listed in my JLPT 3 grammar book.
— contributed by: littlefreeze
- I think it appeared in JLPT 3.
— contributed by: lenzras
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: 〜だい
expE: ? (for casual questions)
noteE: Who's it?
JLPT: 3

Front: tatoe-temo
たとえ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
たとえ
Meaning: even if
Example: even if you
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Using たとえ before 〜ても(でも) is simply for stronger emphasis.
たとえ + Ｖて形 + も
たとえ + いＡて形 + も
たとえ + なＡ + でも
たとえ + Ｎ + でも
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- たとえ医者でもガンには勝てません。
Even if you are a doctor, you can't beat cancer.
— contributed by: dc
- たとえ冗談でも、それはないでしょう.
Even as a joke you can't mean that.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- たとえどんなことがあったとしても....
Come what may.....
— contributed by: bamboo4
- たとえ難しいことが多くても、成功するためにがんばろう。
Even if many difficulties lie ahead, I will do my best to succeed.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- たとえきらいでも、野菜を食べないわけにはいきませんよ。
Even if you hate them, you have no other choice but to eat your vegetables.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- たとえ手術を受けても、完全には治らないだろう。
Even if I have surgery, I'll probably never fully recover.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- たとえみんなに反対されても、私は正しいと思ったことをする。
Even though everyone says differently, I still believe I was correct.
— contributed by: Trainwreck
- たとえ雨が降っても出かける。
I`ll go out even if it rains.
— contributed by: karekano
- たとえ彼がいやだと言っても、私たちの言い分を彼に聞いてもらう。
Even though he says no, he shall hear us out.
— contributed by: karekano
- 両者の間には、たとえあったとしてもごくわずかしか、相違はありません。
There is little, if any, difference between the two.
— contributed by: karekano
- たとえ１００歳まで生きても、私はピカモ?揄?ﾅきないでしょう。
If I should live to a hundred, I will never understand Picasso.
— contributed by: karekano
- 運転する人は、たとえどんなに腕がよくても、運転免許試験に合格しなければならない。
Every driver, however skillful he is, must pass a driver`s license test.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- See also 例え話 たとえばなし (speaking hypothetically)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- DCへ　ひらがな in the title shoulbe be た_と_え.
— contributed by: Miki
- Got it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In addition たとえ (and also たとえば）means "example."　
— contributed by: trag
- たとえ、たとえば meanings example is written 例え、例えば in kanji.
— contributed by: Miki
- perhaps the heading for this section should be 「たとえ〜ても」？
— contributed by: sagittarius
- what's the difference in nuance between a たとえ〜ても　sentence and a plain ても sentence? #272 could also be written 医者でもガンには勝てません, couldn't it?
— contributed by: sagittarius
- Can this be used in the negative past tense 「たとえしまなかったも・・・」 and have the same meaning as in English　(If it hadn't been done...)?
— contributed by: Lau777
- sagittarius, use たとえ〜ても　instead of the normal 'plain' ても when you want to emphasize your point more
— contributed by: karekora
- しまなかったも???　なんだろう　文字化け?　Lau777 I think you could use しなかったら to have the meaning if it wasn`t done.
例えば　
もし　生徒たちが勉強しなかったら､　そなに難しい試験が無理だけど...
if the students had not studied, a test this difficult would be impossible but... (of course they studied so no problems)
— contributed by: tigert
- My teacher taught us たとえ。。。たって（だって）。I think the meaning is the same (even if...), but I can't remember for sure. Anyone know?
— contributed by: Izumi19
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tatoe-temo
tagJ: たとえ
tagH: たとえ-ても
expE: even if
noteE: even if you
JLPT: 2

Front: shimau
しまう (仕舞う・終う・了う)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
しまう (仕舞う・終う・了う)
Meaning: Vte, (Definitely, completely [often to ones regret] do V)
Example: Now you've gone and broke it.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- もう〜。また皿を壊してしまったか。
Good grief. (That) another plate (you've) gone and broken?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 夢に耽ったり、生きることを忘れてしまうのはよくない。
Becoming absorbed in a dream, forgetting to live is no good.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたは笑われてしまうでしょう。
You will be laughted at.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- Formed from Vte + shimau.
Note that shimau conjugates as a normal godan verb.
Vte = -te form verb (死ぬ -> 死んで)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note that the Vte+shimau can be shortened in one of two ways depending on the kana used for the 'te' form verb.
e.g. 死んでしまう → 死んじゃう
凍えてしまう → 凍えちゃう
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Not <b>always</b> used in negative nuance.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- this is very good
— contributed by: tarun rana
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: shimau
tagJ: しまう (仕舞う・終う・了う)
tagH: しまう
expE: Vte, (Definitely, completely [often to ones regret] do V)
noteE: Now you've gone and broke it.
JLPT: 3

Front: made
まで
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
まで
Meaning: till, to
Example: Opening hours are 9am to 5pm.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 人間は食べ物がなくても４０日まで生きられるが、水がないと７日間しか生きられない。
Human beings can live up to 40 days without food, but no more than 7 without water.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私は東京から九州まで飛行機で行った。
I took an airplane from Tokyo to Kyushu.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- おまけに雨まで降っていた。
To top things off it was even raining.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私は昼までに手紙を書き終えた。
I finished writing the letter by noon.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- １０時まで起きてた。
I stayed up till 10pm.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そこまで言えるのかなあ.
I wonder if you can go that far in talking about it.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- １０時までに帰らなくっちゃ。
I should get back by 10pm at the latest.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 夕方まで勉強しました。ゆうがたまでべんきょうしました。
I studied until evening. Yuugata made benkyou shimashita.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
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User Comments
- The 'to' indicated by made can be time like (40 days) space like (Kyushu) or more metaphorical ([lit: up to raining])
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note there is some difference between までに and まで.
まで : "I stayed up till 10pm"
１０時まで起きてた。
[You actually went to bed at 10pm]
までに : "I had to get back by 10pm"
１０時までに帰らなくっちゃ
[You could come back earlier, but not later]
(Hmm, hope that last example is OK)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- It's natural! ↑:)
— contributed by: your name
- The 1st example ４０日間 is more natural.
— contributed by: your name
- In the first example, lyou don't even need まで or 間. I added the last example to add variety.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Do they ever say "までは"?
As in,
"３時までは、来ないでください。"　for "Please don't come until 3."
Or would simple "３時まで" suffice?
Thank you.
— contributed by: sevaa
- 3時まで is sufficient.
3時までは is used to emphasis. Please don't dare come to the meeting room until 3 as we are having an interview.
— contributed by: Miki
- Random question:
Is 来ます conjugated right, for 'dont come'?
— contributed by: Ｋｅｖｉｎ
- もう一質問！
”までの“は何ですか？分かりません。
— contributed by: Kevin
- Examples 840 and 2906 are actually examples of "までに”("by") which doesn't have an entry in jgram but it should...
— contributed by: Drew
- Kevin, Yes, Konaide is the correct conjugation.
Further, I believe Madeno is used when modifying a noun like if you used Made no in example 838 it would translate as: "I took the plane that goes from Tokyo to Kyushuu" (pretty sure anyway)
— contributed by: emilyjuno
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: made
tagJ: まで
expE: till, to
noteE: Opening hours are 9am to 5pm.
JLPT: 4

Front: teha
〜ては (〜て は)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ては (〜て は)
Meaning: Vte, (te-form verb + contrastative ha wa)
Example: Don't die! (Lit: Your dying would be terrible)
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 死んじゃ、ダメ！
Don't die! (Lit: your dying would be terrible)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 落としてはまずい。
Dropping (this) would be unwise.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- じゃ、また来週！
Well (Let's stop here), see you next week!
— contributed by: DrJones
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- shimau (Note different meaning, but similar slang/short forms of てしまう to ては.)
User Comments
- Note this form shortens in a similar way to てしまう。
ては→ちゃ
では→じゃ
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from te-form verb + ha (wa)
Vte = te-form verb
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The first sentence is the same as 死んではいけない/ならい:
You must not die!
— contributed by: anon
- I'm sorry, but what is the exact usage of this phrasing?
— contributed by: anon
- I read somewhere that the te form is considered a noun. I find that a useful thing to keep in mind in cases like this ては...
— contributed by: yookoso
- I guess this just means "doing (this) would be..."
The two examples given (だめ、まずい）are negative. Can this be used positively?
例：行っては素晴らしい。
行っちゃ素晴らしい。
— contributed by: ljfurlong
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: teha
tagJ: 〜ては
tagH: 〜て は
expE: Vte, (te-form verb + contrastative ha wa)
noteE: Don't die! (Lit: Your dying would be terrible)
JLPT: 2

Front: sukoshi
少し (すこし)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
少し (すこし)
Meaning: a bit...
Example: A bit cold
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- かれは少しおそいですね。[kare ha sukoshi osoi desu ne.]
He's a bit late isn't he?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- もう少し居てもいいですか
Can I stay a bit longer?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 「水を少しくださし。」「いいですよ。」
"Please give me some water." "All right."
— contributed by: Miki
- 11時15分前を少し過ぎています。juuichi ji juugo fun mae wo sukoshi sugiteimasu.
It is a little after a quarter to eleven.
— contributed by: Miki
- あそこは少し高すぎると思います。
I'm afraid that place is a little too expensive.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたの報告書には少し間違いがあります。anatano houkokusyo niwa sukoshi machigai ga arimasu.
There are a few mistakes in your report.
— contributed by: Miki
- お茶が濃すぎるので少し水を加えてください。ocha ga kosugiru node sukoshi mizu wo kuwaete kudasai.
The tea is too strong. Add some water.
— contributed by: Miki
- 今日は少し寒い。kyou wa sukoshi samui.
It's a little cold today.
— contributed by: Miki
- この靴は少しゆるい。kono kutsu wa sukoshi yurui.
These shoes are a little loose.
— contributed by: Miki
- このスープは塩が少し足りない。
This soup needs a bit of salt.
— contributed by: Miki
- このスカートは少しきついのです。くのすかあとはすこしきつのです。[kuno sukāto wa sukoshi kitsu no desu.]
The skirt is a little tight for me.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- Don't get sukoshi confused with chiisai
少し : sukoshi samui desu (a bit cold)
小さい : chiisai neko desu (a little cat)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- <a href=http://ryouko.imsb.nrc.ca/cgi-bin/wwwjdic?1Q%BE%AF%A4%B7_1_>少し</a> 【すこし】 (adv,n) (1) small quantity; little; few; something; (2) little while; (3) short distance; (P)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Roma-ji in red is wrong, it should be s_U_koshi.
— contributed by: Miki
- *sigh* romaji will be the death of me.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼は少しおそいですね is a bit confusing because it could also mean "he's a bit slow." 彼はすこし遅れてますね would sound clearer.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex #4934 - "This soup needs a bit of salt." reads better in English.
— contributed by: GenkiGuy
- actually the translation is not that literal. 足りない means not enough. so "this soup's saltiness is not quite enough". i prefer literal translations as my english is fine - would rather know exactly what the japanese way of saying it is.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はちょっと遅いですね。Would be better?
— contributed by: 誠
- 彼はちょっと遅いですね would be better, but we are here concerned with すこし.
— contributed by: bambo4
- For #4934, how about "This soup is [a bit] short on salt" or "This soup isn't [quite] salty enough"?
— contributed by: KWhazit
- What's the difference between 少し and ちょっと?
— contributed by: herinapotter
- Sukoshi is more formal than chotto. I teach Japanese myself at www.freewebs.com/kanjiwebs/
Course not as near as much stuff as this place does but it's just gotten started. Of all my time learning Japanese this place is the best.
— contributed by: IMABI
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sukoshi
tagJ: 少し
tagH: すこし
expE: a bit...
noteE: A bit cold
JLPT: 4

Front: keredomo
けれども
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
けれども
Meaning: but, however
Example: It rained, but everybody enjoyed themselves.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 雨が降っていたけれども、みんなは楽しい時を過ごした。 [ame ga futteita keredomominna ha tanoshii toki wo sugoshita.]
Although it rained, everyone had a good time.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- お引き受けしたいんですけれど・・・ [ohikiuke shitain desu keredo]
I'd like to say yes, but ...
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼は１６歳だけれど、両親から独立しています。[kare ha 16sai dakeredo, ryoushin kara dokuritsu shiteimasu.]
Though only 16, he is independent of his parents.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼はあまり勉強しないけれども、成績がいい
Although he doesn't study hard, he gets good marks
— contributed by: blurp76
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- monono
User Comments
- Used to join two sentences.
けれども (most formal) →けれど→けど (least formal)
けど used in speech, not when writing.
Using けれども etc to start a sentence is frowned upon. But, like using 'but' to start a sentence in English, is sometimes done anyway.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Verb, i-adjective or the copula should be before けれども.
e.g. 彼は１６歳<b>だ</b>けれど、両親から独立しています。
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In polite/formal use
sentence-A [-masu] けれども sentence-B [-masu] can be used, but
sentence-A [plain] けれど(も) sentence-B [-masu]
is also possible.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Compare & contrast with が (ga) and でも (demo)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Just a typo. In ex #864, in the romanized text appears 'daderedo' and should be 'dakeredo', isn't it?
— contributed by: raph
- raph - fixed. you can edit the examples ya know!
— contributed by: dc
- #862
#863
#864
These are all well-written.
#863
I would say "お引き受けしたいのですが・・・。"
— contributed by: Nick
- I would like to express my displeasure in seeing wa/ha o/wo in Romaji. We are all supposed to know what they mean, so why write them as they don't sound? Why write "ha" when we all know it really sounds like "wa?" Why write "wo" when we know it really sounds like "o"? Why don't you write it like it sounds?
— contributed by: feralkat
- feralkat, it makes more sense to use the hiragana key strokes for these characters. even if its in romanji. if you write wa and o in your letter to a japanese person it would look very gaijin poi. so despite your displeasure, its the correct way to do it.
— contributed by: tigert
- Very nice examples, but けど not used in writing? It depends on the writing.
— contributed by: jung-won
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: keredomo
tagJ: けれども
expE: but, however
noteE: It rained, but everybody enjoyed themselves.
JLPT: 4

Front: ga-2
〜が
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜が
Meaning: but
Example: I know him but we've never met.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 突然ですがボードゲーム告知をてっきり忘れてました。[totsuzen desu gabo-doge-mukokuchi wo tekkiri wasuretemashita.]
This is out of nowhere [a sudden change of subject] but I completely forgot about the BoardGame notice.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 悪いですがちょっと静かにしてください。[warui desu ga chotto shizuka ni shite kudasai]
Sorry [Bad of me] but could you keep it a little quieter?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 冷静になろうとしたのだが、ついかっとなった。
I tried to be calm but finally I lost my temper.
— contributed by: Miki
- 料理はあまりおいしくなかったが、その他の点では、そのパーティーは成功だった。
The dishes were not so delicious, but otherwise the party was a success.
— contributed by: Miki
- 立ち聞きする気はなかったが、あなたの話しが聞こえた。
I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I did overhear you.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は友だちというほどではないが知り合いだ。
He is not a friend, but an acquaintance.
— contributed by: Miki
- 友だちとテニスの試合をしたが負けた。
I played a match of tennis with my friend, but lost.
— contributed by: Miki
- 明日晴れるかどうかわからないが、もし晴れたら、私たちはピクニックへ行く。
I don't know if it will be fine tomorrow, but if it is fine we'll go on a picnic.
— contributed by: Miki
- 友人を作るのはたやすいが、友情を保つのは難しい。
It is easy to make a man one's friend, but hard to keep him so.
— contributed by: Miki
- 友人のＫは美人だが、人に思いやりがない。
My friend Ｋ is beautiful, but she is not considerate to others.
— contributed by: Miki
- 木は浮くが鉄は沈む。
Wood floats, but iron sinks.
— contributed by: Miki
- 明日の11時に予約をしてありますが、時間を変更できますか。
I have an apointment at eleven tomorrow, but can I change the time?
— contributed by: Miki
- 名前は知らないが、彼女の顔だけは知っている。
I don't know her name, but I do know her by sight.
— contributed by: Miki
- 娘に電話をかけようとしたが、通じなかった。
I tried to call my daughter but couldn't get through.
— contributed by: Miki
- 毎日一生懸命に英語を勉強したが、あまり身につかなかった。
I studied English very hard every day, but I did not learn a lot.
— contributed by: Miki
- 本当に申し訳ないのですが、私はあなたの傘をなくしたらしいのです。
I'm very sorry, but I seem to have lost your umbrella.
— contributed by: Miki
- できるだけ早く走ったが、最終電車に間に合わなかった。
I ran as fast as possible, but I was not in time for the last train.
— contributed by: Miki
- 魚は食べますが、肉は食べません。
I can eat fish but not meat.　
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- keredomo (けれども and が both used for 'but'.)
- demo (が and でも both used for 'but')
User Comments
- Thanks a lot. I think I've got all that so I'd better clean up the comments. ^^v
I wasn't aware that that use of ように can sometimes omit the 'に'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 本当に申し訳ないのですが、私はあなたの傘をなくしたらしいのです。
This sentence sounds awkward.
I would say "なくしたようです" instead of "なくしたらしいのです."
— contributed by: Nick
- Some people would say "なくしたらしい（のです）。".
— contributed by: Miki
- Could someone tell me what's the difference between "Demo, Keredomo" and "Ga"?
— contributed by: Kasomi
- as far as i know, ga is more like a "yet" type of but. demo means something closer to "however". And keredemo is closer to "nevertheless".
— contributed by: nellyaudrey
- oh, i should add that ga typically contrasts between two differing sentences. Like that one above,
毎日一生懸命に英語を勉強したが、あまり身につかなかった。
I studied English very hard every day, but I did not learn a lot.
a demo sentence would be
この本はすてきでも買えないだからすぎる高いですよ．
a keredemo sentece implies that you've done something despite something else. It would be
この本は高いけれでも買いました．
Feel free to correct any of my mistakes but these are the rules as i learned them.
— contributed by: nellyaudrey
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ga-2
tagJ: 〜が
expE: but
noteE: I know him but we've never met.
JLPT: 4

Front: demo
でも
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
でも
Meaning: but
Example: I'd like to make it easier to use but still not use frames.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- でも can never appear in the middle of a sentence like けど or other words meaning 'but.'
You can say:
友達の家に行くつもりでした。でも、彼女は病気です。
I was planning on going to my friend's house. But, she's sick.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 品質はいい。でも、値段は高いです。[ hinshitsu ga ii demo nedan ha takai desu.]
The quality is good but the price is high.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- でも、あなたにあげるりんごはありません。[demo anata ni ageru ringo wa arimasen]
But I have no apples left to give you.
— contributed by: Miki
- 日本が好きです、でもときどき日本が好きではありません。
I like Japan, but sometimes I don't like Japan.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はアニメが好きです。でもアニメが好きではありません。
He likes anime. But , I don't like anime.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of でも
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Related Grammar
- keredomo (でも and けれども both used for 'but'.)
- shikashi
User Comments
- N.B. The Japanese example was 'home made' not 'Google found' so I'm not sure how natural it is.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- To make it more natural, 「品質_は_いい。でも、…。」Nobody cares it（が） when the sentence is used in conversation.
— contributed by: Miki
- Ah, thanks. (は and が are tricky beasties).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- We don't have でも in the sense of 日本人でも漢字は難しい？
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Nor have we お茶でもいかがですか。
— contributed by: hari
- but i often hear お茶でもいい？
do you want some tea? (just (humble) tea is ok?)
— contributed by: dc
- Both are ok as Japanese.
お茶でもいかがですか。is a polite way to ask tea or something. Also I heard this is used by a guy to start a converstaion with a girl.
お茶でもいい？ is a casual way to suggest. dc's understanding is ok.
— contributed by: Miki
- お茶でもいかがですか。is a polite form of asking "would you have some green tea?". Here でも is used to indicate that " the are other things,equally well to be offered to listener, but the offeror just make a single choice (which is お茶) out of the other offerings, the listerner can make other choices if he/she didn't want green tea",
If it is お茶でいいですか , it indicates that " there is only green-tea to be offered, and if the listerner doesn't want then the offeror doesn't have any other to offer"
— contributed by: 誠
- Is this really JLPT 1? I would have thought it 4 or 3 at most.
— contributed by: Paul
- How about だけど？ It might be worth a "see also" entry.
— contributed by: ushimitsudoki
- how about in context of "sore demo daijoubu"
— contributed by: takamichi
- Why on this website, every time there should be an apostrophe, is there this intead : ' ?
Can anyone explain me how to solve this problem ?
— contributed by: fuyugare
- When typing English using a Japanese IME the ' is replaced by : because that's what is naturally on that key on a Japanese keyboard. I am constantly placing a colon where an apostrophe should be while typing in IME mode. I always have to go back and hit Shift+7 because that's where it is on the 106/109 key keyboards.
— contributed by: jatznic
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: demo
tagJ: でも
expE: but
noteE: I'd like to make it easier to use but still not use frames.
JLPT: 4

Front: shikashi
しかし (然し・併し)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
しかし (然し・併し)
Meaning: However, but
Example: But now things have changed a lot.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Shikashi is used to show criticsm or a different point of view. It can also be used to show the speakers begrudging resistance on an idea or order of action whether it be him or someone/something else. I really think this should be focused at the end of one's studies for JLPT4 as conjunctions should be the last focus for your journey. I teach Japanese myself at www.freewebs.com/kanjiwebs/ and know hands on what people mess up on.
— contributed by: IMABI
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- しかし今や事態は大きく変わった。
But now things have changed tremendously.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- アカスギを材料に巨大でグロテスクな、しかし美しい円柱を作った。
They made huge, grotesque, yet beautiful poles of red cedar.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この文書には契約法上の問題はほとんどない、しかし税法上の問題は多々ある。
This document is essentially free of contract law problems, but it has a number of tax law issues.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- しかし、私はあなたが大好きですよ。
However , I really like you.
— contributed by: kanhaiya
- しかし、外国人と仲良くするのはあまり簡単ではありません。
However, making friends in a foreign country is not too simple.
— contributed by: kitakaze
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- keredomo (しかし has a similar meaning to けれども but is used at the start of sentences. )
User Comments
- Make that <b>usually</b> used at the start of sentences.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- "この文書には契約法上の問題はほとんどない、しかし税法上の問題は多々ある。" 0.o Wow, now that's what I call an example
— contributed by: dareka
- I've heard that が as a conjunction between sentences can also mean "but." Is that different from this?
— contributed by: metaphist
- When you use が in that context, you would very often use が、しかし.....
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Don't forget keredomo and keredo and kedo
http://saketalkie.blogspot.com
— contributed by: brettkun
- First you say _____ then to contrast say shikashi then ______
also If something couldn't be done or was lacking ______ shikashi _______ something else that could be
— contributed by: brettkun
- keredomo. vs keredemo and demo
— contributed by: brettkun
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: shikashi
tagJ: しかし (然し・併し)
tagH: しかし
expE: However, but
expJ: けれども。だが。前に述べられた事を受けて、それとは対立する事柄を述べ始める時に使う。
noteE: But now things have changed a lot.
JLPT: 4

Front: karasuruto-2
からすると
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
からすると
Meaning: from (the point of view)
Example: from his point of view
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- メールを受け取った方からすると、何のわるぎもなくついうっかり転送してしまったということでも、発信者からすると自分が丹精こめて書いたものを、無断で第三者に転送されてしまったということにもなりかねません。
As the person receiving the email he might casually forward the message with no ill intent but for the person who sent the email, put together with hard effort, to be sent on to a third party without notice could be unforgivable.
— contributed by: dc
- 知っている側からすると
From the point of view of those who know ...
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この見地からすると、君の言うことは正しい。
From this point of view, you are right.
— contributed by: Miki
- 空模様では、からすると、雨はしばらくは止まないだろう。
From the look of the sky, I'm afraid the rain won't let up for a while.
— contributed by: Miki
- 空模様からすると、今夜あたり雪になるかもしれない。
From the look of the sky, it may begin to snow tonight.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私の美的観点からすると,これは醜いです
From my aestheitc point of view,this is ugly.
— contributed by: Miki
- 周りの事情からすると彼女の話は本当らしかった。
The circumstances gave color to her story.
— contributed by: Miki
- 買い手の立場からするとこれらのCDプレーヤーの値段は、高すぎる。
From the buyer's point of view, the prices of these CD players are too high.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼の案は私の見方からすると、とてもいいようにみえる。
His plan seems very good from my point of view.
— contributed by: Miki
- 法律の観点からすると、彼は自由だ。
From the standpoint of the law, he is free.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- karamiruto
User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: karasuruto-2
tagJ: からすると
expE: from (the point of view)
noteE: from his point of view
JLPT: 1

Front: tara
たら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
たら
Meaning: if, when (verb form)
Example: When I wake up
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜たら use for：
１．もし(if)
２．〜た後、〜てから、〜たとき(When.../ After...)
３．本当ではないのこと (If (I) was/could/would...., )
４．勧め(advice/suggestions) (Why don't (you/we)...)
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その夜半に目覚めたら呼吸が酷く不規則で苦しくなっていました。
When (I) woke up late that night (my) breathing had become horribly irregular and difficult.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私ももし、イギリスに行ったらそうなるのか。
If I go to England will it be like that for me as well?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- まず説明書を読んだらＩＫＥＡの家具のパックが作れる。
If you read the instructions first then you can make an IKEA flat furniture pack. 　
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 「あなたに何かあげられたらなぁ…」
"I wish that I could give you something... "
— contributed by: Miki
- １００万円獲得したら、どうしますか。
If you won a million yen, what would you do?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたが済んだらその新聞を僕に読ませてください。
Let me read the paper when you have done with it. [M]
— contributed by: Miki
- このにわか雨がやんだら、私たちは出かけるつもりです。
We'll go out when this shower is over.
— contributed by: Miki
- この仕事がすんだらたっぷり休める。
I can take a good long rest when this work is finished.
— contributed by: Miki
- もし子供が毒を飲んだら、病院に急いで連れて行きなさい。
If your child drinks poison, rush him to the hospital.
— contributed by: Miki
- もし彼が休んだら、日本語のテストはないでしょう。
If he is absent, we will not have a Japanese test.
— contributed by: Miki
- 飲んだら運転してはならない。
If you're drunk don't drive.
— contributed by: Miki
- 君がもう一度彼に頼んだら、彼も気が変わるかもしれない。
If you ask him again, he may change his mind.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私が鳥だったら、一日中空を飛び回りたい
If I was a bird, I would like to fly around in the sky for the whole day long.
— contributed by: 誠
- 食堂へ行ったら、マリーさんに会いました。
When I went to the cafeteria, I unintentionally saw Mary.
— contributed by: starsandsea
- アリスさんが朝起きたら、雨が降っていました。
When Alice got up in the morning, she found that it was raining.
— contributed by: starsandsea
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- eba
- nara
User Comments
- Formed like the plain past -ta form with ra added.
目覚める (mezameru) -> 目覚めたら (mezametara)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 'If' type words like もし can be used to make the if/when distinction clear.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- #5254 もしまず here is wordy. Also, it is always 読んだら、not 読んたら、.
まず説明書を読んだら、／もし説明書を読んだら、would be better.
— contributed by: Miki
- Note that it is unnatural to use -tara in circumstances in the past, where a volitional element is present. For example, if you wanted to say 'I stayed in an old ryokan when I went to Kyouto':
京都に行ったら、古い旅館に泊まりました
This sentence is unnatural. Using ~tara in the past would only be used for states or circumstances, e.g.
教室に入ったら、小さなネコがいた
— contributed by: bi-ru
- Maybe the following would be more natural:
「京都に行ったとき、古い旅館に泊まりました。」
「教室に入ったとき、小さなネコがいた。」
— contributed by: 誠
- 教室に入ったら、小さな猫がいた。is fine enough. You cannot say which is more natural.
— contributed by: Miki
- [#5897} Should use the subjunctive mood, not simple past: "If I were a bird..."
— contributed by: cacepi
- そうそう。確か高校の時に、そう習いました。
— contributed by: Miki
- Actually, the past tense usage of たら is okay, as long as the second phrase shows an uncontrollable situation.
(BAD) 京都に行ったら、古い旅館に泊まりました。
(GOOD) 先生の説明を聞いたら、すぐ分かった。
— contributed by: Mukade
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tara
tagJ: たら
expE: if, when (verb form)
noteE: When I wake up
JLPT: 3

Front: eba
条件形 (えば)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
条件形 (えば)
Meaning: if
Example: If you go, you'll understand.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- this is also used for soft suggetsions to do something.
タバコを消せばいい if you could put out your cigarette
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 行けばわかる。
If you go, you'll understand.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この本をもう一度読めば、5回読んだことになります。
If I read this book again, I will have read it five times.
— contributed by: Miki
- 走れば、すぐに彼に追いつくだろう。
You will soon come up with him if you run.
— contributed by: Miki
- しばらく眠れば、ずっと気分がよくなりますよ。
If you sleep for a while, you will feel much better.
— contributed by: Miki
- このクラブに入会すれば、その施設の全てを使用する権利が与えられる。
If you join this club, you will be entitled to use all of its facilities.
— contributed by: Miki
- すぐに出発すれば電車に間に合うだろう。
You will be in time for the train if you start at once.
— contributed by: Miki
- そのとおりにすれば間違いない。
If you do it that way you won't be mistaken.
— contributed by: Miki
- その本は、安ければ買うかもしれない。
If that book was cheaper , I might just buy it.
— contributed by: zep3xvii
- この薬を飲めばよくなります。(このくすりをのめばよくなります。）えば
If you take this medicine, you will get well. If-conditional
— contributed by: hana
- 練習すればもっと上手になります。
You will become better if you practice.
— contributed by: ay
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 条件形
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Related Grammar
- to (えば and と both tend to be used in denoting natural / inevitable consequences.)
User Comments
- ichidan (regular group 2) verbs replace -ru with -reba たべる (taberu) → 食べれば (tabereba).
godan (regular group 1) verbs change last kana to -e column and add -ba. 行く (iku) → 行けば (ikeba)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The following is not good Japanese - えば can't be used in sentences of the form "If X then please do Y."
(BAD) 彼がそちらに着けば、知らせてください。
If he arrives there, let him know.
Instead -tara can be used.
(GOOD) 彼がそちらに着いたら、知らせてください。
When he arrives there, let him know.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- えば can be used if the following sentence is expressed as a likely outcome.
(GOOD) 彼がそちらに着けば、知らせてくれるでしょう。
I guess you'll let me know if he turns up there.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- what is the differences between tara and eba? wakarimasen
— contributed by: natsumi
- simply, ~[tara] seems to have more of an impression of "when", not just if. eg:
東京に来たら、是非連絡してください。
when/if you come to tokyo, be sure to contact me.
there is probably more on this in Tae Kim's pages.
— contributed by: dc
- yep, check the bottom of this page: [Conditionals]
different from my explanation tho.
— contributed by: dc
- Actually, the command form is okay as long as the えば is not a verb.
(BAD) 田中さんが着ければ、教えてください。
(GOOD) よろしければ、食べてください。
— contributed by: Mukade
- I think that the English in ex #4977 is a little strange:
走れば、すぐに彼に追いつくだろう。
You will soon come up with him if you run.
I think that either of the following better reflects the Japanese text.
You will soon catch up to/with him if you run.
You will soon overtake/pass him if your run.
Also, in ex #4980, I think leave would be better than start.
すぐに出発すれば電車に間に合うだろう。
You will be in time for the train if you leave at once.
Depart could also be used in place of start (or leave), though it sounds a little misleading as there is a strong connection between trains and departing.
— contributed by: horms
- Maybe in ex #6441 ーたら　form is more preferable? 「この薬を飲んだらよくなります。」
Some more examples:
秋が来れば雨が降る。(Expresses usual occasion. In this case 'と' may be used, but not 'ーたら')
誰か寄ってくれば赤ちゃんはたいてい泣き始める。(This one expresses usual occasion too. As in above example えば may be replaced with 'と', but not with ーたら)
新しくなければ買いません。 [If it is not new, I will not buy it.] (Expresses intention)
怖ければ後ろに隠れたほうがいい。[If it is scary, you'd better hide behind.] (This is not a command, but in this example なら would be better, I think).
— contributed by: dante
- Okay, let me see if I've got this straight...
「えば」 and 「たら」 are similar, but 「えば」 is used to express more of a cause-and-effect sort of relationship, and that's why it's used to express natural consequences. 「たら」 has less of a cause-and-effect tone, and it implies "when" or "after" more than 「えば」.
— contributed by: kinoko
- eba alaways indicate a positive effect
which kara can be positive or negative
for example
kuruma ga areba iroirona basho ni ikemasu.
if you have a car you can go to different places
— contributed by: cerotaph
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: eba
tagJ: 条件形
tagH: えば
expE: if
noteE: If you go, you'll understand.
JLPT: 3

Front: dearu
である
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
である
Meaning: To be, is (formal equivalent of だ [da])
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 医者である田中さん
The Tanaka san who is a doctor.
— contributed by: dc
- そうであるとしても、この場合は別でしょう。
Even if that is correct, would it not have to be different in this case?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- いつも正直であるということは、容易なことではない。
To be always honest is not easy.
— contributed by: Miki
- "We" are a cat (famous novel title).
我輩は猫である。
— contributed by: lafcadio10
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Usually used in written, formal works.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- One way in which である (dearu) can be used where だ (da) cannot is to modify nouns.
e.g. 医者である田中さん (senshu de aru tanakasan) The Tanakasan who is a doctor.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- roma-ji is wrong for e.g. in user comments.
医者である田中さん(isha de aru tanaka-san)
— contributed by: Miki
- I don't see why である is being distinguished from だ even though ではない is included on the page for だ. Furthermore, several forms have been missed, such as でない (traditional negative form of である) as well as であろう (traditional negative form of darou).
— contributed by: Eeker
- I agree with Eeker. It would be better remove English meaning of (formal equivalent of だ [da]).
— contributed by: Miki
- I think de aru is found in formal written texts. Thesis, abstracts, conference text, just to name a few examples.
— contributed by: blackburn
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dearu
tagJ: である
expE: To be, is (formal equivalent of だ [da])
JLPT: 3

Front: suru
する
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
する
Meaning: to do (irregular verb)
Example: I study Japanese.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- There are only two irregular verbs, kuru (to come) and suru (to do).
The verb "suru" is probably the most often used verb in Japanese. It is used as "to do," "to make," or "to cost". It is also combined with many nouns (of Chinese or Western origin) to make them into verbs.
— contributed by: joe cello
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 明日掃除するよ。
I will do my laundry tomorrow.
— contributed by: nadine
- 彼が電話したら、どうするの？
If he calls, what will you do?
— contributed by: nadine
- テレビの音を大きくした。[Terebi no oto o ookiku shita.]
I turned up the volume of the TV.
— contributed by: joe
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- itashimasu (itashimasu is like a keigo (super polite, humble) version of suru)
User Comments
- 常体 = Plain / Direct form ~る[~ru]
敬体 = Polite / Distal form ~ます [~masu]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note that in textbooks outside of Japan する [suru] is usually introduced as an 'irregular verb'.
However inside Japan it is referred to as サ変, also still can be used for some other verbs (e.g. 準ずる).
Similarly the 'irregular' verb くる [kuru] is referred to as カ変.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- What is Shitara
Shita is did but what is the ra for?
— contributed by: Popo
- shitara... if/when you do/did
look at the [tara] entry.
— contributed by: dc
- #5004 I will do my laundry tomorrow. is 明日洗濯するよ。掃除する is to clean etc.
— contributed by: Miki
- As I understand it, したら in #5005 and した in #5892 are forms of する -- maybe they should be marked red in the examples.
— contributed by: balrog-kun
- So are suru & shiru conjugated the same?
— contributed by: Prof3ssor MGW
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: suru
tagJ: する
expE: to do (irregular verb)
noteE: I study Japanese.
JLPT: 4

Front: no-3
〜の
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜の
Meaning: ? (sentence ending particle - question) [F]
Example: What is it you don't get?
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- In informal situations, during a conversation with friends or the family, women can use "no" instead of "ka".
— contributed by: Stefanie
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 「納得いかないんですよ」「何が？何がですの？」
"I just can't accept that!" "What? What is it that you can't accept ? "
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 男・女：もうお店やっていないの？！まだ4時だよ。
Ths shop is already closed, is it? It's still 4.
— contributed by: Miki
- なんで彼女がいないの？
Why don't you have a girlfriend ? [M/F]
— contributed by: Miki
- 悪いけど他に用事があるの。
I'm sorry, I have another engagement .[F]
— contributed by: Miki
- 「どうしたの。」「少しほうっておいて。あなたには関係ないことなの。」
"What's wrong with you ?"[F] "Leave me alone for a while. It's none of your business."[F]
— contributed by: Miki
- 「今出かけてはいけない。」「どうしてだめなの。」
"You mustn't go out now." "Why not ? "[F]
— contributed by: Miki
- 私、去年から新しいことを始めたの。
I started a new practice last year .[F]
— contributed by: Miki
- 「私、自動車にしょっちゅう乗ってるの。だから、クライアントが私にコンタクトが取れないって文句を言うの。」
"I'm on the road a lot, and my clients are complaining that they can never reach me." ."[F]
— contributed by: Miki
- 女：「時々、彼と離婚しようと思うの。」男：「冗談だろう！」
"Now and then I think of divorcing him ." [F] "You must be kidding!" [M]
— contributed by: Miki
- 「太っている人はみんなダイエットすべきだと思う。」「あなた、私のことを言ってるの。」
"I think all fat people should go on a diet."[M/F] "Are you referring to me ?"[F]
— contributed by: Miki
- 7時半に起きなければいけなかったんじゃないの。
I thought you had to get up by 7:30 .[M/F]
— contributed by: Miki
- ＣＤをどれくらい持っているの。
How many CDs do you have ?[M/F]
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたのことを友達以上には考えられないの。
I can't think of you as more than a friend .[F]
— contributed by: Miki
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- ka (の is a question particle used in female speech.)
User Comments
- [F] denotes use in female speech.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Where did you pick up the example? This sounds like from anime, game or a girl from a rich family.
— contributed by: Miki
- Hmm, looks like fan-fiction actually. ^^v
Hope it isn't <b>too</b> bad.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Aren't there expressions that use this ending の that are used by both men and women or is it ALWAYS female speech?
— contributed by: yookoso
- I hear males sometimes use　this の.
— contributed by: Miki
- 何がですの would mostly be female speech. Men would be prone to say 何がですか.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 何しているの　is a female saying?
— contributed by: g
- You may often hear female use it but this is used by male, too.
— contributed by: Miki
- heh so that's why I get all those strange looks from guys, I sound like my GF ^_^ I'll try to add some more examples　after the fact of real-world conversational stuff :)
— contributed by: ninja_k
- 何しているの is short for 何をしているのですか. Latter is polite but the former is casual. I think you use it in a wrong situation. It is not strange at all that men use it. ;)
— contributed by: Miki
- Yes, this example is not strange at all. I am learning Japanese from a Japanese male, and this is how he explained the familiar usage of "no". It's not uncommon, he says, and you only add "desu ka" for polite company.
— contributed by: Christopher
- Is it safe to say that the "-no" question particle is representative of the word "it", as how "it" was used in both examples?
— contributed by: caith
- caith - not really... the translation just comes accross a bit differently in natural english. the の nominalizes the preceding clause, hence why it, in this case, is the natural equivalent. But it's not a 1-1 mapping the other way...
— contributed by: ninja_k
- men can say 〜の but it is technically only for females.that's becasue it sounds very effeminate. many men now are saying 〜の　and even 〜ね, butif i were a guy, i would stay away from it！
— contributed by: ellieluvsu
- A simple rule of thumb is, if you are a man, skip "no" at the end and you won't be led into that ambivalent world.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- In an interrogative sentence, の by males is common, but perfectly not in an affirmative.
#882 ですの is old-fashioned. We prefer to 何で?(if he/she is familiar) or 何がですか?(if not)
— contributed by: sato
- [#3260]: "still" should be changed to "only". "Still" implies that it has been 4 o'clock for a long time. But of course, it is only ever 4 o'clock for an instant.
— contributed by: seanohagan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: no-3
tagJ: 〜の
expE: ? (sentence ending particle - question) [F]
noteE: What is it you don't get?
JLPT: 3

Front: juu/chuu
じゅう／ちゅう
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
じゅう／ちゅう
Meaning: throughout, through, during all
Example: She cried all day.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼女は一日中泣いてました。
She cried all day.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- その犬は一晩中ほえ続けた。
The dog kept barking all night.
— contributed by: Miki
- 会議中（ちゅう）にお腹がグーグー鳴っていて困ったよ。
My stomach started growling right there in the meeting. It was embarrassing.
— contributed by: Miki
- 冬中暖房無しで過ごした。
I did without heating all through the winter.
— contributed by: Miki
- 家内は海外旅行中（ちゅう）よく電話をかけてきた。
My wife often rang me up during her travel abroad.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私たちは夏休み中（ちゅう）ずっとそこでキャンプをした。
We camped there through summer vacation.
— contributed by: Miki
- 営業中　（ちゅう）
Currently trading
— contributed by: sekaiget_dominic
- 春休み中は、（ちゅう）旅行に行くつもりです。
During spring break, I plan to go on holiday
— contributed by: sekaiget_dominic
- 夏休み中（じゅう）テレビゲームばかりしていた。
I did nothing but play games all Summer
— contributed by: sekaiget_dominic
- 世界中（じゅう）のスポーツ選手が参加したがっている。
Sports players from all over the world dream of attending
— contributed by: sekaiget_dominic
- インストール中にエラーが起きました。
While installing (this software), an error has occurred (Lit: while installing, error has awoken/arisen).
— contributed by: bunbun
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User Comments
- what are the rules for it being juu rather than chuu?
— contributed by: hana
- I thought the rule was as follows:
Chuu = indicates the continuation of an activity or a time period
juu = indicates a space/time period without a break
So 営業中 (chuu)　indicates the activity of sales continuing. 春休み中 (chuu) indicates the period of time "Spring holiday"
夏休み中　(juu) indicates the entire summer holidays. 　
世界中　(juu) indicates the entire world
so to distinguish between the summer and spring examples above:
春休み中（ちゅう）は旅行に行くつもりです。
夏休み中（じゅう）テレビゲームばかりしていた。
The spring example defines a period of time and allows us to mention activities that will occur in that time etc.
The summer example indicates that for the entire period of the summer holidays a single event occured.
What's confusing me is that I thought Miki's summer holidays example should be (juu), because of the zutto. perhaps if the emphasis was more on the fact that the entire holiday had been taken up by camping, we could have used juu?
— contributed by: sekaiget_dominic
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: juu/chuu
tagJ: じゅう／ちゅう
expE: throughout, through, during all
noteE: She cried all day.
JLPT: 0

Front: naikotohanai
ないことは(も)ない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ないことは(も)ない
Meaning: it isn't the case that 〜 not 〜; it is not that 〜 not 〜
Example: It's not that I don't read newspapers, but very rarely do I read them.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- FORMATION:
Ｖ(ない) + ことは(も)ない
いＡ(minus い) + くないことは(も)ない
なＡ・Ｎ + でないことは(も)ない
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- お箸は使えないことはないんですが、ナイフとフオークの方が使いやすいです。
It's not that I cannot handle chopsticks, but I do better with knives and forks.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 納豆は食べないこともないんですが、あまり好きじゃないんです。
I would not say I _don't_ eat natto, but I don't like it very much.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- どんなに年をとっていても学べないことはない。
No man is so old but he may learn.
— contributed by: Miki
- 新聞を読めないことはないんですが、時たまですね。
It's not that I don't read newspapers, but very rarely.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 「日本語は難しくありませんか。」「いえ、難しくないこともないんですが、日本語の難しさは強調されすぎていると思いますよ。」
"Isn't Japanese difficult?" "Yes, it is difficult, but I think that the difficulty of Japanese is overemphasized."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 「田中さんのふるさとは雪がたくさん降るところだから、スキーはお得意でしょう。」「ううん、できないことはないけど、もう何年もやってないから…」
"The native place of Mr Tanaka is an area where much snow use to fall so it a good occasion for skiing I guess, don't you agree?" "No, it is not that I can't, but there is a long time already that I don't go skiing..."
— contributed by: 赤毛
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User Comments
- Shouldn't the first example be "I would not say I _don't_ eat natto" (Isn't 食べない is the negative of 食べる to eat, not the negative potential?)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- potential = 見込み、将来性、可能性？？
— contributed by: Miki
- 食べない　= do not eat　　　食べない　こともない
食べられない= cannot eat　　食べられない こともない
— contributed by: Miki
- 「Potential form/verb」は「可能動詞」と言いますね。
ありがとう。そのとおりだと思ってるが、確認が貰うといいですね。
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The difference between 食べないこともない and 食べられないこともない is that the former is subjective and the latter is objective. 食べられない=it is normally not fit to eat. 食べられないこともない=it is not that [it is normally not fit to eat]. 食べない=The speaker does not eat. 食べないこともない=it is not that [speaker does not eat].
— contributed by: bamboo4
- when is "mo" used instead of "ha" for this phrase?
— contributed by: MaDaZi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naikotohanai
tagJ: ないことは(も)ない
expE: it isn't the case that 〜 not 〜; it is not that 〜 not 〜
noteE: It's not that I don't read newspapers, but very rarely do I read them.
JLPT: 2

Front: kana
〜かな
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〜かな
Meaning: I wonder.. (Based on か question particle.)
Example: I wonder if he'll be here soon?
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- かな is used by males, it sounds weird if females use it. Thus females use かしら。
— contributed by: kkat
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この靴は高いかな
I wonder if these shoes are expensive
— contributed by: alarma
- 締め切りに間に合わなかったらどうなるかな。
What if I miss the deadline?
— contributed by: Miki
- 「彼の病気は重いのかな。」「そうでないといいね。」
"Is he seriously ill ?" "I hope not."
— contributed by: Miki
- 「肘が痛むんだよ。病院に行こうかな。」
"My elbow really hurts. I guess I should go to a hospital."
— contributed by: Miki
- ７月の上旬に、海に行くのは早いかな。
I wonder if the first week (or so) of July is too early to go to the beach.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- Three main uses of かな.
1. A question with little doubt.
e.g. ジムならうまくいくかな。As it's Jim I wonder whether it will go well.
2. Talking to yourself.
ゲーセンに行こうかな。Shall I go to the game center?
3. Expressing wish / hope.
誰かこないかな。Is anybody going to come? (I hope somebody comes.)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Placed on the end of a sentence.
S = Sentence.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- かな is made up of か, a particle for interrogatory and な a particle to express one's emotion. It is used to ask oneself a question or a question to another as to the degree of uncertainty involved. When you use it in the form of ないかな, you are expressing a desire for something to come true.
間違えたかな = Did I screw it up?
天気にならないかな = Hope the weather clears up!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- How would you express a desire for something to not come true? such as, "I hope the weather does not clear up." ?
— contributed by: Ness
- I'm not sure if its a usual thing, but in Tokyo a lot of my female friends often use ...かな〜. It could be a regional thing or that I have particularly unrefined friends, but I thought I'd drop the thought in anyway.
— contributed by: chrispix
- I was told by a japanese friend that using かな with the polite form (such as 〜ですかな...) really sounded "Ojisan" (litterally, "speaking like your uncle", which does not sound young and trendy). Maybe this is the reason why it has been written in this article that 〜かな is male speech?
— contributed by: charles
- Kana is usable by Japanese women, but mainly for monologues - it's more versatile for usage by men. And yeah, go with the plain form if you're under 40.
— contributed by: televangelist
- Girls often say かな, but a guy would never say かしら as that sounds very feminine.
— contributed by: bunbun
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kana
tagJ: 〜かな
expE: I wonder.. (Based on か question particle.)
noteE: I wonder if he'll be here soon?
JLPT: 3

Front: zumogana
~ず もがな
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
~ず もがな
Meaning: Vn, As well not to ~
Example: as well not to buy them
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Conists of verb in 未然形+ず, the classical verb of negation, and the sentence-final classical particle もがな.
もがな:願望を表す。〜といいなあ。
— contributed by: blutorange
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- サッカーで日本が勝って、韓国人の金さんがどんな気持ちかなんて、そんなこと、言わずもがなのことだよ。
Japan wins at football, it's a thing you don't even need to ask about to know how the Korean Mr. Kim feels.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 新しい電気製品なんて、買わずもがなで、買うとろくなものがない。
New eletronic gadgets - Pah! - as well not to buy them, if you do then nothing good will come of it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あの人の書く文章には無くもがなといえる言葉が多い。
In his writings, there are a number of words which might better have been left out.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- Two general uses, 1. Something doesn't need doing / saying.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 2. Something should not be done / said [although may be anyway to ones regret]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- NOTE: This is /relatively/ low usage in modern Japanese - but appeared on 2000 JLPT level 1.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I agree with NOTE. I asked J co-workers if they use 買わずもがな, I was asked the meanings. I know only 言わずもがな.
— contributed by: Miki
- Formed by V-nai base + ずもがな
e.g. 買う→買わない→買わずもがな
Vn = V-nai base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- もがな dates bqck to the Heian era, and it means that what precedes もがな would be the desire of the speaker. It is an archaic Japanese which only finds its use in some set expressions, such as 言わずもがな,which literally would mean "I desire that I do not say that" that would include the case of my regret for having said what I said.
My 広辞苑 shows the following:
あらずもがな、言わずもがな、無くもがな、やらずもがな and 由もがな.
While 買わずもがな is grammatically correct, I am not sure if it is actually used.
In any event, except perhaps 言わずもがな, all other instances of the use of もがな are pretty archaic.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- なくもがな 【無くもがな】
（連語）
ないほうがよい。あらずもがな。
「あの一言は≠ｾった」「≠ﾌ差しで口」
— contributed by: kanoko
- Thanks for examples. I have been going through old JLPT and was stumped by this one.
— contributed by: higashinoK:go
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: zumogana
tagJ: ~ず もがな
expE: Vn, As well not to ~
noteE: as well not to buy them
JLPT: 1

Front: yo
〜よ
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〜よ
Meaning: ! (exclamation mark, add emphasis, denote new information being imparted)
Example: The bus is coming!
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- バスが来るよ。[basu ga kuru yo.]
The bus is coming !
— contributed by: Amatuka
- それは大変なことだよ。
That's pretty serious, you realize that!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あなたが好きなんだよ
I like you, you know!
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- 好い加減にしなさいよ。
Shape up !
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
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User Comments
- Generally not to be used to 'out group' / 'superiors'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- よ [yo] is used at the end of the sentence (e.g. a sentence ending particle).
S = Sentence.
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yo
tagJ: 〜よ
expE: ! (exclamation mark, add emphasis, denote new information being imparted)
noteE: The bus is coming!
JLPT: 3

Front: ha
〜は
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜は
Meaning: 'topic marker' (also shown as 'wa')
Example: X wa Y desu : X is Y
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Introducing は "wa" and です。"desu."
the particle は marks the topic.
(Remember particles attach to the word which they follow, and that when は is a particle it is pronounced wa.)
です。functions like "is" or "topic is."
— contributed by: Denzil
- は
Is pronounced as "wah".
は a subject or topic marker.
は can appear as ha, or wa in romaji depending on the system used.
The kana used for は is usually pronounced as "hah", but pronounced as "wah" when used as a particle.
The same phenomenon happens in the word "dewa/deha" では in the negative conjugation of the verb [desu].
Other notes:
In yakuza speech,
は、becomes や　(yah).
Typically, the y sound is softened such that it sounds like "ah"
Example:
Ore ha --turns to-> Ore ya --but sounds like-> Ore a
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 田中さんは大学生です。[ tanakasan hadaigakusei desu]
Mr. Tanaka is a university student.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私はマイケルです。
I am Michael.
— contributed by: eastmael
- 林檎は緑です。[ringo ha midori desu.]
The apple is green.
— contributed by: joe
- 皆さんは何処ですか？　みんなさんはどこですか？
Where is everyone from? Minna san wa doko desu ka?
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 私はアメリカ人です。　わたしはアメリカじんです。
I am American. Watashi wa amerikanjin desu.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 私たちは火星人です。わたしたちはかせいじんです。
We are Martians. Watashi tachi wa kaseijin desu.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 〜は
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- da (X ha Y da (X は Y だ) and its variants are the most basic of Japanese sentence structures.)
User Comments
- See <a href=http://homepage3.nifty.com/i-yasu/Lesson5.htm>here</a> and <a href=http://homepage3.nifty.com/i-yasu/lesson6.htm>here</a> for two very interesting Japanese pages on using ha vs. ga
— contributed by: Amatuka
- When to use は vs が?
Both sentences like 雨は降っている。[ame ha
futteiru] and 雨が降っている。[ame ga futteiru] are
valid, so working out when to use which form is a
tricky point.
First: In answering a question such as
Q. 机の上に何がありますか。[tsukue no ue ni nani ga arimasu ka]
A. 鉛筆があります。[enpitsu ga arimasu].
Here が is used.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- On the other hand if attention has been placed on something in advance and the question is asked with that object as the topic...
Q. 本はどこにありますか。[hon ha doko ni arimasu ka.]
A. 本はイスの下にあります。[hon ha isu no shita ni arimasu]
then は is used.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- が is also used to indicate a specific choice.
私が行きます。[watashi ga ikimasu]
_I'll_ go. (not any of the other possibilities).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- は is used for contrastative sentences (see ha-2).
For example normally you'd say
犬が好きです。[inu ga suki desu] I like dogs.
However if you want to contrast how you feel about dogs with how you feel about other animals then
犬は好きだが、猫はどうも・・・[inu ha suki da ga, neko ha doumo ...]
I like _dogs_ but I really don't (get on with) cats.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- は [ha / wa] follows a noun or a noun phrase.
(e.g. 犬は [inu ha] 'as for dogs'
知るのは [shiru no ha] 'as for what (I) know'
The latter case の nominalizes (turns into a noun) 知る)
N = noun
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In [ex #7818], shouldnt it be: 皆さんはからどこですか?
Or から皆さんはどこですか？　Wouldnt ex #7818 just mean "Where is everyone"? Im no Japanese grammar expert but doesnt から mean from? And shouldnt から be used in ex #7818?
— contributed by: deedrio
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ha
tagJ: 〜は
expE: 'topic marker' (also shown as 'wa')
noteE: X wa Y desu : X is Y
JLPT: 4

Front: ga
〜が
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜が
Meaning: (subject marker)
Example: There is a television in the kitchen.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Uses of が
Ga marks what the Japanese call the grammatical subject of the sentence. Think of the subject in the following two ways:
First in neutral descriptions of observable actions or situations.
手紙が来ました。　てがみがきました。
The mail came. 　　Tegami ga kimashita.
雨がふっています。　　　あめがふっています。
Rain is falling.　　Ame ga futte imasu.
*However, が cannot be used in the negative form (because, they are in a sense, unobservable). は　is used instead.
手紙は来ませんでした。　てがみはきませんでした。
The mail didn't come. 　　Tegami ha kimasen deshita.
雨はふっていません。　　　あめはふっていません。
Rain isn't falling.　　Ame ha futte imasen.
Second, for special emphasis, to distinguish a particular person or thing from all others.
私がしました。　　わたしがしました。
I did it. Watashi ga shimashita.
ハームバーガが緑です。 ハームバーガがみどりです。
(The) Hamburger is green. Haamubaaga ga midori desu.
Other Uses.
When and interrogative pronoun is used as the subject of a sentence, が　must be used.
誰が,これをしましたか？　だれが,これをしましたか？
Who did this? Dare ga, kore wo shimashita ka?
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- Other notes
*As an abstract and rough approximation, the difference between は and が is a matter of what the focus of the sentence is.
は gives focus to the action of the sentence, i.e., to the verb or adjective.
が gives focus to the subject of the action.
An example of this can be illustrated with two sentences which mean almost the same thing in English.
（あなたは）日本語を話しますか？　（あなたは）にほんごをはなしますか？　
Do (you) speak Japanese? (anata ha) nihongo wo hanashimasu ka?
（あなたは）日本語が話せますか？　（あなたは）にほんごがはなせますか？　
Can (you) speak Japanese? (anata ha) nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?
Exhaustive ga
*Unlike は, the subject particle が nominates its referent as the sole satisfier of the predicate. This distinction is famously illustrated by the following pair of sentences.
ジョンは学生です。 ジョンはがくせいです。
John ha gakusei desu
John is a student. (There may be other students among the people we're talking about.)
ジョンが学生です。ジョンががくせいです。
John ga gakusei desu.
(Of all the people we are talking about) it is John who is the student
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- Transitive and Intransitive verbs and が
Japanese has a large variety of related pairs of transitive verbs (that take a direct object) and intransitive verbs (that do not take a direct object), such as hajimaru, (an activity) begins and hajimeru, (an actor) begins (an activity).
授業が始まる。 じゅぎょうはじまる。
Jugyou ga hajimaru.
The class starts(intransitive). (It is the class which does the starting on it's own, therefore it's observable, like rain.)
先生が授業を始める。せんせいが授業を始める。
Sensei ga jugyou o hajimeru.
The teacher starts(transitive) the class. (Of all the teachers, this one starts class.)
Then there's another variant:
先生は授業を始める。せんせいは授業を始める。
Sensei ha jugyou o hajimeru.
The teacher(s) start(s)(transitive) the class. (Teachers in general start the class.)
And another variant:
先生のみは授業を始める。せんせいのみは授業を始める。
Sensei nomiha jugyou o hajimeru.
The teacher(s) start(s)(transitive) the class. (Only teachers in general start the class. Sounds silly, but many times this is understood as a general statement in English without the extra words.)
Yet another example:
先生のみが授業を始める。せんせいのみが授業を始める。
Sensei nomiga jugyou o hajimeru.
The teacher starts(transitive) the class. (Out of all the teachers, this one starts the class only.)
And if nomi "のみ" is moved next to the verb as "のみ始める", it might indicate that no one else starts the class but this teacher (and not you).
In many cases the subject is omitted. Had the "teacher" been the topic of conversation in the first transitive example, the following would occur:
(先生が) 授業を始める。（せんせいが）授業を始める。
（Sensei ga) Jugyou o hajimeru.
　　　Class starts(transitive). (By an actor already mentioned, as indicated by the transitive verb or previous context）
The omitted subject is also what makes this topic more difficult to explain. Many examples used do not include the omitted subject or previous context which is important to understanding for many learners.
Those who speak English and begin to learn Japanese see most articles on this subject as a list of grammatical memorizations because they are not proficient with omitted subject. Even if a student knows how to drop a subject, they also must learn to when insert one for some random examples to make sense. Transitive and intransitive makes this a little clearer.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_grammar
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- バスが来るよ。 [basu gakuru yo.]
The bus * is coming!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 台所にテレビがあります 。[daidokoro ni terebi ga arimasu ]
There is a television * in the kitchen.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ここだと２万円前後のテレビが買える。[koko da to 2 man en zengo no terebigakaeru.
If it's here then you can buy a television for 20,000 yen - more or less.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この店ではほかでは売っていない特別仕様のＣＧ機能を持つＰＣを買うことができる。
At this shop, you can buy PCs with special CG functionality that is not offered by others.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- nihongo ga dekimasu. 日本語ができます　「にほんごができます。」
(I) can speak ＊ japanese
— contributed by: tatsujin
- 雨が降っています。(あめがふっています)
Rain is falling. (or it's raining)
— contributed by: hana
- お母さんがパンを買いました。 おかあさんがパンをかいました。
(My) Mother bought bread. Okaasan ga pan o kaimashita.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- アリスさんがそれをしました。
Alise did it/that. Arisusan ga sore o shimashita.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- お父さんが映画を見ました。　おとうさんがえいがをみました。
(My) Father saw (a) movie. Otoosan ga eiga o mimashita.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 新聞がテエブルの上にあります。しんぶんがテエブルのうえにあります。
(The) Newspaper is on top of the table. (*lit. table's top) Shinbun ga teeburu ue ni arimasu.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- これが私の家です。これがわたくしのうちです。
This is my house. Kore ga watakushi* no uchi desu. *polite, spelt with same kanji as watashi
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- だれがあの彼女ですか？　　だれがあのかのじょですか？
Who is she/that woman over there? Dare ga ano kanojo desu ka?
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 雨がふっています。　あめがふっています。
It's raining (lit. Rain is falling).　Ame ga futte imasu.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 〜が
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- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- iru (The particle が is used in いる sentences)
- aru (The particle が is used in ある sentences)
- ha (Compare / contrast が [ga] (subject) and は [ha / wa] (topic) markers.)
User Comments
- Need to put together something on when to choose to use が (subject) instead of は (topic)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note that が (or の) replaces を in sub-sentences.
(See 'television' example, would be <b>テレビを買う (terebi wo kau)</b> if it was a sentence on it's own.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- が [ga] follows a noun or a noun phrase.
(e.g. 犬が [inu ha] 'the dog' / 'dog(s)'
知るのが [shiru no ga] 'what (I) know (is)'
The latter case の nominalizes (turns into a noun) 知る)
N = noun
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In #880, テレビが買うことができる is not acceptable.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- However, would TV-wo kau-koto-ga dekiru be acceptable? In the case of -ga, it marks the object when a verb is in the potential mood, as if the verb was passive...
— contributed by: Zhen Lin
- テレビを買うことができる is acceptable.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- The book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4770028024">Making Sense of Japanese: What the Textbooks Don't Tell You</a> by Jay Rubin offers an excellent section explaining the difference between が and は.
— contributed by: anonymous
- Could you explain what you leant from the book the difference between が and は?
— contributed by: dakara?
- You can read Tae Kim's online guide to japanese and get a very reasonable explanation. First of all he rejects the use of the term subject, simply because it is laden with all the wrong connotations from english. Primarily because subject in japanese is not the same as subject in english (and most roman and germanic languages, probably). He calls it the identifier, a particle used to identfy one among many, where as ha is used to say something detailed about something, by some called the focus particle.
— contributed by: Svendsen
- @Amatuka テレビが買うことができる is wrong
@bamboo4 Yes, テレビを買うことができる is correct
Amatuka is most likely confusing を with が in clauses: if you want to say 背が高い友達, you can also say 背の高い友達. There is no difference at all (even in connotation) between の and が as far as every single Japanese person I've ever asked about this is concerned, when dealing with this type of clause.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- Can anybody tell me difference between は and が. As both are topic markers, i dont understand when to use which
— contributed by: devricha
- Can anybody tell me difference between は and が. As both are topic markers, i dont understand when to use which
— contributed by: devricha
- if i'm understand right, a good comparison would be
私は学生です．I am a student. Because here ha focuses on me in particular. it's a narrower description.
学生がいます．There is a student. because this has a broader sense, there are many students but here is one.
feel free to correct me but that is what i've come to understand. and thanks to svendsen because i got most of it from his comment.
— contributed by: nellyaudrey
- "ha" is used when introducing/describing something
while "ga" is used when you want to be specific and direct the focus of attention to the noun preceding "ga"
more or less the difference lies on the weight of "emphasis" ~ tada hitori no iken desukedo ^w^
— contributed by: takamichi
- This article isn't as near as big as it should. I quite personally think the two entries of ga need to be combined and expanded to show ga's other usages. I have an article about the differences between wa and ga on my website www.freewebs.com/kanjiwebs/ because there is no way that only a few examples could distinguish wa and ga for beginners. There's just no way, not even for Japanese people.
— contributed by: IMABI
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ga
tagJ: 〜が
expE: (subject marker)
noteE: There is a television in the kitchen.
JLPT: 4

Front: hoshii
が欲しい (がほしい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
が欲しい (がほしい)
Meaning: N, to want something (desirative)
Example: I want a car.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- But how do you express "don't want"? I can say "don't need" with irimasen, and "don't intend to" with tsumori dewa arimasen, but it still seems like there is a better way? Is there no direct opposite to hoshii?
— contributed by: euphoriafish
- the negative of hoshii is hoshikunai
　行って欲しくない
　I dont want you to go
— contributed by: dc
- You can also use hoshi to express your desire for someone else to do something.
私はキムさんがケーキを食べてほしいですが
I want kim to eat cake, but ....
for the most part you can exclude 私は because its implied by the grammar. the person you want to complete the action takes the が　particle and the verb takes the てform followed by the 欲しい statement 欲しいです
the final が　at the end of the sentence means "but" and is used to soften the tone of the request.
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 靴がほしいのです。
I'd like some shoes.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「わたしは、妻と子供が欲しいので、家が必要なんだよ。」
"I want a wife and children, and so I need a house."
— contributed by: Miki
- だれか話し相手がほしい。
I want someone to talk to.
— contributed by: Miki
- もう一杯ビールがほしいな。
I feel like another beer.
— contributed by: Miki
- デザートにアイスクリームがほしい。
I want ice cream for dessert.
— contributed by: Miki
- 君は何がほしい。
What do you want now?
— contributed by: Miki
- 領収書がほしいのですが。
I would like a receipt, please.
— contributed by: Miki
- 欲しい。
I want (you/it). [romantic nuance]　
— contributed by: adamstudio
- 僕の宿題をして欲しいですが。
I want you to do my homework.
— contributed by: tigert
- なにがほしいか言ってください。
If you want something please ask for it.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- どんなかばんがほしいですか。
What sort of portfolio do you want?
— contributed by: 赤毛
- わたしがほしいちずはどこにもありませんでした。
The map I wanted was nowhere to be seen.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- わたしはもっと小さいテープレコダーがほしいです。
The tape recorder I want is a little smaller.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- あたらしいようふくがほしいです。
I want new Western-style clothes.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of が欲しい
- Add an example sentence
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Formed by a noun or noun phrase + ga hoshii.
(Note that, depending on context, ga may be replaced with the topic / contrast marker ha / wa)
N = noun
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Darn. Typo on 'differs'.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note that it's commonly spelt 〜欲しい, like in ex #4990
— contributed by: mathrick
- hoishi is always used in the case of nouns... means when we want some noun.. that could be a book... car... camera.. anything.
where as tai is also a want but it concern with some action or verb u want to do.. example: shigoto o shitai desu.
one more..
example in both the case.... make out the difference
example of hoishi..
watashi wa kuruma ga hoishi desu..
example of tai..
watashi wa kuruma o kaitai desu.
I hope.... u all got this ...........
domo
— contributed by: prachi
- I believe you can also use 欲しい with the て-form of the verbs:
EX. 写真を撮って欲しいんですが。
I want to have a picture taken.
The difference between 撮って欲しい and 撮りたい is that in the latter, it is I who wishes to take the picture, while in the former, I want someone else to take a picture for me.
— contributed by: sutashu
- I read somewhere that you can also add のが欲しい to the end of a verb (not as a conjugation) to make it say, for instance, "I want to have a picture taken." It'd sort of be like "I want the thing of taking a picture." (の making 'to take a picture' a noun clause?)
— contributed by: Saralynne
- Good point Saralynne,
Its important to remember that although some grammar constructions can only be used in combination with a noun, In Japanese turning a verb into a noun is rather simple. こと、の、or just slap a noun right after the dict-form of a verb and you can use it with any construction you want.
Hey prachi,
Hoshi isn`t always used with nouns its also used with verbs to express that you want others do do something for you. して欲しい
— contributed by: tigert
- I give some examples of JPLT4 to show that this entry is level 4 rather than level 3.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hoshii
tagJ: が欲しい
tagH: がほしい
expE: N, to want something (desirative)
noteE: I want a car.
JLPT: 3

Front: tai
たい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
たい
Meaning: Vm, wanting to do ___
Example: I want to see a Bond movie!
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ボンドの映画を見たいな〜。
I wanna see the Bond movie!
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この車を買いたいんですが、お金が無い。
I want to buy this car but I don't have the money.
— contributed by: eastmael
- あなたは何をしたいのですか。
What would you like to do?
— contributed by: Saralynne
- 彼女は私のすることをいつみ知りたがる。
She`s always curious about (as to) what I`m doing.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of たい
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- garu (たい has to use the がる form (たがる) when speaking of other people's wants.)
- hoshii (たい unlike ほしい can take either が or を (although nuance differes))
User Comments
- Note that when speaking of what <b>somebody else</b> wants you should use the -がる form. E.g. たい→たがる. Basically you shouldn't say "She wants to ___" but "She looks like she wants to ___".
In asking questions the direct 〜たい form is fine.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In modern Japanese 〜たい generally takes を with が being used for emphasis when strong feelings are involved.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from
noun + wo / ga Verb-masu base + tai
Vm = Verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Could someone explain the な〜 at the end of the example sentance?
— contributed by: Rich
- な〜 is a collequial sound. "ya know?"
A little bit like "ne" but more plain.
— contributed by: dc
- な〜 is express your feeling by put 〜 written sentence. You can also write 見たいな。見たいな〜。見たいよ〜。見たいね！
— contributed by: Miki
- From what I've heard (and seen used), 〜たい / 〜ほしい is used even when referring to other people, because it's regarded more polite than 〜がる forms. This might be limited only to 2nd person, though, I'm not completely sure.
— contributed by: mathrick
- I've found an example, notice bottom-middle panel in http://mathrick.org/files/03_032.jpg . 用があるからちょっと顔を出して欲しいってさ。 "He had some business for you, so wanted you to show up"
— contributed by: mathrick
- Mathrick, the sentence you've provided is a quotation, as indicated by the quote-marker って (って is a common abbreviation of と). Therefore, in your example sentence, it is appropriate to use the first-person form of 欲しい, because the speaker is quoting/paraphrasing another's first-person remark.
— contributed by: thekaje
- Why use 買いたいんですin ex #5242 but したいのです in ex #6529? Wouldn't 買いたいです and したいです be correct?
— contributed by: twk
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tai
tagJ: たい
expE: Vm, wanting to do ___
noteE: I want to see a Bond movie!
JLPT: 3

Front: youniiu
ように言う (ようにいう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ように言う (ようにいう)
Meaning: V, To say to (do something)
Example: My doctor told me to stop drinking.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 医者に控えるように言われているのでお酒が飲めなくて、ウズウズしている。
My doctor told me to lay off the liquor so I have this uneasy impatient feeling.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 医者は彼に酒を控えるように忠告した。
The doctor advised him to keep away from drinking.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 医者なら誰でも君に禁煙するように言うだろう。
Any doctor will tell you to quit smoking.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は図書館の職員に金曜日締め切りのレポートのためにその本が必要だと言った。そうしたら彼女は借りている人に返却を求めるように言うと言った。
I told the librarian that I needed the book for a report due on Friday; so she said she would call it in.
— contributed by: dc
- 先生は私たちに毎日教室を掃除するように言う。
The teacher tells us to clean our classroom every day.
— contributed by: dc
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of ように言う
- Add an example sentence
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Related Grammar
- youni (Various forms are based on ように (including ように言う))
- youni-te (duplicate?)
User Comments
- Formed by 'verb + you ni iu'
V = verb
— contributed by: Amatuka
- is this the same as
[youni-te] : to tell to do something. just a slightly different tense..
するように言って : tell (someone) to do
するように言う : tell (someone) to do
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youniiu
tagJ: ように言う
tagH: ようにいう
expE: V, To say to (do something)
noteE: My doctor told me to stop drinking.
JLPT: 3

Front: youni-te
ように〜て
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ように〜て
Meaning: V, asking someone to ask someone else to do something (indirect order)
Example: please ask him to call me
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- (私に）電話（を）するように言って下さい。
Please ask him to call me.
— contributed by: dc
- 明日妹さんを早く来るようにさせて下さい、聞きたいことがあるんですよ。
Can you make your sister come early tomorrow, cause I have something to ask her.
— contributed by: tamago ouji
- 一年以内にあなた方が全員、流暢な英語を話しているようにしてあげます。
I'll have you all speaking fluent English within a year.
— contributed by: Miki
- ５時にここに来るようにしていただけませんか。
Could you arrange to be here at five?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたが出かけるときドアに鍵をかけるのを忘れないように気をつけてください。
Please be careful not to forget to lock the door when you go out.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は部長にこの点について榎本さんに確認するように言われました。
I was asked by the Boss to confirm with you (mr enomoto) on this point.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本語の場合、先ずは私に連絡するように伝えて頂ければ幸いです。
If it is in Japanese, at first I would be happy if you could please ask him to contact me.
— contributed by: dc
- ドアの所にいる人が誰であれ、待つように言ってください。
Whoever is at your door, ask them to wait .
— contributed by: dc
- 急ぐときほど、安全の確認を怠らないようにして下さい。
Even if you hurry up, please do the necessary so you don't neglect the security recommendations.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 転ばないように足元に気をつけてください。
Please be careful with your underfoot so that you don't fall down.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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- youni (Varous forms are based on ように (including 〜ようにいって))
User Comments
- This doesn't have to be 〜て. It should probably be shown under ように言う.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ^ changed
— contributed by: dc
- actually hmm. it is more often 伝えて as in leaving telephone messages, so could be other verbs too? though they would probably be a limited set around tell/ask/instruct.. but the verb itself is not part of the grammar construct..
— contributed by: dc
- They're all centred around 'ように'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from 'verb + you ni Vte'
V = verb
— contributed by: Amatuka
- [youniiu] is the same.
this ends in -te (continuous form) because it is usually finished with -kudasai.
suru you ni itte kudasai - tell to do (please)
suru you ni iu - tell to do
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youni-te
tagJ: ように〜て
expE: V, asking someone to ask someone else to do something (indirect order)
noteE: please ask him to call me
JLPT: 2

Front: youni-suru
ようにする
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ようにする
Meaning: V, try to
Example: I will try to do it...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- V-dict+ようにする
見るようにします : try to see
間に合うようにします　: try to make it on time
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 知らせるようにします
I will try to report.
— contributed by: dc
- 覚えるようにします
I will try to remember
— contributed by: dc
- あなたは英語で自分自身が理解されるようにすることができますか。
Can you make yourself understood in English?
— contributed by: dbx
- ドアが閉まるようにすることができますか。
Can you get the door to shut?
— contributed by: dbx
- 悪い状況を最大限に生かすようにするべきだ。
You should make the best of a bad situation.
— contributed by: dbx
- 一つの事に専心して、それがうまくできるようにするべきだ。
You should concentrate on one thing and learn to do it well.
— contributed by: dbx
- 運動をしてもっと健康になるようにする。
Excising their way to better heath.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私は私の言うことを人に理解されるようにすることが出来なかった。
I couldn't make myself understood.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私は時代に遅れないようにするため本や雑誌を読む。
I read books and magazines to keep up with the times.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私は彼の曲と彼の人生にあまり興味がないようにする。
I'm interested not so much in his song as in his life.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私は彼女に２度とそんなことをさせないようにするつもりだ。
I will try not to do this again with her.
— contributed by: dbx
- 時勢に遅れないようにするために、新聞を読みなさい。
You must read the newspaper so that you may keep up with the times.
— contributed by: dbx
- 自分たちの悪事がばれないようにするなんて、なんて悪どい奴等！
Those guys are ruthless, covering up their tracks like that after all their wrongdoing.
— contributed by: dbx
- 自分の言語を他の人たちの言語と同じようにするために必要な変更を加える。
It's necessary to make his language like other people's.
— contributed by: dbx
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- youni (Various forms are based on ように (including ようにする))
- temiru
User Comments
- Formed from 'verb + you ni suru'
V = verb
— contributed by: Amatuka
- It looks like these examples from the DBX are for a different usage of this construct...
— contributed by: dc
- dbx's examples are mostly "clause + you ni", indicating a purpose.
— contributed by: mk
- ...as opposed to 'verb + you ni suru/kokorogakeru etc.' = to try, to decide
— contributed by: mk
- する and します are both "to do".
so するようにします
means "do-kind of-will do" ??
seems odd...
— contributed by: dc
- I believe this way to say "try to do something" also means that the action is necessary or should be done.
— contributed by: gtunak85
- #3888 ある in the end of sentence is funny. You should delete this as you have #3889,
— contributed by: Miki
- #3881, #3886 Japanese is not natural. My suggestions are #3881 あなたは、英語で自分の言うことを理解してもらえますか。　#3886 私は、私の言うことを人に理解してもらえなかった。
When I was a student, I took a test to translate "make oneself understood" into Japanese. If you answer like 自分自身を理解されるようにすることができる, you surely get "X" as the Japanese is not natural, even you can get the meaning.
— contributed by: Miki
- I agree, Miki-san
— contributed by: bamboo4
- does this differ in meaning from Vte +miru?
— contributed by: moomoochoo
- My understanding is that ようにする can be used also in cases where a prolonged, concerted undertaking may be involved. From questions I've asked friends, I might use it in cases where I might choose to say "endeavor to..." rather than when I might use "give it a try", where 「てみる」is more suitable. I don't think it's limited to that, but perhaps it sounds a bit "heavier" than just 「てみる」 which can sounds "light". For the 「てみる」 case, you might stop trying after trying just once.
— contributed by: khyron
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youni-suru
tagJ: ようにする
expE: V, try to
noteE: I will try to do it...
JLPT: 2

Front: wo
〜を
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜を
Meaning: 'object marker' (also shown as 'o') 目的
Example: That [←marked by object marker] please.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- を follows a noun or place. It indicates that that noun is the direct object of the verb, that the place is the place of departure, or that the place was passed through.
を is romanized as "wo" or "o".
Amatuka said this below.
— contributed by: sarruby
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- それをください。[ sore wo kudasai ]
That * please.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 新しいカメラを買った。
I bought * a new camera.
— contributed by: daheiji
- 私はチキンをもらいます。
I'll have * chicken.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は「イマジン」を歌いました。Kare wa "imagin" wo utaimashita
He sang * "Imagine".
— contributed by: Miki
- 仕事を探している。Shigoto wo sagashiteiru
I'm looking for * a job.
— contributed by: Miki
- 薬を飲む。Kusuri wo nomu
Take * medicine.
— contributed by: Miki
- sukoshi nihongo (w)o hanashimasu.少し日本語を話します。「すこしにほんごをはなします。」
(I) speak a little * japanese.
— contributed by: tatsujin
- コーラを飲みました。
I drank Coke.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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- wo-2 (Don't confuse target を [wo] with area passed through を [wo])
User Comments
- Note : The object marker を is <b>said</b> 'o' but may be <b>written</b> as either 'wo' or 'o' depending on romaji system used.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The three uses of を [wo] are
1. objective / target (目的)
2. area passed through (通過点)
3. departure point (出発点)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- を is used to mark a noun or noun phrase.
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wo
tagJ: 〜を
expE: 'object marker' (also shown as 'o') 目的
noteE: That [←marked by object marker] please.
JLPT: 4

Front: wo-2
〜を
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜を
Meaning: area passed through (通過点)
Example: I walked through the park.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 公園を歩きました。
I walked (through/in) the park.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 12歳のとき、私は川を泳いで渡ることができた。
I could swim * across the river when I was twelve.
— contributed by: Miki
- この列車はニューヨークとボストン間を走っている。
This train runs * between New York and Boston.
— contributed by: Miki
- お忙しいところをお出で頂きありがとうございます。
Than you very much for coming despite the fact that. you were busy.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- The three uses of を [wo] are
1. objective / target (目的)
2. area passed through (通過点)
3. departure point (出発点)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- を is used to mark a noun or noun phrase.
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- を is a particle which is essentially acusative case. It also serves as connective of opposing thoughts,as shown in #4962.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- If you're used to seeing を as marking a direct object, and having it mark an area passed through seems strange, consider this: Even English does this occasionally to what grammatically ought to be direct objects, as in "travel the world" and "sail the seven seas". While you wouldn't normally say "I walked the park" (#889) in English, it's the same concept.
— contributed by: KWhazit
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wo-2
tagJ: 〜を
expE: area passed through (通過点)
noteE: I walked through the park.
JLPT: 3

Front: wo-3
〜を
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜を
Meaning: (marks point of departure) 出発点
Example: I left the room.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 部屋を出た。
I left the room.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 大阪を出発する。
He leaves * Osaka.
— contributed by: Miki
- 去年日本を離れた。
I left * Japan last year.
— contributed by: Miki
- １９００年に彼はイギリスを去った。
In 1900 he left * England.
— contributed by: Miki
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- wo (Don't confuse target を [wo] with departure point を [wo])
- wo-2 (Don't confuse target を [wo] with departure point を [wo])
User Comments
- 1. objective / target (目的)
2. area passed through (通過点)
3. departure point (出発点)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note that in <b>general</b> this can be replaced with から [kara] but there are some places where one can be used but not the other and vice versa.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- を is used to mark a noun or noun phrase.
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Can someone give some examples of where one can be used and not the other, to clarify this point, please?
— contributed by: hikey
- から has the connotation that one has left to go to some other place, e.g, 大阪からヨーロッパに向かった(he left Osaka to go to Europe). 大阪を出発した could simply suggest that one left Osaka but it leaves unsaid any other information as to his destination or his purpose.On the other hand, you can also supplement that and say 大阪を出発してヨーロッパに向かった. The difference is that, in most cases,から requires destination, whereas を does not.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Have a question:
Normally, the presence of a を necessarily leads to the presence of a verb somewhere behind it, right? Which is to assume that if I have for instance 3 を there should be at least 3 verbs in the sentence...
(I'm not talking about a specific を here, the question goes for all 3 of them)
Are there cases where it's possible to have more を than actual verbs??
— contributed by: razovsuki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wo-3
tagJ: 〜を
expE: (marks point of departure) 出発点
noteE: I left the room.
JLPT: 3

Front: wokomete
を込めて (をこめて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
を込めて (をこめて)
Meaning: [Verb Phrase] with all your [Noun Phrase]
Example: sing with all your heart
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 気持ちをその中に入れて
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼女は心をこめて歌ったので、聴衆は深い感動をうけた。
As she sang with all her heart , the audience was deeply moved.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 心を込めて祈りなさい。
Pray with all your heart.
— contributed by: dbx
- 怒りを込めて告発人の方に向き直った。
He turned angrily on his accusers.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は満身の力を込めてそれを持ち上げた。
He lifted it up with all his might.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女のテクニックはすばらしいが、もっと感情を込めて演奏する必要がある。
Her technique is superb, but she needs to play with more expression.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は、愛情と優しさを込めてお祈りをした。
She said her prayers, her heart full of love and tenderness.
— contributed by: dbx
- 愛をこめて、セーターを編みました。
She knitted that sweater with all her love.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 怒りを込めて、核実現反対の署名した。
Passionately, and anti-nuclear signatures.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 病気回復の祈りを込めて、皆で鶴を折った。
The prayer of a sick recovery was put, and the crane was folded all.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼は彼女に愛情をこめてキスした。
He gave her an affectionate kiss.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- 心をこめて is a very commonly used phrase
— contributed by: Amatuka
- を is used to mark a noun or noun phrase.
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wokomete
tagJ: を込めて
tagH: をこめて
expE: [Verb Phrase] with all your [Noun Phrase]
noteE: sing with all your heart
JLPT: 2

Front: ka
〜か
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜か
Meaning: ? (basic question particle)
Example: Is this your book?
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- か has many uses but it can be used as a question mark, just like what we have in English:
Did he eat dinner?
彼は夕方ご飯を食べましたか。
Did he go to Japan last year?
来年彼は日本に行きましたか。
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- これはあなたの本ですか。
Is this your book ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 家に帰りましょうか。
Why don't we go home ?
— contributed by: Miki
- ひとつ質問をしてもいいですか。
May I ask you a question ?
— contributed by: Miki
- 今日は鶏肉を買いましたか。
Did you buy chicken today ?
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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- kke
User Comments
- N.B. Commonly [name-san] would be used in place of [anata]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Placed on the end of a sentence.
S = sentence
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I see question mark "?" after particle ka in several japanese writing on internet.
— contributed by: Ramesh
- better to romanize as {kore WA anata no hon desu ka}, as in this case it is a postposition and is pronounced as wa...
— contributed by: sandra
- Notes has "rainen" (来年), maybe it should be "sakunen"? (昨年)
[Did he go to Japan last year?]
— contributed by: Pete
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ka
tagJ: 〜か
expE: ? (basic question particle)
noteE: Is this your book?
JLPT: 4

Front: wa
〜わ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜わ
Meaning: (adds emphasis) [female]
Example: That's just fine.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- いいわよ。
That's just fine.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この本おもしろいわね。
This book is interesting, isn't it? [F]
— contributed by: Miki
- (レジで)あら、どうしよう。お財布にお金が入ってないわ。困ったわね。このにんじんは要らないわ。
(At the cash register) oh,I don't have eough money in my wallet. What should I do? I don't take this carrot. [F]
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- Not for use by blokes ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Placed on the end of sentences.
S = sentence.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- topic updated: this is mostly a feminine phrase/sentence ending, as per miki's contribution. i (as a guy) once used it and was corrected.
— contributed by: dc
- end of grammar topic
— contributed by: dc
- Then what is the counter part masculine form of 〜わ ?
— contributed by: chaser48
- In the above examples, if you just leave out the わ they are acceptable for men to use. In Tokyo, the only time I hear young women say this is when they are impersonating older women or in TV dramas. Many people say womens Japanese is becoming more like mens. My (Female) friend likes to call herself 俺!
— contributed by: blabby
- Your female friend must be young like early 20s or younger. I would say she is 口が悪い.
For mens' use, please change あら to あれ in ex4771.　
— contributed by: Miki
- Yes, she is not exactly a lady...
When speaking 標準語 in Tokyo, 〜わ is only used for women. But this is not the case in some other parts of Japan. If you watch Japanese TV, you will often see men from other parts of Japan (関西?) use わ.
— contributed by: blabby
- kansai-ben and aichi-ben (because both mikawa-ben and nagoya-ben use it) use it.
on a side note, i said わ　once, and all my friends (japanese girls obviously) said i sounded like sailor moon. actually, most owmen i encounter say its not used much, and ive only ever heard outside from tv once after じゃない
— contributed by: shiho-chan
- A few notes from the trenches are in order. :)
Out here in Nagoya, you will hear men use "wa" *very* rarely. It's still an oddity such that as someone learning Japanese, you're best off just leaving it alone.
Previous posters are right - it's not heard much from women anymore either. When you do, it's mostly middle-aged women who are affecting an air of sophistication; but much older than middle-aged, and "kashira" seems much more prevalent.
The good news for a Japanese-learner is that 'wa' is simple: You understand that it's just flavorful emphasis, it's at the end of a sentence so it won't throw you off, and then you never ever use it and you'll be fine.
I don't think Miki is fully correct, though, about あれ・あら. At the very least, it varies based on dialect and is not a universal thing. I hear a lot of elderly men who speak Nagoya-ben and Mikawa-ben use "Ara" rather than "are" - either as a drawn-out "Araaaa.." or a quick repetition of "Ara-ara-ara" naturally depending on circumstance. It's not a strong "ra" sound, though, maybe halfway between "ara" and "are"? Just a subtlety thing. If you split the difference between the two, you should be fine. ;)
— contributed by: televangelist
- Part of the confusion here is that there isn't just a single use for わ. If I may borrow from an online dictionary (dictionary.goo.ne.jp)...
The two that apply here (with my translations added) are:
(1)（女性用語として）話し手の主張や決意を、表現をやわらげて軽く言い表す。 - (as feminine language) Softens presentation and expresses the speaker's assertion, determination, etc., mildly.
ex: 「おもしろいわね」 - "How interesting"
(2)軽い詠嘆や驚きなどの気持ちを表す。 - Expresses mild feelings of admiration, surprise, etc.
ex: 「これは驚いたわ」 - "This's a surprise"
Note that only the first is marked as feminine.
And to partially answer chaser48's question, 〜よ (see [yo]) is a gender-neutral way to add emphasis, though it's not quite equivalent, and may even appear alongside わ as in #671.
— contributed by: KWhazit
- There *is* a gender-neutral or masculine 〜わ. I still remember the first time I heard it about 20 years ago since I was so shocked to hear a guy use a supposedly feminine ending-wa. But this is actually not feminine at all. As I encountered it, it's used when taking action particularly after making a decision to take action. Like そうするわ which kind of has the meaning of そうしてみます.
— contributed by: mdchachi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wa
tagJ: 〜わ
expE: (adds emphasis) [female]
noteE: That's just fine.
JLPT: 3

Front: tsutsuaru
つつある
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
つつある
Meaning: Vm, middle of doing...､continues to
Example: 日本語学校の数は減りつつある。 Numbers at the Japanese school are continuing to fall.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊Be Careful: this is a formal expression.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(minus ます) + つつある
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ゲーム用OS としても 進化を 遂げつつあるLinux
Advanc ing - even as an OS for game use : Linux
— contributed by: Amatuka
- いい仕事につくのは難しくなりつつあるようだ。
It seems to be becoming hard to get a good job.
— contributed by: dbx
- ここでの私の関心は、ウーマン・リブ運動が消えつつあるのか否かということである。
My concern here is whether the women's movement is fading or not.
— contributed by: dbx
- ここで明確にしなければならない点は、スポーツにおいてアマチュアとプロフェッショナルの境界線が消失しつつあるということだ。
The point we must clarify here is that the border line between amateur and professional is beginning to disappear.
— contributed by: dbx
- このことは家が沈み始め、道路が裂けて街灯が途方もない角度に傾きつつあることを意味する。
This means that houses are starting to sink, roads are breaking up and lamp-posts are leaning at crazy angles.
— contributed by: dbx
- さまざまな種類の生物が絶滅しつつある。
Many forms of life are disappearing.
— contributed by: dbx
- しかし老人の現在のこうした低い地位も変わりつつあるのかもしれない。
The current low status of the elderly may be changing, however.
— contributed by: dbx
- その運動は急速に進みつつある。
The movement is rapidly gaining ground.
— contributed by: dbx
- その学生は猛勉強したので、急激に進歩しつつある。
Since the student has worked very hard, he is making rapid progress.
— contributed by: dbx
- その結果、同一労働に対し同一賃金を得ている女性が増えつつある。
As a result, more women are receiving equal wages for equal work.
— contributed by: dbx
- その国は高等教育社会に変わりつつある。
That country is turning into a society with high education.
— contributed by: dbx
- その子の生存に対する希望は急速に消えつつある。
Hope of finding the child alive is fading rapidly.
— contributed by: dbx
- その庭園は荒れ地に変わりつつある。
The garden is turning into a wilderness.
— contributed by: dbx
- その病気の子供は日々よくなりつつある。
The sick boy is growing stronger each day.
— contributed by: dbx
- その病気は蔓延しつつあるようだ。
It is said that the disease has been spreading.
— contributed by: dbx
- その両国間に緊張が高まりつつあるきざしがある。
There are signs of growing tensions between the two countries.
— contributed by: dbx
- だんだん暗くなりつつある。
It is getting darker and darker.
— contributed by: dbx
- アメリカの都市人口は増加しつつある。
The urban population of America is increasing.
— contributed by: dbx
- コンピューターの使用は急速に増加しつつある。
The use of electronic computers is growing rapidly.
— contributed by: dbx
- ジョンソンさんは不注意な管理のせいで失われつつあるお金の額を心配していた。
Mr Johnson was concerned about the amount of money that was being lost because of careless management.
— contributed by: dbx
- 一列に立ち並んだ家が新しいアパートに席を譲るためにとりこわされつつある。
A row of old houses is being destroyed to make way for new flats.
— contributed by: dbx
- 父は退院してから、元気になりつつある。
Since my father left the hospital, he has been continuously getting better and better.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 都心では子供が少なくなってきていることから、学生の数もへりつつある。
Because the children in the heart of city are becoming scarce until now, the number of students is continuously decreasing.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 多いの国で公害が年々ひどくなっているが、一方では、それをなくすために、技術協力をする国々も増えつつある。
In numerous countries, year after year, pollution become harder, but on the other hand, to get rid ofthis, the countries which make technical cooperation also continue to increase.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 生きれば生きるほど、年が早く経ちつつあること気付くよね。
The more you live, you notice the years are going by faster.
— contributed by: Absolutionz
- ３／１１から時間がたち、被災地の多くの自治体では復興計画がつくられ、多少の異論があっても具体化する方向に進みつつあります。
Time has passed since 3/11 and in the areas affected by the disaster there have been many revitalization plans created by local municipalities which, though they they have many points of disagreement, are in the midst of progressing towards tangible change.
— contributed by: hillsonn
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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User Comments
- Vm = Verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- How about... "Linux: Evolving even as a gaming OS"? This looks like ad copy, which is notoriously hard to translate...
— contributed by:
- is this correct?
私の赤ちゃんは早く育ちつつあるようだ。
My baby seems to be growing up very quickly.
— contributed by: anna.kendall
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tsutsuaru
tagJ: つつある
expE: Vm, middle of doing...､continues to
noteE: 日本語学校の数は減りつつある。 Numbers at the Japanese school are continuing to fall.
JLPT: 2

Front: he
〜へ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜へ
Meaning: indicates direction of verb. Also pronounced 'e'
Example: I will go abroad next year.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- へ and に there is no difference. They can both be used and are considered interchangeable. I see both に and へ in writing and talking.
Such as:
えきにいきます。- I'm going to the train station.
へ can replace に and vice versa.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私は来年外国へ行きます
I will go abroad next year.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ＜乗客への呼びかけ＞（バスの）中へお詰め願います。
Pass along the bus, please.
— contributed by: Miki
- 1000人もの人がそのパーティーへやってきた。
No less than 1,000 people came to the party.
— contributed by: Miki
- ７月のある日、私たちは海へ行った。
One day in July we went to the sea.
— contributed by: Miki
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- ni
User Comments
- also used as a shortcut in email as in
　　DCへ
　　->this part is to DC:
— contributed by: dc
- ? it would be nice to get an explanation of difference between ni and he.
ロンドンに行く＝ロンドンへ行く
ロンドンでお会いしましょう？
— contributed by: dc
- "In motion constructions -ni and -e appear to have the same distribution [...]. The primary difference in distribution is that -ni may occur in other verbal contexts, as I show below, but -e may not, while -e may appear marking arguments in nominal constructions but -ni may not, [...]"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In <b>theory</b> へ is for movement in a direction, while に implies arrival at a specific destination.
[or some such]. In practise there is very little difference.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- N = noun
— contributed by: Amatuka
- <b>Note:</b> Apart from the
DCへ
letter / email addressing type usage you can't use へ to indicate going to a person.
e.g. (BAD) DCへ行きました。[DC he ikimashita] I went to DC.
(GOOD) DCの家へ行きました。[DC no ie he ikimashita] I went to DC's house.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I'd get rid of the above 'bad' example, because DC is also a place (Washington DC), in which case you CAN say "DCへ行きました。" Put some other person's name in that to make your point, and then please delete this comment :)
— contributed by: Anon
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: he
tagJ: 〜へ
expE: indicates direction of verb. Also pronounced 'e'
noteE: I will go abroad next year.
JLPT: 4

Front: べき
べき
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
べき
Meaning: should do Vru
Example: I should have studied more.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- It is incorrect to use negative+beki. eg
その本を読まないべきです。 (wrong)
if you want to use negative use [houga]ii
— contributed by: dc
- V-dict + beki
読むべき - should read
するべき - should do
— contributed by: dc
- 〜べき is conjugated like this
Vruべき or すべき　(for the actual verb する only, or verbs like 充分する)
例：行くべき すべき
　
　Noun/ adj(na)であるべき　　　Adj(i)くべき
例：心配であるべき 例：鋭くべき
　　目的でらるべき
The adj(i) form is not used frequently, but you might encounter it in some books or proverbs.
Because it is considered a noun, there is also a negative form and past form of べき, you conjugate it like any other noun.
You generally end べき with だ、but you can also attach other nouns like こと、もの or even use the verbal form of べき, べく.
☆ Be careful,　べき is considered very strong language in Japanese and should only be used with (or when referring to) people on your level or lower.
べき is similar to はず be cause both express expectation. However　はず literally means 'expectation' and simply states that you expect something to (or not to) happen.
べき　expresses the fact that something or someone is expected to do something based on the current situation, such as status (You should be polite because you're younger.) For the most part you use べき when it is something that should be done because it should come naturally (or is expected to happen naturally.)
This is considered strong because the thing that is expected to happen usually carries a sense of obligation (generally social) and if what should happen doesn't there is an implied sense of dire consequences for the person.
— contributed by: Jinyanwa
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私は列車に乗り遅れた。もっと早く来るべきだった。
I missed the train. I should have come earlier.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- [Related expression] 実際にこれらの目標を実現するのに欠くべからざる役割を果たしてきた。
These bodies have actually played indispensable roles in attaining these goals.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- [Related expression] 好機逸すべからず。この機に一気に仕事を仕上げてしまおう。
This is a golden opportunity we'd be stupid to pass up. Let's get to work and finish it all in one fell swoop.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- われわれはなるべくたくさん本を読むべきである。
We should read as many books as possible.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは他の人たちの援助を当てにすべきでない。
You shouldn't rely on other people's help.
— contributed by: Miki
- いかに生きるべきかは、青年にとって重要な問題である。
How to live is an important question to young people.
— contributed by: Miki
- いつ出発するべきか私に教えてください。
Please tell me when to leave. should
— contributed by: Miki
- ここで君は何をすべきかを真剣に考える必要があると思う。
I think it is necessary for you to ponder seriously what you ought to be doing at this juncture.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of べき
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- はず
- bekida
User Comments
- Relevant grammar question & comments <a href=http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?p=69006#post69006>here</a> (fifth post).
P.S. Some handling for accidental, lone " marks inside [a] tags might be a good idea. ^^;
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I thought I wrote this yesterday... Can anyone confirm the relative strength of beki in speech? I was told it was rather strong...
(seems odd for comments to dissapear...)
— contributed by: ninja_k
- べき is basically archaic.As such, it does have the effect of emphasis when used in ordinary conversation.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- My translation professor always grimaces if I use `beki` in class, he says it`s too bookish. What are some other options?
— contributed by: krafdhepkat
- べき can be replaced by （した）ほうがいい but not all the time.
ex1087 & 1088 this is a kind of set and cannot replaced.
ex898 : もっと早くきたほうがよかった。
ex3916: たくさん本を読んだほうがいい。
I don't think it's not too bookish if you use a casual sentence like this. But this sounds a bit acrid compared to したほうがいい.
「Mちゃん、もっと勉強すべきだよ。」
— contributed by: Miki
- Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have a sense that "beki" is really a noun rather than a verb -- much like "hazu" or "tsumori" -- a noun that is modified by possibly long left-branching phrases. So in "motto hayaku kuru beki datta" you'd have "[there was a] motto-hayaku-kuru beki." -- what do you think?
— contributed by: adamstudio
- An important note would be to indicate that beki is used in a sense of "you should do something" as if there was an obligation involved such as attending a very imperative meeting or conference as opposed to hazu which roughly means "you should do something" without an obligation, e.g. "You should read books to get good grades"
In terms of archaicness beki is moderately outdated.
— contributed by: eidolon_shell
- My correction. I made a tragic typo mistake. I meant to state that hazu is obligatory and beki is based on a general idea of supposition. Sorry about the confusion.
— contributed by: eidolon_shell
- It is incorrect to use negative+beki. (I made this mistake in my speaking test).
eg, this is gramatically incorrect: その本を読まないべきです。
— contributed by: NR
- If you want to say you should not read you say.
読まない方がいい
— contributed by: akiokun
- great discussion. maybe someone could place a summary of the agreed meaning in the notes section at the top? (btw is Xephyers comment correct?)
— contributed by: dc
- #1087
実際、これらの目標を達成するのに必要な役割を果たしてきた。
I wonder who says 欠くべからざる nowadays.
The other examples are all good.
— contributed by: Nick
- To Nick, #1087 欠くべからざる is still used in a speech and in writing.
実際、これらの目標を達成するのに不可欠な役割を果たしてきた would be a better alternative.
— contributed by: Miki
- From my experience, べき is used in conversation only in philosophical or theoretical type discussions..... when talking about things you should or shouldn`t do in society or at school or even just while driving a car -- that`s the only time I ever hear it in conversation. Any feedback on this --
— contributed by: Gren
- @adamstudio:
べき is the 連体形 of the classical auxiliary verb べし, which attaches to the dictionary form of verbs. It's not a noun.
Can you express the idea of "should" with "〜ばいいだろう"？
— contributed by: jimmyseal
- Hello. Need a hand here , guyz.
私は列車に乗り遅れた。もっと早く来るべきだった.
if i add だった to べき , the meaning changes to should have done sth ? and at the top of this page it says : Meaning: should do Vru, why is benkyou followed by su, instead of Vru(which would have been suru)「Mちゃん、もっと勉強すべきだよ。」and Mr.dc said it must not be used in negative sentences, what about this one [ あなたは他の人たちの援助を当てにすべきでない。 ]
seems negative to me ^^
Help is much appreciated.
— contributed by: gregory
- Hey gregory すべき　is japanese short form for するべき｡　and yes adding だった to the end of the sentence changes it to past tense.
about the negatives. what he ment by that is that you cannot use a negative verb before the べき
I hope that helps a little, I would try and break into your example, work day has just ended and I`m off to prep for a much needed vacation.
laters
— contributed by: tigert
- #1088　好機逸すべからず。This is ことわざ(saying) Strike while the iron is hot, is a translation in a dictionry. 好機（こうき）、逸する（いっする）
— contributed by: Miki
- みなさん、ありがとう
— contributed by: ythanh
- There is a negative form of べき that can be used instead of 方がいい. They have slightly different meanings behind them also.
— contributed by: Jinyanwa
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: べき
expE: should do Vru
expJ: 義理を表現されて名詞。
noteE: I should have studied more.
JLPT: 3

Front: nara
なら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なら
Meaning: if
Example: If it's from outside, I don't mind.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- there are a few if/when constructs:
[nara] is similar to -[eba]
formed with verb-plain form + nara
　行くなら分かる = if/when you go you will understand
[to] is used when the action is expected to happen, rather than use the english 'if' use 'when...'
formed with verb-plain form + to
　行かないとまずい = it will be bad if you dont go
[eba] is used when PEOPLE do the actions or suggesting an action. masu-stem + ba
　行けばいいよ　= its ok to go
[tara] is used in the other cases
　寒かったら行かない = if its cold i won't go
— contributed by: dc
- 〜なら：１．もし (if) ; 辞書形 +（の,optional)なら
2.勧告(advice); 辞書形 + (の,optional)なら
　　　　 3.話題を出す時; (Speaking of.../ For...) ; 名詞 +（の,optional)なら　
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 外からなら撮ってもいいよ と言われたので，外に出て撮影しました。
I was told that if you're taking it from outside I don't mind so I went out and took the shot.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 乗るなら飲むな。
If you drive, don't drink.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 自分の信念を隠すくらいなら死んだほうがましだ。
I would rather die than conceal my belief.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- よんどころない理由で参加されないのなら前払い金はお返しします。
If you cannot attend for unavoidable reasons, we will refund your advance payment.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ご都合により参加されないのなら前払い金はお返ししません。
If you cannot attend for reasons of your own, the advance payment will not be refunded.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- その仕事がだめだと思うなら、辞めればいいと思うよ。
If you think the job is no good, then I think it is best if you quit.
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- 仙台に来ていたなら、電話をしてくれればよかったのに。
If you were in Sendai, you should have called me.
— contributed by: ninja_k
- 彼が来るならこのパーティーには出席しなかったのに。
If I knew HE was coming, I wouldn't have attended this party.
— contributed by: ninja_k
- 「打ち合わせの時間は７時どうですか。」「7時はだめですが、8時ならいいですよ。」
uHow about meeting at 7 o'clock?」「7 is bad for me, but 8 is fine.」
— contributed by: タン
- 中国に行くなら、航空券を早くしといた方がいいですよ。
If you go to China, you should book your ticket early. nara
— contributed by: タン
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User Comments
- なら is used in the context of suggestions, commands, violitional sentences and such. (One example of each above ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Therefore なら can't be used in sentences like the following where no such elements are present.
(BAD) 冷蔵庫を閉めるなら電気が消えますか。
(GOOD) 冷蔵庫を閉めると電気が消えますか。
If(when) you shut the fridge does the light go out?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- (GOOD)冷蔵庫を閉めた（な）ら　電気が消えますか。
I cannot exaplain the difference usage in [tara]　and [nara]
— contributed by: dc
- であれば is closely realted to なら.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- nara is similar to -eba
eba is used when PEOPLE do the actions or suggesting an action.
tara is used in the other cases
and to is used when the action is expected to happen, rather than use the english 'if' use 'when...'
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- KS - I added your comment as a "note" on the above...
— contributed by: dc
- I also thought -tara had a bit more "when" whereas -eba was a bit more if.
行ったら： when you go
行けば： if you go
although there is much more overlap than english
— contributed by: dc
- 行ったら is more like "when you get there" and 行くなら would be "if you go." 行けば is either soft command or archaic "when you go."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 「なら」と「たら」の違い
例：「山田さんが来たら、私は帰ります。」の場合には、
山田さんが来てから私が帰るという意味であるが、「山田さんが来るなら、私は帰ります。」の場合には、山田さんが来る前に私が帰るという意味になる。
うふふふ、朝飯前わね＾＾
— contributed by: フリザ
- と can also mean " that..."
行かないとまずい " It is not good that (I/you/one) don't go"
— contributed by: 誠
- 〜なら／ならば、．．．、although なら is more common and usually, appear in conversations.
— contributed by: 誠
- One cannot use と(if/once)、with 意志形、命令形、ください、but instead use たら、なら、〜えば according to the respective situations or sentence.
— contributed by: 誠
- Agree with フリザさん.
「ここは禁煙です。煙草を吸うなら、外へ出てください。」→　外へ出てから、煙草を吸っては構いません。
「煙草を吸ったら、入ってもいいです。」→　煙草を吸ってから、入っても構いません。
— contributed by: 誠
- 誠さん、解釈の日本語変だと思いますが…。
— contributed by: Miki
- Correctly, 外へ出てから、煙草を吸っても構いません。
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nara
tagJ: なら
expE: if
noteE: If it's from outside, I don't mind.
JLPT: 3

Front: wake
訳 (わけ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
訳 (わけ)
Meaning: meaning; reason; circumstances
Example: And by that reasoning ...
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- [that]と言うわけで、[this]
And for [that] reason [this]
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 僕は決して農業が嫌いな訳じゃない。
By no means do I dislike farming. (Lit: The reason is not that I dislike farming)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私は訳もなく悲しくなった。
I felt sad for no reason .
— contributed by: Amatuka
- わけありの二人
A couple with some amorous circumstances
— contributed by: bamboo4
- それを纏めるのはわけはない
Not difficult to resolve that issue.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- それとこれとはわけが違う
You are trying to compare apples and oranges.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- そういうわけには行かない.
That is not the way the ball bounces.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 訳の判らぬことを言うな。
Don't tell me such nonsense!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- たとえアルバイトしても、勉強を残るわけにはいかない。.
Even if you do have a part-time job, that's no reason to drop your study. .
— contributed by: tsunami
- そんなにたくさん食べられる訳ないよ！
There's no way I can eat that much!
— contributed by: agnestan
- 彼女の部屋に行った事がある訳ないよ！
There's no way I've been to her room!
— contributed by: agnestan
- 毎日三時間も日本語を勉強しているんですか。　よく出来るわけですね。wake
(Are you studying Japanese(as long as)three hours every day? No wonder your Japanese is good.) wake
— contributed by: lenzras
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Related Grammar
- wakedehanai (negative of the same)
- kanarazushimo
User Comments
- Often used with "わけじゃない" for "not like that",
"that's not the reason"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- is it ok to say this?
うなぎはおいしい。毎週食べるわけです。
(unagi is delicious. thats why I eat it every week).
— contributed by: hatsumomo
- Yes, it's ok but I think それが毎週食べる訳です。is more natural.
— contributed by: Miki
- [wake] like zen [wasabi] seems one of the most difficult multipurpose phrases to translate in japanese. it means reason, circumstance, method, many things.
— contributed by: dc
- What is zen wasabi? Do you mean wabi sabi?
— contributed by: Miki
- それが毎週食べる訳です might be そのわけで毎週食べてます.
I kinda like "zen wasabi" as a subsitute for "wabi and sabi"!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 私は 訳 もなく悲しくなった。
shouldn't it be:
私は 訳 もなくて悲しくなった。
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- 訳 もなく悲しくなった is better, while the other is kind of awkward.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ”わけ”　is usually use in oral ? moreover, is it same use to "理由”? appreciate in teaching me.
— contributed by: hkhkhk8888
- "訳（わけ）" is used in oral and written.
訳 does not always mean 理由 as you can see english for this 訳 entry. 訳 in ex #1268, #1269, #1270 means different from "理由".
— contributed by: Miki
- わけ originally comes from the act of dividing things into what is right and what is wrong.Therefore, わけ came to mean "reason" or the rationale of how things are done. That later got expanded to include the amorous relationship in the sense of "there is a reason for them to be together or in love," as suggested by #1268.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 〜わけだ:
１．〜ということが納得できる (no wonder.../ that's why....)
2.　〜という結論になる; Note:「〜というわけだ」の形も多い。
e.g. 「200キロ1000円なら、2000円で400キロ買えるわけだ。」
— contributed by: 誠
- 「〜というわけだ。」: (Therefore) 〜as a conclusion / 〜as a result / "By this reason....., therefore can be concluded that 〜"/ "It can be said that 〜　as a conclusion/result"
「〜というわけで．．．」: "By 〜 as the conclusion,... "/ "Concluding with 〜 as a result,..."
「〜というわけではない」: "It can't be concluded that 〜" / "It doesn't mean that 〜" / "It doesn't follow that 〜 as a conclusion/result"
〜次第だ：〜というわけだ　（事情／経過を示す）
e.g.「　．．．。以上のような次第で、....」＝
　　「．．．というわけで、....」
— contributed by: 誠
- #5735 勉強を残るわけにはいかない。doesn't make sense. Need to change the verb.
— contributed by: Miki
- A slang term that's used a LOT is "訳分からない”：”I don't get it."/"what the heck are they talking about"... very useful! ^_^
— contributed by: EvilKyra
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wake
tagJ: 訳
tagH: わけ
expE: meaning; reason; circumstances
noteE: And by that reasoning ...
JLPT: 3

Front: teiru
て形+いる (て居る) (〜ている)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
て形+いる (て居る) (〜ている)
Meaning: Vte (Continuing states, experience, repetative events)/ doing currently
Example: The window is open.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私 は 食べている
I am eating now
— contributed by: ichidandoushi
- あなた は 見ている
You are looking now
— contributed by: ichidandoushi
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User Comments
- Useful Japanese page on this is <a href=http://homepage3.nifty.com/i-yasu/Lesson11.htm>here</a>
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from -te form verb + iru (e.g. 行く → 行っている)
Vte = -te form verb.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Dropping the い [i] is a common abbreviation.
(e.g. 行っている -> 行ってる [itteiru → itteru])
— contributed by: Amatuka
- There are quite a few differrent usages of this form,
1. Ongoing action
公園で子どもが遊んでいる。 [kouen de kodomo ga asondeiru.]
(The) children are playing at the park.
2. Ongoing state (result of an action)
エアコンがついている。[eakon ga tsuiteiru.]
The airconditioner is on.
3. (as negative) Action not <b>yet</b> taken.
まだ昼ご飯を食べていない。[mada hirugohan wo tabeteinai.]
I haven't had lunch yet.
(Note this is different from 昼ご飯を食べない。[hirugohan wo tabenai.] I'm not going to eat lunch.
4. Experience
本を書いてる。[hon wo kaiteru.] I've written a book.
5. Repetative actions.
僕はよく映画館に行っている。[boku ha yoku eigakan ni itteiru.]
I often go to the cinema.
6. Condition
彼は太っている。[kare ha futotteiru.]
He's fat.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ている [teiru] can't be used with the verbs of existance (e.g. ある [aru] and いる [iru])
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 2. Ongoing state (result of an action)
エアコンがついている。[eakon ga tsuiteiru.]
The airconditioner is on.
Note that this use is only with intransitive verbs. If it were the transitive form of this verb (tsukeru, rather than tsuku), it would be -tearu (eakon ga tsuketearu).
— contributed by: tataku
- One of the things of this grammar point that normally confuses me is the usage of
待って　and 待ってて.
I am guessing that 待って implies "Wait a moment" and that 待ってて implies something like "Wait(and continue waiting for a while)"
Can anyone clarify?
— contributed by: ミサ坊
- If 本を書いてる。= "I've written a book," and you wished to say "I'm writing a book," how would this form change?
— contributed by: bshock
- To bshock, I probably translate "I'm writing a book" as "本を書いている。”？
— contributed by: koueihou
- Hey ミサ, I asked my coworker what the diffrence is and he confirmed your guess.
待って　is something that is currently being done and 待ってて is something that will be started after the completion of something else.
IE if your teacher askes for your homework and you have to dig in your backpack to get it, 待ってください
if you are in the middle of completing your homework. 待っててください。
I give you 10 points for posting this question. I have always used both interchangable (not a problem if you do) but its always good to learn a little more about the smaller meanings within the words.
— contributed by: tigert
- I'm still not sure when it's appropriate to use this form in the past tense ていた. For example, if I wanted to say "Yesterday we talked/ate a lot, didn't we?" would it be:
昨日よく話してたなぁ昨日よく食べてたなぁ
or: 昨日よく話したなぁ昨日よく食べたなぁ
I used to use the second (non ていた) form exclusively as is the general useage pattern in English, despite the fact in the present tense you'd generally say 話している as talking is a continuous action, but recently I've noticed that the ていた form is used quite a lot too. Anyone have any idea what the exact difference between these two forms is?
Other examples might include:
昨日よく寝てた -> seems to be more commonly used
and: 昨日よく寝た
Also, to bshock above - surely "I've written a book" is also better translated in this past tense version of ている:
本を書いてた (i.e. I wrote a book, and I'm still in that state)
— contributed by: ken274
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: teiru
tagJ: て形+いる (て居る)
tagH: 〜ている
expE: Vte (Continuing states, experience, repetative events)/ doing currently
noteE: The window is open.
JLPT: 3

Front: tearu
て形+ある (て在る・て有る) (〜てある)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
て形+ある (て在る・て有る) (〜てある)
Meaning: Vte something has been purposely put into a state
Example: The window has been closed.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- てある only combines with transitive verbs, never intransitive.
The result of transitive + てある is an intransitive itself.
窓が開いている -> The window is open. (no agent or reason implied)
窓が開けてある -> The window is open (because someone opened it).
— contributed by: kurisutofu
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 窓が開けてある。
The window has been left open.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 窓が閉めてある。
The window has been closed.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 窓を（は）開けてある。
I left the window open.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 窓を（は）閉めてある。
I kept the window closed.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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- teiru (While both てある and ている can be used to indicate an ongoing state, the former indicates /someone/ put it into that state.)
User Comments
- Compare
窓が開いている。[mado ga hiraiteiru]
The window is open.
窓が開けてある。[mado ga aketearu]
The window has been opened.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note that tearu only combines with transitive verbs, never intransitive. The result of transitive + tearu is an intransitive itself.
— contributed by: bi-ru
- and... my mind has been blown.
— contributed by: k-dogg
- I saw ex 3250 and looking the little window I read: "mado ga aketearu
and ex. 3251: mado ga shimete aru.
Then, I saw Amatukaﾂｴs comments and I constat that I was wrong. How can I know which of the reading of the kanji in the little window is correct.
Thank you for your help.
— contributed by: Futaro
- Amatuka is wrong on pronunciation.
窓が開いている -> まどがあいている
As Bi-ru notes, the ている form is resultative for intransitive verbs, but the てある form lets you take a transitive verb and do the same thing.
窓が開いている -> The window is open. (no agent or reason implied)
窓が開けてある -> The window is open (because someone opened it).
— contributed by: Tenorikuma
- Amatuka`s pronunciation isn`t wrong. 開く　can be pronounced あく　or ひらく　they both mean the same thing. but あく is used for things that swing open and ひらく is used for things that slide open. IE sliding doors, windows, etc...
— contributed by: tigert
- Aha, I've always wondered about the difference between the two readings. So does that mean that the example here with the window will be read differently depending on whether it is the kind of window that swings or slides? :)
— contributed by: mochabean
- bi-ru and Tenorikuma, I have taken the liberty to add a note with the comments you did.
Hope you don't mind.
— contributed by: kurisutofu
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tearu
tagJ: て形+ある (て在る・て有る)
tagH: 〜てある
expE: Vte something has been purposely put into a state
noteE: The window has been closed.
JLPT: 3

Front: houga
方が (ほうが)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
方が (ほうが)
Meaning: (often it'd be better to do __) Such-and-such an option is something
Example: You'd better study then.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Format: ta-form of verb or nonpast, negative form of verb + ほうがいい（です）
— contributed by: Roxsan
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ３月１日の方が都合がよいのですが。
We feel that March 1 would be more convenient.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ９時以降に電話した方が安いですか。
Is it cheaper to call after 9:00?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 物事を生半可に知っているくらいなら全然知らない方がましだ。
I would rather not know a thing at all than know it imperfectly.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 遅くても着実な方が競争に勝つ。
Slow but sure wins the race.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私は肉より魚の方がいい。
I prefer fish to meat.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 無理をしない方がいいですよ。
You'd better not push yourself too much.
— contributed by: agnestan
- もう帰ったほうがいいですか。
Had I better go home now?
— contributed by: lenzras
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- べき
User Comments
- Two forms,
"[noun] no hou ga ___" (e.g. ３月１日の 方が 都合がよい)
"[verb] no hou ga ___" (e.g. 電話した方が安い)
If the verb is positive it is usually <b>past tense</b>, even if you are talking about actions to be taken in the future.
If the verb is negative it does not need to be put into past tense.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Several forms,
"[noun] no hou ga ___" (e.g. ３月１日の 方が 都合がよい)
"[na-adjective] na hou ga ___" (e.g. 着実な 方が 競争に勝つ)
"[verb] no hou ga ___" (e.g. 電話した方が安い)
If the verb is positive it is usually past tense, even if you are talking about actions to be taken in the future.
If the verb is negative it does not need to be put into past tense.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Amatuka-san, is the 'no' in your 'verb no hou ga __'supposed to be there? If it is, then it is missing from your example.
— contributed by: Buaku
- what's happening with い-adjective. Is it simply: い-adjective 方が＿＿
— contributed by: pop
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: houga
tagJ: 方が
tagH: ほうが
expE: (often it'd be better to do __) Such-and-such an option is something
noteE: You'd better study then.
JLPT: 3

Front: yori-2
より
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
より
Meaning: more ____
Example: Don't you know a better method?
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- よりいい方法知りませんか。
Don't you know a better method?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたと会って、より一層あなたのことが好きになりました。
I liked you even more when I met you.
— contributed by: Miki
- より早く着く電車はないのですか？
Isn't there a train that gets there earlier?
— contributed by: bamboo4
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- yori (Don't get the two usages of より mixed up.)
User Comments
- in this case, could 'motto' be raplaced by yori?
— contributed by: victor
- 'yori' could be replaced by 'motto'. もっといい方法
— contributed by: Miki
- How would you translate "yori" in this case?: --> 正価*より*差し引く割引の価格を選択します。
It seems its is more of "from" rather than "more".
I understood it as "Selects the Discount Price which is deducted from the Net Price."
:-/
— contributed by: maikeru
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yori-2
tagJ: より
expE: more ____
noteE: Don't you know a better method?
JLPT: 3

Front: yori
より
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
より
Meaning: than, rather than
Example: Tokyo is larger than Kyoto.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私は肉より魚の方がいい。
I prefer fish to meat.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 現実は聞いたよりももっと悲しい。
The reality is much sadder than what I have heard.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- これよりほかに方法がないんだよ
There's really no other better way than this.
— contributed by: edo
- 一般に日本人は、自分たちがかつてより暮し向きがよくなったと考えている。
The Japanese at large consider themselves better off than they used to be.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はわたしより速く走ることができる。
He is able to run faster than I am.
— contributed by: LittleFish
- それより、バスを降りてから電話してください。
Rather than that,please call me after you have gotten down from the bus. rather than (2004JLPT3Listening)
— contributed by: bluefin
- 私は彼よりサッカーがうまくできる。
I can play soccer better than him.
— contributed by: 8211Sakakibara
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Related Grammar
- houga (より is often paired with 方が)
- hokanai
- nimomashite
- mushiro (mushiro means "rather i would say.." - counter argument)
User Comments
- edo - i think that example better fits on the [hokanai] page...
— contributed by: dc
- In general it "lowers" whatever is before it. I was at first confused when I saw this by itself (Without having の方が to tell me what it exactly was worse/better than), and was hesitant about using it in conversation; I wasn't sure if I was making myself lower or someone else lower.
— contributed by: LittleFish
- #1194 bamboo-san, I think 現実は聞いたことよりももっと悲しい。 would be better.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yori
tagJ: より
expE: than, rather than
noteE: Tokyo is larger than Kyoto.
JLPT: 3

Front: youdehanaika
意向形ではないか (〜ようではないか)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
意向形ではないか (〜ようではないか)
Meaning: why don't we
Example: 一緒に勉強 しようではないか。/ Why don't we study together?
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Used to make invitations or proposals. Used for major events, as opposed to every day stuff (not sure how to distinguish between the two.)
— contributed by: lucinda lohmanoota
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- みんなで力を合わせて、平和で住みやすい社会を作ろうではないか。
why don't we all just work together to live in a peaceful society?
— contributed by: dc
- 一緒に勉強 しようではないか。
why don't we study together?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この論議はやめようではないか。
Let's put a stop to this discussion.
— contributed by: dc
- もう勝負は決まった。男らしく罰を受けようではないか。
The jig is up; let's face the music like men.
— contributed by: dc
- 元気を出そうではないか。
Come on! Show some spirit.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 今度祭りにはいっしょに踊ろうではないか。
in this time festival can we'll dance together
— contributed by: belajar
- この課題は両親に頼もうではないか。
for this problem why don't we trust to our parents?
— contributed by: belajar
- うさぎは可愛いですよ！。養おうではないか。
It is a cute rabbit! . why don't we to bring up?
— contributed by: belajar
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User Comments
- so nowadays this whole grammar would usually be
"しようか？”　like
　　行きましょうか？ (conv)
　　行こうではないか？ (formal)
— contributed by: dc
- 行きましょうか is used as conv and is not formal, just polite.
行く is not a good ex becuase the formal form is 参りましょうか(謙譲語_けんじょうご）.
— contributed by: Miki
- Basically 'violitional form verb + dehanaika'.
Vしようではないか。
Much the same meaning as 'violitional form verb' + 'ka'
Vしようか。
Presumably the former is a little less 'pushy'?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- My Japanese teacher (native Japanese) told me that this wasn't used much in conversation, but frequently in things like politician's speeches (hence the "peaceful society" example I suppose). Not 100% sure on this, can anyone else back this up?
— contributed by: quobobo
- quobobo, you are right. We don't often use 〜ようではないか in conversation nowadays. Instead, as dc mentioned above, しようか、しましょう　are used. Even a politician say 「平和で住みやすい社会を 作りましょう！」on street.　作ろう じゃありませんか is also used in speech.
— contributed by: Miki
- quobobo - you are right about it not being used much in normal conversation. I also want to add that this is used to suggest or call for something that is relatively important (e.g world peace) and not trivial / everyday matters such as what food to eat etc.
— contributed by: bluntcrayon
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youdehanaika
tagJ: 意向形ではないか
tagH: 〜ようではないか
expE: why don't we
noteE: 一緒に勉強 しようではないか。/ Why don't we study together?
JLPT: 2

Front: na-3
〜な
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜な
Meaning: Vm na (positive command - sentence ending particle)
Example: Get up already!
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This construct asks the listener to do something. It takes the [conjunctive form] of the verb and appends 〜な to it.
This may be an abbreviation of 〜なさい.
— contributed by: FekketCantenel
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- さっさと起きな！
Hey, get up like right now !!!
— contributed by: dc
- 何か質問があったら､先生に聞いてみな｡
If there are any questions, ask the teacher and see.
— contributed by: nhk9
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- na-2 (Don't get confused between [V-ru]な (negative command) and [V-masu-base]な (positive command))
User Comments
- Apparently based on an abbreviation of なさい。(or similar)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from verb -masu base + na
Vm = Verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This "な" has a rough nuance.
— contributed by: Miki
- "Get up already" is incorrect as a translation of 早く起きな. It is more like "You get up just this minute!"
— contributed by: bamboo4
- "Get up already!" (note exclamation mark) has the same meaning in English as "You get up just this minute!"
Your interpretation of English may disagree of course.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- "Get up already!" i thought was american english! Like "think different" - grammatically incorrect to create emphasis...
— contributed by: your name
- Could be. UKians aren't above using grammatically incorrect American English for emphasis.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- i still think "get up already" is incorrect,
— contributed by: bamboo4
- OK, changed it to translate the na to !!! emphasis...
— contributed by: dc
- I have to disagree.
"Get up already!" is perfectly good English to me. Means exactly the same thing as "You get up just this minute!," but is more natural.
"Hey, get up like right now !!!" sounds like a non-Native Speaker doing translation.
— contributed by: ZACK
- 'Get up already!' is most definitely American English. It doesn't sound grammatically correct to most British people. 'Get up right now!' might sound more natural.
People in the UK don't always use correct grammar but they don't tend to use American English either...
— contributed by: shoujo_aya
- I would suggest "get up already!" is originally from American Jewish (Yiddish-German)-New York origin, akin to many phrases such as "I see it already!", "I heard you already!", "Enough already!", "Relax, already!", "Shut up, already!", etc. (cf. grammatical use of German word "schon".)
Of course, people in the UK tend not to use American English routinely; they use their own. However, 'Amatuka' has a point, many UKians, Australians and others sometimes use American (cliche´) expressions for effect in their speech. (That's the power of Hollywood!) So, everyone understands "get up already!"
However, I tend to agree with 'shoujo_aya', a more universal (and so arguably more preferable) translation would be "Get up right now!".
— contributed by: xtian21c
- Very interesting! I have to concede that "already" is informally used to show irritation for not doing something. So "get up already!" and other uses of "already" can be treated as something in the nature of dialectic idiom. Having said that, I prefer the current rendition for さっさと起きな.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Well, although "get up already!" is rough and colloquial, it's still grammatically correct. "Already" is an adverb modifying the action of getting up. It's not to be compared with "think different," which uses an adjective to modify the verb "think." (I hate when people do that =p) I would consider it a good translation that retains the tone of the command in Japanese. Another natural-sounding translation might be "Get up this instant!" How's that one?
— contributed by: elentarisedai
- i have to disagree with Zack. I'm a native speaker, and in California, where the word "like" is constantly used where it traditionally shouldn't be, i have said many times, "dude, get up like right now". although i admit it is slang and associated primarily with the southern California surfer guy or valley girl way of speaking. but, just as a note, it is said by native speakers, even though its so regional that people from other parts of the country and world might think it is strange. maybe it was a fellow Californian translating? Anyways, i gotta study like right now!
— contributed by: jasyn78
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: na-3
tagJ: 〜な
expE: Vm na (positive command - sentence ending particle)
noteE: Get up already!
JLPT: 2

Front: kotoninatteiru
ことになっている
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ことになっている
Meaning: became a rule; been decided that; expected to; supposed to
Example: My daughter is supposed to study abroad next year.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ｖ(plain form) + ことになっている // こととなっている
Ｖない + ことになっている // こととなっている
You can only use verbs with this grammar.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ここでは禁煙ということになっている.
Smoking is supposed to be prohibited here.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 法律で、子供を働かせてはいけないことになっている。
By law (it is decided that) children should not be put to work.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ８時に駅で会うことになっている。
We are to meet at the station at eight.
— contributed by: dbx
- ＩＱの低さの原因を人種に求めるという議論を論駁するどころか、リンのデータはそれを事実上補強することになっている。
Far from refuting the thesis that racism is to blame for lower IQ score, Lynn's data actually supports it.
— contributed by: dbx
- 明日スミスさんのお宅に伺うことになっている。
I am to call on Mr Smith tomorrow.
— contributed by: dbx
- ここで野球をしてはいけないことになっている。
You are not supposed to play baseball here.
— contributed by: dbx
- この契約によって私は彼らに１万ドル払わなければならないことになっている。
This contract binds me to pay them 10 thousand dollars.
— contributed by: dbx
- この劇場では酒は飲めないことになっている。
We are not supposed to drink in this theater.
— contributed by: dbx
- この建物からでては行けないことになっている。
You are not to leave this building.
— contributed by: dbx
- この宿題は月曜日に提出することになっている。
This assignment is to be handed in on Monday.
— contributed by: dbx
- この貸付金は高い利子をとられることになっている。
This loan will carry very heavy interest.
— contributed by: dbx
- そのパーティーではだれもがネクタイをすることになっている。
Everybody is supposed to wear a tie at the party.
— contributed by: dbx
- 娘は来年から留学することになっている。
My daughter is supposed to study abroad next year.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 試験が受けられなかった学生はレポートを提出することになっている。
Students that weren't able to take the test are supposed to submit a report.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 学校を欠席する場合は、必ず連絡をしなければならないことになっている。
When absent from school, you are to notify us, by all means.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 山田さんとの約束では、３時までに東京駅に行くことになっている。
We are supposed to go to the Tokyo station not later than 3 o'clock for the date with mister Yamada.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 山田先生の授業は、試験を受けるかわりにレポートを出してもよいことになっている。
For the class work of mister Yamada, it has been set that you may submit a report instead of taking the test.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- この部屋には、関係者以外入ってはいけないことになっている。
In this room, authorized people only are allowed to enter.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 午前中は文法を勉強する。午後は会話を中心に勉強することになっている。
All the morning I used to study grammar. In the afternoon, I am expected to focus studying conversation.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 今度の日曜日には、友達と会うことになっています。
I am supposed to meet my friend this coming Sunday.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- この寮は，玄関は12時に閉まることになっている。
In this dormitory, the doors are closed at 12:00.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- この席は、たばこを吸ってもいいことになっている。
In this seat it is okay to smoke.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 60点以上が合格ということになっている。
A passing grade has been decided to be above 60 points.
— contributed by: Cyrus
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- kotoni-group
- nikimatteiru
- kotoninaru
User Comments
- Wouldn't <b>"It has come to be that children are prohibited from being made to work by law."</b> be a more literal translation?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Hmm, I think there should be a <b>ことになる</b> grammar entry.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The English translation of the first example is more like "By law, children are not supposed to be put to work."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- This refers to rules, social customs and regulations; in contrast to kotoninaru, which means "it has been arranged that."
— contributed by: LittleFish
- #3688 人種　is supposed to be "race" instead of "racism."
— contributed by: petra
- Ex 6117 seems like it should be ことになる　instead of ことになっている.
I think it would be more natural to say, It has been decided that my daughter will study abroad next year. IE.
娘は来年､留学することになりました．
If you use になっている here it expresses more of a continued state, or a rule/custom.
— contributed by: tigert
- tigert > this is the example shown in the jlpt book itself though, so i'm confused...
— contributed by: karekora
- karekora > I`m not sure whats written in the jlpt, but I have never heard the japanese used in that way. usually when ことになっている has been used in my conversations with native speakers, it is used to describe a custom, a law, or a social　rule that must be followed. I`ve never heard it used to refere to future plans. but I have heard ことになりました or ことになります used to describe plans.　
— contributed by: tigert
- In #6707, it is not exactly a verb that is used with this grammar.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- [You can only use verbs with this grammar.]
^-- to be precise, it's possible to induce the use of nouns by という as shown in [7854]
— contributed by: Cyrus
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kotoninatteiru
tagJ: ことになっている
expE: became a rule; been decided that; expected to; supposed to
noteE: My daughter is supposed to study abroad next year.
JLPT: 2

Front: seiippai
精一杯 (せいいっぱい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
精一杯 (せいいっぱい)
Meaning: as hard as possible
Example: I'll try my best
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- できるかどうかわからないが、精一杯がんばろう
I don't know if i can do it or not, but I will try my best!
— contributed by: dc
- あれが彼としては精一杯の微笑だった。
That was his nearest approach to a smile.
— contributed by: dc
- これが精一杯です。
This is the extent of my ability.
— contributed by: dc
- I ran as fast as I could to catch up with her.
私は彼女に追いつこうと精一杯走った。
— contributed by: smallherb
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- seizei
User Comments
- Is this the same as 一所懸命 【いっしょけんめい】? If so, any tips on when to use each?
— contributed by: yookoso
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: seiippai
tagJ: 精一杯
tagH: せいいっぱい
expE: as hard as possible
noteE: I'll try my best
JLPT: 1

Front: tsuzukeru
続ける (つづける)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
続ける (つづける)
Meaning: keep on doing ...
Example: keep on eating (sweet stuff)
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Take the root of the masu-form and replace masu with "tsuzukeru" in any conjugation
example: taberu
tabemasu -> tabe -> tabetsuzukeru, tabetsuzukenai
— contributed by: maittana
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ダイエット中のくせにあくまでも甘い物を食べつづけます
even though I'm on a diet, I will keep on eating sweet things until the end.
— contributed by: dc
- お金のために、愛してもいない男との生活をつづけるならば、すっかり失望して、進退きわまる時が将来やってくることだろう。
If she continues to live with a man she doesn't love for his money, the day will come when she will be utterly frustrated and between the devil and the deep blue sea.
— contributed by: Miki
- この失敗、きっと一生、言われつづけるなあ。
People will keep talking about this mistake forever.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は母国を愛しているし、これからも愛しつづけるだろう。
I love, and will continue to love, my mother country.
— contributed by: Miki
- 無視しろぅ！　じゃ、書き続けて！
Ignore it! Keep writing!
— contributed by: ninja_k
- 小さい字を書きつづけて、手がつかれました。
Because I have been writing continuously small characters, my hand got tired.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 長い時間テレビをみつづけると、目がいたくなる。
When you keep watching TV for a long time, your eyes become painful.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- 'dsu' is not a generally used romaji variant.
I think it should be 'du'.
— contributed by: your name
- hmm, thats true. using the windows IME, "dsu" = "ｄす" which is silly.
but "du" when you read it in romaji doesn't look like... dzu, even though the hiragana comes out correct as づ
まあ、難しいね。どうすればいい。 I want people who don't read hiragana to be able to use the site ideally. altho we may be way past that with all the kanji...
— contributed by: dc
- Every book I have spells this as "tsuzukeru".
— contributed by: Synonymous
- To be fair... づ　and ず have theoretically merged, except in names... so zu is ok.
on a side note, is this really level 1? I use / hear this so often at work that I'm rather surprised.
— contributed by: ninja_k
- #5703 I would write 無視しろっ！ to emphasize. Though this is not CORRECT Japanese writing. Also, it is not appreciated that female speaks like this. I feel 無視して! is more sophisticated.
— contributed by: Miki
- This entry does certainly not belong to Level 1 but to Level 2 and it is so commonly used that before reaching Level 3, you get to know this pattern. Please downgrade this entry.
— contributed by: Olivier
- The input pattern for づ should be "du" and not "zu."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Olivier, I went ahead and changed to level 2 - anybody disagree with that classification?
— contributed by: yookoso
- Total number of results searching from Google:
- 923 for tsudsukeru
- 14 100 for tsudukeru
- 14 100 for tsudzukeru
- 67 800 for tsuzukeru
So I changed the name entry according to the last one.
I think the level of this entry is 3 because I founded 2 examples in JPLT3
http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/DownloadF/3-5-GrammarInPastTest.pdf and none in JPLT2
http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/DownloadF/2-5-GrammarInPastTest.pdf, so I changed the level too.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tsuzukeru
tagJ: 続ける
tagH: つづける
expE: keep on doing ...
noteE: keep on eating (sweet stuff)
JLPT: 3

Front: kaketa
かけた
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かけた
Meaning: started but not finished
Example: the half-drunk thing in the fridge
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- <b>~kakeru</b> is for verbs:
言いかけ　（いいかけ）
In the middle of saying something
本を読みかけて、寝てしまいました
I fell asleep with the book half read.
<b>~kakeno</b> is a modifier for nouns (eg. tabekake no ringo)
食べかけのりんご
A half-eaten apple
<b>~kake da</b> comes at the end of a sentence
where だ is derived from です
書きかけだ
it is in the middle of being written
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 作文は今日中に書かなければならないのにまだ書きかけだ。
the essay has to be finished by today, but I am still in the middle of writing it.
— contributed by: dc
- 読みかけた。
Iam in the process of reading it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 完全に忘れている。読んだ（いや、読みかけた）ことは、確かなのに。
I've totally forgotten (them). Even though it's certain that I've read (no, well, started to read,) them.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 冷蔵庫の中にある飲みかけの物を捨てて下さい。
please throw away the half-drunk things in the fridge.
— contributed by: dc
- この食べかけのお弁当はだれの？
This in the middle of being eaten bento box is who's?
— contributed by: dc
- ケーキを食べかけた時に、電話が掛かって来た。
Just as I was about to eat the cake, the phone rang.
— contributed by: dc
- おぼれかけた人は息を吹き返した。
The man who nearly drowned began to breath.
— contributed by: Miki
- その子供は車にひかれかけた。
The child was nearly run over by a car.
— contributed by: Miki
- 半分忘れかけた音楽が彼の心の中で踊りました。
Half-forgotten music danced through his mind.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼が何かを言いかけたが先手を打ってやった。
He started to say something, but I beat him to it.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼が倒れかけた時私は彼の腕をつかんだ。
I caught him by the arm before he could fall.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼が眠りかけたとき名前が呼ばれるのを耳にした。
He was about to fall asleep, when he heard his name called.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はその仕事に飽きて、やりかけたままで放っておいた。
He got tired of the work, and left it half-done.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- kiru
- tsuzukeru (tsudsukeru implies something going on for a period of time...)
User Comments
- 書きかけた is incorrect, and should be 書きかけだ.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 飲み かけた is incorrect and should be 飲みかけの
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 読み かけた means "just started to read" and does not have the context of "I didn't finish reading it" which would be 読み終えなかった.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- corrections made, thanks!
— contributed by: dc
- 書きかけた does seem to be a valid (if low) usage - 3,000 Google hits compared to
(書きかけ　-書きかけた)'s 27,600.
Do 飲みかけ, 書きかけ etc belong in the same entry as 読みかけた ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I suppose 読みかけた doesn't have the nuance of 読み終えなかった - because that would imply that you probably aren't going to finish it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Presumably they are all based on
<b>かける (aux-v,v1) to turn on; to dial (e.g. phone); to start doing something (but not finish)</b>
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Maybe this entry should be changed to <b>'かける - To start (but not finish) something'</b> with the noun + past tense verb form noted in comments.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I think this has two meanings:
1. to start (but not finish)
2. to almost start
— contributed by: dc
- also
食べかけた（時に、、、）
is different from
食べかけの+noun
— contributed by: dc
- 食べかけの is simply the noun form of 食べかける with の acting as a modifier. I think there is no difference in meaning between '食べかけたケーキ' and '食べかけのケーキ' (although the latter is much more common).
— contributed by: your name
- as someone else pointed out the かけた in 話しかけた　is nothing to do with this grammar, it's a set phrase
彼は私に話しかけた。
"he started to talk to me"
— contributed by: dc
- this might fall into a category of verb endings, including -dashita
— contributed by: dc
- I'm still not convinced of "to almost start" <b>as distinct from</b> "to start (but not finish)" although there are cases where <b>both</b> could be used in translations of sentences using かけた.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私はケーキを 食べ かけた should be 私が
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Made the change by deleting 私は in #1612. Not need in the context.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- The english in ex#1082 is really awkward. I think it should be "Whose is this half-eaten bento box?"
— contributed by: CorDarei
- you're right, that is a literal translation...trying to keep the same order as the japanese. out of style i guess on this site, so i moved it to the notes section.
— contributed by: dc
- not yet tho!
— contributed by: dc
- what would you say this means kaketa arnou i have taken the spelling off something heard so it is probably incorect
— contributed by: rudy
- This is a Level 2 grammar point.
— contributed by: Olivier
- の in 食べかけの is a nominalizer, which makes a noun phrase out of 食べかけ(started to eat but not yet finished).
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I think "to almost start" and "to start (but not finish)" are just dependent on whether the verb describes a durative action or instantaneous one.
Eg.
Instantaneous = hajimakakeru "just about to start" ('started to [but not finished] start' is clumsy)
— contributed by: johnk
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kaketa
tagJ: かけた
expE: started but not finished
noteE: the half-drunk thing in the fridge
JLPT: 1

Front: nimotozuite
に基づいて (にもとづいて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に基づいて (にもとづいて)
Meaning: based (up)on
Example: This is a novel based on real life.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [basis-of-action-group] for similar items and comparisons.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 事実に基づいてお話します
I will speak to you on the basis of facts
— contributed by: dc
- ひらがな、かたかなの形は漢字に基づいている
hiragana and katakana shapes are based on kanji.
— contributed by: dc
- "Lord of the Rings" は、小説にもとづいて作られた映画です。
"Lord of the Rings" is a movie based on a novel.
— contributed by: Jonathan Salatan
- 国家である以上、法律に基づく制度が定められているはずだ。
As long as there are countries, it's expected that institutions will be established based upon the law.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- これまでお研究にもとづいてレポートをまとめた
Up to now, the report has been put together based on the research.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼女の理論は入念な調査に基づいている。
Her theory is based on careful research.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は事実に基づいた記述をした。
His description was based on reality.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女の理論は事実に基づいていなかった。
Her argument was not built on facts.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼の言い訳はほんど事実に基づいていませんでした。
His escuse rested on few facts.
— contributed by: karekano
- キリスト教的信条に基づいて大学を設立する。
Establish a college around Christian beliefs.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- womotoni
User Comments
- Please, correct the title into motozuite.
— contributed by: Olivier
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nimotozuite
tagJ: に基づいて
tagH: にもとづいて
expE: based (up)on
expJ: 〜を基本にして
noteE: This is a novel based on real life.
JLPT: 2

Front: kadoukanouchini
かどうかのうちに
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かどうかのうちに
Meaning: just at the time when
Example: just as the doors opened
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 電車のドアが開いたかどうかのうちに
Before you know if the train doors opened or not.
— contributed by: dc
- 授業ベルが鳴らすかどうか教室から学生が出ました。
Just as the school bell rang, the students dashed out of the classroom.
— contributed by: eastmael
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- kanaikanouchini ([kanaikanouchini] is very rare...)
- totan(ni)
User Comments
- this is almost as if the user is not sure the new state has occurred yet.. did the doors open ("ka dou ka") or not yet..
— contributed by: dc
- Literally, it means "while it is not certain whether the door opened or not," so you cannot tell if the door opened or not. It depends upon the text that follows, but normally, it would mean that the door did open.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #5243 授業（終了の）ベルが鳴るかどうかのうちに　is better.
I would say from the English...
授業終了のベルが鳴るか鳴らないかのうちに、学生たちは教室から飛び出しました。 This does not mean students flew out, by the way.
— contributed by: Miki
- actually, if you said, 'the students flew out' that would be acceptable english. it is understood that you mean that they moved quickly, not that they flew like birds.
— contributed by: sagittarius
- are we sure this is a real and grammatically correct phrase? Google doesn't have many hits for it. Maybe a note about how it is a replacement for another phrase...
— contributed by: claytonian
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kadoukanouchini
tagJ: かどうかのうちに
expE: just at the time when
noteE: just as the doors opened
JLPT: 2

Front: zaruwoenai
ざるをえない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ざるをえない
Meaning: can't avoid doing x
Example: i can't not go [always double-neg]
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜ざるを得ない: 〜したくないが．．．しなければならない
— contributed by: 誠
- This is an auxiliiary indicating that there is no other choice but to do something. Possible translations include: cannot help 〜ing; cannot help but; have no choice but to have to.
Ｖneg + ざるを得ない
Examples: 食べざるを得ない // 行かざるを得ない
Exception: する -> せざるを得ない
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- ＊Be very careful as to when you replace one of these phrases with another.
Ｖneg + ざるを得ない : used in a situation where one has no choice but to do something.
Ｖ + しかない : used in a situation where one has no choice but to do something.
Ｖneg + なければならない : used in a situation where one has to do something because s/he has an obligation to do it OR where one has no choice but to do something.
Ｖneg + わけに(は)いかない : used in a situation where one has to do something because s/he has an obligation to do it OR where one has no choice but to do something. It also expresses the unwillingness of the speaker to do Ｖ.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 行かざるをえない。
I must go.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- みんなで決めた規則だから、守らざるを得ない。
the rules are decided by everybody, so you must obey them
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 成績が悪くて、留年せざるをえない。
My grades are bad so I have no choice but to repeat the year.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この考えには反対せざるをえない。
I have to oppose this idea.
— contributed by: Miki
- 我々は妥協せざるをえない。
We have no choice but to compromise.
— contributed by: Miki
- この分では予定を変更せざるをえないだろう。
At this rate, we'll have to change the schedule.
— contributed by: Miki
- 何かをせざるをえないという場合、それを妨げたり避けたりできないという意味である。
If you say that you cannot help doing something, you mean you cannot prevent or avoid it.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私はそう考えざるをえない。
I cannot help thinking so.
— contributed by: Miki
- 社長が反対したら、我々は計画を変えざるをえない。
We are subject to change our plans if the president disagrees.
— contributed by: Miki
- 同情の涙を禁じえない。
I cannot help crying for sympathy.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼の招待は受けざるをえない。
I can't but accept his invitation.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は死んでしまったと考えざるをえない。
I could not but think that he was dead.
— contributed by: Miki
- 僕は日曜日に働かざるをえない父に同情する。[僕はM]
I feel for my father, who has to work on Sundays. [M]
— contributed by: Miki
- 行きたくないけれど、部長の命令だから、行かざるをえない。
I don't want to go, but because it's the manager's order, I have no choice but to go.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 金額が大きくて私には支払えないので、父に援助を頼まざるをえない。
The amount of money was huge and I couldn't pay it, so I had no choice but to ask my father for assistance.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 大切な人を擁護せざるを得ない。
Forced to defend an important person.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- uru (The えない in ざるをえない is the negative form of うる)
- wakeniha ikanai
- shikanai
User Comments
- Lit (sort of) : Unable to obtain not doing ___
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note the verb form 〜ざる is a left over from a classic form that is now pretty much out of general use.
(Don't ask me more, please ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Hmm, on second thoughts I'm only about 60% sure it's the negative of うる and not the negative of える.
That word's a pain.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from v-nai base + ざるをえない.
e.g. 行く→行かない→行かざるをえない
Vn = V-nai base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- isnt える and うる the same verb in this case?
— contributed by: pgb
- Please see the comment by bamboo4 in [uru]. ざるを得ない is one word and always read as ざるをえない. There is no ざるを得る.
— contributed by: Miki
- ざる is an archaic particle indicating negation. It's root form is ず and it inflects as ず/ざら、ず/ざり、ざる/ぬ、ざれ/ね but its imperative form is ざれ. In tbis manner, it has very unique inflections.
行かざる means not going, which is denied by えない so that it becomes "not going is not capable," the double negative thus resulting in "I must go."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #4293 is not acceptable. 同情の涙を禁じ得ない would be the correct diction. ざるを得ない is not appropriate so that this example does not belong to this head.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #4293 grammatically is not wrong, but the meaning is very strange. Because 〜ざるを得ない means you have to do 〜even you don't want to, and 禁じる means 抑える or suppress,
So, 同情の涙を禁じざるを得ない means:
You have to suppress tears of sympathy, even if you didn't want to (suppress).
Whereas, 同情の涙を禁じ得ない means(which is more natural in this case):
You couldn't suppress/stop tears of sympathy (of dropping down).同情の涙を抑えることができない
— contributed by: 誠
- Thank you guys. I felt something wrong but I didn't notice that point. I found a better entry "kinjienai" for the example but I cannot do now.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: zaruwoenai
tagJ: ざるをえない
expE: can't avoid doing x
noteE: i can't not go [always double-neg]
JLPT: 2

Front: sueni
〜末に (〜すえに)
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〜末に (〜すえに)
Meaning: in the end, result
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜た末（に）〜
意味：長い間〜をした後で
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- アップダウンの末に手に入れた安定感。
After the ups and downs, finally get the feeling of security.
— contributed by: dc
- 一晩中書いた末に、エッセイを終えた。　　←終わった。
After studying all night, I finished my essay
— contributed by: d4
- いろいろ考えた末に、会社を辞めることにした。
After thinking about various things for a long time, I decided to leave the company.
— contributed by: newt
- 苦労した末の成功は、何よりもうれしいものです。
After a long time of hardship there is nothing more delightful than success
— contributed by: newt
- 一週間熟考した末に新しい計画を考えついた。
A week's reflection led to a new plan.
— contributed by: Miki
- 長々と協議した末に、売り手と買い手は結局折り合った。
After considerable argument, the buyer and the seller finally came to terms.
— contributed by: Miki
- ジョージは、最近３時間の格闘の末に釣った重さ３０ポンドのバスの話をしていた。
George was describing a 30 pound bass he'd caught recently after fighting it for three hours.
— contributed by: Miki
- 山の方では、４月の末になって初めて地面から雪が消える。
In the mountains it is not until the end of April that the snow disappears completely from the ground.
— contributed by: Miki
- 何もおっしゃらないでください。私なりによく考えたすえに出した結論なのです。
Please don't say nothing. In your place, after thinking it well, I wouldn't have led to any conclusion.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 苦労した末の成功は，何よりもうれしいものだ。
The success in the end in which it has a hard time is glad in above all.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 夏の末に咲くバラもある。
Some roses flower late in summer.
— contributed by: karekano
- 接戦の末に彼女が当選した。
She won the election as a result of the hard-fought campaign.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 〜末に
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Related Grammar
- ageku ([sueni] has Same meaning as [ageku] but can be used in both positive and negative situations. [ageku] is always used negatively.)
User Comments
- Noun + の 末に　
　　成長の末に - after the growth
Verb-た 末に 　
　　勉強した末に - after studying
— contributed by: dc
- Why is it when I search for すえに, I cannot find this entry? I had to romanize it, which, to be frank, shouldn't be necessary.
— contributed by: ljfurlong
- this entry had only the kanji as it's primary Japanese database entry which is why you couldn't find it with a hiragana search. There is a hiragana database field which wasn't being included in the search. I have now included it and your search will work from now on. Thanks for pointing out the issue.
— contributed by: yookoso
- I think this is for JPLT1 rather than JPLT2.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 末に appears on my JLPT2 lists
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sueni
tagJ: 〜末に
tagH: 〜すえに
expE: in the end, result
JLPT: 2

Front: fuuni
という風に (というふうに)
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という風に (というふうに)
Meaning: in that way
Example: hold it like this
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼はどうしようもないという風に首を振った
he shook his head in such a way as if to say there was no other way
— contributed by: dc
- これはどんな風に持ったらいいんですか？
How should I hold this?
— contributed by: d4
- こんな風に持って下さい
Please hold it like this
— contributed by: d4
- あんな風に運転していたら、きっと事故に会うよ。
If he keeps driving like that he will definitely have an accident
— contributed by: d4
- こんな風にやりなさい。
Do it (in) this way .
— contributed by: karekano
- それはこんな風に起こった。
This is the way it happened.
— contributed by: karekano
- こんな風にそれをしたのですか
Is this the manner (in which) you did it?
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- As for the thrird example, 持って下さい。is correct.
— contributed by: Miki
- In the first example, you have to add "He shook his head" at the beginnig of the sentence.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- done
— contributed by: dc
- IT seems I have often heard "ko iu fuuni" - is this the same as "konna fuuni"? Maybe spoken vs. written?
— contributed by: yookoso
- why not jiko wo okosu in example #1015? thx
— contributed by: lucien
- #1015 kanji is different. 事故に遭う.
あんな風に運転していたら、きっと事故を起こすよ。is also ok. If he keeps driving like that he will definitely invite an accident.
— contributed by: Miki
- Yes, "konna fuuni" is more colloqual.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Is 'fuuni' same as 'youni'?
— contributed by: Jiti
- yes. but you cannot always replace 'fuuni' with 'youni'.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: fuuni
tagJ: という風に
tagH: というふうに
expE: in that way
noteE: hold it like this
JLPT: 2

Front: tetamaranai
てたまらない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
てたまらない
Meaning: be dying to do something, to feel X strongly, can't help it...
Example: I am dying to go home
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- "be dying to do something" only makes sense when --tetamaranai is connected with expressions such as
-takute/-hoshikute
— contributed by: jshaomao
- This grammar primary translates as "X is unbearable" Such as: 痛くてたまらない (itakute-tamaranai) It's extremely/unbearably painful"
— contributed by: jiji_the_cat
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 大学に合格して、うれしくてたまらない
When I passed the college exam, I was overjoyed
— contributed by: dc
- 家族からの手紙を読んでいたら、声が聞きたくてたまらなくなった
on reading the letter from my parents, I was dying to hear their voice
— contributed by: dc
- 寒くてたまらない
unbearably cold
— contributed by: dc
- 不便でたまらない
unbearably inconvenient
— contributed by: dc
- あのカメラが欲しくてたまらない。
I am dying for that camera.
— contributed by: Miki
- このうれしい知らせを家族に知らせたくてたまらない。
I am aching to tell this good news to my family.
— contributed by: Miki
- そのことを話してよ。聞きたくてたまらないの。
Tell me about it. I'm all ears.
— contributed by: Miki
- そのことを話してよ。聞きたくてたまらないの。
Tell me about it. I'm all ears. [F]
— contributed by: Miki
- その話をしてよ。聞きたくてたまらないよ。
Tell me about it. I'm all ears.
— contributed by: Miki
- オーストラリアに行きたくてたまらない。
I am aching to go to Australia.
— contributed by: Miki
- トムはそのリンゴがほしくてたまらない。
Tom is eager for the apple.
— contributed by: Miki
- ニューヨークに行きたくてたまらない。
I am dying to go to New York.
— contributed by: Miki
- 君は彼女に会いたくてたまらないのですか？
Do you want to see her very much?
— contributed by: Miki
- 子供達は風船が欲しくてたまらない。
Kids really want balloons.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私たちは外国に行きたくてたまらない。
I am aching to go abroad.
— contributed by: Miki
- 暑くてたまらない。
I'm baking.
— contributed by: Miki
- 窓を開けてくれ。ここは暑くてたまらない。
Open the window. It's baking hot in here. 　
— contributed by: Miki
- 痛くてたまらない。
I can't bear the pain.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は先ごろの成功を自慢したくてたまらない。
The urge to brag on his recent successes was irresistible.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼らは昼食が待ち遠しくてたまらない。
They are impatient for their lunch.
— contributed by: Miki
- 母に会いたくてたまらない。
I am dying to see my mother.
— contributed by: Miki
- 冷たいものを飲みたくてたまらない。
I am dying for a cold drink.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- tenaranai (tenaranai is slightly more modern)
User Comments
- 堪らない
helps me to think of it with the 'withstand' kanji
— contributed by: Snake
- I usually use hiragana to write tamaranai（堪らない） for even with PC. But all the examples here are repalced by 堪らない。
— contributed by: Miki
- Wicked I love this example...
寒くて たまらない
!
— contributed by: ninja_k
- I remember seeing this in a JLPT Level 2 test somewhere...
— contributed by: nhk9
- if you make the verb in tai form + tamaranai, thus it literally mean dying to? and when you just use the plain verb form it is translated to unbearable?
— contributed by: infinite_trial
- yes, you are right!
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tetamaranai
tagJ: てたまらない
expE: be dying to do something, to feel X strongly, can't help it...
expJ: 非常に
noteE: I am dying to go home
JLPT: 2

Front: bakarini
ばかりに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ばかりに
Meaning: because (of a negative thing); simply because; simply on account of
Example: he was fired just for talking back
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- because of ... always indicates a negative outcome.
— contributed by: dc
- A conjunction indicating that a single factor causes a negative situation
— contributed by: LR
- BE CAREFUL not to confuse ばかりに with とばかりに.
ばかりに is for indicating a single factor that causes a negative situation and is formed
{VERB-past-tense / いadj. / なadj.stem / NOUN} +ばかりに
とばかりに indicates that s.o does s.t in such a way that s.o. is convinced that something is the case - "思い立ったが吉日とばかりにエアロビクスを始めました。
I began aerobics believing that the day you think of something is an auspicious day to start it." and is formed
{direct quotation / indirect quotation / noun} + とばかりに
See [tobakarini]
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p25
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あの日たまたま休んでいたばかりに、大事な連絡を開きそびれた。
I missed a really important announcement just because I happened to be absent that day.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 新車を買ったばかりにお金がありません。
I am broke because I bought a new car
— contributed by: d4
- 渡し船があることを知らなかったばかりに歩いて湖を半周してしまった。
Just because I did not know there was a ferry service, I ended up walking halfway around the lake.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ドイツ語の試験に落ちたばかりに、来月に卒業できない。
Just because I failed my German language exam, I cannot graduate next month.
— contributed by: mahoujin
- うそをついたばかりに彼に嫌われた。
He hates me simply because I told a lie.
— contributed by: youri
- パーティー場所を聞いたばかりに,手伝いを頼まれてしまった。
Just because I asked where the party was, I got asked to help out (which I don't want to do)
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 寝過ごしたばかりに学校に遅刻した。
I was late for school just because I had overslept.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of ばかりに
- Add an example sentence
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Related Grammar
- bakarika (a little different)
- toiwanbakarini (Note two rather different ばかりに entries (bakarini-2 is generally と言わんばかりに))
- okagede
User Comments
- First example : Lit. something like ... "Just (as) the best opportunity (occurred) - (he) jumped for it."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- According to EdJacob's page, there is not the meaning of
"just because of a small thing" it is simply
"just - negative" :
Because. Always indicates a negative outcome.
I failed the test because I didn’t study.
I don’t have any money because I bought a new car.
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/easykanji/jlptgrammar.html">see bakarini here</a>
— contributed by: dc
- but wouldn't it make sense if it was 'just because I bought a new car, I'm broke' meaning it's all the car's fault or whatever.. it's just that the first example could easily be seen as 'just as the chance occured', where abouts on EdJacob's page does it say it doesn't mean this? I know it doesn't support it, but I didn't see it refute it either..
— contributed by: Snake
- The first ばかりに and the second one do not mean the same thing. ばかりに in the first example means "simply because" or "simply for the reason" suggesting some ad hoc intervention by a fortuitous circumstances, whereas ばかりに in the seond example results from a logical cause and effect and there is no element of luck there.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex#1018 and 3085 Pls see [kara][node]
— contributed by: Miki
- naruhodo
— contributed by: Snake
- I think ばかり is level 3 grammar. Since i saw it on a page on the lvl 3 grammar in past tests.
— contributed by: Eruanne
- [bakari] is different from [bakarini]. It seems we didn't have bakari so I just added it.
— contributed by: dc
- Doesnt this have the same meaning as ばこそ?
— contributed by: TC
- TC さん、
〜ばかりに　and 〜ばこそ　is different.
〜ばかりに　can be said as "just because of 〜、.....(followed by negative consequences)"
Whereas,
〜ばこそ can be said as " exactly because of　〜、that is why........"
You can refer to more examples in the entry of ばこそ。
— contributed by: 誠
- Is ばかりに the same as ばかりで?
例：物価は上がるばかりで生活は少しも楽にならない。
— contributed by: leslie
- Generally, ばかり has the connotation of limiting something and not going beyond. ばかりに therefore means "because so limited," and ばかりで means "not going beyond that limit."
Accordingly, 物価は上がるばかりで would mean "since the commodity prices only go up..."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Amatuka's first example is wrong for this entry so I'm going to replace it with a correct example. 2010/12/4
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: bakarini
tagJ: ばかりに
expE: because (of a negative thing); simply because; simply on account of
noteE: he was fired just for talking back
JLPT: 1

Front: kagiri
限り (かぎり)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
限り (かぎり)
Meaning: as far as, as long as, until, unless
Example: as far as I know
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- １．〜限り／〜ない限り　：〜という状態が続く中では
２．〜限りでは：〜範囲では
３．〜限りだ：最高に〜だ；（感情を表す形容詞につく）e.g.: 嬉しい限りだ、羨ましい限りだ．．．
　　「〜限りだ」は一級の文法です。
４．〜とは限らない：　絶対〜とは言えない
Meaning: "It doen't absolutely means that ......" Quite similar to 〜というものではない
— contributed by: 誠
- This is a conjuction which express the idea "as long as" ..
私が日本にいる限り心配は無用です
As long as I am in japan you dont need to worry.
— contributed by: brij_shukla2000
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- アメリカ人でない限りこの仕事には就けない
you cannot apply for this job unless you are american
— contributed by: dc
- 嬉しい限りだ
As happy as I can be
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女が太らない限り分かれない
As long as she doesn't get fat, we won't break up
— contributed by: dc
- 私が知るかぎりでは、あの人は無実です
As far as I know, he is innocent.
— contributed by: dc
- お金を持ってる限り働かない
As long as i have money, I won't work
— contributed by: dc
- 私が 理解する限りでは、こんな風に使う
As far as I understood, you use it like this
— contributed by: dc
- 僕の日本語はあまり上手じゃないけど、「君が好き」と書ける限り、これで十分だよ。
My japanesse isn't very good, but as long as I can write " I like you" it is enough for me.
— contributed by: tamago ouji
- あらん限りの大声で。
At the top of one's voice.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたの仕事に精を出さないかぎり成功しないでしょう。
You won't succeed unless you attend to your work.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは静かにしているかぎりここにいてもよい。
You can stay here as long as you keep quiet.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは彼と一緒にいるかぎり、幸福にはなれません。
As long as you are with him, you can't be happy.
— contributed by: dbx
- さきうるかぎりの時間は読書についやす。
I spend what time I can spare in reading.
— contributed by: dbx
- その国民の社会生活に関するかぎりでは、進歩は実に遅々たるものである。
Progress has been very slow indeed, so far as the social life of the people is concerned.
— contributed by: dbx
- できるかぎり話をはっきりさせよう。
We'll get this as clear as possible.
— contributed by: dbx
- われわれは生きているかぎりは働かねばならない。
We must work as long as we live.
— contributed by: dbx
- ウェンディは必ずしも日本の祭りに興味があるとはかぎりませんでした。
Wendy was not always interested in Japanese festival.
— contributed by: dbx
- 給料に関するかぎり、それはよい仕事である。
It's a good job as far as the pay goes.
— contributed by: dbx
- 君が最善を尽くすかぎりは君を援助してあげよう。
I'll help you so long as you do your best.
— contributed by: dbx
- 君はここに居るかぎり安全です。
You are safe so long as you stay here.
— contributed by: dbx
- 見わたすかぎり砂のほかには見えなかった。
As far as the eye could reach, nothing was to be seen but sand.
— contributed by: dbx
- 見渡すかぎり、すべては雪におおわれていた。
As far as I could see, everything was covered with snow.
— contributed by: dbx
- 見渡すかぎり砂のほかには何も見えなかった。
As far as the eye could reach, nothing was to be seen but sand.
— contributed by: dbx
- 思いもよらないことが起こらないかぎり、きっとうまくいくはずだ。
Barring anything unforeseen everything should turn all right.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私が生きているかぎりあなたに不自由はさせない。
You shall want for nothing as long as I live.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私が知るかぎり、１学期の間は何も問題がなかった。
As far as I am aware, there were no problems during the first semester.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私が知るかぎり彼女は大変よい人だ。
As long as I know she is a very good person.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私たちは食料と水の蓄えがもつかぎりここにいられる。
We can stay here for as long as our supplies of food and water hold out.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の知るかぎり、彼は信用のできる人だ。
To the best of my knowledge, he is a reliable person.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の知るかぎり、彼は無罪です。
As far as I know, he is innocent.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の知るかぎりでは、誰一人それをした人はいません。
As far as I know, no one has ever done it.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の知るかぎりでは。
As for as I know.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の知るかぎりでは彼は正直です。
As far as I know, he is honest.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私はできるかぎりの援助を彼にさしのべるつもりです。
I'll offer what help I can.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私はできるかぎりの援助を彼に差しのべるつもりです。
I'll offer him what help I can.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私はできるかぎり熱心に働いた。
I worked as hard as possible.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私は日曜日にはいつも家にいるとはかぎりません。
I'm not always at home on Sundays.
— contributed by: dbx
- 社会生活に関するかぎり、その進歩は実に遅々たるものであった。
Progress has been very slow indeed, so far as social life is concerned.
— contributed by: dbx
- 食べすぎないかぎり、何を食べてもかまわない。
You may eat anything so long as you don't eat too much.
— contributed by: dbx
- 生きているかぎり、ご恩は決して忘れません。
I'll never forget your kindness while I live.
— contributed by: dbx
- 生きているかぎり彼女は彼の親切を忘れなかった。
She did not forget his kindness as long as she lived.
— contributed by: dbx
- 出来る限り協力します。
As much as possible I will cooperate you.
— contributed by: prashant007
- 彼がここにいる限り私の仕事が増えるだろう。
As long as he`s here I`ll have more work to do.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼はあまり疲れていない限り夜遅くまで働きます。
He works late at night unless (he`s) too tired.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼はテストのために勉強するのを忘れない限り、大丈夫だと思います。
I think as long as he doesn`t forget to study for the test, he`ll be okay.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 限り
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- nikagitte
User Comments
- Formed from Verb + kagiri.
Vru (dictionary), V continuing, V past tense etc.
are OK.
V = verb
— contributed by: Amatuka
- adjectives cannot precede kagiri
XX 面白い限り続ける
XX As long i find it interesting, i will continue
— contributed by: dc
- うれしい限りです - as happy as i can be
— contributed by: dc
- The third example should be: お金を持っている限り働かない。
— contributed by: bamboo4
- In the first example, あの人は罪はないはずです is kind of awkward. あの人は無実です is better.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 直した
— contributed by: dc
- Can this be used for past tense? See ex5:
私が <b>分かった</b> 限り では、こんな風に使う
— contributed by: dc
- Yes, you can but こんな風に使っている is more natural.
— contributed by: Miki
- ex#3248, I think that「君が好き」を書ければ、これで十分だよ。is more natural because it's obvious you know other Japanese from 僕の日本語はあまり上手じゃないけれど。
If it is 僕は日本語がわからないけれど、the latter is perfect.
— contributed by: Miki
- Re #3248, the use of 限り in that context is stilted. 僕の日本語は下手だけど、「君が好き」と書けるんだから、それで十分だよ　would be more natural.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I edited #1374 because 分かった限り is stilted and should perhaps be 理解する限り.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- What is the difference between からには and 限り?
— contributed by: anon
- [karaniha] seems to imply a "since" or "because" meaning.
⇒ "since I am in Paris (I try and speak french)"
パリにいるからには、フランスごを話そう。
[kagiri] seems to imply until something will change.
⇒ "while I remain in Paris (I will speak french)"
[kagiri] is also "up until the limit"...
"I will speak french (as best I can)"
出来る限りにフランスごを話そう
a comparative example:
[kagiri]
パリにいる限りにフランスごを話さなければならない
While i am in Paris, i have to speak french
(ie until I leave)
[karaniha]
パリにいるからには、フランスごを話そう。
since I am in Paris (I will try and speak french)
— contributed by: dc
- フランス語　仏語
— contributed by: Miki
- いるからには has the nuance of "so long as I am ... Imight as well."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex #3994 and ex #4014 belongs to another entry or category of 〜とは限らない which means ”絶対〜とは言えない", so the translation in English should be :
"For Wendy,it doesn't absolutely mean that she must have interest in Japanese festivals." I use "For her " since it is ウェンディは、If it is ウェンディが then the translation would literally be "It doesn't absolutely mean that Wendy must have interest in Japanese festivals"
— contributed by: 誠
- 〜からには／〜からは：〜という事情があるのだから．．．（強い意志、主張、判断、断定）
— contributed by: 誠
- ex #4001 should be translated into something like this "As long as the unforeseen doesn't take place/doesn't occur, everything is sure to be turning out right."
— contributed by: 誠
- ex #4003 , ex #4004, ex #4006, ex #4007, should use 限りでは(as far as...), therefore it is 私の知る限りでは, instead of 私が知る限り(as long as I know,..). "as far as ..." and "as long as..." has a significant difference. Even in English, we don't often say "as long as I know.." but instead "as far as I know.." ." as far as ..." gives a boundary or limit or extent to one's action, whereas " as long as ...." gives a condition or period of one's action or one's state being continuosly so. Please refer the added notes at the top of this page.Thank you
— contributed by: 誠
- ex #1161 and ex #3986 belongs to a different category. It means " at the height of..."
— contributed by: 誠
- There are many other forms using 限る as root besides the ４ in the added notes above:
１．〜に限ったことではない：　〜だけではない
e.g. :「いじめは子供の世界に限ったことではない。大人の世界にもある。」
２．〜ないとも限らない：　〜可能性がある、「１００％〜ない」とは言えない
e.g.: 「電車が遅れないとも限らないから、早く家を出ましょう。」
３．〜限りで：　〜を最後にして "Until/By this〜" or "By 〜 as the last of..."
e.g.: 「無料サ―ビスは、今週限りで終わらせて頂きます。」
４．〜限りに（一級文法）：　〜を最後にして　"Until/By this〜" or "To the extent of 〜"
e.g.: 「本日を限りに退職することにしました。」
５．〜に限って：〜に合わせるように．．．（不都合な事が起きる） "....(happen) just exactly at the wrong time while 〜"
e.g.: 「留守の時に限って、荷物が届きます。」」
６．〜に限り：　〜だけ
e.g.: 「成績優秀者に限り学費が免除されます。」
７．〜に限らず：　〜だけでなく
e.g.:　「都合がよければ、授業中に限らず、いつでも
質問に来てください。」
８．〜に限って．．．ない　：〜について（私の考えを）述べるなら、．．．（のような悪いこと）はない
e.g.: 「あの人に限って、殺人などするはずはない。」
— contributed by: 誠
- hello 誠! thanks for all the comments. perhaps you can just delete the above examples that you think are not relevant? we have quite a lot for this page anyway...
— contributed by: DC
- I didn't know how to express 'unless' for the longest time. Much appreciated.
— contributed by: dotty
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kagiri
tagJ: 限り
tagH: かぎり
expE: as far as, as long as, until, unless
noteE: as far as I know
JLPT: 2

Front: mushiro
むしろ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
むしろ
Meaning: rather
Example: rather, I would say the chance is small
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 彼は疲れているというよりむしろ眠いのだ
He is more sleepy than tired.
— contributed by: kumar
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あの人は学者というよりむしろ政治家だ。
If anything, he is a politician rather than a scholar.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 金持ちになるよりむしろ貧乏でいる方がいい。
Rather than being rich, I prefer to be poor.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- とてもすばらしい天気だったのでむしろ歩きたいと思った。
It was so lovely a day that I preferred to walk (Rather than some other means of transportation).
— contributed by: LittleFish
- 彼女は女優というよりもむしろ歌手だ。
She is a singer rather than an actress.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼らは外車よりむしろ日本の車を買う。
They buy Japanese rather than foreign cars.
— contributed by: karekano
- 公園へ行くよりむしろ動物園へ行きたい。
We would rather go to the zoo than to the park.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of むしろ
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Related Grammar
- yappari, yahari
User Comments
- Often used with より
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Note that you would not normally say 貧乏でいるよりもむしろ金持ちがいい, but you would say 貧乏でいるよりも、やっぱり金持ちがいい。
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Grammatically yes, but I think the intended meaning was the other way around... Amatuka prefers being poor :)
— contributed by: dc
- Now that "Yappari" is official, the "see also" reference makes sense, notwithstanding the fact that Amatuka wants to remain poor.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ps in comments you can put another grammar item in square brackets and it will like like: [yappari]
— contributed by: dc
- Like this {yappari]?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- No, that can't be it. [yappari]
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Ha! I gotcha!
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mushiro
tagJ: むしろ
expE: rather
noteE: rather, I would say the chance is small
JLPT: 2

Front: masaka
まさか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
まさか
Meaning: incredible!
Example: Don't tell me you're quitting!
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- まさか来るとは思わなかった。
Did I ever expect you to come!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- まさか!
Incredible !
— contributed by: bamboo4
- びっくりした！まさかこんなところで会うとは思わなかったよ。
Oh my gosh! You're the last person I expected to meet in a situation like this.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼の言ったことはまさか本当であるとは思えない。
What he said can scarcely be true.
— contributed by: Miki
- ロニーが日本語能力試験が合格したと聞いて先生つい「まさか」と言い出しました。
Teacher automatically uttered, "Masaka!" when he heard that Ronny cleared the test.
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of まさか
- Add an example sentence
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Related Grammar
- yomoya
User Comments
- 真逆 [まさか] (adv) (uk) by no means, (P)
まさか (adv) never!, well, I never!, you don't say!
Literally:
真 [ま] (n,pref) just, right, due (east), pure, genuine, true, (P)
逆 [ぎゃく] (adj-na,n) reverse, opposite, (P)
逆さ [さかさ] (n) reverse, inversion, upside down, (P)
In English: "directly opposite"
— contributed by: deweychetham
- まさか coupled with negative or denial expresses unexpected hypothetical case. Synonimous with よもや or いくらなんでも.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- V-plain + とは思う is used in most of the examples above - does that deserve its own JGram entry?
— contributed by: yookoso
- I think using only まさか can have the connotation of "no way"... the "nai" is often left unsaid.
ex:
A: 彼がもう結婚しちゃったって
B: まさか(そういうことあるわけないだろう)
— contributed by: nhk9
- I agree with nhk9さん、but i think that should be under the entry of まさか／まさか〜ないだろう
which literally " it can't be that 〜,right?"
まさか〜とは思わなかった　should deserve a different entry , since it literally means
"Didn't expect 〜(to be) "
— contributed by: 誠
- I agree with yookosoさん, how does V-plain +とは思う differ from V-plain +と思う/だと思う？
— contributed by: xabre24
- Another phrase I like to use when translating まさか is "Don't tell me ... !", though that doesn't work in every case.
And a まさか phrase that doesn't translate literally is そのまさかだ！ (or the equivalent). Sometimes, when someone says, for example, まさか、(insert unlikely/unwelcome situation here)じゃないだろう？ (It COULDN'T be (situation), right?), the response is そのまさかだ！ (It IS that (situation)!). Try translating まさか itself directly in that case, and you're just asking for trouble.
— contributed by: KWhazit
- I like the translation "hardly" for masaka.
— contributed by: MikieSimon
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: masaka
tagJ: まさか
expE: incredible!
noteE: Don't tell me you're quitting!
JLPT: 1

Front: morau
貰う (もらう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
貰う (もらう)
Meaning: have someone do something for you
Example: my dad bought a camera for me
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- morau is a fairly informal/plain/gruff way of asking someone to do something for you.
書いてもらうか？ = can you write it for me?
- something a boss might say to a junior
書いてくれる？
- more common, not overly polite, OK to use between friends
書いて頂けますか？
- slightly keigo, something you might say to your boss
— contributed by: dc
- やる is a pretty rough verb.
With 貰う makes things sound pretty blunt:
　　やってもらう = hey, do it for me.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私は父にカメラを買って貰った
My father bought a camera for me
— contributed by: d4
- 私は友達に日本語を教えて貰っている
I am having a friend teach me japanese
— contributed by: d4
- コンビニで、何か買って貰いたいですか？
At the store, is there anything you want me to buy for you?
— contributed by: dc
- ４時に医者に診てもらう予約をした。
I made an appointment to see the doctor at four o'clock.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたはグリーン先生に英語の発音を直してもらうべきだ。
You should have Mr Green correct your English pronunciation.
— contributed by: Miki
- 今すぐ髪を切ってもらう必要はないよ。
You need not have a haircut right now.
— contributed by: Miki
- ことによると、きみにも一緒にきてもらう。
Maybe you better come with us.
— contributed by: Miki
- このヒーターは故障しているようなので、彼に修理してもらう予定だ。
Since this heater seems to be out of order, I'll have him repair it.
— contributed by: Miki
- この椅子を修理してもらうのにどれくらいかかるのでしょうか。
What would it cost to have this chair repaired?
— contributed by: Miki
- この仕事は誰にもしてもらうわけにはいかない。
I can't get this work done by anybody.
— contributed by: Miki
- この車は修理してもらう必要がある。
This car needs repairing.
— contributed by: Miki
- じゃあ、言わせてもらうけど。
Let me tell you something.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 貰う
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Related Grammar
- kureru ([kureru] is the polite version, when the person doing something is a higher up or doing you a favor)
- saseru ([morau] is politer than [saseru], the latter implies making someone do something, as opposed to do them doing it for you)
- あげる
User Comments
- 貰う and あげる are two faces of one coin. The former describes the situation from the position of a receiver, whereas the latter describes the situation from the side of the giver. Note also that やる, also the verb describing the situaiton from the standpoint of the giver, is relatively impolite as contrasted to あげる. When you feed a pet you use やる but that can also be used in case of humans if the receiver is inferior to you.In the same vein, 貰う and くれる have the same kind of semantic difference as would exist between あげる and やる.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- bamboo - tried to distill your comments into a note at the top. feel free to add notes instead of comments when you think you have a summary explanation...
— contributed by: dc
- where does [itadaku] fit on this continuum? I have heard it used mainly for "receiving".
are [itadaku] & [itashimasu] kind of opposites like [morau] & [ageru] ? ie the polite forms of give and receive/ also used as "do for you" & "you do for me"
— contributed by: dc
- "itadaku" ia a honorific of "morau." "itashimasu" does not belong here.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- bamboo4- if you put the items like itadaku in square brackets, rather than "quotes" they will come up as hilited links like this: [morau]
btw can you explain [itashimasu] ?
— contributed by: dc
- [itashimasu]is "to do" spoken in a modest manner, or which the Japanese call 謙譲語. 私がいたします would be directed to your superior meaning that "I will do that." It has nothing to do with "giving" or "receiving" which would be involved in 貰う and あげる.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Another honorific for give is ｛さしあげる｝that can be used in such cases as ｛してさしあげる｝meaning [do it for you] as a very polite expression. It can be used with a number of other verbs, too.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Hi, I think that "morau" is actually not a Level 1 JLPT expression. This is perhaps more like Level 3 expression, since this is normally not considered an advanced expression.
I also think that in practice, Shite Sashiageru is not really used often. Rather, they would use "shitai to omoimasu" as a replacement. I think the only situations in which you would use Shite Sashiageru is to someone who's of higher social ranking than you, and also very close to you. (Perhaps your close grandmother, or someone like that)
— contributed by: nhk9
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: morau
tagJ: 貰う
tagH: もらう
expE: have someone do something for you
noteE: my dad bought a camera for me
JLPT: 3

Front: sekkaku
せっかく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
せっかく
Meaning: with effort
Example: I took the trouble to go and see him, but he wasn't there
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- せっかく会いに行ったのに、友達はいませんでした。
I took the effort to go and see my friend, but he wasn't there
— contributed by: Amatuka
- せっかくいい大学に入ったのだからよく勉強するつもりです。
I worked hard to get into a good college, so I intend to study hard
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 人がせっかく作ってくれた料理を食べないのは失礼だ。
It's impolite not to eat food which someone has taken the trouble of preparing for you. (from An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese)
— contributed by: euphoriafish
- せっかく彼女に手紙を書いたのに、送るのを忘れちゃった。
I took the effort to write a letter to her and forgot to send it.
— contributed by: hua
- せっかく母親が買ってきたシャツをどうしても着ようしなかった。
After all of the trouble my mother went to buy the shirt, I did not wear it.
— contributed by: cletcher
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Is this just used when the outcome is negative?
I went to all the effort to do X, but 残念 it didn't work out...
like けっきょく
— contributed by: dc
- sekkaku always seems to come at the start of a sentence
— contributed by: dc
- I don't think the outcome is always negative as the exmplaes show.
折角・・・のに、（結局）negative.
折角・・・のだから、positive.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sekkaku
tagJ: せっかく
expE: with effort
noteE: I took the trouble to go and see him, but he wasn't there
JLPT: 3

Front: rashii
らしい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
らしい
Meaning: seem, look like, apparently, I heard
Example: It seems Tanaka will resign
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 1。これは　ずいぶんふるい　ものの　（　　　）。きっと　たかかっただろう。
1)ようだ 2)そうだ 3)ほどだ 4)らしい
2 。「このスープ　ちょっと　からくないですか。」「どうですか。ちょっと　のんでみましょう。うーん、ちょっと（　　　）ですね。」
1)からいよう 2)からいらしい 3)からいため 4)からいそう
3。 おおかわ「やまださん、どようびの　パーティーに　しゅっせきなさいますか。」やまだ「ええ、（　　　）。」
1)そうするつもりです 2)そうするばずです 3)そうするらしいです 4)そうするようです
4。もっと　はやく　はしれる（　　　）　なりたいです。
1)らしいに 2)ように 3)ことに 4)そうに
5 。「もうすぐ　あめが　（　　　）ね。」「かさを　もって　いきましょう。」
1)ふるようです 2)ふってきそうです 3)ふりはじめました 4)ふるらしいです
6 。かれは　ちからがつよくて　おとこ（　　　）ひとです。
1)とおり 2)ような 3)らしい 4)そうな
7 。二人は　まるで　ほんとうの　兄弟（　　）。
1)ようだ 2)みたいだ 3)らしい 4)そうだ
8 。かのじょは　プレゼントを　もらって　うれし（　　）な　かおを　しています。
1)そう 2)ような 3)みたい 4)らしい
9 。かのじょは　ほんとうに　女（　　）　ひとですね。
1)らしい 2)ような 3)そうな 4)ように
10 。彼は　本当に　男（　　）　人です。
1)のような 2)そうな 3)ぐらい 4)らしい
can u get 10 out of 10(ganbattene)
— contributed by: pradyumna_jpn
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 動かないらしい
Seems like it doesn't work (lit: doesn't move)
— contributed by: dc
- そんな事をするなんて君らしくない。
It doesn't seem like you doing such a thing.
— contributed by: Pan
- 私は彼と彼のガールフレンドらしい人を見かけた。
I saw him and a girl who looked to be his girlfriend.
— contributed by: Pan
- みんなさんは夕方来るらしい。
It seems everybody will come in the evening.
— contributed by: slack.hideo
- kyou ha,tenki ga yoirashiidesu.
the weather today seems like good.
— contributed by: kanoko
- we heard that tomorrow weather will be very hot,no!?
— contributed by: kanoko
- ashita,bokura ha teki ga tottemo atsuirashii naa!
— contributed by: kanoko
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- youda ([youda] implies using some judgement, not just heard or feel, or guessing)
- だろう ([darou] is a pure guess)
- looks/seems/heard-group
User Comments
- -らしい is used primarily in spoken Japanese. -ようだ often takes its place when written.
— contributed by: Pan
- -らしい and -ようだ have different meanings.
You use -らしい as a similie when something is like something else, but is expected to be like that; for example：
'that man doesn't act like a woman'　
その男女らしくしていない
-ようだ is used to make a similie with a condition we don't expect the thing to be like. For example
'That human being acts like a cat'
あの人間は猫のようにしている
If you mean to describe how something seems to be, they differ again, as -らしい is used to make an assumption based on what you've heard (usually from other people) and -ようだ is is used to make assumptions based on what you observe or from what you gather from first hand information.
hope that helps clear things up a little :)
— contributed by: nathy1985
- There is also another way to use rashi. When I was in Japan I learned it.
大阪らしい、東京らしい
近くに大阪らしい居酒屋がありますか。It means. Is there a oosaka style bar close by. Rashi in this case means something to do with style. I have also heard it means ish like oosakaish.子供らしい
— contributed by: mattypaps
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: rashii
tagJ: らしい
expE: seem, look like, apparently, I heard
noteE: It seems Tanaka will resign
JLPT: 3

Front: だろう
だろう
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
だろう
Meaning: is, would be, probably is; isn't it?
Example: I guess it will rain today
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Plain form of でしょう, so used within a sentence, or at the end of the sentence if the speaker is talking in plain form.
— contributed by: bunbun
- An auxiliary indicating the speaker's conjecture which is not based on any particular information or evidence.
— contributed by: lenzras
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 「かっこいいじゃん！」「でしょう、でしょう！！」
"You look cool!" " Don't I? Don't I? "
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 毒魚ってなんだろう？
"Poison fish"- whadd'ya suppose they are?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「洞窟の中で何が起こっているんだろう？すごく知りたいな。」「見当もつかないよ。」
"What's going on in the cave? I'm curious." "I have no idea."
— contributed by: Miki
- 「何時だろうか」と彼は疑った。
"What time is it?" he wondered.
— contributed by: Miki
- 10年後には私たちの町も大いに変わるだろう。
In ten years our town will change a lot.
— contributed by: Miki
- 1時間もぐるぐる運転しているけど、ここはどこだろう？
I wonder where we are though we've been driving in circles for a hours.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたはここにいるんだから、掃除を手伝えるだろう。
Now that you are here, you can help do cleaning, can you?
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたからご連絡がないので、1月10日付けで出した電子メールは着いたのだろうかと思っています。
I wonder if you received my e-mail on January 10, since I have not heard anything from you yet.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたが援助してくれれば、私たちの計画は成功するだろう。
With your help, our plan would succeed.
— contributed by: Miki
- それは本当だろうか。
Can it be true?
— contributed by: Miki
- byoukijo ha hijou ni full dearou! ta no byoukijo he itta no hou ga ii kashira !?
i guess that hospital is very full. why do we go to another?
— contributed by: kanoko
- i guess that hospital is very full. why do we go to another? ..guess
byoukijo ha takusan no hito ga aru darou! ta no byouin he itta no hou ga ii kashira !? darou
— contributed by: kanoko
- そうだろう？
Yeah, that's right isn't it?!
— contributed by: bunbun
- 彼女と何といっただろう。
I wonder what he told to her.
— contributed by: burakkuneko
- 君だってそう思うだろう。
You think so too, don't you?
— contributed by: burakkuneko
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- looks/seems/heard-group
- deshou (darou = plain form, deshou = polite form)
User Comments
- In the first example it's used as a way to agree with some flattery (possibly without seeming too boastful).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This is really two different usages stuck in one entry ...
— contributed by: Amatuka
- How did #484 got in there?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I'm confused, do you have to add か or not?
— contributed by: Watarii
- か end of the sentence is sometimes add to express suspition or question. If there is どこ、何、どう etc in the sentence, you can omit か as you can still know that is a question. But like #4779, if you omit か, it is not so clear if you have doubt or you affirmed.
— contributed by: Miki
- Would I be correct in assuming that rough guys use this when they don't really have to, to sound tough? I notice yakuza and the like use it a lot.
— contributed by: clay
- Clay, you are not correct.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- だろう is the plain form of でしょう so while it may be used in many yakuza movies, it's just that the characters are speaking in plain form. If they were to say でしょう when speaking amongst each other (people at the same level), it would sound too polite for the character, and therefore strange.
— contributed by: bunbun
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: だろう
expE: is, would be, probably is; isn't it?
noteE: I guess it will rain today
JLPT: 3

Front: kiru
切る (きる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
切る (きる)
Meaning: verb-totally
Example: totally sold out
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- -kiru is an auxiliary verb that shows you did something completely.
— contributed by: IMABI
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ３巻もある長い小説を１年かけて読みきった。
That three part novel took me a year to read completely.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- このセマイ部屋に、 全員入りきるのか。
You goin't'get everybody in this tiny room are you?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ダイエット中のくせに彼女はケーキを食べきりました。
Even though (despite the fact) she was on a diet, she ate all of the cake. (ate it to the end)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- さあさあ、座って疲れきった脚を休めなさい。
Come on, sit down and rest your weary legs.
— contributed by: Miki
- その事実は誰にでもわかりきったことだ。
The fact is apparent to everybody.
— contributed by: Miki
- ハリーはなんとかその川を泳ぎきった。
Harry managed to swim right across the river.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女は、自分が正しいと言いきった。
She declared that she was right.
— contributed by: Miki
- その動きが伝えきれない部分もありますので、是非デモサイトの方をご覧ください。
There is a part I cannot fully explain, so please checkout the demo website.
— contributed by: dc
- 1875年に、Matthew Webbはイギリス海峡の幅を泳ぎきった。
In 1875, Matthew Webb swam the breadth of the English Channel from beginning to end.
— contributed by: 007
- イギリス海峡の幅を泳ぎきるのは簡単なことではありません。
Swimming the entire length of the English Channel is not easy.
— contributed by: 007
- 私は、1000ページもある本を、あまり面白かったので一晩で、読みきった。
I read a book 1000 pages long in one night because it was so interesting.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 彼は、山の中で道に迷って10日間も水だけで過ごしたので、発見されたときはすっかり体が弱りきっていた。
He got lost in the mountains and lived ten full days on nothing but water, so when he was found he was extremely weak.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 父は、毎日疲れきって会社から帰ってくる。
My father comes home from work dead tired every night.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 自分たちの持っている力を試合で出し切れば、きっと勝てますよ。
If they can put forth every ounce of their energy at the game, they'll surely win.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- こんなにたくさん、食べきれません。少し残してもいいですか。
I can't possibly eat all of this. Is it all right if a little bit is left?
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼女は100メートルを走り切りました。
She ran a full 100 meter.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 私は疲れ切っていたが、それにも拘らず眠れなかった。
I was completely tired ,but I could't sleep nevertheless.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 彼は読書にひたり切っていた。
He was completely engrossed in (reading) the book.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女の目はガラスのように澄み切っている。
Her eyes are (as) clear as glass.
— contributed by: karekano
- 人間はいつかは地球に残っている石油をすべて使い切ってしまうだろう。
Human beings will someday use up all the ramaining oil supplies on earth.
— contributed by: karekano
- ヤンキースは７回２点を入れ、そのまま５対３で逃げ切った。
The Yankees scored two runs in the seventh and held on for a 5-3 victory.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- tsuzukeru (kiru > til the end | tsudsukeru > keep on eating)
- dashita
User Comments
- Formed from Verb -masu + kiru
Note that 'kiru' conjugates like a normal verb
(e.g. past tense, negative etc are possible)
Vm = Verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- is this somehow related to shimau which also means to complete?
— contributed by: infinite_trial
- I believe kiru is more informal and prose in nature than shimau.
— contributed by: eidolon_shell
- The difference between shimau and kiru is not a matter of informal and formal, I don't use the words in that way as a native.Their nuance are different and they are used in a different way.
Kiru would be one intend to finish doing something "to the end."
Shiamu would be one finish something, "sometimes" with the nuance it was against one's will.
ハリーはなんとかその川を泳ぎきった。 ex4654
Harry managed to swim across the river( with his intension.)
ハリーはなんとかその川を泳いで渡ってしまった。
Harry somehow managed to swim across the river.
ダイエット中のくせに彼女はケーキを食べきりました。 ex #1075
Even though (despite the fact) she was on a diet, she ate all of the cake. (ate it to the end) . (She ate all knowing what she was doing.)
ダイエット中のくせに彼女はケーキを食べてしまった。
(I don't know she ate cake all or not, anyway) although she is on diet, she ate a cake (as she could not stop herself.)
夏休みが前に、宿題をやりきろう。
Let's finish all the homework before summer vacation starts.
夏休みが前に、宿題をできるだけやってしまおう。
Let's finish homework as much as we can before summer vacation.
— contributed by: atsui_nemurenai
- 夏休み前に、instead of 夏休みが前に、
— contributed by: Miki
- きるalso shows that something has reached its limit. ex #6034 and ex #6035
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- Miki? 夏休みの前にと言えば　いいじゃないか？　
— contributed by: tigert
- 4655 seems to be a slightly different case, 'iikiru' 'to declare ouright', rather than any meaning of doing something to the end.
— contributed by: mochabean
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kiru
tagJ: 切る
tagH: きる
expE: verb-totally
noteE: totally sold out
JLPT: 2

Front: you
よう
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
よう
Meaning: appearance, looks, seems
Example: A sound like rain falling
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- V(普通）　　　　ようだ　
Aい　　　　　＋ように＋V
Aな　　　　　　ような＋N
Nの
— contributed by: nhuel
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 雨の降るような音がしました。
There was a sound like rain falling.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そして、ウッドは「負けたら承知しないぞ」と言うように全員をにらみつけた。
Then Wood stared at all the team members like he was saying "I won't accept it if you're defeated!"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 星のように輝いてる瞳。
Eyes that sparkle like stars.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そのようなこともあるのでしょうね。
I guess something like that could happen.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- mitai (よう and みたい both describe something as being similar.)
- rashii (よう　implies some kind of thinking by the user.
[you] =
"it would appear from the clouds, it will rain"
as opposed to
[rashii] =
"hmm, seems like its gonna rain"
[darou] =
"I guess it'll rain")
- だろう ([darou] is more like "I guess" )
- looks/seems/heard-group
User Comments
- It's <a href=http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/search.php?MT=%CD%CD&kind=jn&mode=0&base=11&row=4>this one</a>.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Technically the second example is a sentence fragment.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from 'verb + you' or 'noun no you'
V = verb
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- It's okay, Amatuka, girls would love it!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Wait, isn't 'you-ni' "like" or "as" and 'you-na' "such as"?
Like - Do as I do.
Such As - I don't like bad people such as liars.
— contributed by: Confused Child
- How does this work in the phrase そのような訳で?
— contributed by: nexalacer
- I have come across the following example:
こういった困難を軽減するよう努力することが望ましいと彼は考えている。
How does よう in the above sentence differ from よう in this entry?.
For me よう in this sentence doesn't seem to fit any grammatical construction.
— contributed by: gandal
- と言うように in the second sentences still confuses me, could anyone elaborate a bit on it?
I might think about と言う as defining「負けたら承知しないぞ」, but I can't grasp what follows from ように.
— contributed by: dullian
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: you
tagJ: よう
expE: appearance, looks, seems
noteE: A sound like rain falling
JLPT: 3

Front: tokoro de
ところで (所で・処で)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ところで (所で・処で)
Meaning: by the way
Example: by the way it looks like rain
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Tokoro de is normally written in Hiragana although Kanji is possible.　It will always be used to change the topic in a conversation. So if you were to see, "By the way...." it could start a clause or be after a complete sentence where you or someone says something and you use tokoro de to add more information or something that popped into your mind because of it.
— contributed by: IMABI
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 雨が降ってきたなあところで飯にしないか
Hey, it's starting to rain By the way you want to go get something to eat?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ( 「ところで」の他の意味 )私が説得したところであいつは耳をかさないだろう.
(alternate usage) No matter how much I try to persuade him, that guy won't listen.
— contributed by: dc
- ところで、あなたの仕事は何ですか。[tokorode, anatano shigotoha nandesuka]
By the way, what do you do?
— contributed by: Miki
- ところで、あなたは宿題をしましたか。
By the way, have you done your homework?
— contributed by: Miki
- ところで、ちょっと君に話がある。[tokorode, chotto kimi ni hanashi ga aru]
By the way, I have something to tell you.
— contributed by: Miki
- ところで、あなたは今晩暇ですか。[tokorode, anata wa konban hima desuka]
By the way, are you free tonight?
— contributed by: Miki
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Related Grammar
- tokoro ([tokoro] literally means place but can also be used for time as in [今着いたところです] I just got here (lit: time of arriving is now))
- tokorode dokkoi (An expression meaning, "funny you should mention that." [ところでどっこい])
User Comments
- different ways of saying "by the way"
chinami ni > related to that...
tokorode > by the way (unrelated)
soieba > speaking of that
<a href=http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7318>from here</a>
「ところで」は、今まで話していた事とまったく違う話題に変えるとき使います。「ちなみに」は、今まで話していたことと関連して他の例などを挙げるときや、ある話題に対して相手の感想などを聞くときにも使います。だから「ところで」と「ちなみに」はまったく違う意味を持っています。
— contributed by: dc
- ところで、Googleで”Japanese Grammar"+databaseの検索の結果、７０ページ目になるため、おめでとう！
By the way, congratulations to getting to the 70th page on a Google search for "Japanese Grammar" + database. ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- By the sounds of it I'd guess "Talking about which" would work well for ちなみに.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- それはさておき would be another similar expression.Perhaps the two should be linked.
ちなみに can also be "now that you mention it."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Added another meaning of ところで
— contributed by: bamboo4
- not to be confused with tokoro as in place or time
— contributed by: dc
- 〜たform of verb + ところで
and just ところで、ちがうのものです。
If it is just ところで,which being used at the beginning of a separate sentence, it means 'By the way'.
If it is a verb in 〜たform + ところで　、then it is
「〜ても．．．」という意味です。（希望どおりにはならないだろう）
— contributed by: 誠
- To be specific, #1101 is in 〜たform + ところで and as such it is different from other examples under this head.　
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Is it used when we want to change the topic??
— contributed by: holland
- holland, yes, it is used when you want to change the topic.
Also, as far as example 1099 is concerned, I'm thinking that it's better to say, ”...ところでご飯（ごはん = meal）食べにいかない（か）？”
— contributed by: ozonitabetai
- Is example #1101 the reason this entry is marked as -1? because other than that example this is a solid entry that I have heard used a million times since I have been in Japan. 日常の日本語だよ
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tokoro de
tagJ: ところで (所で・処で)
tagH: ところで
expE: by the way
expJ: それはそうと。話題を変えるときに使う語。
noteE: by the way it looks like rain
JLPT: 3

Front: tte
って
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
って
Meaning: ...said; no matter what
Example: He said that.....
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- って　can also take the place (and often does) of は when designating a subject. Used in casual speech.
— contributed by: jiji_the_cat
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 知らないって
He (She, They, etc.) said that he (she, they, etc.) did not know.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 幾らたのまれたってできない
I cannot do that no matter how much you insist
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 「あばたもえくぼ」って言うからね。
They say love is blind.
— contributed by: Miki
- 「テレビの音を小さくしてもらえませんか」って言ったんですよ！
I said, "Could you please turn your television down?"
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼が探してた鍵ってこれ？
Is this the key he was looking for?
— contributed by: 8184Yoshitomi
- [立ち入り禁止]っていうのは, 入ってはいけないっていう意味です.
[立ち入り禁止] means, DO NOT ENTER.
— contributed by: Ashish
- [使用禁止]は使うなっていう意味です.
[使用禁止] means, DO NOT USE.
— contributed by: Ashish
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Related Grammar
- tte ba (Assertive partical extension)
User Comments
- this looks to me like 2 different usages- って as a contraction of と or という, and って as a contraction of でも, both of which are more informal then their counterparts.
— contributed by: darg
- I never heard of って as a contraction of でも.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- For example, なんでも can become なんだって and やっても can become やったって in everyday speech without changing the meaning. The best way I could think of to say it was to call it でも.
— contributed by: darg
- why is it sometimes there is no っ in front of て in some of the sentences i see? Any rules to how it is used?
— contributed by: nnskage
- I understood this one, but what does it mean when someone says "。。ってのは(rest of the sentence)"？
— contributed by: ami
- @ami I'll have to use Romaji because my computer won't switch to Japanese for some reason right now.
~ tte no wa
is functionally equivalent to
~ to iu no wa
in that it means "~ is defined as", basically. For example:
"Taberu" tte no wa tabemono wo kuti ni ireru koto de aru.
"Eating" means "putting food into your mouth."
I personally find it more pleasing to say "~tte wa" without the "no", or just "~tte".
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- so　in：　
あんたが志穂をたぶらかしてた男ってのはわかってんのよ！　
means:
"you are the man who was tempting shiho means i understand", im not sure if thats right.
— contributed by: shiho-chan
- @nnskage
i think you mean the ~te form of verbs, not the contraction って
— contributed by: shiho-chan
- @nnskage
yes friend there is a rule for the usage of って and て .
てis used when the following verb is used with ん sound.
For ex-あれはなんてよむんですか.
And, って is used when the following verb does not consist of the ん sound.
For ex-あそこ で みどりぐちって かいて あります ね.
— contributed by: Ashish Joshi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tte
tagJ: って
expE: ...said; no matter what
noteE: He said that.....
JLPT: 2

Front: hasateoki
〜はさておき
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜はさておき
Meaning: leaving aside, aside from
Example: Leaving that aside
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- それはさておき本題に入ることにします。
Without further digression, I will proceed with the main subject.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 太郎は花子の行方を追って山に登りはじめた。今はそれはさておき、花子はそのとき東京行きの高速バスの上だった
In pursuit of Hanako, Taro started to climb the mountain. Leaving that aside for the moment, Hanako at that moment was on a highway bus heading out to Tokyo.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- それはさておき、他に必要なものはないか。
Aside from that, is there anything else you want?
— contributed by: dc
- 金の問題はさておき、そういう旅行は疲れるよ。
Leaving aside the money problem, this trip would be very tiring.
— contributed by: 誠
- 仕事の話はさておき、今日は思い切り楽しみましょう。
Leaving aside topics about work, today let's us enjoy to our hearts' content
— contributed by: 誠
- 文句を言いがちはさておき、彼女は優しい人です。
Despite the fact that she complains a　lot, she is a sweet person.
— contributed by: KansaiAiko
- 何はさておき月曜日の朝一番にいらっしゃい。
Come to me (the) first thing on Monday morning.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- tokoro de (very similar)
- はともかく (hatomokaku is usually sandwich between two things, with a "compared to that, we should first do this" nuance)
User Comments
- In the old days, それはさておき was often written 閑話休題.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- is the oki in this like oite okimasu = put aside?
— contributed by: dc
- The は in それはさておき is pronounced 'wa' instead of 'ha.' I had some doubt whether it was, so I asked somebody in the office about it.
— contributed by: pan
- I think the grammar entry should be changed to
〜はさておき in general.
— contributed by: 誠
- I agree with 誠
— contributed by: bamboo
- I went ahead and changed it to 〜はさておき
— contributed by: yookoso
- 閑話休題 is 当て字？
but it does give the feeling of a 閑話!
— contributed by: nnskage
- bamboo4さん, the pronunciation in the dictionary is different:
閑話休題【かんわきゅうだい】(exp,n) Now let's return to the main subject, To return from the digression,.. (in a conversation, speech, or story-telling)
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hasateoki
tagJ: 〜はさておき
expE: leaving aside, aside from
expJ: それはさておき
noteE: Leaving that aside
JLPT: 2

Front: あう
合う (あう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
合う (あう)
Meaning: Vm, verb~together, mutually
Example: I talked it out with him.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼らはお互いにたすけあった。
They helped one another .
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 話しあうことでこの問題は解決できます。
Through mutual discussion, this issue can be resolved.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あなたは、スミス氏と連絡を取り合うべきです。anatawa, sumisu-shi to renraku wo toriau bekidesu.
You should keep in touch with Mr. Smith.
— contributed by: Miki
- お互いを理解し合うようにしようではありませんか。
Let's try to understand one another.
— contributed by: Miki
- お母さんは私に彼と付き合うなと言いました。
My mother told me not to keep company with him.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は彼とフランスで知り合いました。
I got acquainted with him in France.
— contributed by: Miki
- 二人は昔からの友達のように話し合いました。
They talked together like old friends.
— contributed by: Miki
- うまく噛み合わないまま何時間も話し合った。umaku kamiawanaimama nanjikanmo hanashiatta.
They talked for hours at cross purposes.
— contributed by: Miki
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Related Grammar
- dashita
User Comments
- Formed from verb -masu base + au.
Note that au conjugates as a normal godan (regular group 1) verb.
Vm = verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Seen in lots of dictionary entries, with varying degrees of direct relation to the 'together / mutually' meaning.
話し合う [hanashiau] for example is to consult or talk over a matter with someone.
Compare ...
例の事件をもう話しました。[rei no jiken wo mou hanashimashta.] I've already told about <b>that</b> incident.
例の事件をもう話しあいました。[rei no jiken wo mou hanashiaimashta.] I've already talked with someone about <b>that</b> incident.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- #4761 : 莉倥″蜷医≧ has a meaning of its own, meaning dating.
— contributed by: iblade
- All the examples are well-written.
— contributed by: Nick
- writter should add romaji for each entry! that helps better
— contributed by: mariot
- sounds to mean totally different thing from the example in alc.co.jp
合う
come out right（計算が） // match up to（計算などが） // tie up（話の内容が）
【他動】
fit（衣服などの大きさ・形・デザインが人に）
meet（要求・条件など）
suit（要求などに）
【自動】
assort（ほかのものと）
assort（種類などが）
balance
coincide（形状・性質・意見・思想などが）
conform（形状・性質・考え方などが）
fit（サイズなどが）
marry（2種類以上の飲食物の味が）
mix（衣服のサイズ・相性などが）
— contributed by: pumpkinjp
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: あう
tagJ: 合う
expE: Vm, verb~together, mutually
noteE: I talked it out with him.
JLPT: 3

Front: hakanai
儚い (はかない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
儚い (はかない)
Meaning: hopeless, fleeting, transient, fickle
Example: Unrequited (hopeless) love
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- はかない恋
Unrequited love
— contributed by: bamboo4
- はかない人生
Ephemeral life
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 儚いお花の美しさ
The transient beauty of flowers
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- それははかない夢だった
It was only an empty dream.
— contributed by: ラブレス
- はかない努力
vain efforts
— contributed by: ラブレス
- はかない幸せ
fleeting [ephemeral] happiness
— contributed by: ラブレス
- はかない喜び
transient [short-lived] joy
— contributed by: ラブレス
- このはかない人生
this transitory [evanescent] life
— contributed by: ラブレス
- 宝くじに庶民ははかない望みをかける
The common people hope against hope that they might win in a lottery.
— contributed by: ラブレス
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- はかmeans the results gained from your efforts. はかない therefore means that no results were gained despite your efforts.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- isn't it strange how 儚い looks very similar to 夢 hehe (Allusion to ラブひな)
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- Wait, isn't "unrequited love" 迚??昴＞?
— contributed by: Ayumi
- Sorry if you can't read that. It should say "kataomoi".
— contributed by: Ayumi
- bamboo4: Are you sure about はか meaning "the results gained from your efforts"? I searched wwwjdic for it, and couldn't find anything. Plus, if 儚い
— contributed by: Xepo
- Grr, sorry, hit enter too early. If 儚い is the はかない that this article is speaking of, then how would you write はか？
— contributed by: Xepo
- my japanese isnt very good but isnt there another meaning to hakanai... like shooting star or soemthing?
— contributed by: *
- Another definition for hakanai「儚い」is 'fleeting; transient; short-lived;'...
added an example with that usage.
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- 片思い　Is unrequited love isnt it?
— contributed by: shiho-chan
- はかない恋
a passing love (short-lived love)
はかない人生
A life in vain
宝くじに庶民ははかない望みをかける
People hope in vain they'll win the lottery.
— contributed by: slopethisway
- 儚いお花の美しさ
The transient beauty of flowers
shouldn't this be　お花の儚い美しさ？
— contributed by: leanne.nz
- Surely this is just vocabulary not grammar?
— contributed by: epeen
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hakanai
tagJ: 儚い
tagH: はかない
expE: hopeless, fleeting, transient, fickle
noteE: Unrequited (hopeless) love
JLPT: 3

Front: tokoro
ところ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ところ
Meaning: place, time, occasion
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Use: to say you are just about to do something/ are in the middle of doing something, have just done some thing.
Formation： Verb Plain form +ところ
食べる　+　ところだ　I'm just about to eat
食べている　＋　ところだ I'm just in the middle of eating
食べた　+　ところだ I just eaten
Compare Verb Plain past form +ところ with Verb Plain past form + ばかり
たべた　ところだ　ＶＳ　たべた　ばかり　だ
〜ところだ　means literally at that moment
〜ばかりだ can have a time lapse. As in Would you like a coffee? "I've just had one (drank one before I came here)
— contributed by: leanne.nz
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今着いたところです
I am just now arriving (Lit: now arrival time is)
— contributed by: dc
- このホテルは公共交通機関の点から見ると便利な所に位置している。
This hotel is in a convenient place in terms of public transportation.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたはそれを終えましたか。それどこか、今始めたところです。
Have you finished it? On the contrary, I've just begun.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは昨晩私が彼女と二人っきりでいるところを見つけて驚いたにちがいない。
You must have been surprised to find me with her alone last night.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは当分の間私のところにいても良い。
You may stay with me for the time being.
— contributed by: dbx
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- everybody (hi, how different with BAGARI ?)
User Comments
- Lit: Located in a convenient place
— contributed by: Amatuka
- i changed the E trans to be a bit more literal and hilite the keyword.
— contributed by: dc
- ところ in the first example and that in the second example has completely different meaning, like apples and oranges!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- hmm, are they different enough to require different entries? i guess thats what you're saying..
— contributed by: dc
- Not necessarily. The commentary added to "tokoro" in linking it to "tokorode" should work.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- agreed. ex #1107 and ex #3467 mean "place". So it shouldn't be considered a grammar. So can be safely removed. ex #3466 has a quite different meaning from the remaining two. Here is 〜ところを : 〜という状況、場面（を）and + 動詞 at the back.
〜たところ has two meanings:
1. ちょっと前に〜終わった, 今〜終わったばかり ；　just (finished doin some action)
2. 〜たらその結果....　；once one had just〜, then it is known that/found out that ....
— contributed by: 誠
- In ex #3465, I think there the ろ being missed out in どころか,
それどころか、今始めたところです
— contributed by: 誠
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tokoro
tagJ: ところ
expE: place, time, occasion
JLPT: 3

Front: wohajime
をはじめ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
をはじめ
Meaning: not only, but also starting with
Example: not only french, but also german, spanish etc...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- <b>を始め</b> is used to preface a list of items, and also to emphasize the first one.
A をはじめ、B, C ...
English equivalents might be <b>not only, but also</b>
Not only A, but also B and C
Especially A, but also B and C
similar to [karashite] which is mostly used for negative things.
かれの下品の言い方<b>からして</b>、すごく嫌な人です
I really dislike him, <b>especially</b> because of his foul mouth.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 歌手は最新のヒット曲をはじめ２５の新曲を歌った。
The singer started with a recent hit, and then sang 25 other new songs.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 本日、退社することになりました社長を初め皆様には本当にお世話になりました
Today I am leaving the company, and I would like to thank not only the President, but everybody.
— contributed by: dc
- メルセデスベンツをはじめとして、輸入車を販売しています。
Starting with Mercedes, we sell (implied: other types of) imported cars.
— contributed by: Miki
- 携帯電話をはじめ、あらゆる組み込み機器のUIをFlashにより実現する。
not only mobile phones, but all kinds of appliances, we intend to implement a flash interface on.
— contributed by: dc
- 今日の祝賀会には首相をはじめ多くの政界人が出席した
at today's celebration, not only the Prime Minister but also lots of politicians are here
— contributed by: duck_duckone
- 山本さんが難しい試験に合格した。ご両親をはじめ,先生がたも喜んでいらっしゃる。
The person Mr.yamahon who has succeed his difficult exam.so not only the parents the teachers also rejoicing him.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- その詩を初めから終わりまで暗記する。
Commit the whole poem to memory.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- hamotoyori
- wohajimetosuru
User Comments
- used when giving a list of things, the first example being X
— contributed by: dc
- を is used to mark a noun or noun phrase.
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This puts emphasis on the first item strongly
"First and foremost X, and also ... "
— contributed by: dc
- can this be used with a verb?
　歌えるを始め、踊りました
　first singing, but also dancing
— contributed by: dc
- It is weird to be used with a verb. I cannot think of any good eamples using a verb using 始め.
>>歌うことから始め、踊りもした。
— contributed by: Miki
- > 歌うことから始め <
so that is turning the verb into a noun..
after singing , dancing...
— contributed by: dc
- を始め does not necessairly mean "to start with" but the means of enumeration.　彼は英語を始め、フランス語とロシア語にも堪能だ only serves as the means of enumeration. "He is conversant not only in English but also in French and Russian."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- but it might also mean especially, as in this example:
田中先生をはじめ、この学校の皆さんのお世話になりました。
（たなかせんせいをはじめ、このがっこうのみなさんのおせわになりました。）
I Have been helped by everyone in this school, but especially by Mr. Tanaka.
— contributed by: dc
- but it might also mean <b>especially</b>, as in this example:
田中先生をはじめ、この学校の皆さんのお世話になりました。
（たなかせんせいをはじめ、このがっこうのみなさんのおせわになりました。）
I Have been helped by everyone in this school, but <b>especially</b> by Mr. Tanaka.
<A href=http://www.geocities.com/easykanji/jlptgrammar.html>from here
</a>
— contributed by: dc
- Yeah, but even then, はじめ still has the connotation of first enumeration, among the others, and does not suggest "started with" as used in the first example.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- note this is wohajime and not wohajimeTE - i often confuse.
— contributed by: dc
- could somebody explain the difference btw をはじめ & をはじめとする if any
i know that the formation is N+をはじめ & N1+をはじめとする+N2
— contributed by: frenkly
- In some cases it can also mean "such as..." or "like..."
上野動物園にはパンダをはじめ、 子供達に人気がある動物がたくさんいます。
There are a lot of animals at Ueno Zoo that are popular with children, such as pandas.
— contributed by: Monte Cristo
- +1 monte cristo
another meaning can be "such as"
新宿には都庁をはじめ、多くの高層ビルが立ち並んでいる。
There are a lot of tall buildings standing up in shinjuku such as the Tokyo Government Office.
— contributed by: ぴえーる
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wohajime
tagJ: をはじめ
expE: not only, but also starting with
noteE: not only french, but also german, spanish etc...
JLPT: 2

Front: kadouka
かどうか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かどうか
Meaning: whether, if
Example: It doesn't matter whether it's finished (lit. or not)
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 知り合いであるかどうかは関係ない
It doesn't matter if ( or whether ) we know each other (lit. "or not")
— contributed by: dc
- あなたはルーシーが日本語を話すことができるかどうか知っていますか。
Do you know if Lucy can speak Japanese?
— contributed by: dbx
- あの人に彼女がいるかどうか知ってる？
Do you know if he has a girlfriend?
— contributed by: dbx
- きのう彼はあなたがお元気かどうか尋ねていました。
He asked after you your health yesterday.
— contributed by: dbx
- このくつを試しにはいて、合うかどうかみてみなさい。
Try these shoes on and see of they fit you.
— contributed by: dbx
- このバスが空港へ行くかどうか私にはわかりません。
I can not tell whether this bus goes to the airport.
— contributed by: dbx
- このワインがお口にあうかどうか試しに飲んでみてください。
Taste this wine to see if you like it.
— contributed by: dbx
- この機械がうまく動くかどうかは疑わしい。
It is doubtful whether this machine works well or not.
— contributed by: dbx
- この靴を試しに履いて、あうかどうかみてください。
Try these shoes on and see if they fit you.
— contributed by: dbx
- この計画がうまくいくかどうかはまだわからない。
It is yet to be seen whether this plan will succeed or not.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は日本人かどうか知りませんか。
o you know weather or not he's Japanese?
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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User Comments
- どうか is derived from どう, meaning that an action or event is yet determined. E.g., 君はどうする = What are you going to do? どうしようもない = There is nothing one can do. [bamboo4]
— contributed by: dc
- According to notes I have from a class I took, if a question word (e.g., nani,itsu) is present you use only か, otherwise use かどうか.
Also, a plain form precedes か and if it is a noun or A2 adjective だ is omitted.
— contributed by: yookoso
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kadouka
tagJ: かどうか
expE: whether, if
noteE: It doesn't matter whether it's finished (lit. or not)
JLPT: 3

Front: warini
わりに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
わりに
Meaning: considering ..., for ...
Example: she looks good for her age
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- わりに
rather
fairly
relatively
comparatively
— contributed by: demcjojo
- 「ＡのわりにＢ」
＊This grammar expresses a judgement in which the situation expressed by Ｂ does not meet the expectations of Ａ or seem like what Ａ implies.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + わりに
Ｎ + の + わりに
いＡ + わりに
なＡ + な + わりに
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は年のわりに老けて見える。
He looks old for his age.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 高いわりに美味しくない
For the price it's not very tasty
— contributed by: dc
- 二年間居たわりには日本語が・悪くはない・うまくはない
For the two years he stayed here, his japanese is not bad / good
— contributed by: dc
- 日本に長く住んでいるわりに日本のことを知らない
For someone who has lived in Japan for such a long time, he sure doesn't know much about Japan
— contributed by: kankun
- あなたは年のわりに若く見える。
You look young for your age.
— contributed by: miki
- 年のわりにはトムはよくやった。
Tom did well considering his age.
— contributed by: miki
- この布は値段の割に品質が良い。
This cloth is good in quality for its price.
— contributed by: miki
- ダイエットは非常な努力を要するが、その割に成果は少ない。
Dieting takes up so much human endeavour with so little to show for it.
— contributed by: miki
- 彼は経験がない割には良くやっている。
He is doing very well considering he lacks experience.
— contributed by: miki
- お金がないと言っているわりに、よく買い物をするね。
Even though you say you have no money, you go shopping a lot, don't you?
— contributed by: hana
- 父は、普通ならとっくに引退している年齢だが、年をとっているわりには元気だ。
My Father has retired his job already. However, He seems like still young.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- なるほど彼は若いが、年の割りには賢い。
It is true that he is young, but he is smart for his age.
— contributed by: josue64
- その子は年の割りに小柄だ。
The boy is small for his age.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼はブラジルにいた割りにはポルトガル語が下手だ。
espite the fact he has been in Brazil, he isn`t good at Portuguese.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of わりに
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Related Grammar
- nishiteha
User Comments
- Kanji version 割に
— contributed by: Amatuka
- in Ex 3>
　　悪く<b>は</b>ない
　　上手くない
why does the negative case take a は？
— contributed by: dc
- You can say 悪くない。
は here is used to emphasis "bad".
So you can say 上手く_は_ない。, too.
— contributed by: Miki
- Using 上手く probalby would confuse students. Why not use うまく like all Japanese would use?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Corrected 上手く to うまく.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Same as (な)のに // にしては // ...だが、...
「A(の)わりにB」＝「Bの状態は、Aらしくない・Aに合わない」という評価を表す。
— contributed by: Ludi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: warini
tagJ: わりに
expE: considering ..., for ...
noteE: she looks good for her age
JLPT: 2

Front: kikkakeni
きっかけに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
きっかけに
Meaning: Since; Take the opportunity afforded by 〜 to 〜
Example: Since I was moving, I also took the chance to buy new furniture.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [simultaneous-actions-group] for comparisons
— contributed by: dc
- used when a major event created an opportunity for something else at the same time.
"on moving to paris, i decided to learn french".
[tsuideni] and other phrases are a more casual "at the same time as A, I did B".
— contributed by: dc
- FORMATION:
Ｎ + をきっかけに・きっかけとして・きっかけにして
(＊Note: you always need を after the noun.)
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- since he was out, she took the opportunity to hide it.
— contributed by: ani3000
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 引っ越しをきっかけに家具を買いかえた。
while moving I took the chance to change (LIT buy different) my furniture.
— contributed by: dc
- 子供が生まれたのをきっかけにタバコを止めました
Since I had kids, I took the opportunity to quit smoking
— contributed by: dc
- この事件をきっかけに
with this case as a start
— contributed by: dc
- 日本に住んでいるきっかけに生け花の伝統的な芸道を勉強しています。
Since I am in Japan, I am studying the traditional art of flower arrangement.
— contributed by: Archana
- そのことをきっかけに彼は写真に夢中になった。
That was what led him into becoming very consumed with photography.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 妻の病気をきっかけに、家族の結束は再び固まった。
My wife's illness brought the family back together.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- この劇では導入部をきっかけにストーリーが展開する。
This introduction sets the stage for the rest of the play.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- その事件をきっかけとして、第二次世界大戦がはじまったといわれる。
It's said that World War II began in the wake of that incident.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- それをきっかけとしてけんかに加わっていた他の人たちもお互いにトマトを投げ合い始めました。
This made other people involved in the fight start to throw tomatoes at each other.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 多くのひとが新年を禁煙のきっかけにする。
Many people use the New Year as a trigger to stop smoking.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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User Comments
- implies cause and effect. since A happened, I did B
— contributed by: dc
- but the causeeffect is not as related as with say ので
— contributed by: dc
- shouldn't this entry be listed under "wokikkakeni" not "okikkakeni" ? (Likewise for "okeikini")
— contributed by: PaulO
- yep! done.
— contributed by: dc
- also added [kikkake] - this entry could do with a more conclusive explanation...
— contributed by: mika
- In ex#1144, I wonder if 子供が生まれたのをきっかけに... should be 子供が生まれたきっかけに.... Or, may be I dont know if there is a difference between wokikkakeni and kikkakeni
— contributed by: Archana
- 子供が生まれたのをきっかけに is correct.However, the English version reading "Since I had kids" should read "Triggered by the birth of my child"
— contributed by: bamboo4
- In ex.#5718, "Since I am in Japan" should be corrcted to read: "With my being in Japan as a start.."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #5718 I think 日本に住んでいるのをきっけかに is better as natural Japanese.
— contributed by: Sleepy
- #5718 sorry I meant 日本に住んでいるのをきっかけに.
— contributed by: Sleepy
- I think this is identical to [kikkake] so one of these should be deleted...
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kikkakeni
tagJ: きっかけに
expE: Since; Take the opportunity afforded by 〜 to 〜
noteE: Since I was moving, I also took the chance to buy new furniture.
JLPT: 2

Front: dokorodehanai, dokorodehanaku
どころではない、どころではなく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
どころではない、どころではなく
Meaning: not at all; far from; anything but; out of the question
Example: Cold is not the word. It's FREEZING!
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- dokoro de ha nai / dokoro de ha naku
Dokoro dewa nai goes at the end of a sentence. Dokoro dewa naku goes in the middle.
— contributed by: dc
- ＊Use this grammar to strongly deny something.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + どころではない
いＡ + どころではない
なＡ・Ｎ + どころではない
As for どころではなく, this grammar fits into the middle of a sentence, as in example #6271. どころではない is meant to end a sentence.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- まじめどころではない、堅物です！
serious is not the word, she's totally uptight!
— contributed by: dc
- お金がなくて、買い物どころではない。
I have no money, so there's no way I can go shopping...
— contributed by: dc
- 昼寝どころではない。さっさと仕度しな！
No time for taking a nap! Get ready this instant!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 寒いどころではない- 凍え死ぬよ！
Cold is not what we have here! I'm going to die its so cold!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 忙しくて遊ぶどころではない。
I'm so busy, I have no time to play
— contributed by: dc
- 引越をしたばかりなので、旅行どころではなくうちの整理に手一杯です。
Having just moved, I simply cannot be interested in taking a pleasure trip, since my hands are fully tied up in getting the house in shape.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 私は怒ってなどいない、それどころではない。
I am not angry, far from it.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼はあんな小さな字が読めるのだから近視どころではない。
Since he can read such tiny print, he is far from near-sighted.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼はよく間違いをするが、馬鹿どころではない。
He often makes mistakes, but he is no fool.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は紳士どころではない。
He is far from being a gentleman.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は正直どころではない。
He is far from honest.
— contributed by: dbx
- 来週試験だから旅行どころではない!
I've got exams next week, so it's not the time to go travelling!
— contributed by: B
- この国の経済はどんどん悪くなっていて、よくなるどころではない。
This country's economy is steadily worsening and not improving at all.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼の奥さんはやさしいどころではなく、鬼のような人ですよ。
His wife is anything but nice; she's like an ogre.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 卒業も危ないのだから、就職活動どころではない。
Even graduating is uncertain, so job-hunting is out of the question.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 天気が悪くては、海水浴どころではない。
Too bad weather to even think of seawater bath.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 当時はお金もなく、誕生日と言っても祝うどころではなかった。
In those days I had no money and even celebrate my birthday was out of the question .
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 春だというのに、お花見どころではなく、夜遅くまで働いている。
Although this is Spring, I am working until late at night and too preoccupied to even think of cherry blossom viewing.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 仕事が残っていて、酒を飲んでいるどころではないんです。
I have work left undone, so this is really not the moment to have a drink.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 二三月は年度末で多忙につき遊ぶどころではなさそう。
In february or march, because of the pressure of workdue to the end of the fiscal year, it seems out of the question to have fun.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- わたしは仕事でしばしば出張するので、あちこち旅行できていいとみんなに言われるが、いつも忙しくて見物するどころではない.
I often make a business trip on business,but everyone said that you may travel here and there,for me sightseeing is out of the question.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 忙しくて食事どころではなかったんです。
I was too busy to take　a meal.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- hatomokaku (tomokaku: "leaving aside" and dokokoroka: "far from")
User Comments
- in notes it says about dokorodehanai at the end and dokorodehanaku in the middle, and by looking at the last example it would seem it's different to 'samui dewanai, kogoeshinu yo!', it's more like 'baai jya nai', so I was wondering if dokorodehanaku in the middle also means baaijanai?
— contributed by: Snake
- 場合じゃない has a completely different context.The urgency of どころではない is not at all conveyed by 場合じゃない.
場合 has a case, but どころではない has no case; you look everywhere and it's not there.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Er, what's with the usage instructions? They say dokorodehanai goes at the end, but in 3 examples it's in the middle of a sentence.
— contributed by: Quobobo
- can we find any examples of dokoro de ha naku? that would seem more of a connective form, like nakute...
— contributed by: dc
- What about どころでは済まなくなる? Something like "unforgivable"?
— contributed by: anna
- ex #1160 若いどころか (far from being young )
ex #3759 彼は紳士どころではない。(He is far from being a gentleman. )
Question: Is there is difference in these sentences between "どころか" and "どころではない" ?
— contributed by: フリザ
- し・しまった・・・
「Is there a difference」だよ。　タイプミス、許して下さい＞＜
— contributed by: フリザ
- this pattern means aru jyoutai ga atte nani nani ga dekinai.
Does this also having a meaning of "far from"?
— contributed by: jayati
- Shouldn't #211 be "dokoro de wa naku" instead?
— contributed by: MaDaZi
- 引越をしたばかりなので、旅行どころではなくうちの 整理に手一杯です。
Because I just moved this isn't the time for a trip, I have my hands full with getting the house in order.
わたしは仕事で しばしば出張する ので、あちこち旅行できていいとみんなに言われるが、いつも忙しくて見物する どころではない.
Because I often go on business trips, everyone tells me I can vacation in different places, however, I'm always so busy I can't even think of sightseeing.
— contributed by: slopethisway
- I think it's better to just translate it as
out of the question'. It saves confusion, in my opinion
— contributed by: lolol
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dokorodehanai, dokorodehanaku
tagJ: どころではない、どころではなく
expE: not at all; far from; anything but; out of the question
noteE: Cold is not the word. It's FREEZING!
JLPT: 2

Front: tonikaku
とにかく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
とにかく
Meaning: in any case, anyway
Example: anyway, you can't come
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [tonikaku] often comes at the beginning of a sentence
see all these examples at ALC
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- それはとにかくとして、この問題はどうするの。
Leaving that aside, how do you intend to deal with this problem?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- とにかく私に言えるのは
Anyway, all I can say is...
— contributed by: dc
- とにかく頼むからちょっと聞いてよ
Anyway I'm asking you to just listen for a minute
— contributed by: dc
- とにかくやってみないことには
Anyway, we won't know unless we try.
— contributed by: dc
- とにかく、きみは上京すべきだ。
In any case you should come up to Tokyo.
— contributed by: Miki
- とにかく、君の知ったことじゃない。
In any case, it's no business of yours.
— contributed by: Miki
- とにかく、君はそこに行った方がいい。
At any rate, you had better go there.
— contributed by: Miki
- とにかく、言いづらい事を打ち明けてくれて嬉しいよ。
Anyway, I'm glad you were able to broach this difficult subject.
— contributed by: Miki
- とにかく、私はあなたの意見には反対だ。
I am against your opinion in any case.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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User Comments
- とにかく can be replaced by tomokaku　ともかく.
— contributed by: Miki
- I would like to know more about the etymology of this expression. Does it have anything to do with the Shogi game where two pieces are named "to" and "kaku"?
— contributed by: Nizar
- why is it every time when i clikc on the title the msg below will show.
Return to beginning of the Text Translation function. Unable to map glossdic.xjdx! [Not enough space]
— contributed by: snoopycheng
- Nizar, tonikaku is not to do with "to" and "kaku" of Shogi game. とにかく is used in hiragana by edo period. と of とにかく meant そのように、 かく meant このように。　Tonikaku is sometimes write as 兎に角 but this is phonetic equivalent. This is considered to come from Buddhism word 「兎角亀毛」. Rabbit doesn't have horns and turtle doesn't have hairs, which was used when you talked about something doesn't exist. So this has no relevance to current とにかく in meaning. BTW, in shogi, 「と金」 which is another side of 「歩（ふ）」 is called と because the simplified form of 金 looks like と。　角（かく）　is also called 角行（かくぎょう）.
— contributed by: Miki
- I have heard this word used in a lot of contexts where it couldn't mean anyway, in any case. I asked some friends who had some difficulty explaining it, but one seemed to say that it also has the meanings: "quickly", "with all haste" and maybe also "naturally". I also heard it implies that some information given is generally known by everyone. Any native speakers care to comment?
— contributed by: yookoso
- You have it wrong. とにかく急ごう means "leaving all that aside, let's hurry." Thus, とにかく does not have a meaning of "quickly" or "naturally."
Re Miki-san's comment, 角行 is pronounced かくこう.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 角行 can be pronounced かっこう, かくこう and かくぎょう.
— contributed by: nasu
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tonikaku
tagJ: とにかく
expE: in any case, anyway
noteE: anyway, you can't come
JLPT: 1

Front: kotoni-group
ことに〜
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ことに〜
Meaning: I decided, it was decided, it is a rule
Example: I decided to change companies
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [kotonisuru]
日本へ行くことにする
I have decided to go to japan
[kotoninaru]
日本へ行くことになった
It has been decided I will go to japan
[kotoninatteiru]
日本へ行くことになっている
I go to Japan
(eg as a rule, once a month)
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- according to a textbook I once used:
Use にする to indicate a decision made at one's own will; use になる to indicate a decision or change of circumstances that is generated in the course of one's dealings with others.
— contributed by: yookoso
- Generally, こと is a nominalizer that makes whatever preceds it into a noun or a nominal. 行くこと would be "the act of going" 食べること would mean the act of eating, etc.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kotoni-group
tagJ: ことに〜
expE: I decided, it was decided, it is a rule
noteE: I decided to change companies
JLPT: 2

Front: kotoninaru
ことになる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ことになる
Meaning: To be decided, to be arranged
Example: It has been decided I will go to new york
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ことになる　USAGE
Vdictionary form + ことになる
Vない　form + ことになる
— contributed by: moomoochoo
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- このレポート、いずれやることになるのだから、今すぐやろう。
At anyrate this report has got to be done at some point so [might as well] do it now.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- すぐに使うことになるシステム。
The system you're bound to use right away.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私は来年大阪へ転勤することになった
It has been decided that I will transfer to Osaka next year
— contributed by: dc
- あすで１週間雨が降りつづくことになる。
It will have been raining for a week by tomorrow.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたにはこの工場の女子職員の管理をしていただくことになるでしょう。
You'll be in charge of the girl working in this factory.
— contributed by: dbx
- 主人が仕事で東京にいくことになった。
It has been decided that my husband will go to Tokyo for professional reasons.
— contributed by: Nihonjin
- 留学することになりました。
It has been arranged that I will study abroad.
— contributed by: Nihonjin
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- kotoni-group
- nikimatteiru
User Comments
- I'm not sure about this example - it may be the same as the standard ninaru.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Yeah, it looks ninaru and kotoninaru is the same.
— contributed by: Miki
- OK that's all tidyied up - the remaing question is whether 'ninaru' and 'kotoninaru' actually deserve separate entries.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I don't understand example ex #3704 in the context of this grammar point...
— contributed by: halx
- I also don't see ex [#3704] as fitting this grammar structure. And, I don't know for sure about the JLPT level, but I learned this in an upper basic course which I would guess translates to JLPT 3.
— contributed by: yookoso
- I have found references to this grammar topic in JLPT3 texts.
— contributed by: moomoochoo
- I agree with Amataka and Miki.
ことになる　is just the になる grammar used with the verb nomilizer V-ruこと.
— contributed by: tigert
- Same as [koto ni naru], we should merge both articles. Which syntax do we use: seperated by space or in one word?
— contributed by: Nihonjin
- Watashi wa nihon go no sensei ni yaru koto ni naru.
— contributed by: nandar
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kotoninaru
tagJ: ことになる
expE: To be decided, to be arranged
noteE: It has been decided I will go to new york
JLPT: 2

Front: tsuideni
ついでに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ついでに
Meaning: while doing A, I had a chance to do B, since doing A anyway, do B
Example: while i was at my parents,
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [simultaneous-actions-group] for explanations and similar grammar
— contributed by: dc
- 「Aついでに、B」: A is the main action and B is another action done while peforming A.
V(dict. form)・(plain past form) + ついでに
N + の + ついでに
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 実家に帰ったついでに昔の学校に行ってみた。
At the time I went back to my hometown, I also took the opportunity to go see my old school.
— contributed by: dc
- 仕事へ行くついでに、郵便局で手紙を出した。
While on my way to work, I mailed a letter at the post office
— contributed by: d4
- 出て行くついでに頼むのは悪いけど、ゴミを捨ててくれる？
I hate to ask you to do this, but since you are going out anyway, would you get rid of the garbage bag?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- パリへ行くついでにロンドンに寄る
Since I am going to go to Paris, anyway, I will also drop by London
— contributed by: dc
- デパートへ行ったついでに、そこで開かれていた展覧会を見た。
While out at the department store, I also took the opportunity to see the exhibition being held there.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 郵便局へ行くの。それなら、ついでに切手を買ってきてくれない。
You're going to the post office? If that's the case, while you're at it, won't you go buy me some stamps?
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- そこに着くついでに、マナさんにお金を返します.
I will go there and on the same occasion, I will return Mana-san's money.
— contributed by: amenya
- 彼を迎えに行って、ついでにこの手紙をポストに入れておいて。
Go and take him home, and while you are about it mail this letter.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は話のついでに自分の最新作に言及した。
He mentioned his latest work in passing.
— contributed by: karekano
- 銀行へ行くついでに手紙を出しておこう。
I`m going to send my letter on my way to the bank.
— contributed by: karekano
- ついでに言いますと、彼は食事をしていないと言ってしまった。
He said, incidentally, that he had had no dinner.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- kikkakeni
- gatera
- kanete (tsuideni is "at the same time", kanete is "combined with")
User Comments
- I might have thought this was usually used for past things, but it can also be used for the future.
　パリへ行くついでに、ロンドンに寄る
　Since I am going to go to Paris, I will also stop by London
— contributed by: dc
- V-plain or V-plainpast + ついでに
— contributed by: dc
- implies at the same time
— contributed by: dc
- ex#1006 From the content, wouldn't it be better to say, 仕事に行く時に、ついでに郵便局で手紙をだした。?
— contributed by: Miki
- 仕事に行くついでに is a common parlance.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ok
— contributed by: Miki
- After doing some Googling, I think it means something close to "While you're at it", but much more flexable (ie, not limited to present or "you").
I saw it at the beginning of a sentance. The person requested that someone teach him how a broadcasting system of some sort worked, and the sentance ended. Then the next began with "序でに," and it was requested that a related concept also be explained.
— contributed by: LittleFish
- this page [simultaneous-actions-group] tries to explain some subtleties of nuance...
— contributed by: dc
- can you use this as a standalone casual expression to mean "while you're at it...?"
— contributed by: Leslie
- I have heard as a standalone expression "あとついでに、〜する". "Oh, while I'm here I'll do 〜".
If example, if you are in a convenience store and you suddenly remember to buy mints. "Ah, while I'm here, I'll buy some mints"
— contributed by: blabby
- Is the nuance a bit like the English expression: "killing 2 birds with 1 stone"?
— contributed by: nitrate
- The connection to "two birds with one stone" seems a bit on the weak side to me, but not entirely absent. I think the two birds saying has more to do with deliberately combining two tasks, while ついでに makes the second one more of an afterthought.
I'd explain AついでにB as, A is the main thing I'm doing, and B wasn't necessarily even in my plans, but doing A makes it convenient to do B, so I might as well do B too.
— contributed by: KWhazit
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tsuideni
tagJ: ついでに
expE: while doing A, I had a chance to do B, since doing A anyway, do B
noteE: while i was at my parents,
JLPT: 2

Front: okeikini
を契機に (をけいきに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
を契機に (をけいきに)
Meaning: on the opportunity of
Example: if you do A, do B at the same time
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- See [simultaneous-actions-group] for explanations and similar grammar
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 大統領が中国に行ったのを契機に万里の長城を訪問しておりました。
When the president visited China, he took the chance to visit the Great Wall.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- オンデマンドを契機にダンボールから印刷までサービス.
Taking advantage of on demand [production techniques, we do] a service for everything from cardboard boxes to printing.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 新しいＣＤを契機に、彼は人気者になりました。
He became popular as a result of his new CD.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- それを契機に彼女は新しい商売を始めた。
Taking the opportunity, she started her new business.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- tsuideni (tsuideni is more informal)
- kanete ([okeikini] on the occasion
[kanete] combine with)
- kikkakeni (are exactly the same)
- gatera
User Comments
- を契機に is very formal. also see ついでに - much more common in real speech
— contributed by: dc
- You are entirely correct. BTW, 中国に 行ったの を景気に should be corrected to read: 中国に 行ったの を契機に. Japanese is cursed with too many homonyms and heavily reliant on kanji, as you know. However, Japanese also benefits from it. What other language would have such simple and effective device to identify intercalary months as 西向く武士（にしむくさむらい）?
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: okeikini
tagJ: を契機に
tagH: をけいきに
expE: on the opportunity of
noteE: if you do A, do B at the same time
JLPT: 2

Front: looks/seems/heard-group
よう・そう・らしい・聞いた
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
よう・そう・らしい・聞いた
Meaning: looks like or seems like
Example: seems it will rain
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- There are a number of ways of relating second hand info. Generally in increasing order of certainty:
[darou] - perhaps (just a guess)
明日雨が降るだろう
= it will probably rain tomorrow
[rashii] - i heard
明日雨が降るらしい
= (from what i heard) it will rain tomorrow
[sou] - seems
雨が降りそうだ
= (it looks like) its going to rain
[sou-2] - i heard
雨が降るそうだ
= I heard it will rain
[you] - it seems
空を見ると雨が降るようだ。
= (From the look of the sky and based on my judgement) it seems like it will rain
[mitai] - looks like
彼はやりたいみたいですね
= Looks like he wants to do it
this seems much more casual, younger
— contributed by: dc
- [sou -2]
雨が降るときいています
= I heard it will rain
— contributed by: bamboo4
Examples
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- そう
User Comments
- The 'sou-2' example should say 雨が降るそうだ。
— contributed by: jacobhart
- so these two are ..so.. similar:
雨が降りそう - seems like
(verb-masu stem) 降ります
雨が降るそうだ - i heard
(verb-plain + sou)
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: looks/seems/heard-group
tagJ: よう・そう・らしい・聞いた
expE: looks like or seems like
noteE: seems it will rain
JLPT: 2

Front: simultaneous-actions-group
ついでに・を契機に・をきっかけに (ついでに・をけいきに・をきっかけに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ついでに・を契機に・をきっかけに (ついでに・をけいきに・をきっかけに)
Meaning: while doing A, do B
Example: I went to the shop on the way home
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Since doing one thing anyway, do something else at the same time.
[tsuideni] since, anyway doing A, do B
郵便局へ行くついでに、この手紙を出してくれる？
= since you're going to the post office anyway, can you mail this letter for me?
The most casual form in daily use.
[okeikini] = on the opportunity of A, did B
more formal and used written, but similar meaning to tsuideni
大統領が中国に 行ったの を契機に 万里の長城を訪問しておりました。
= When the president visited China, he took the chance to visit the Great Wall.
[okikkakeni] = implies more cause and effect. Often used when a major event occurs and gives you a chance to also do something else:
子供が生まれたの をきっかけに タバコを止めました
= Since I had kids, I took the opportunity to quit smoking
= as a trigger
— contributed by: dc
- It’s easy to confuse [tsuideni] with [gatera].
[gatera], both actions are of equal importance,
[tsuideni] implies doing one thing, and then just adding something else at the same time, "since its there anyway"
— contributed by: dc
- [kanete] implies combining, not just time-related.
combined the sightseeing and business trip
mixing work and pleasure
— contributed by: dc
- [katagata] is similar to [tsuideni] but more formal
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 用事で都心へ出たついでに、美術館をのぞいてみた。
Since I went downtown anyway with business, I had a look at the museum.
— contributed by: joannina
- (コピーをしている人に）すみません、ついでにこれもお願いします。
(to smb that's making some copies) Sorry, but as you are making those anyway, please make this too!
— contributed by: joannina
- 大学入学をきっかけに、一人暮らしを始めた。
Since　I entered University, I started living alone.
— contributed by: joannina
- 病気で入院したのをきっかけに、タバコをやめることにした。
By the time of hospitalization because of disease, I decided to stop tobacco.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 松川先生との出会いをきっかけに、私の人生は変わりました。
My life changed sparked by the time I met Professor Matsukawa.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 旅行をきっかけにして木村さんと親しくなりました。
Whilst on holiday with Mr Kimura I started to get on with him.
— contributed by: CrayonShin
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Related Grammar
- totomoni
- sukini
- tsuideni
- okeikini
- gatera
- nagara
User Comments
- Someone more knowledgeable should update the Notes section to include something about [totomoni], [sukini], and [nagara]. Also, something seems to have happened to the entry okikkakeni - it no longer exists.
— contributed by: yookoso
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: simultaneous-actions-group
tagJ: ついでに・を契機に・をきっかけに
tagH: ついでに・をけいきに・をきっかけに
expE: while doing A, do B
noteE: I went to the shop on the way home
JLPT: 2

Front: kawaru-group
かわる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かわる
Meaning: instead of / in place of
Example: I will go instead of you
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [kawarini] can be used for all the meanings below
[nikawatte] is mainly for "instead"
- on behalf of
I will go on your behalf
- instead of
I want coffee instead of tea
- to make up for
I am going to enjoy myself in the daytime, but to make up for it I intend to study at night.
— contributed by: dc
- Usage:
noun + no+kawarini
　先生の代わりに
　sensei no kawarini
noun+ ni kawatte
　先生に代わって
verb-masu + kawarini
　遊ぶ代わりに
　asobu kawarini
adj+ kawarini
　高い代わりに
　takai kawarini
— contributed by: dc
Examples
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- nikawatte
- kawarini
- kawarini-2
User Comments
- Verb-masu + kawarini? The example shows dictionary form of the verb (あそぶ).
— contributed by: joy
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kawaru-group
tagJ: かわる
expE: instead of / in place of
noteE: I will go instead of you
JLPT: 2

Front: nikawatte
名詞が名詞に代わって (めいしがめいしにかわって)
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名詞が名詞に代わって (めいしがめいしにかわって)
Meaning: use Nounが instead of Nounに
Example: instead of this, use that
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- meishi + ni kawatte
— contributed by: Viola
- the base of this grammar point is the polite request form [V-てform　ください]
the dictionary form of かわって is かわる which means to substatute or to change from one thing to another.
example:
今日は　大嫌いケーキが私の一番好きなのにかわりました。
Today, My favorit cake was substatued with one I hate.
The basic form of this is
Noun+ga Noun+ni kawaru
Noun+に was replaced by Noun+が
In order to change this to a request we simply change kawaru to a request form
Example:
代わって　下さい　Please　substatute it
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ここでは、人間にかわってロボットが作業をしている。
Here, instead of humans, robots are doing the work.
— contributed by: dc
- 社長にかわって私が会議に参加しています。
In place of the president, I am attending the meeting.
— contributed by: dc
- ジムは、ベティーにかわって手紙を書いた。
Jim wrote the letter for Betty.
— contributed by: dc
- 私があなたにかわって全て行いますから、あなたはただここで待っているだけでいいのです。
I'll do everything for you, so you have only to wait here.
— contributed by: dc
- 戦後になってガラスにかわってプラスチックが出てきた。
After the war plastics became available replacing glass.
— contributed by: andreiutza13
- マッチにかわって、ライターが使われています。
Lighters are now used instead of matches .
— contributed by: 赤毛
- ［私が］課長にかわって、お詫びいたします。
I apologize on behalf of the section manager .
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 入院した先生にかわって、今は新しい先生が授業をしている。
Now, a new teacher is giving the lessons, on behalf of the one who entered the hospital.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- ここでは、人間にかわってロボットが作業をしている。
In this place, robots are operating instead of humans.
— contributed by: Makai
- 首相にかわり、外相がアメリカを訪問した。
Replacing the prime minister, the minister of foreigner affairs visited United States.
— contributed by: Makai
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There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- based on the examples, it seems that the description "instead of" isn't complete, maybe you should ad "for" or would it be more accurate to say "for the benefit of [person]"?
— contributed by: anon
- Actually i consulted a native speaker, and apparently [kawarini] is mainly used for an "on behalf of" type phrase, whereas [nikawatte] is mostly for "instead of".
However, the examples we have here only seem to give the "on behalf of" sense...
— contributed by: anon
- It sounds like "in the place of" captures the nuances best, as translated in sentence 2. It's substitutionary.
Here, in the place of humans, robots are doing the work.
Jim wrote the letter, in Betty's place.
I'll do everything in your place, so you only have to wait here.
— contributed by: scorduan
- In the examples above, the に noun is the one that gets replaced. But the "Meaning" and "Notes" sections (at the time when I am writing) say that the に noun does the replacing (that the が noun gets replaced). From what I have seen elsewhere, the examples are correct, and the explanations have it backwards.
— contributed by: Fritz
- sd
— contributed by: tamilselvan_t
- Anon, according to my text book its the other way around. nikawatte is "On behalf of" as in example #6782 above, [kawarini] is "instead of". Hope that helps.
— contributed by: edwinbradford
- Fritz: Entry updated to correct the description of the が and に grammatical usage in the topic summary.
— contributed by: khyron
- Sorry, just added one that was alread there.
— contributed by: Makai no Kitsune
- [#3477] On this example, wouldn't be better to change ここで待っている　to ここに待っている?
— contributed by: Makai no Kitsune
- I believe the last note [Please substitute it.]should be “替えてください。”(Kaete kudasai) or “。。。に替えてください。”
“代わってください。” means　Please take my place.　or Please change places.
— contributed by: bisdak
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikawatte
tagJ: 名詞が名詞に代わって
tagH: めいしがめいしにかわって
expE: use Nounが instead of Nounに
expJ: これがそれに代わって
noteE: instead of this, use that
JLPT: 2

Front: kawarini-2
代わりに (かわりに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
代わりに (かわりに)
Meaning: to make up for, in exchange for
Example: .. but to make up for it I will work later
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [kawaru-group] for explanation and similar items
— contributed by: dc
- （Verb)た　＋　代わりに　(B) -
An action has taken place and in order to make up for that someody does (B).
私はトムに日本語を教えてあげた代わりに彼に英語を教えてもらった。
I taught Tom Japanese, so (to make up for it) he taught me English
（Adj)　い　＋　代わりに
（Adj)　な　＋　代わりに
This is like が、けれど、しかし etc, but has the added meaning of compensation or balancing.
e.g. アパートは高い代わりに便利だった
The apartment was expensive but it was convenient
(in a way that makes the expensiveness of the seem not as bad)
— contributed by: bluntcrayon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 昼間遊ぶ代わりに夜勉強するつもりだ。
I am going to enjoy myself in the daytime, but to make up for it I intend to study at night.
— contributed by: dc
- お金は健康の代わりにはならない。
You cannot substitute money for health.
— contributed by: Miki
- この　部屋　は　狭い　かわりに、　家賃　が　安い.
This apartment (room) is small, but the rent is cheap.
— contributed by: jmadsen
- この辺は静かな代わりに店も遠くて不便だ　
This area is quiet, but (instead) it's inconvenient because the shops are far away.
— contributed by: bluntcrayon
- 校長先が病気になった私たちの先生の代わりをした。
The principal substituted for our teacher who was ill.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- the ex #1167 is not the right form for this one. It belongs in the kawari ni (1) section).
The subordinate clause should be in past tense for it to convey "in order to make up for it".
so should be 昼間遊んだ代わりに夜勉強するつもりだ。
— contributed by: bluntcrayon
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kawarini-2
tagJ: 代わりに
tagH: かわりに
expE: to make up for, in exchange for
noteE: .. but to make up for it I will work later
JLPT: 2

Front: aru
有る (ある)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
有る (ある)
Meaning: is (inanimate)
Example: There is a television in my kitchen.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [aru] is used for inanimate things, ie objects rather than animals or people.
see also [iru] いる the equivalent for living things.
take's が particle.
— contributed by: dc
- [aru] is one of three common verbs with the equivalent of English verb "to be".
Usage is roughly equivalent to "is" or "Exists" for inanimate things.
Living things are generally excluded.
For instance, a cat would use the verb [iru] as it has intelligence, and an insect would use [iru]. But living things such as plants use [aru].
[aru] is stative (non-action) verb. To express location, the particle [ni]/に is used. Otherwise [ga]/が　is used (if you can find some exceptions to this rule, please let us know!).
Example:
本はテエブルの上にあります。　ほんはテエブルのうえにあります。
(The) book is on table's top. Hon ha teeburu no ue ni arimasu.
* "to have" is also expressed often using [aru]. The thing that is being possession in this construction, uses the particle [ga]/が.
Example:
お金がありますか？　おかねがありますか？
(as for you) does money exist? Okane ga arimasu ka?
Other notes:
[aru] is generally written in kana alone, instead of using kanji.
Forgetting to use が and using plain form [aru] might make your sound rude and like a yakuza member. Dropping を has a similar effect.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- [aru] conjugation chart.
dictionary form [aru]　　affirmative　　negative
-------------------------------------------------
Present Plain　　　　　　aru　　　　　　　nai
Present Polite　　　　　arimasu　　　　arimasen
-------------------------------------------------
Past Plain　　　　　　　　atta 　　　　　　nakatta
Past Polite 　　　　　　　arimashita 　　arimasen deshita
-------------------------------------------------
Probable Plain 　　　　　aru darou 　　nai darou
Probable Polite　　　　　aru deshou　　naideshou
-------------------------------------------------
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 台所にテレビがあります。[daidokoro ni terebi ga arimasu]
There is a television in (my) kitchen.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 旅に出るまで三日有る（ある）。
There are three days before we hit the road.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 丘の上に家が在り（あり）ます。
There is a house on the hill.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ここに5ドルある。[kokoni godoru aru]
Here is $5.
— contributed by: Miki
- 「今日の新聞にいいニュースがある？」「いや、特にないね。」[kyou no shinbun ni ii nyu-su ga aru?]
'Is there any good news in today's paper?' 'No, nothing in particular.'
— contributed by: Miki
- 57便の荷物はどこにあるのか。[57 bin no nimotsu wa dokoni arunoka]
Where are the bags from Flight 57?
— contributed by: Miki
- 50円ある（有る）？かして。[gojuu en aru? kashite]
Do you have 50 yen? Can I borrow it?
— contributed by: Miki
- 富士山は日本に有ります。 ふじさんはにほんにあります。
Mt. Fuji is in Japan. Fujisan wa Nihon ni arimasu.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 銀座に、スーパーが有りますか？　ぎんざに、スーパーがありますか？
There is a supermarket in Ginza?　Ginza ni, suupaa ga arimasu ka?
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 駅は、何処に有りますか？　えきは、どこにありますか？
Where is the [train] station? Eki wa, doko ni arimasu ka?
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 辞書が有りますか？　じしょがありますか？
o you have a ｄictionary?　Jisho ga arimasu ka?
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- いいえ、有りません。いいえ、ありません。
No, I don't (have ~）。Iie, arimasen.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- ここに、公園が有りました。　ここに、こうえんがありました。
There was a park here.　Koko ni, kouen ga arimashita.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
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- arieru
User Comments
- A thorough explanation of the difference between 有る and 在る would be nice. ^^v
I'll have to look into it some time.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ている [teiru] can't be used with the verbs of existance (e.g. ある [aru] and いる [iru])
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 在る indicates the physical existence of something, while 有る could be either possession or existence of some state or event. In either case, it is normal to use ある without making fine distinction.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- To be anal, I think the translation of 丘の上に家が在り（あり）ます is slightly off... In English we do not generally use "located" when the article is indefinite, i.e. when you use "a" or "an". I believe a more accurate translation would be "There is a house on the hill".
— contributed by: Eeker
- I think Eeker is correct.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I've seen in some examples that ある is used to mean "to have"... and I know there is another word for "to hold" or "to carry", but is this how you say you have something?
— contributed by: Saralynne
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: aru
tagJ: 有る
tagH: ある
expE: is (inanimate)
noteE: There is a television in my kitchen.
JLPT: 4

Front: passive
〜れる・〜られる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜れる・〜られる
Meaning: passive verb ending
Example: the water was drunk by the child
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Formation
Verb (nai stem) ＋　れる・られる
(Grp I)
　〜れる
　話す　→　話さ.れる (be told)
　聞く　→　聞かれる (be heard)
(Grp II)
　〜られる
　食べる　→　食べ.られる (be eaten)
　立てる　→　立て.られる (be built)
(irreg)
　来る　→　来られる
　する　→　される
— contributed by: dc
- Compare the passive and active examples below
(active)
　子供が水を飲みました。
　The child drank the water
(passive)
　水が子供に飲まれました。
　the water was drunk by the child
— contributed by: dc
- The passive of group 2 verbs is the same as the potential and honorific. Which can only be discovered by the context:
先生は納豆<b>が</b>食べられる
　the が gives this away as potential
potential: My teacher can eat nattou
先生は納豆を食べられた
　could be many things:
honorific: my Teacher ate nattou
potential: my teacher could eat nattou
indirect passive: someone ate natto (~and my teacher was unhappy about it)
— contributed by: dc
- There is also an indirect passive, which doesn't exist in English. It implies the other person is annoyed by the action.
Perhaps it could be translated as "person A did something AT person B"
ビールは田中に飲まれた
the beer was drunk by Tanaka
先生は田中にビールを飲まれた
(The teacher was drunk beer at by Tanaka)
The teacher was annoyed by Taro drinking beer.
— contributed by: dc
- some more formation examples
For 一段　（いちだん　−　える、いる　ending) verbs you essentially drop the る and tack on a　られる.
For 五段　（ごだん　〜う　ending) verbs you change the last syllable so that it ends
in 〜あ　and add　れる　
話す　　話される was spoken
聞く　　聞かれる was listened/heard
泳ぐ　　泳がれる was swum
待つ　　待たれる was carried
死ぬ　　死なれる was killed
会う　　会われる　was met
作る　　作られる was made
呼ぶ　　呼ばれる was called
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 水が子供に飲まれました。
The water was drunk by the child.
— contributed by: dc
- このビルは二年前に建てられた。
This building was built two years ago.
— contributed by: dc
- 携帯コンテンツの海外事業開発を任されています。
development of overseas mobile contents is entrusted to me.
— contributed by: dc
- 長い間待ってやっと私の名前が呼ばれた。
After waiting for a long time, finally my name was called.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あいつにしてやろうと思ったのに、逆にあいつにやられてしまった。
What I wanted to do to him, he did to me instead.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 彼は光に吸い寄せられた。
He was drawn in by the light.
— contributed by: Sion
- 言われなくても、分かってるよ.
Lit: Without being told, I know that already!
— contributed by: agnestan
- 日本では日本語が話されています。
Japanese is spoken in Japan.
— contributed by: starsandsea
- 佐藤さんは田中さんにパーティーに招待されました。
Sato was invited to the party by Tanaka.
— contributed by: starsandsea
- 日本ではこの歌はみんなに知られています。
This song is known to everyone in Japan.
— contributed by: starsandsea
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User Comments
- As for (passive) in notes, the Japanese is not natural. It should beその本は田中さんによって書かれた。
— contributed by: Miki
- dc, beer is ビール, building is ビル.(^_^;)
— contributed by: Miki
- The first example is weird. You do not say 犬に水を飲まれました(even though grammatically possible) but you normally say 犬が水を飲んでしまいました。In the same vein, the second example, too, is somewhat awkward, even though not as bad as the first example.I would say このビルが建ったのは（建てられたのは）２年前です。
ビールは田中に飲まれた is also awkward. 田中がビールを飲んでしまった is more like it.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- OK, so the examples show how NOT to use a passive! can you provide some good examples of ways to use it?
— contributed by: dc
- Just to make a note of this, the Kanji used above in the example for 'was carried' is TAI, which is the kanji for 'wait'. This effectively reads MATSU.
— contributed by: badboy
- In Japanese, you can use passive voice either for transitive or intransitive verbs. When you use passive voice for intransitive verbs, it normally indicate some kind of disadvantage for the speaker.For example, 居る can be changed to 居られる but this would normally indicate you don't want him to be there, but he is there nevertheless.
Thus it is possible to say 犬に水を飲まれました, which gave you the disadvantage of the dog having drank [your] water, but I said it is awkward because one would normally have one's dog under control so that that kind of thing would not happen. The result is that you are declaring your own stupidity by making that statement.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- What about ~(ra)rete-morau
~(ra)rete-kureru ?
I found a lot of examples with this form but I can't find an english translation...I can't understand why morau and kureru which express gratitude to someone else are used with rareru which implies I am (or someone else) annoyed by the action.
For example, I found on the net (thanks google!) such sentences:
「この子にここで泣かれてもらっちゃ困るんだよ」
「まだまだユアンさんにはいじめられてもらうんですから！!」
What does it mean?
What's the difference with
「この子にここで泣かれちゃ困るんだよ」
By the way, such sentences can be read too:
「この子にここで泣いてもらっちゃ困るんだよ」
...Isn't there a paradox between "naitemorau" and "komaru" ?
I guess that's not strange for a Japanese native speaker but I am not a native speaker! ^^"
— contributed by: ludi
- This entry is very useful. Thanks!
Minor correction:
先生は田中にビールを飲まれた
(The teacher was drunk beer at by Tanaka)
The teacher was annoyed by [Taro] drinking beer.
"Taro" should be Tanaka.
— contributed by: lenzras
- According to my textbook, you can also use transitive verbs to indicate a disadvantage. (The book calls this kind of passive sentence "indirect passive sentences.")
Transitive verb example:
となりの学生にテストを見られました。
(My test was looked at by the student next to me and it troubled me.)
Intransitive verb example:
（私は）雨に降られました。
(It rained and it troubled me.)
— contributed by: starsandsea
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: passive
tagJ: 〜れる・〜られる
expE: passive verb ending
noteE: the water was drunk by the child
JLPT: 3

Front: seizei
せいぜい (精精)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
せいぜい (精精)
Meaning: my utmost, at most
Example: try my utmost
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今度は徹夜になりそうだ。今のうちにせいぜい休んでおこう。
It looks like overtime work ahead. For now I will do my utmost to relax.
— contributed by: dc
- この仕事だったらせいぜい三日もあればできる。
If it's this type of work, it can be done in about three days at the outside.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- この仕事の完成にせいぜい努力します。
I will exert my best in finishing this work.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あの婦人はせいぜい40歳だ。
The lady is forty years old at most.
— contributed by: Miki
- ここから歩いてせいぜい10分のところです。
It is no more than ten minutes' walk from here.
— contributed by: Miki
- この時計はせいぜい10ドルだ。
This watch costs ten dollar at most.
— contributed by: Miki
- この辞書はせいぜい２万語くらいしか載っていない。
This dictionary contains not more than 20,000 words.
— contributed by: Miki
- せいぜい20人しかそのパーティーには来ないだろう。
Only twenty people will come to the party at best.
— contributed by: Miki
- せいぜい40%の高校生しか大学に進学しない。
Not more than 40 percent of students go on to university.
— contributed by: Miki
- せいぜい自分の能力を活用しなさい。
You should make the most of your ability.
— contributed by: Miki
- それはせいぜい二流のホテルだ。
It is at best a second-rate hotel.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はせいぜい二流の学者だ。
He is at best a second-rate scholar.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- semete ([semete] = at least [seizei] = at the most)
User Comments
- Note that せいぜい also has the meaning of "at th emost." For example, せいぜい３日もあればできる would mean "It can be done in about three days at the very outside," In this sense it has the meaning similar to たかだか.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 'At the very outside'? I don't understand this translation.
— contributed by: lupan
- 'At the very outside' means "at the worst". maybe literally, "on the border of what might and might not happen"
-> さいていの場合、三日掛かる。
— contributed by: dc
- hmm it would be 最長（さいちょう）instead of 最低（さいてい）. 最長⇔最短（さいたん）、最高（さいこう）⇔最低
— contributed by: Miki
- You guys must mean 最悪の場合. You would not say さいていの場合、三日掛かる but could say さいてい三日掛かる, which would mean "takes the minimum of three days."The former says that it could be done in less than three days, but the latter would say it takes three days or more.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I thought "最低" also means "the worst". We would use it like "in the worst case, we will miss the deadline by one day". ie: you dont expect to, but...
— contributed by: dc
- 最低 can be "the worst" but it also could mean "minimum of"
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Does anybody know where a good list of spoken versus writing style words (as the case seems to be here, with takadaka and seizei) can be found?
— contributed by: nks
- I don't think "at the very outside" is correct English. I guess you mean "at most".
— contributed by: Gaijin demonai
- I guess "at the very outside" is awkward, but I think "at the outside" should be acceptable.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- While I can't comment on any of the Japanese - "at the outside" is very informal in English. It refers to the expression "an outside chance" (a term from horseracing). So the first example would be better written: "If it's this type of work, there is an outside chance that it can be done in about three days."
— contributed by: andyclap
- I have been told by a native speaker that "せいぜい" has a certain ironic or sarcastic tinge to it. It is used in the context of saying that someone "did their best", etc. in an ironic way, meaning it could have been done a bit better.
— contributed by: somakevin
- せいぜい三日もあれば出来る。−I can do it in atmost three days....... Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks
— contributed by: ashishjoshi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: seizei
tagJ: せいぜい (精精)
tagH: せいぜい
expE: my utmost, at most
expJ: できるだけ。精一杯。最大限。
noteE: try my utmost
JLPT: 1

Front: semete
せめて
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
せめて
Meaning: at least, at most a small thing
Example: at least I want to finish
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- せめてなべでもあれば、ご飯が炊けるんですが
If we at least had a pot, we could cook rice
— contributed by: dc
- せめてつまらないものですが、、
at most an uninteresting thing, but ...
— contributed by: dc
- せめて両親には分かって貰いたいんですが
At least I want to be understood by my parents
— contributed by: dc
- じゃ、せめてテーブルの準備でもしましょう。
At least let me help with the table.
— contributed by: Miki
- せめて後十分待ってくれませんか。
Can't you wait just ten more minutes?
— contributed by: Miki
- せめて謝ってくれてもいいのに。
He might at least apologize.
— contributed by: Miki
- せめて日常会話ができるくらいになりたい。
At the very least, I'd like to be able to have everyday conversations.
— contributed by: Miki
- せめて病気のときぐらいは、お酒を飲まないぐらいの分別は持つべきだ。
You should have enough sense not to drink, at least during your illness.
— contributed by: Miki
- せめてもう一日あれば
Had we at least one more day!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- せめてもう一度だけ、笑顔を見せて。
At least show me your smiling face just one last time.
— contributed by: マリ
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- sukunakutomo
User Comments
- I don't like the second example. せめて is not used that way.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- would you use seizei instead?
せいぜい、つまらないものですが、、
— contributed by: dc
- せいぜい also does not cut it. If you really want to use it in the context of the second example, it would be like せめてもと持参したつまらないものですが(it's an uninteresting thing that I at least brought," but that's really stretching it.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- You can say せめてのもの instead of せめて. せめてのもの is stronger than せめて.
— contributed by: Miki
- ex1174 J is weird for me. Did you mean ほんのつまらないものですが　?
— contributed by: Miki
- 攻めて and 責めて are the only two kanji that come up for this word. 責めて means to criticize, condemn or blame. Maybe せめて means (at it's core) "Even if you closely examine this situation, x should be expected." I don't know if this is true or not, but it's a thought.
— contributed by: LittleFish
- 攻めて and 責めて are not equivalent of せめて, but せめて did derive from 責む in 連用形 form with connective て. In archaic use, there were several other meanings associated with せめて, but what we now have is "although not sufficient, at least this much if the situation compels."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I agree with Miki-san re ex1174. As he says, it shoud be ほんのつまらないものですが and therefore does not belong to this thread.
　
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Beg pardon but what is the difference between せめて and つくなくても ?
— contributed by: nadine
- This isn't JLPT 1. My guess is level 3 or 2 but I don't know for sure which. On another note, does anyone besides me always get せめて and せいぜい confused? If so, does anyone have a good memory technique?
— contributed by: yookoso
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: semete
tagJ: せめて
expE: at least, at most a small thing
noteE: at least I want to finish
JLPT: 1

Front: sasuga
さすが (流石)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
さすが (流石)
Meaning: as expected, after all
Example: he won. After all, he is a fast runner
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- さすが、彼は期待を裏切らないね。
That's just what one would expect of him.
— contributed by: Miki
- さすがだね。君ならやってくれると思っていたよ。
Excellent! It's just like you to come through like that.
— contributed by: Miki
- さすがに偉大な学者だけあって、彼はその問いに容易に答えた。
Like the great scholar that he was, he answered the question easily.
— contributed by: Miki
- 年の功と言うのか、彼の意見はさすがに一日の長があるね。
Maybe it's his age but his opinions seem a little more grounded in experience than everyone else's.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はさすがに大学へ行っただけのことはある。
He did not go to college for nothing.
— contributed by: Miki
- 本当の事を言ったとはさすがに勇気がある。
You were courageous to tell the truth.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- seems to usually be used for positive things. you would not say "he cheated. after all, he is a lawyer.."
— contributed by: dc
- ex4131 一日の長 ichijitsu no chou 〔論語 Analects〕: 経験・技能・知識などに若干すぐれていること。
— contributed by: Miki
- さすが = さすがに　流石 sasuga
— contributed by: Miki
- This might be a good example of how to use さすが in a more casual way.
Last time I went to karaoke I went with a bunch of bandmen, and after a vocalist of a certain band blew us all away, everyone said at the same time「さすがにプロだね！！」
— contributed by: マリ
- Mikiさん、例文[#4132]には何か間違っている、あるいは不足しているみたいな気がしているけど再調査をお願いします。
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sasuga
tagJ: さすが (流石)
tagH: さすが
expE: as expected, after all
noteE: he won. After all, he is a fast runner
JLPT: 1

Front: futo
ふと
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ふと
Meaning: suddenly, by coincidence
Example: without thinking, I shouted out
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [futo] and [tsui] do not always have negative connotations
whereas [ukkari] implies more regret, or that the action was done carelessly.
— contributed by: dc
- other words for suddenly include
　いきなり
　突然「とつぜん」
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 電車の中でふと木村さんを見かけた
By coincidence, I happened to see Kimura san on the train
— contributed by: dc
- ふと新しい考えが浮かんだ。
Suddenly, I hit upon this new idea.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- テレビを見ていて学生時代の友達をふと思い出した。
Watching TV,I had this instant recall of the memory of my friend during my student days.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ふとした事が人生の分かれ目になることがある。
A pure happenstance can be a die-casting event in your life.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- うまい考えがふと浮かんだ。
A happy idea came upon me.
— contributed by: Miki
- 素晴らしい考えがふと心に浮かんだ。
A bight idea occurred to me.
— contributed by: Miki
- その言葉はふと彼の口から漏れた。
That word dropped from his mouth.
— contributed by: Miki
- その老人はふと立ち止まって振り返った。
The old man stopped suddenly and looked back.
— contributed by: Miki
- それは秘密にしておくべきではないと私はふと思った。
It occurred to me that I should not keep it secret.
— contributed by: Miki
- ふとしたことからその噂は嘘だと分った。
Accidentally, the rumor has turned out to be false.
— contributed by: Miki
- 財布を家に忘れてきたことをふと思い出した。
It occurred to me that I had left my purse at home.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私の見たことを話そうかなとふと思った。
I had a notion to tell what I had seen.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私はふとその男が私をだまして金を奪い取ろうとしているのだと思った。
It occurred to me that the man was tryng to cheat me out of moy money.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私はふと彼女が何かを隠そうとしていると感じた。
It struck me that the girl was trying to hide something.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は列車の中に鞄を忘れたことをふと思い出した。
It occurred to me that I had left my bg on the train.
— contributed by: Miki
- 試行錯誤の末、彼はふと正しい答えを思いついた。
Through trial and error, he found the right answer by chance.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼こそ適任者であるという考えがふと心に浮かんだ。
It occurred to me that he was the right man.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はそれを見るとふと魔がさして盗んだ。
The sight tempted him to steal.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はわざとそうしたんだとふと私は思った。
It occurred to me that he had done it on purpose.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は何かを隠そうとしていると、私はふと思った。
It occurred to me that he was trying to conceal something.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は真実を何も言わないかもしれないということがふと頭に浮かんだ。
It occurred to me that he might not tell the truth.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼らのあざ笑いをふと耳にした。
I overheard their mockery.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女はふと名案を思いついた。
She hit upon a good idea.
— contributed by: Miki
- 僕はふと足を止めた。〔M〕
Suddenly, my feet stopped. [M]
— contributed by: Miki
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- tsui
User Comments
- whats the difference with いきなり or 突然？
— contributed by: dc
- hmm this is a very good question... Let me think.
— contributed by: Miki
- ふと would be used in the sense of "incidentally" or "by some unexpected turn of event." It is more or less an unexpected thing that catch you more or less passively.
いきなり and 突然 has the connotation of "out of blue" or "abruptly" so that there is a big element of surprise.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- what is the difference with 偶然 ?
— contributed by: marvin
- 偶然 「ぐうぜん」 I think means more what a coincidence. As in "what a surprise to see you here!"
突然　「とつぜん」is more similar, like "out of the blue".
いきなり is another similar word.
いきなり結婚した - got married all of a sudden
— contributed by: dc
- For me, there are hints (like endling と) for the word is an onomatopoeia construction, that's the difference... As in, 「ふと気がついたの。」"'Pooh!' - the realization came." Although it's not as childish in Japanese, as they use onomatopoeia words a lot.
— contributed by: Kaens
- Yes. Bamboo4 is correct. 3940 should start "Incidentally, "
— contributed by: christ
- Kaens へ
I don't think ふと、is not an onomatopoeia construction. In kanji 不図 not planned, not mapped, unexpectedly, etc.
I don't know why they don't write it in kanji though, as both are easy...
— contributed by: ookaminote
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: futo
tagJ: ふと
expE: suddenly, by coincidence
noteE: without thinking, I shouted out
JLPT: 1

Front: tsui
つい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
つい
Meaning: without thinking, despite myself
Example: oops, i said too much!
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Also means, just (now), or recently.
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 秘密でしたか？ついうっかり喋ちゃいました。　
It was a secret? Oops! I spoke about it without thinking...
— contributed by: dc
- つい買っちゃった！
Damn! I went and bought it (and I shouldn't have).
— contributed by: dc
- つい「コンピュータがおかしい」と思ってしまいます．でも，コンピュータ側がおかしいことはまずありません．
I carelessly thought "There's something up with the computer". But actually there was nothing up with the _computer_ side.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- つい先ほど時雨れた
We had a light shower a while ago.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- つい必要なワードフィルを削除してしまった。
I just (unintentional) deleted an important word file.
— contributed by: Archana
- 彼はつい自分の名前を言ってしまった。
He carelessly said his name.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は大変まずいことをつい言ってしまった。
He slip a very unfortunate remark.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は貧しさのあまりつい盗みを働いた。
Poverty implied her to steal.
— contributed by: karekano
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- yatto (yatto seems more positive)
User Comments
- Inadvertantly, unintentionally, etc.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I always thought that was ついに？ Am I wrong or can you drop the に？
— contributed by: huess
- ついに is different from つい.
ついに can be replaced with やっと at last
ついに買っちゃった！
Finally, I got it!
— contributed by: Miki
- 「つい」and「ついに」is different.
「つい」means... "regretfully"
for example, you go shopping, you find a new PC. you already have a PC, but you buy the spanky new one anyway. then, you say
「つい、買った。」
in fact, you don't need that PC.
「ついに」means..."at last"
you wanted a PC for a long time, and eventually you get one. then, you say,
「ついに買った。」
you really need that PC.
:( tsui = ukkari
:) tsuini = yatto
— contributed by: hiro
- ex1273 seems different from the others?
— contributed by: dc
- Yes. The つい means すぐ。This emphases something happens very close in time/distance.
つい２、３時間前に as recently as a few hours
ついそこまで休憩に行ってきました。I went right over there for break.
— contributed by: Miki
- 'tsui',according to me is used when you get indulged in your inner feelings so much that you forget what is going around.
ex-夢中で、つい大きい声で歌ってしまって、はずかしかった。
— contributed by: ashishjoshi
- Is "tsui" an interjection like "tsk" or "tsch"?
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tsui
tagJ: つい
expE: without thinking, despite myself
noteE: oops, i said too much!
JLPT: 2

Front: ukkari
うっかり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
うっかり
Meaning: carelessly, without thinking
Example: make a careless mistake
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- うっかりミスをする
make a careless mistake
— contributed by: dc
- うっかり間違いを犯した。
I made a careless mistake.
— contributed by: dbx
- うっかり口を滑らせると思わぬ結果を招くことが多い。
A slip of the tongue often brings about unexpected results.
— contributed by: dbx
- 降りるところをうっかり通り越した。
I went past my stop absent-mindedly.
— contributed by: dbx
- ついうっかりしてバスを乗り間違えた。
I got on a wrong bus by mistake.
— contributed by: dbx
- ついうっかりして花瓶を落としてしまった。
I carelessly dropped a vase.
— contributed by: dbx
- ついうっかり言わないでおけばいいことを言ってしまった。
A foolish impulse made me say what I should have left unsaid.
— contributed by: dbx
- なんだか焦げ臭いね。うっかりパンを黒こげにしちゃったの。
Something is burning. I carelessly let some bread burn.
— contributed by: dbx
- ぼくはうっかり受話器をはずさないでダイヤルを回した。
I was careless enough to dial without taking off the receiver.
— contributed by: dbx
- タクシーの中にカメラを置き忘れてくるなってうっかりしてましたね。
It was careless of you to leave your camera in the taxi.
— contributed by: dbx
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- tsui
- futo
User Comments
- I think we could omit this ukkari from the jgram, since this is actually a word, and not a grammatical phrase. Otherwise, if we start adding words (like adverbs), then there would just an enormous number to add. Words like "bonyari" would also have to be added, which might be a pain.
— contributed by: nhk9
- #3585 J should be …置き忘れてくるなんて…。
— contributed by: Miki
- 今まで頂いた文法例以前一回か二回見たことがありましたが今回の「うっかり」と言うものを始めて見ました。知り合いの日本人にも聞きなかったです。だからこんなものをはずしたほうが本当に良いかどうか皆に判断するように申し上げます。[nhk9さん]もしかして別のスレッドを作成する可能性がありませんか。
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
- ppmohapatraさん、僕も今まで｢うっかり」を見たことがなかったのに　文法として向かないと思います｡　もし、別のスレッドがあればよかったと思います｡　でもここに入れるのが危ないと思わないの?　一回すると　あっという間に、皆さんが自分の見たことない言葉入れてしまって、このサイトが探し難くなります｡　そう言う問題にならないために文法なら、いいですけど　単語なら、jim breensのサイトに入れたほうがいいと思います｡
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ukkari
tagJ: うっかり
expE: carelessly, without thinking
noteE: make a careless mistake
JLPT: 1

Front: viewpoint-group
にとって・として・の上で・からいうと・から見ると
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にとって・として・の上で・からいうと・から見ると
Meaning: from the point of view, based on
Example: from my point of view
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [nitotte] for
for me it was tough...
[nishitemo] even for
even for him it was hard
[toshite] as
as a teacher...
[uede] based upon (my conjecture)
based upon my consideration
[nimotodsuite] based on (outside fact)
[womotoni] based on
this novel is based on real life
[kekka] based on the result of
[womotonishite] takes as its basis
this novel takes Love as its basis
[karasuruto] by looking at X
by his expression, you could tell...
[karaiuto] on the basis of
on the basis of grammar, chinese is easy
[karamiruto] looking from
from the criminals point of view...
[nishitara] if you look from
if you look at it from my point of view
[narini] for
(in their own way?)
[nomikatadeha] from the way of looking
from the old way of looking at the issue...
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 英語教師として､一番難しいのは生徒と関係作りだと思います｡
As an English Teacher, I think the most difficult part is building a relationship with my students.
— contributed by: tigert
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User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: viewpoint-group
tagJ: にとって・として・の上で・からいうと・から見ると
expE: from the point of view, based on
noteE: from my point of view
JLPT: 2

Front: evaluation-group
わりに・にしては・向きに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
わりに・にしては・向きに
Meaning: for
Example: good for the money
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [warini] for
good for the price
[nishiteha] for / even though
for (even thoughhe is) a rich person, he is stingy
[muki] made for
designed for novices
---- 1級 ----
[tomonaruto]
[tomoarou]
[taru]
[majiki]
— contributed by: dc
- わりに・にしては・向きに [わりに・にしては・向きに] (evaluation-group)
Meaning: for
Example: good for the money
JLPT Level: 1
Category: lesson
Author: dc
— contributed by: Joshuaz
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼女は日本語が上手だ、外人にしてはね。
Her Japanese is good for a foreigner.
— contributed by: Lorenz
- ブラピの映画にしては、なかなか面白いよ。
For a Brad Pitt film, it is pretty interesting.
— contributed by: Lorenz
- Ex 7060: While the horrid word 外人 is used among the unwashed masses, we really should go with 外国人.
— contributed by: ganchan
- 一生懸命やっているわりには、対象者に伝わっていない。
Although I do it in my best, it still can not reach the target person.
— contributed by: doma
- 南向きに置いた。
Be placed on the southward.
— contributed by: doma
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User Comments
- [url=http://delete.com]delete[/url]
— contributed by: Kniluesittice
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: evaluation-group
tagJ: わりに・にしては・向きに
expE: for
noteE: good for the money
JLPT: 1

Front: basis-of-action-group
ように・とおりに・を中心に・に沿って・をもとにして (ように・とおりに・をちゅうしんに・にそって・をもと)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ように・とおりに・を中心に・に沿って・をもとにして (ように・とおりに・をちゅうしんに・にそって・をもと)
Meaning: as, along with, like
Example: as I showed you; like this; in line with our policy
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [youni] = as
as i showed you
[toori] ni = in that way
do it this way
[nisotte] = along with
go along with the kids wishes
[nimotoduite] = based on
based on the novel
[womotoni] shite = as the basis
using experience as the basis for our plan...
[nomotode] = under
under the professor's guidance
[wochuushinni] = make center
lets center on this point
[wo~ni]
---- 1級 ----
[nisokushite] in line with
in line with japanese custom
<a href=http://www2.alc.co.jp/ejr/index.php?word_in=%82%C9%91%A6%82%B5%82%C4&word_in2=%82%A9%82%AB%82%AD%82%AF%82%B1&word_in3=PVawEWi72JXCKoa0Je> →　alc link</a>
[gotoku] = as (written, formal)
as stated below, as we have seen
<a href=http://www2.alc.co.jp/ejr/index.php?word_in=%82%B2%82%C6%82%AD&word_in2=%82%A9%82%AB%82%AD%82%AF%82%B1&word_in3=PVawEWi72JXCKoa0Je> →　alc link</a>
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
There are currently no examples for this grammar entry.
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User Comments
- How do　に基づいて and によって (例：成績にとって、クラスを決めた) differ?
— contributed by: linnenpotter
- Can you update nimotoduite to [nimotozuite]?
— contributed by: higehiru
- Correcting the hiragana field (沿って to そって and 中心 into ちゅうしん has resulted in truncating part of the text at the end of the field . There seems to be a set limitation of the lenght of the record. Please undo the edit if this is not acceptable.
Is nimotozuite considered a single word? Shouldn't it be "ni motoduite" (or "ni motozuite" if you do not mind the conflict and confusion of ず and づ)?
— contributed by: haijin
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: basis-of-action-group
tagJ: ように・とおりに・を中心に・に沿って・をもとにして
tagH: ように・とおりに・をちゅうしんに・にそって・をもと
expE: as, along with, like
noteE: as I showed you; like this; in line with our policy
JLPT: 2

Front: nisokushite
に即して (にそくして)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に即して (にそくして)
Meaning: in line with, in keeping with
Example: in keeping with our customs
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- this phrase is rather formal and used mostly in written material.
— contributed by: dc
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p67 - no.62
— contributed by: LR
- NOUN + 〜にそくして / 〜にそくした
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本の習慣に即して
In line with japanese customs
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の伝記は全くの事実に即して書かれたものだ。
His biography is quite true to life.
— contributed by: dc
- 現実に即して（人）を判断する
appraise someone realistically
— contributed by: dc
- その仕事のルールに即していないことをする
do something that is not part of the rules of the game
— contributed by: dc
- 業種に即している
be pertinent to the line of work
— contributed by: dc
- 事実に即して言えば
in view of the facts
— contributed by: dc
- 勧告に即して作成される
be developed from a recommendation
— contributed by: dc
- `を事実に即して伝える
give a faithful account of
— contributed by: dc
- 現実に即して物事を考える
think realistically
— contributed by: dc
- 耐え難いストレスに対して現実に即して立ち向かう
face up to heavy stress realistically
— contributed by: dc
- 違反者は、法律に則して処罰されます
the criminal was punished in accordance with the law
— contributed by: LR
- 実情に即した対応策を検討致します。
We will take into consderation countermeasures that address the situation
— contributed by: LR
- 時代に即した教育
education adapted to meet the needs of the times
— contributed by: LR
- 現実に即して行動する
take an action that [conforms to / is in line with] reality
— contributed by: LR
- 彼の伝記は全くの事実に即して書かれたものだ。
His biography is quite true to life.
— contributed by: LR
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Related Grammar
- nisotte
- nishitagatte; nishitagai
User Comments
- You do realize that this phrase is rather formal and used mostly in written material.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- i had no idea, so it will be noted!
— contributed by: dc
- perhaps [nisotte] is a similar but less formal phrase?
— contributed by: dc
- Yes, it is. にしたがって（従う） is not as casual as にそって（沿う） and is also not formal as に即して。に従って and に沿って are used in conversation as well.
— contributed by: Miki
- I thought に従って [nishitagatte] implied more hierarchy, or cause and effect, whereas [nisotte] is more in parallel?
(fact) [nishitagatte] (effect)
高い。従って、買わなかった
It was expensive. Accordingly, I did not buy it.
川に沿って道
the street parallel with the river
— contributed by: dc
- Your 従って in the eg above is 接続詞 conjunction.
My 従って is a transformation of 従う。Yes, 従う implies hierarchy but not all the time. Also 沿う and 従う aren't the same meaning but implications are the same here.
example :
Please answer following the example
例題に即して、回答してください。
例題に沿って、回答してください。
例題に従って、回答してください。
— contributed by: Miki
- See also に即した "based on, adapted to"
プロとして現実に即した解決策を提示します。
As professionals we present solutions adapted to the facts of the situation.
— contributed by: Paul
- According to two of my texts, this phrase is written using different 漢字 depending on the nuance: に即して (in accordance with the facts, objective reality, experience, etc.) and に則して (in accordance with arbitrary rules, laws, etc.) Following that, #5151 is not written correctly (boo to ALC). However, I also see that another source uses に即して in both cases, so maybe this is just a nitpicky distinction. Can any native speakers address this?
— contributed by: srobertson
- In Kanzen master it says 即 is appropriate for things that conform to experience or a situation, and 則 is for when things conform to laws and rules.
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nisokushite
tagJ: に即して
tagH: にそくして
expE: in line with, in keeping with
noteE: in keeping with our customs
JLPT: 1

Front: toiuyori
というより
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
というより
Meaning: rather, more than
Example: cold rather than cool
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 「Ａというより、Ｂ」: B is the speaker's judgement or opinion.
＊むしろ is often used with this grammar. However, it's simply emphasis and doesn't translate very well. For example, 「彼は、天才というより、むしろ変人だ。」(He's *more* an oddball rather than a genius.)
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + というより
いＡ + というより
なＡ・Ｎ + (だ)というより
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私にはこの音楽は楽しいというより、むしろ やかましい.
To me, this music is noisy, rather than enjoyable.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は天才と言うよりむしろ変人だ
Rather than a genius, it's better to say that he is an eccentric.
— contributed by: dc
- 今年の夏は涼しいというより寒いと言った方が良いくらいです。
This year's summer was so cool that it'd be better to say it was cold (rather than cool).
— contributed by: dc
- この雑誌は面白いというよりつまらないです。
This magazine is more boring than interesting.
— contributed by: Archana
- 彼女は可愛いというよりこわいです。
Rather than being cute, she looks scary.
— contributed by: Archana
- あの人はきれいというよりじょうひんだ。
That person is graceful rather than pretty.
— contributed by: ananya
- 「奥様はとても陽気な方ですね。」「いやあ、陽気というより、うるさいというべきでしょうね。」
"Your wife is a very cheerful person, isn't she?""Nah, you should probably say noisy rather than cheerful."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 山田さんは書物が大好きで、技術者というより学者といった方がいい。
The person Mr.yamada was very interested to reading books.so,it would be better to say scholar rather than engineer.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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Related Grammar
- mushiro
- toittemo
- yori
- mushiro
User Comments
- two meanings - "rather than" - and "more than" - Ugly rather/more than pretty - or- more than pretty, beautiful.
— contributed by: dc
- As for 1st eg. okurigana(declensional Kana ending) is missing. 寒い=samu i
— contributed by: Miki
- tx, changed.
— contributed by: dc
- というより is made up of と＋いう＋より. Basically, we may need より standing alone, if you don't already have it.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I've added a link to より.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- What is the difference between この雑誌は面白いというよりつまらないです　and この雑誌は面白いというよりむしろつまらないです. I think they are same.
— contributed by: Archana
- むしろ [mushiro] also means "rather" and so i think in your example it just adds emphasis.
rather than being interesting,
that magazine is boring.
_in fact_ its boring
— contributed by: dc
- #5700 かわい should be かわいい.
— contributed by: Miki
- I'm gonna stick my neck out and declare というより is used mainly when expressing degree (cool/cold) rather than opposites (interesting/boring). I think of it as "more to the point" or "more accurately."
— contributed by: Leslie
- leslie - that doesnt quite fit some of the examples above. the ones i added i think came from a university database, so mostly checked.
— contributed by: dc
- I don't think というより is used for complete opposites. So #5699 seems strange to me.
— contributed by: Sumofan
- I kinda agree with Sumofan. We do not normally say as suggested by #5699. 面白いというより滑稽です would be acceptable.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toiuyori
tagJ: というより
expE: rather, more than
noteE: cold rather than cool
JLPT: 2

Front: hatashite
果たして (はたして)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
果たして (はたして)
Meaning: really, as was expected
Example: is it really true?
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 果たして本当だろうか？
Is it really true?
— contributed by: dc
- 果たしてまた会うことができるだろうか。
Would we ever meet again?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 彼は果たして成功した。
He succeeded as I had expected that he would.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あいつは果たして失敗した。
That guy failed, as I had expected that he would.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あなたの言う事が果たして事実なのか調べてみよう。
We will check to see what you have said is really the truth.
— contributed by: Miki
- だめだろうと思っていたが果たして失敗だった。
I was afraid it would not work out well and sure enough it failed.
— contributed by: Miki
- 経営陣は果たして本気で我々のボーナスについて考えようとしてるのか、それとも単に口先だけだったのだろうか。
Is management really going to consider our bonus, or was that just lip service?
— contributed by: Miki
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- sasuga
User Comments
- Is this similar to [yappari]?
— contributed by: anonymous
- Yes, I think so as for ex#3100 and #3101.
While ex#1187 and #3099 imply a slight suspicious mind or assumption. So these are similar to hontouni 本当に.
— contributed by: Miki
- 使い果たして seems to be a frequent set phrase meaning to "use up; exhaust". Is this related to hatashite as a grammar construct? ie the implication is "used up as we expected" ?
— contributed by: dc
- plz told us!!!!!!!!!!!!
— contributed by: semoo
- ex#4265- #4277 these 果たす are different meaning from the entry.
— contributed by: Miki
- Those 使い果たす examples do not belong here.They should be set up in a separate head.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- In response to dc's question...
There are 2 uses with slightly different essence:
1. as we expected
2. to accomplish, finish
You can see that accomplish and as we expected have similarities.
— contributed by: christ
- For this item of grammar, 果たして is to be used as the adverb of the sentense. 果たす,使い果たす are verb so they are out of scope.
— contributed by: kikkoro
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hatashite
tagJ: 果たして
tagH: はたして
expE: really, as was expected
noteE: is it really true?
JLPT: 1

Front: depend-correspond-group
によって・次第で・いかんで
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
によって・次第で・いかんで
Meaning: depending on, according to
Example: depending on the weather
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [niyotte] = depending on
depending on the weather
(also, "by" as in "by picasso")
[niyoruto] = according to
[shidai] = as soon
as soon as you can do it
[kekka] = as a result of
as a result of our consultation, i decided
[nioujite] = according to
exercise according to your age
[nishitagatte] = accordingly
no budget, so accordingly its cancelled
[tabi] each time
[nitsuke]te = each time
w[okikkakeni] = on doing A, B occurred
at the time of climbed mt fuji, i found an interest in hiking
w[okeikini] = on the opportunity/occasion of
on the occasion of his visit to China, he met the Premier
(fml, wr)
------ 1級 ------
[ikande] = depending on
(fml, wr)
[ikandeha]
— contributed by: dc
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
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User Comments
- I don't think 次第（しだい）is used in a sentence like "as much as I remember".
— contributed by: Miki
- そうね。 I was thinking of [kagiri]
私が覚える限り
apparently i didn't 覚える bery well.
— contributed by: dc
- A次第B means B happnes right after A.
— contributed by: Blueice
- I don't think 次第（しだい） having 'depending on ' meaning, but i think it means 'little by little'
— contributed by: seishun
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: depend-correspond-group
tagJ: によって・次第で・いかんで
expE: depending on, according to
noteE: depending on the weather
JLPT: 2

Front: unrelated-group
を問わず・にかかわらず・もかまわず
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
を問わず・にかかわらず・もかまわず
Meaning: ignoring, leaving aside
Example: leaving aside his reputation
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [wotowazu] = regardless
regardless of the time, its always busy
ni[kakawarazu] = regardless
regardless of the time, its always busy
[mokamawazu] = without mind to
[hatomokaku] = A is another thing, but B is...
the price is good, but the flavor is another thing
[hasateoki]
----- 1級 -----
[ikanniyorazu]
[womonotomosezu]ni
[woyosoni]
[haizashirazu]
— contributed by: dc
Examples
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User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: unrelated-group
tagJ: を問わず・にかかわらず・もかまわず
expE: ignoring, leaving aside
noteE: leaving aside his reputation
JLPT: 2

Front: dakeatte
だけあって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
だけあって
Meaning: because, as expected (used for positive things)
Example: the food was good as expected
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This phrase needs a cause and effect.
"cause [dakeatte] effect"
"He studied hard [dakeatte] passed the test"
You cannot use just the result
NG: "he [dakeatte] passed the test"
Very similiar to [sasuga] but that word can be used on its own a little more casually, as in
"sasuga Rob-san" = isn't Rob great, after all.
Works also for negative nuance, as in the "and got fat" example below.
— contributed by: dc
- だけあって is used for good merits. It should not be used for negative nuances. However, だけに can be used for both good and bad merits.
Often, さすが(に) is used in conjunction with だけあって as emphasis.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- さすが毎日トレーニングしているだけあってすごい体力。
Impressive as expected from training every day - amazing strength.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- さすが評判のレストランだけあって料理もサービスもすばらしかった。
That restaurant has a good reputation, and as expected the food and service was great.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はずっと運動していないだけにやっぱり太った
He didn't do any exercise and as expected got fat
— contributed by: dc
- さすがに偉大な学者だけあって、彼はその問いに容易に答えた。
Like the great scholar that he was, he answered the question easily.
— contributed by: Miki
- 専門家だけあって彼はその分野に詳しい。
As may be expected of an expert, he's well versed in the field.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はボディビルが趣味というだけあって体がガシッとしている。
Bodybuilding is his hobby so he has a very firm tight body with lots of (muscle) definition.
— contributed by: Miki
- Woody Allenが作った映画だけあって、面白かった。
As I'd expect from a Woody Allen film, that was really interesting.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は、美術学校を出ただけあって、絵が上手です。
As expected of a woman who went to art school, she draws well.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- あの先生は、経験が長いだけあって、授業がわかりやすくておもしろいですね。
As you'd expect of a teacher with lots of experience, his classes are easy to understand and interesting.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- sasuga
- dakeni (identical)
- seida
- yappari, yahari
User Comments
- だけあって can be replaced by だけに
— contributed by: Miki
- Can だけに be used for negative nuances as well?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- えっ、you think だけあって is used for negative nuance? They don't have negative nuances.
— contributed by: Miki
- When you use the examples in a cynical way, the same sentence but different intonations, they can have negative nuances. だけに is the same as well.
— contributed by: Miki
- > えっ、you think だけあって is used for negative
> nuance? They don't have negative nuances.
No. That's why I asked about <b>"だけに"</b>. To see if it was different from <b>"だけあって"</b>.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I think our (english speaking) question is whether you can only use this phrase when you expect good things.
For example:
he fooled around too much, and as expected failed the test
— contributed by: dc
- For "sasuga" it definitely seems to have a very positive glowing nuance. People use sasuga just on its own to compliment you. But is dakeatte different?
— contributed by: dc
- Kuroshio Publication's 日本語文型辞典's entry on だけに has
3) かれらは若いだけに徹夜をしても平気なようだ。
which, to me at least, feels negative. Please inform me if otherwise.
— contributed by: Koriyama
- I would translate that as
they are young, so as expected even after pulling an all nighter they look fine.
which doesn't have a negative impression: fine as expected.
— contributed by: dc
- A negative would be like "as expected, he drank too much"
— contributed by: dc
- Which is more like やっぱり.
A cynical/sarcastic one might be, "as expected, he managed to finish the race" - where he was saying he would win.
— contributed by: dc
- Check the last example, regarding getting fat.
— contributed by: dc
- In the last example, instead of だけに I would use せいで. ずっと運動していないせいで太った.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Linked to "seida."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- What I am saying is that the last example is not a good one.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I think the last example is fine.
When you use せいで、nuance would be changed.
ずっと運動していないために、（やっぱり）彼は太った。
ずっと運動していないせいで、彼は太った。
— contributed by: Miki
- hmm, so what is the difference in nuance/meaning of these?
— contributed by: dc
- Even though I cannot prove it to you by specific reference (I'm looking for it), It is my gut feeling that だけに calls for a positive result. Thus, "non-exercise - obesity" is not in my mind a positive result. I may be wrong.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- おっと、typo. I meant ずっと運動してない_だけに_、（やっぱり）彼は太った。
— contributed by: Miki
- Make it やっぱり太った and I'll accept the last example.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I found this example in my grammar text, but it doesn't sound so positive.「この間買ったカメラは安いだけあって、すぐ壊れてしまった。」Is my appreciation of Japanese sarcasm lacking?
— contributed by: Leslie
- Ｌｅｓｌｉｅさん、you are right, nothing to do with the lack of appreciation of sarcasm. だけにto be precise, means[ exactly because....]It doesn't necesarily to be positive.
〜だけに　：
〜という理由があるから、普通以上に。。。
Therefore, I agree with bambooさん, that ex#1196
is not quite a good example, coz it is naturally expected that " one grows fat because of not exercising"
— contributed by: 誠
- だけあって＝
だけのことはある(put at the end of sentence.)
— contributed by: 誠
- すみません、
#1196 is fine.
— contributed by: 誠
- Leslieさん, could you please translate your sentence and nuance as you interpreted it? Thanks
— contributed by: xabre24
- [この間買ったカメラは安いだけあって、すぐ壊れてしまった。]
"As could be expected" That cheap camera I bought the other day ended up breaking right away.
— contributed by: Pwillig
- In my class, we have translated this to mean "precisely because", owing to specificity.
— contributed by: MrMackerel
- I can't fully understand ex #1196. Is it "彼は はずっと" or "彼は ずっと"?
— contributed by: karekano
- It's 彼はずっと and I fixed it for dc.
Actually since your site has だけに as a separate entry, why not move the got fat example over there? It looks out of place here with the rest of the だけあって.
— contributed by: HADAA
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dakeatte
tagJ: だけあって
expE: because, as expected (used for positive things)
noteE: the food was good as expected
JLPT: 2

Front: dakeni
だけに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
だけに
Meaning: as expected, after all, since, for
Example: He studied hard and passed, as expected. He passed, for he studied hard.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [dakeatte] for examples, explanation. identical.
— contributed by: dc
- だけに can be used for both good and bad merits. However, だけあって is used for good merits. It should not be used for negative nuances.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- だけに is also a common punchline in Japanese puns (dajare). The word since or for is a more appropriate translation in this sense. See examples below
— contributed by: HADAA
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 苦難の途を歩んできただけにできたひとだ。
As might be expected of those who trod the path of hardships, he is a man of character.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- やっぱり東京だけに（だけあって）世界各地の食べ物が揃っている。
As might be expected of a city like Tokyo, world-wide cuisine is available there.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 火星は地球とよく似ているだけにひとしお興味をひく。
Mars is all the more interesting for its close resemblance to our earth.
— contributed by: Miki
- フランスで勉強しただけに、彼女のフランス語は発音がきれいだ。
As expected of someone who studied in France, her pronunciation of French is lovely.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 両親は、田舎で二人だけで暮らしている。年をとっているだけに、娘としては心配だ。
(Her) parents are living together in the countryside. Since they are getting older, she is worrying about them.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 一生懸命働いただけに、彼に促成をしました
As expected he performed well and got the promotion
— contributed by: mvgn
- トラもウマも私は怖いです。トラウマだけに
Tigers and horses are scary to me. For they are traumatic indeed.
— contributed by: HADAA
- サメの写真を上手に撮ってきましたよ。ジョーズだけに。
I took a great picture of a shark. Since it's a great white (Jaws) after all.
— contributed by: HADAA
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User Comments
- ex#3094 can be read as "only in Tokyo world-wide cuisine is available."
— contributed by: Miki
- To avoid that, I have added やっぱり.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I have seen Dakeni in several Level 2 grammar books before, so I think it would be safe to say that Dakeni should be a Level 2 expression, instead of level 1.
— contributed by: nhk9
- nhk9 - updated thanks.
— contributed by: dc
- [ex#6176] This may be picky, but I disagree with the translation. If I am mistaken please correct me as it is important for other learners to understand. "Her parents are living alone in the countryside. (As one would expect) Since they are getting older, as a daughter she is worried (about them)."
— contributed by: benni
- I asked a native speaker and she said benni was right. for ex 6176 the translation should read
"Her parents are living together in the countriside. Since they are getting older, she is worrying about them."
the daughter is the one doing the worrying.
— contributed by: yadokari
- I've changed ex #6541 from: "(Her) parents are living together in the countryside. As expected of those getting older, they worry about their daughter"; to: "(Her) parents are living together in the countryside. Since they are getting older, she is worrying about them." I've marked it as suspicious. Please, some native speaker correct it ^^ thank you.
— contributed by: karekano
- I added two examples of DAKENI used as a common Japanese dajare (pun) punchline. I struggled with the html codes so I did not include ex number etc. If someone could help me polish them up, much appreciated.
Oh, I didn't explain the jokes at all. Think you can get it?
— contributed by: HADAA
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dakeni
tagJ: だけに
expE: as expected, after all, since, for
noteE: He studied hard and passed, as expected. He passed, for he studied hard.
JLPT: 2

Front: niokeru
における・おいて
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
における・おいて
Meaning: at, in, as for
Example: the progress IN science / occur AT the hotel
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- used as ni [okeru]
used for places and fields
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 来年の総会はロンドンにおいて行われる。
Next years general meeting will be held in London
— contributed by: dc
- 医学における進歩は素晴らしい
The progress in medical science is amazing.
— contributed by: dc
- 試験は会議室において行われた
The examination took place in the conference room.
— contributed by: dc
- この点において私と彼とは意見が食い違っています
As for this point, my opinion differs from his
— contributed by: dc
- 海外における諸情勢
The situation that is overseas (from Japan)
— contributed by: Miki
- 極限状態においては、すべての人が協力し合うという同じ反応が起きると、私は信じている。
In an extreme situation, I believe that the same reaction would take place in terms of all the community pulling together.
— contributed by: Miki
- マーチン・ルーさー・キングは英国における黒人の指導者であった。
Martin Luther King was the leader of the black people in America.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- ex#1199 it would be 私と彼の instaed of 私わかれと. We also say この点において、私と彼と 意見が食い違っています
— contributed by: Miki
- Unlike に於いて and に於ける、に於いては implies assumption.
— contributed by: Miki
- Could a native speaker kindly explain why this goes beyond the simple place particle に？ Also, I had thought that おいて　implies a sense of "for future convenience" -- is that true? Many thanks.
— contributed by: adamstudio
- Rather than に, the meaning of における should be the same as the particle で according to my books. The difference is that において/における comes from 置く (to place, to put) so it has the nuance "things happen in this context/place". Is also more formal and less ambiguous than に/で.
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niokeru
tagJ: における・おいて
expE: at, in, as for
noteE: the progress IN science / occur AT the hotel
JLPT: 2

Front: hatomokaku
はともかく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
はともかく
Meaning: leaving A aside, A is good, but B is another thing
Example: price aside, its great.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Aはともかく、( Bは良い）
　　= leaving aside A (B is good)
　　= A is another thing but B is great.
usually it is used for two contrasting things.
　　A hatomokaku B ha ii
　　= A is bad but B is good.
　　味はともかく、値段が安い
　　The taste is another thing, but the price is good
But this can also be used just for asides
　　費用の問題はともかく
　　setting aside the question of expense
— contributed by: dc
- kuroi kaoiro wa tonikaku, kare wa shinsetsu na hito desu
gvramachandran
— contributed by: gvrchandran
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あの店は雰囲気はともかく味はいい。
at that restaurant the taste is good but the atmosphere is another thing.
— contributed by: dc
- いつにするかはともかく、どこにしましょうか？
Leaving aside the date, where shall we do it?
— contributed by: dc
- 冗談はともかく、頭が痛いのなら医者にみせるべきだ。
Joking apart, you ought to see a doctor about your headache
— contributed by: dc
- 私は話すことはともかく、　書くことは苦手だ。
Setting aside the speaking ability, writing is my weak area.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 数学はともかく、テストはまあまあだった。
Setting math aside, the results of the tests were not so bad.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- tonikaku
User Comments
- 'tomotaku' (ともかく) is also used apart from は ともかく. For example at the start of sentences meaning "at any rate"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 頭脳 zunou is brain, not headache. headache is 頭痛 zutsuu.
— contributed by: Miki
- ともかく ＝ とにかく　？
anyway, ... blah blah
— contributed by: dc
- 頭脳 zunou is brain >> but we dont tell people in english to see someone about their brain. if they need that instruction, usually they are too far gone to listen!
miki > what is the unliteral meaning?
— contributed by: dc
- >> For example at the start of sentences
I'm not sure about that or if you're getting confused with [tonikaku]
— contributed by: dc
- Is this always used where the first thing is bad? eg can you just use it for an aside
月日はともかく、どこにしましょうか？
Leaving aside the dates, where shall we do it?
— contributed by: dc
- If Englis comes first, Japanese translation would be
頭痛を医者に見てもらうべきだ。
— contributed by: Miki
- 日時はともかく、どこにしましょうか？ is ok.
(月日 is not used in this kind of sentence.)
— contributed by: Miki
- Bad thing can comes after ともかく。　
あの作品はともかく、これはひどいできだ。
— contributed by: Miki
- 日時はともかく、どこにしましょうか？is weird. It should be something like, いつにするかはともかくとして、どこにしましょうか
— contributed by: bamboo4
- bamboo4 is right in a way. What I meant by 日時 is more specific date and time. I use both expressions in daily life.
— contributed by: Miki
- dc, as for headache and 頭脳, I don't know unliteral meaning of headache if it literally means brain.
bamboo4, if you have any idea, pls help.
— contributed by: your name
- I think you mean universal. unilateral is more like "The US unilaterally decided to invade North Korea"
— contributed by: dc
- hmm Which did you mean,"universal" or "unilateral"?
Whichever it is I have no idea. 医者に行ったほうがいいのは、頭痛がするからでしょう？ 頭痛の原因を診てらったほうがいい is closer to what you meant??
— contributed by: Miki
- oops, above i wrote un-literal - as in not Literal.
Unilateral is a small spelling difference!
— contributed by: dc
- If you meant "you should get your head examined," that would be 医者に頭をみてもらえよ
If you meant "you should get a doctor to see about your headach," that would be: 頭が痛いのなら医者に言った方がいい.
In any event, scrap 君の頭脳は医者にみせるべきだ.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Sorry, 言った方がいい should be corrected to read 行った方がいい.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Changed the 2nd example.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ともかく can be replaced with さておき
— contributed by: Miki
- Pls see [sorehasateoki]
— contributed by: Miki
- In response to a partner's statement you can use 'それはともかく..'　to mean 'Setting that aside....'
この店はすごく安いよ。
それはともかく味はまずいよ。
In my English I would say 'yeh but..'
— contributed by: CrayonShin
- I was going to include some examples but, in most cases, tomokaku could be translated as ”in any case", "at any rate" or "just" and I was not sure if this examples were right for this entry...
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hatomokaku
tagJ: はともかく
expE: leaving A aside, A is good, but B is another thing
noteE: price aside, its great.
JLPT: 2

Front: nishitagatte; nishitagai
に従って; に従い (にしたがって; にしたがい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に従って; に従い (にしたがって; にしたがい)
Meaning: following; in accordance with; as 〜, accordingly; in proportion to
Example: As our income increases, our expenditure increase accordingly.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊Ｖ(nonpast dict. form) + に従って/に従い is used to express that something beyond human control takes place simultaneously with something else that goes on. The verbs in both main and subordinate clauses do not express a momentary action, but a continuous process. See example #6351.
＊In the case of Ｎ + に従って/に従い, the previous note is not applicable. When used after a noun, this construction expresses that what occurs is momentary or non-spontaneous. See example #6350.
＊This grammar CANNOT be preceeded by an adjective or the copula verb (だ/です). Preceeding verbs must be nonpast.
＊従い is used in written Japanese whereas 従って is used in both written and spoken Japanese.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(dict. form) + に従って/に従い
Ｎ + に従って/に従い
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 予算が不足している。したがってこの計画は実行できない。
The budget is insufficient. Accordingly, this plan cannot be implemented.
— contributed by: dc
- 南に行くにしたがって気温が高くなる。
As you go further south, the temperature gets warmer.
— contributed by: dc
- 私の指示にしたがって下さい。
Please follow my instructions
— contributed by: dc
- 経験を積むにしたがって給料があがる
The salary goes up as the experience is acquired.
— contributed by: rkmovva
- 契約に従い、雇用期間を三年とする。
In accordance with the contract, your tenure is three years.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 収入が増えるに従って、支出も増える。
As our income increases, our expenditure increases accordingly.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 医学が進歩するにしたがって平均寿命が延びた。
Extended life expectancy according to medical advances.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 高くにしたがって、見晴らしがよくなった。
As high up we climbed, the visibility got better.
— contributed by: Makai
- 彼女は私の忠告に従って退学しなかった。
She took my advice and didn`t drop out of school.
— contributed by: karekano
- わが社は労働者の安全に関する政令に従って操業している。
Our company conforms to government regulations on worker safety.
— contributed by: karekano
- 法に従って
Work by the rules
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼の希望に従って
In compliance with his wishes
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- totomoni
- nitsurete (nishitagatte implies tighter following of directions or instructions)
- nitomonatte
User Comments
- there are a few other phrases like this, where verb and noun have different effects. see explanation on totomoni
— contributed by: dc
- sometimes in kanji too: に従って
— contributed by: dc
- see totomoni for some similarities and explanation
— contributed by: dc
- Not sure what you mean by "verb and noun have different effects"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The second example 従って should be 接続詞 conjunction. Other exampels are transformation of verb 従う.
— contributed by: Miki
- I think the "Please do it according to the manner I showed you" example could be shortened to "Please do it as I showed you". All the examples I've seen with nishitagatte could be translated as "as". It seems somewhat different if you don't use it as a conjunction though.
— contributed by: Quobobo
- feel free to edit... I agree although it is a bit of a pompous expression in japanese too perhaps.
— contributed by: dc
- I agree and changed the example.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Miki-san is correct. We are mixing apples and oranges here.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Ya, i agree that some examples that doesn't mean "following , に従って" got mixed up here.
I think ex #552 is considered ok under this category, although it doesn't use にin front of 従って. That doesn't matter since the meaning is the same. Well, u can say "Accordingly" or " Following that" here.
But for ex #1200 is actually に　＋　従って　of the verb 従う - " follows " . so this example got mixed up in this category.
— contributed by: 誠
- ex #7780：高く登るに従って
— contributed by: kainis
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nishitagatte; nishitagai
tagJ: に従って; に従い
tagH: にしたがって; にしたがい
expE: following; in accordance with; as 〜, accordingly; in proportion to
expJ: とともに; につれて; に伴って
noteE: As our income increases, our expenditure increase accordingly.
JLPT: 2

Front: niyoruto
によると
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
によると
Meaning: according to
Example: according to the news
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- (person/source) によると (information)
according to (person), (information)
彼によると、明日は雨
According to him, it will rain tomorrow
---
Don't get confused with によります [niyotte-2] which means depending on.
天気によっては来る
depending on the weather, I will come
天気予報によると、明日は雨
according to the weather report, it will rain tomorrow
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 友達の話しによればあの映画はとても面白いということです。
According to what my friend said, that movie is very interesting.
— contributed by: dc
- 米国NBC News、ロイターなどの報道によると、ブッシュ米大統領が、新しい宇宙探査計画の発表を準備しているとのことだ。
According to America's NBC News, Reuters and such news agencies US President Bush is in the process of preparing an anouncement of a new plan for space exploration
— contributed by: dc
- 電灯の発明はエジソンによるとされている。によるとされている。
The invention of electric light is accredited to Edison.
— contributed by: dc3
- 彼の概算によると家の新築費用は３０００万円です。
He estimates that the new house will cost roughly thirty million yen.
— contributed by: dc3
- 彼は自分の成功を、良い教育を受けたことによると考えた。
He attributed his success to the good teaching he had received.
— contributed by: dc3
- 彼らが行った調査によると、アメリカ人は日本に興味を持っていないことがわかる。
The research done by them shows that Americans are not interested in Japan.
— contributed by: dc3
- 彼らの話によると、あの男の子は歌がうまいらしい。
According to their opinions, that boy is a very good singer
— contributed by: dc3
- 副社長によると、会社はいまだに外国の会社から契約をもらっていない。
According to the vice president, the company has yet to receive a contract from a foreign company.
— contributed by: dc3
- 聞いたところによると彼らの結婚は破綻をきたしているらしいよ。
From what I've heard, their marriage is on the rocks.
— contributed by: dc3
- 医者の話によると、この病気はすぐによくなるというものではないらしい。
According to what the doctor said, this illness doesn't seem to be one you can recover from quickly.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 報告書によると、この病院の患者の３分の１は１２歳以下だった。
According to the report, a third of the patients in this hospital were under 12 years of age.
— contributed by: pimbimsys
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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User Comments
- First example : によれば is used much as によると, but obviously doesn't have quite the same kana ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I don't think 'nioujite' is that close in meaning.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I agree with Amatuka.
— contributed by: Miki
- how about:
?　niyoruto =
"according to.." (eg a person who said something)
?　nioujite =
according to a certain condition (eg according to how strong you feel... do X or Y). Guess this is more like "depending on/according to (your mood)"
can niyoruto be used for the same second meaning?
体力 によると、運動をして下さい。
exercise [according to] your strength
— contributed by: dc
- 体力によると、is weird.
— contributed by: Miki
- hmm, maybe
niyoruto: according to a persons statement
"according to fred/the news/your mum..."
nioujite: according to a condition, or situation
"according to your certificate/the rules/whats written here..."
— contributed by: dc
- maybe nioujite is more used for measurable items that vary.
(your age | air pressure | time of day) nioujite
and niyoruto is more reports/information
(your friend | the news | that report) ni yoruto
... ?
— contributed by: dc
- に応じて means "in step with" or "in response to" and that is quite different from によると, which simply denotes what you are describing is a hearsay.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- in response to that tairyoku ni yoruto;
how about 体力の限界の内に、どんどん運動をして下さい
— contributed by: Snake
- The Japanese is not natural. This would be slight difference but would be better. 体力の限度内（げんどない）で、どんどん運動してください。or できるだけ運動をして下さい。This would be used when a doctor advise a patient how to recover faster.
— contributed by: Miki
- i would like to ask about the structure of the sentence in which "によると”has the meaning"according to". In vietnam school, i studied its tag is "そうです”or "ようです”and i seached in this webpage but i cann't find it. please explain it to me. thank you very much.
— contributed by: uyen
- ex#3342 (by), #3344 (based on) these によると are not "accodring to".
— contributed by: Miki
- uyen eg #50 you can also say 友だちの話によれば、あの映画はとても面白いそうです。
— contributed by: Miki
- Is it ok to add によれば under the notes/examples as well? (There's currently no entry for it).
— contributed by: nadine
- One thing which I've learnt, but never really understood is that:
先生の話によると is correct, but
先生によると is wrong.
May I ask if there's any explanation for this?
— contributed by: wribbit
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niyoruto
tagJ: によると
expE: according to
noteE: according to the news
JLPT: 1

Front: nioujite
に応じて、に応じた (におうじて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に応じて、に応じた (におうじて)
Meaning: commensurate with, accordance with, depending on
Example: exercise according to your fitness level
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- に応じて]has these meanings,
[depending on], [in accordance with], [in answer to].
体力に応じて（depending on）
（ex）あなたの体力に応じて走るスピードを変えましょう。
Depending on your physical fitness,change your running speed.
命令に応じて（in accordance with）
（ex）上司の命令に応じてその計画を変更した。
We changed the plan in accordance with boss's instructions.
質問に応じて(in answer to)
（ex）彼の質問に応じて、彼女はこう言った。
She said that in answer to his question.
　 「応」＝「答」
— contributed by: dc
- usage
noun + nioujite
体力に応じて
命令に応じて
when with adjectives, you add -sa after the adjective to turn it into a type of noun.
eg
　高い high
→高さ high-ness/height
高<b>さ</b>に応じて depending on your height
速<b>さ</b>に応じて depending on your speed
This is for true adjectives, which are mostly "na" adjectives. for "-i" adjectives, you often can't use -sa as they dont turn into nouns.
See <a href=http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpadj/lesson1.htm>this page</a> for an explanation on true/quasi na/i adjectives.
— contributed by: dc
- に応じて is for things that vary
depending on (noun/variable item),
change (verb)
depending on (your strength),
change (the way you you exercise)
depending on (your driving speed),
it will change (your gas consumption)
of course being japanese the sentence order is backward
(noun/variable) ni oujite, (verb)
(体力) に応じて (運動する）
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 世の中のお金の量であるマネーサプライは、経済活動の大きさに応じて伸び縮みします。
Money supply - the volume of money in the world - will, dependent on the size of economic activity, grow and shrink.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- [related expression]無理をしないで体力に応じた運動をして下さい。
Don't over exert yourself, exercise commensurate with your physical strength.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 車の速さに応じてガソリンの消費量が変わる
The consumption of petrol is dependent on your driving speed.
— contributed by: dc
- みなさんのご希望におうじて商品を生産していくつもりです。
We serve how many goods we produce depending on the demand of all the people.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼の招待に応じてそのディナーへ出席した。
I attended the dinner at his invitation.
— contributed by: karekano
- 君がする仕事の量に応じて給料を払おう。
We will pay you according to the amount of work you do.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼らはリンゴを大きさと形に応じて等級づけした。
They graded the apples as to size a shape.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- niyoruto
User Comments
- Sometimes a better translation of 応じて could be "commensurate with."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I'll go along with that. It's a better match to the verb tense に応じた for the second example.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- wow. thats a long english word too! maybe it makes it more memorable for this grammar example...
— contributed by: dc
- As far as I can see the questions are
1. Should に応じた have a separate entry?
2. Is there a significant difference in meaning between に応じた and に応じて?
Does anybody have anything to add on those points?
I'm tempted to say 'No, and No' for an easy life ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 残った質問は二つだと思います。
１．「に応じた」は別のページにあるべきですか。
２．「に応じた」と「に応じて」の違いは少なくじゃありませんか。
誰かがその点に意見がありますか。
— contributed by: Amatuka
- When 「に応じた」and 「に応じて」are reaplced by each, the examples are still correct Japanese and mean almost the same.
— contributed by: Miki
- OK, I'm changing this to just -1 (from -3) as there doesn't seem to be any real problem here.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- When using <b>に応じた</b> it modifies the following noun. E.g. The literal translation of the second example would be...
<b>"Don't over exert yourself, do the exercise that is commensurate to your physical strength."</b>
(e.g. 'exercise' (noun) is modified by (commensurate to your physical strength)).
This would probably be clearer with a different example.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Shouldn't the verb in the last example (#1205) be 縲悟､峨ｏ繧九?絞nstead of 縲御ｻ｣繧上ｋ縲??
— contributed by: Adam
- That turned out weird on my screen. What I meant to say was... In example #1205, shouldn't the verb be 「変わる」　Instead of 「代わる」？？
— contributed by: Adam
- I agree.
— contributed by: Miki
- changed... btw anyone can edit the examples, so please do. (unless we have a bug, in which case let us know)
— contributed by: dc
- Is there a difference between に応じて and によって? Would I be able to say:
特許のバリュウーに応じて、調査します。
特許のバリュウーによって、調査します。
[We'll]Investigate the patent depending on it's value.
— contributed by: Nadine
- 応じて has the connotation that the speaker has the discretion of applying his yardstick as to the value, whereas によって has the connotation of taking the value that has been set.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I don`t want to sound like a redneck or anything, but I have spoken english my whole life and this is the first time I have seen commensurate. I`m sure its meaning matches very well with you examples, but using uncommon english is just as good as translating english in to archaic Japanese. even if you know what your saying no one else will.
— contributed by: tigert
- Well, I'm sure the second time you saw it, after having looked it up, you understood. Better to raise the bar for yourself than lower it for those who can't understand "archaic" English. ;)
1. having the same measure; of equal extent or duration.
2. corresponding in amount, magnitude, or degree: Your paycheck should be commensurate with the amount of time worked.
3. proportionate; adequate.
4. having a common measure; commensurable.
It's not just the meaning of the word, but also its usage. Just as you might not find commensurate in English vernacular, you won't find に応じて flying out of the mouth of a high school kid in Japan.
— contributed by: Dekirukana
- I disagree - に応じて is as common with the high school kids in Japan as "according to" or "depending on" is with kids in the good old U.S of A.
"raise the bar" for what - so japs using this site can become frustrated when nobody understands what they are talking about.
tigert is correct, you should delete "commensurate" and replace it with "according to".
— contributed by: slopethisway
- I can't speak for the US, but 'commensurate with' is fairly common in British/Irish English, particularly in job advertisements/interviews. In fact, I use it in the latter to dodge naming a figure when asked about salary expectations! Saying "I'd expect a salary commensurate with my experience" makes you sound intelligent too, another bonus in that situation!
— contributed by: bullet1001
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nioujite
tagJ: に応じて、に応じた
tagH: におうじて
expE: commensurate with, accordance with, depending on
noteE: exercise according to your fitness level
JLPT: 2

Front: niyotte-2
によって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
によって
Meaning: depending on
Example: depending on the weather, i will come
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 天気によっては来ます
depending on the weather, i will come
— contributed by: dc
- 結果によっては採用しないことがあります。
Depending upon the outcome, you may not be hired.
— contributed by: dc
- 天気によっては中止することがあります。
Depending upon the weather, the event may be cancelled.
— contributed by: dc
- 景気にようってはメキシコに行きます。
Depending upon the finances, I will go to Mexico.
— contributed by: josue64
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of によって
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- niyotte
- ikan
User Comments
- 天気によって来ます is weird. It should be "天気次第で行きます."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- how about
　天気によって<b>は</b>来ます
— contributed by: dc
- If you say 天気によっては来ます,it is very likely that you are talking about some third party or things. Like in Nikko, there are many monkeys, and you can say that to indicate that those monkeys will show up depending on the weather.
If you are talking about yourself, it is normal to say 天気によってはゆきます or 天気によっては帰って来ます but one do not normally see 来ます very often.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- erm, sorry my encoding messed up again, that first line should be "saiyou shinai _koto_ ga arimasu"
delete button doesn't seem to work :(
— contributed by: Snake
- snake hiya - deleted your mojibake post above... dunno why your delete btn is not working - are you logged in?
also the encoding, i haven't seen probs with. what browser/OS are you on?
— contributed by: dc
- dc, I cannot delete my comment, too. When I am logged off, I cannot see delete btn.　でしょ？
— contributed by: Miki
- I could delete an example I added.
— contributed by: Miki
- yes, you can only delete your own comments - so you have to be logged in so the system knows which are yours! otherwise an anonymous user could come in and delete everything...
— contributed by: dc
- I was logged in, and i tried it again just then logged in, but no go. I'm using Opera though.. gomen
ブラウザによっては削除出来ないことがあります（＾＾；
— contributed by: Snake
- dang. that would class as a bug then. might be Opera cookie/session handling. I recommend firefox but IE seems OK too.
— contributed by: dc
- Firefox cannot handle Japanese fonts.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex1309 天気 によっては 来ます can also be used such when you were at a gathering and asked if you comes to next gathering.　
一郎：「次回はきますか？」Will you come next time?
花子：「天気によっては来ます。」
— contributed by: Miki
- I use Firefox and have had no problems with japanese fonts..?
— contributed by: dc
- Is this the same, or a variation on, かによる?
— contributed by: jmadsen
- Hi-General comment. When I log in and browse, the screen jumps all over the place. When I log OUT, the problem is cleared up. For example, I get to the entry I want to look at, and the screen reverts to the beginning of the section. Any suggestions?
— contributed by: lucinda lohmanoota
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niyotte-2
tagJ: によって
expE: depending on
noteE: depending on the weather, i will come
JLPT: 2

Front: ba~hodo
条件形〜ほど (ば〜ほど)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
条件形〜ほど (ば〜ほど)
Meaning: the more +V(+A), the more ...
Example: the more you read, the less you know
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- FORMATION:
Ｖ(ば form) + Ｖ(dict. form) + ほど
いＡ + ければ＊ + いＡ + ほど
＊EX: ちかい + ければ = ちかければ
なＡ + なら(ば) + なＡ + ほど
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本語は勉強すれば勉強するほど面白くなります。
The harder you study Japanese, the more interesting it will become.
— contributed by: dc
- そこに居れば居るほどその土地が好きになる。
The longer I stayed there the more I came to like it.
— contributed by: dc
- やればやるほど悪くなる
The more you do it, the worse it gets.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 早ければ早いほどありがたいです
I would be grateful if you can do it sooner rather than later.
— contributed by: dc
- 「急げば急ぐほど遅くなる」は逆説である。
More haste, less speed is a paradox.
— contributed by: Miki
- Ｖの角度が広ければ広いほど、スピードが緩やかになる。
The wider the V, the slower the speed.
— contributed by: Miki
- たくさん本を読めば読むほど、たくさんの事を知るだろう。
The more books you read, the more you'll know.
— contributed by: Miki
- そのことを考えれば考えるほど、私はますます嫌になる。
The more I think of it, the less I like it.
— contributed by: Miki
- その質問が難しくなればなるほど答えることができなくなりそうだ。
The more difficult the question are, the less likely I am to be able to answer it.
— contributed by: Miki
- その本は、読めば読むほど分からなくなる。
The more you read the book, the less you understand it.
— contributed by: Miki
- その問題について考えれば考えるほど、一層難しくなるように思えた。
The more I thought about the problem, the more difficult it seemed to become.
— contributed by: Miki
- たくさん持てば持つほど、それだけいっそう多く欲しくなる。
The more you have, the more you want.
— contributed by: Miki
- われわれが他人を疑えば疑うほど、他人もわれわれを疑うであろう。
Others will suspect us the more, the more we suspect them.
— contributed by: Miki
- ポップコーンは食べれば食べるほどもっと食べたくなる。
The more popcorn you eat, the more you want.
— contributed by: Miki
- 飲めば飲むほど注意力が鈍る。
The more you drink, the less careful you will be.
— contributed by: Miki
- 暇な時間が多ければ多いほど、それだけ彼は楽しい。
The more leisure he has, the happier he is.
— contributed by: Miki
- 各人が個性的であればあるほど、それだけ他人の英知に寄与する。
The more unique each person is, the more he contributes to the wisdom of others.
— contributed by: Miki
- ハンサムならばハンサムなほど恋人を探しやすいです。
The more handsome you are, the easier it is to find a lover.
— contributed by: koluky
- 多ければ多いほどよい。
The more the better.
— contributed by: taunt
- 考えれば考えるほど解決方法、わからなくなることがある。
Sometimes the more you think about it, the less you can find the solution.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- プレゼンテーションに準備すればするほど当時に安心でしょう。
The more you prepare for the presentation, the more confident you would feel.
— contributed by: yuubouna
- 歌えば歌うほど、声が出るようになったんです。
The more I sing the better my voice gets.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 条件形〜ほど
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- hodo (The ほど in ~ば - ほど is also used on its own.)
User Comments
- See also standard '-ba' conditional verb form.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- can this be used with an adjective?
出きるだけ早ければ、早いほどいいと思います。
= the sooner we do it the better, i think
— contributed by: dc
- yes ok! but this is more polite...
出来るだけ早ければ早いほうがありがたいです。
= I would be grateful if we can do it sooner rather than later
— contributed by: たか
- In 早ければ早いほう、「出来るだけ」is redundant and not needed because that is indirectly implied.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- thanks, noted, and now an example.
— contributed by: dc
- If you say, 早ければ早いほう, you need が, but if you say 早ければ早いほど, you don't need が.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- so in this case you don't use any article? は・が・を
→　早ければ早いほど ありがたいです
— contributed by: dc
- That is correct, dc.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex#58 You also can use 勉強すればするほど
— contributed by: 誠
- 出来るだけ　adding to 早ければ早いほど makes the sentence more beautiful and smooth. もっときれいね
— contributed by: 誠
- There is no example for na-adjectives. Would this be correct?
私の部屋が奇麗ならば奇麗ほど、嬉しくなる。
The cleaner my room is, the happier I am.
— contributed by: tw
- It would be 奇麗なら(ば)奇麗_な_ほど. Those pesky noun-like adjectives and their なs...
— contributed by: KWhazit
- Would this also be correct?
乾菓子を食べれば食べるほど太っちゃうよ。
— contributed by: ミサ坊
- Here you are
— contributed by: myawr
- Wouldn't the title make more sense if the title was :
ば〜ほど?
— contributed by: brewski
- I changed the title according to Brewskiさん note. I intended to translate Yuubounaさん example.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ba~hodo
tagJ: 条件形〜ほど
tagH: ば〜ほど
expE: the more +V(+A), the more ...
noteE: the more you read, the less you know
JLPT: 2

Front: ageku
挙げ句 (あげく)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
挙げ句 (あげく)
Meaning: in the end, afterall
Example: in the end, he ended up in jail
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- "after much (verb)-ing"
ageku implies doing something a lot.
"after much to-ing and fro-ing we finally decided to .."
悩んだ挙句、
"after a lot of worrying, we gave up caring"
— contributed by: dc
- [ageku] and [kekkyoku] do both seem to be negative
[yatto] seems to be mostly positive
[sekkaku] can be both
勉強したあげくに卒業しました
after much studying, i graduated
(implies a long sigh about the process of studying... even though the result was positive)
せっかく勉強したので、卒業しました
thanks to all the studying, I passed!
ヤット！卒業しました！
finally! I passed!
勉強した後、卒業しました
after studying, I passed.
注意→　日本語のnative speakerチェックして下さい！
— contributed by: dc
- corrections to note above:
勉強したあげくに卒業しました It's better to add adjectives to make it natural.
→suggestion : 散々（さんざん） or 色々（いろいろ）_勉強した挙句に卒業しました。
せっかく勉強したので、卒業しました
→suggestion : 折角（せっかく）
折角勉強したので、教師（きょう）の資格（しかく）を取得（しゅとく）して、卒業しました。
Since I studied it all the way, I passed with a teacher's license.
折角勉強したのに、卒業することができませんでした。
勉強した後、卒業しました→勉強した後、合格しました。
after studying, I passed.
— contributed by: dc
- Often used with さんざん
— contributed by: MightyAtom
- According to a native speaker, this grammar adds a negative feeling to the sentence, so either the first part preceding the 挙句 or the following part should have a negative feel to reflect that.
In the example:
「散々考えた挙げ句その計画を実行にうつした」
this is equivalent to
「散々悩んだ挙げ句その計画を実行にうつした」
in feeling due to the presence of 挙句.
Similarly in another example
「両親に相談したあげくに、彼と結婚することにした。」
sounds unnatural, because the decision to marry someone is a positive one. If it was instead
「両親に相談したあげくに、彼と離婚することにした。」
then it would sound more natural because divorce has a negative connotation.
— contributed by: khyron
- ageku should return a bad result
— contributed by: seishun
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 挙げ句の果てに彼は刑務所行きになった。
In the end he landed up in jail.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 4頭の象が酔っ払った挙句の果てに高圧線に襲い掛かって感電死。
Four elephants get drunk and in the end crashed into high-voltage power lines, electrocuted.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 迷ったあげく彼の誘いを断ってしまった。
After much dithering, in the end I turned down his invitation.
— contributed by: dc
- 散々考えた挙げ句その計画を実行にうつした
After hard thinking , I carried out the plan
— contributed by: dc
- 両親に相談したあげくに、彼と離婚することにした。
After talking with both (his) parents the end result was that I decided to divorce him.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女はみんなにさんざん迷惑をかけたあげく、あいさつもしないで会社をやめていった。
After she gave people a great deal of trouble, she left the company without even saying good-bye.
— contributed by: Vbk
- コンピュータを物色して歩いたあげく、デイヴィッドより２００ドル安い値段で手に入れた。
I shopped around for my computer and ended up paying $200 less than David.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は十分考慮したあげく申し出に応じた。
I accepted the offer after due consideration.
— contributed by: Miki
- 色々勉強したあげく、卒業しました。
After much studying, I graduated.
— contributed by: dc
- 一杯食べた挙げ句に吐き出した。
After a lot of eating , I threw up.
— contributed by: hgtedo
- どの大学に留学しようかと、さんざん悩んだあげく、日本の大学に決めた。
One way or another how much I wanted to studying abroad in an university, after much being harshly worried about it , I decided to go to a Japanese university.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- さんざん文句を言ったあげくに、出て行ったんです。
After making so many complaints , she just got up and left.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- ざんざん迷ったあげく彼のプロポウズを断れた。
After a long hesitation 、I`ve turned down his propose.
— contributed by: karekano
- 練成を完成したあげく、体が逞しくなりました。
after completing all the exercises, the body becomes stronger.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of 挙げ句
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- kekkyoku ([kekkyoku] is usually used for bad outcomes.)
- yatto ([yatto] is used for something that happened after the speaker put in a lot of effort. "Eventually I made it")
User Comments
- 挙げ句の果て is an emphatic way of saying 挙げ句 so that it sounds more like "at the very end." Comes from the last stanza in 連句.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- <A href=http://ryouko.imsb.nrc.ca/cgi-bin/wwwjdic?1Q%B5%F3%A4%B2%B6%E7_1_>JDict examples</a>
— contributed by: dc
- (n-adv,n-t) Noun-Adverb (a noun that can be used as an adverb) + Noun-timelike (a noun that can be used where a 'time' reference is expected).
Noun use 'ageku no hate' - ageku modifies hate
'time-like' use 'ageku kare no sasoi wo kotawatte shimatta.' (ageku specifies when 'kare no ...')
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あげくに seems to be used much as あげく、(obviously you can't have あげくにの though).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- electrocute : ile'ktrэkju`:t vt usu passive　感電しさせる
— contributed by: Miki
- what's the difference between あげく & 後？
— contributed by: shrek
- 後 is just "after"
挙（げ）句 implies "there was the process to reach the result" or "after all".
— contributed by: Miki
- I always thought that あげく is used for negative results.
— contributed by: Huess
- It might be that the -process- has negative mood, but the result is not necessarily bad. See ex5 above.
eg After a lot of hard work, I passed the test.
I added a note to this, pending confirmation.
— contributed by: dc
- In the second exmaple, 彼と結婚することにした should be translated as "I decided to marry him." If you say, 彼と結婚することとなった, than it is possible to say "it was decided that I marry him."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ↑ changed.
And the notes are accurate with ageku and yatto?
— contributed by: dc
- In notes, they are not natural.
勉強したあげくに卒業しました It's better to add adjectives to make it natural.
→suggestion : 散々（さんざん） or 色々（いろいろ）_勉強した挙句に卒業しました。
せっかく勉強したので、卒業しました
→suggestion : 折角（せっかく）
折角勉強したので、教師（きょう）の資格（しかく）を取得（しゅとく）して、卒業しました。
Since I studied it all the way, I passed with a teacher's license.
折角勉強したのに、卒業することができませんでした。
勉強した後、卒業しました→勉強した後、合格しました。
after studying, I passed.
— contributed by: Miki
- you should update your entry with Miki's corrections, she is absolutely right.
教師（きょうし）
Since I studied it all the way, I passed with a teacher's license ->
I think i understand your Japanese but I am not sure about your English translation. Which of the two do you mean:
1. Since I studied all the way, I graduated with the help of my teacher's license
Or
2. Since I studied all the way, I passed my teacher's license exam.
— contributed by: ezi
- i quickly copied these suggestions above. if someone can combine/edit the two notes, i will delete the extra ones.
— contributed by: dc
- The use of 折角 in せっかく勉強したので is archaic. Nowadays, people would say 一生懸命 or 頑張って勉強したので. In modern usage, 折角 is used in negative sense, such as 折角勉強したのに落第した (Though or despite the fact that I studied hard, I failed to make the grade)
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I don't think there is a に　at the back of あげく、　色々勉強したあげく、卒業しました。
— contributed by: 誠
- Since I had made all the effort of studying, I obtained my teacher's license and graduated with it.
— contributed by: 誠
- In the See Also section, it says that 挙句 is always used in the negative. However the examples and comments suggests that it can be used in both the negative and positive.
— contributed by: xabre24
- Hi, In this example
色々勉強したあげく、卒業しました。
Since I had made all the effort of studying, I obtained my teacher's license and graduated with it.
The translation is incorrect... since the Japanese mentions nothing about a teacher's license. This simply says "After studying so much, I graduated"
— contributed by: マリ
- Hi マリ, 誠's translation left out the "教師（きょう）の資格（しかく）を取得（しゅとく）して" part but is implying the same thing as miki's example.
— contributed by: h2oaso
- I changed #6244 from: "Since I had made all the effort of studying, I obtained my teacher's license and graduated with it" to: after much studying, I graduated (using dc's example in the notes).
— contributed by: karekano
- #6738 better English translation: I decided on a Japanese university after much worrying as to which university to go to abroad.
— contributed by: audvix@yahoo.com
- I love the second example xD
— contributed by: lolol
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ageku
tagJ: 挙げ句
tagH: あげく
expE: in the end, afterall
noteE: in the end, he ended up in jail
JLPT: 2

Front: nisoutousuru
に相当する (にそうとうする)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に相当する (にそうとうする)
Meaning: equivalent
Example: this is equivalent to that
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- noun+ni soutou suru
　There is no English equivalent for this Japanese
　この日本語に相当する英語はない
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この日本語に相当する英語はない
In Japanese, there is no equivalent to this english
— contributed by: dc
- この絵には莫大な額のお金に相当する価値がある。
This painting is worth great deal of money.
— contributed by: dbx
- その語に相当するようなフランス語を知っていますか。
Do you know the French equivalent of the word?
— contributed by: dbx
- 地図上の青い線は川に相当する。
The blue lines on the map correspond to rivers.
— contributed by: dbx
- 地図上の幅の広い線は道路に相当する。
The broad lines on the map correspond to roads.
— contributed by: dbx
- 鳥の羽は人間の腕と足に相当する。
Birds' wings correspond to man's arms and hands.
— contributed by: dbx
- 日本の「将棋」は、チェスに相当する。
Japanese shogi corresponds to chess.
— contributed by: dbx
- 日本語の「義理」に相当する英語は見つからない。
We cannot find an English equivalent for the Japanese 'giri'.
— contributed by: dbx
- 木にとっては枝は人間の手足に相当する。
Branches are to trees what limbs are to us.
— contributed by: dbx
- その当時1ドルは大体110円に相当していました。
At that time one dollar was nearly equivalent to 110 yen.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼の月給は、私の半年分の給料に相当します。
His monthly salary is equivalent to my salary of a half year.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼らが一日に食べる食べ物の量は、彼らの体重に相当している。
The amount of food they eat a day is equivalent to their own body weight.
— contributed by: Miki
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Related Grammar
- nihitoshii (nihitoshii is less formal)
User Comments
- there seem to be other variations too, perhaps these are more specific
等価｛とうか｝なもの
[touka] might mean as in an equivalent value (価格 kakaku = unit price) ?
同等｛どうとう｝のもの
同等物｛どうとう ぶつ｝
— contributed by: dc
- sore[nihitoshii] is a more conversational way of saying equivalent
— contributed by: dc
- 等価 is often a mathematic terminology or something of equivalent value.
同等 is often used to "something that can be substituted, e.g., 一等賞または同等品=The first prize or a substitute.
均等 is often used to indicate substantive equivalence in terms of purpose, use, characteristics, etc. 均等論=Theory of equivalents, often used in patent infringement cases.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- why is this not 相当している - eg the thing is -still- equivalent ?
— contributed by: dc
- The English version of #1237 should be corrected to read: There is no English equivalent for this Japanese.
In #3618, 足 shold be corrected to read 手.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nisoutousuru
tagJ: に相当する
tagH: にそうとうする
expE: equivalent
noteE: this is equivalent to that
JLPT: 1

Front: karoujite
辛うじて (かろうじて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
辛うじて (かろうじて)
Meaning: barely
Example: I barely made it to the train.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 走って行ったらかろうじて2時の電車に間に合いました
I ran and barely made the 2 O'Clock train
— contributed by: dc
- かろうじて落第せずにすんだ
I just barely managed to avoid dropping out of class
— contributed by: dc
- かろうじて付き合っている
They are just barely still together
— contributed by: dc
- １１時までにかろうじてなんとかその手紙を書いた。
I barely managed to finish the letter by eleven o'clock.
— contributed by: dbx
- かろうじて間に合いましたね。
You are only just in time.
— contributed by: dbx
- かろうじて事故に遭わずにすんだ。
I escaped the accident by the skin of my teeth.
— contributed by: dbx
- かろうじて車に当てられずにすんだ。
I narrowly escaped being hit by a car.
— contributed by: dbx
- かろうじて列車に間に合った。
I barely managed to catch the train.
— contributed by: dbx
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User Comments
- By the look of the examples, this is spoken grammar?
— contributed by: blabby
- Kaens, I think you mistake 辛 for 幸. 幸 is used in 幸福、幸運 etc.
かろうじて is written as 辛うじて.
— contributed by: Miki
- blabby, this is the grammar for both spoken and written language (of course).
Miki, true, I did mistake that ^^; So, the meaning would be 'bitter, painful, bad' - the opposite to my first comment, so I'm removing that one. Ugh.
— contributed by: Kaens
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: karoujite
tagJ: 辛うじて
tagH: かろうじて
expE: barely
expJ: やっとのことで。何とか。ようやくのことで。わずかに。
noteE: I barely made it to the train.
JLPT: 1

Front: kanaikanouchini
か〜ないかのうちに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
か〜ないかのうちに
Meaning: No sooner than; just as, at that instant
Example: just as the doors opened they rushed in
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This grammar also gives the sense that X was not sure if action A had or hadn't occurred/started/finished before the subsequent action B commenced.
(note copied from Groove note in sister entry "ka nai ka no uchi ni")
— contributed by: 赤毛
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 電車のドアが開くか開かないかのうちに乗客が飛び出して来る
just at the moment when the train doors are opening, the passengers fly out.
— contributed by: dc
- ピストルの音が鳴ったか鳴らないかのうちにスタートしました。
Just as the pistol sounded, they started
— contributed by: dc
- その一行が出発するかしないかのうちに、雨が振り出した。
The party had hardly left when it began to rain.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私がホールに入るか入らないかのうちに式が始まった。
No sooner had I entered the hall than the ceremony began.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私が寝入るか寝入らぬかのうちに、電話がなった。
I had hardly fallen asleep when the telephone rang.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は本当にプロ並みのDJのように、一曲が終わったか終わらないかのうちに、次の一曲を整えてくる。
He is such a good DJ, no sooner has one song finished, he already has the next record ready to play.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 電話が鳴るか鳴らないかのうちに、受話器を取りました。
I took the phone off the hook before it had a chance to ring.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- この店の寿司弁当は、店頭に並ぶか並ばないかのうちに、飛ぶように売れていく。
This shops sushi lunchbox is no sooner put on sale, it sells like hot cakes.
— contributed by: kadoka66
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- nari
- yainaya
User Comments
- This usage seems to be fairly rare - most of the references to it are from Japanese grammar sites & similar.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- its usually used for a small instant of time.
— contributed by: dc
- LIT: in the time between the doors not being open and them opening...
— contributed by: dc
- You would see this expression in written word. I don't often use this in a converation as I would bite my tongue. Instead I say, 電車のドアが開いた瞬間に、--。
— contributed by: Miki
- 瞬間=しゅんかん ?
— contributed by: dc
- 瞬間＝しゅんかん
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I think this one should be good to go. Any problems or should we revise the check mark up?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I agree that 電車のドアが 開く か 開かないかのうちに is a mouthful and an ordinary Japanese would say 電車のドアが開いたかどうかのうちに. Recommend that this item is modified accordingly.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- bamboo - since that seems to be a different grammar construct, i added it as a new item kadoukanouchini and put miki's example there. This one should then be noted as "rare" - but it may turn up in the JLPT test...
— contributed by: dc
- ex# 4605 ぬ of ねいらぬかのうちに is the same meaning as ない.
— contributed by: Miki
- in these examples can か・・・かないこのうちに be replaced by かともうったら?
— contributed by: sagittarius
- I moved ex #6923, #6924 and #6925 from sister entry 〜か〜ないかのうちに. After that I changed #6924 which was almost the same than #318.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I think this grammar and the かどうかのうち should be in the same entry. This grammar is just a contracted form of かどうか.
you could just add a note to the かどうか entry and save a little server space.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kanaikanouchini
tagJ: か〜ないかのうちに
expE: No sooner than; just as, at that instant
noteE: just as the doors opened they rushed in
JLPT: 2

Front: konna
こんな
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
こんな
Meaning: such; this; like this; such.....as this; of this kind
Example: in this way
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- こんな面白いことはない
Nothing is more interesting (than this)
— contributed by: drgon76
- こんなに夜遅く
so late at night (as this).
— contributed by: drgon76
- こんな風に持って下さい
Please hold it in this way
— contributed by: dc
- こんなことになろうとは、正に「お釈迦様でも気がつくめい」だね。
It's precisely "Even the Buddha could not have guessed it"in the sense that things turned out this way.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 「マイク、飛行機って普通はこんなふうに揺れるものなのかい」
"Mike, do planes usually rock like this?"
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたがこんなに早くまた起きて動き回れるようになって本当に良かった。
How nice to see you up and about again so soon!
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは昔私をこんなふうに扱わなかった。
You never used to treat me like this.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたをこんなに長い間待たせてすみません。
I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long.
— contributed by: Miki
- いつもこんなに混雑しているのですか。
Is it always so crowded here?
— contributed by: Miki
- いやはや、こんなにはっきりものを言う秘書は初めてだ。
Do you know, girl, that you're the first secretary I've ever had who stood up to me?
— contributed by: Miki
- かつて一度もこんな大群衆を見たことがない。
Never have I seen such a crowd of people.
— contributed by: Miki
- きみがこんなに料理が上手だとは知らなかった。
I didn't know you were such a good cook.
— contributed by: Miki
- こんなあしらいをされたら誰だって承知しないでしょう。
Such treatment would make anybody rebel.
— contributed by: Miki
- こんないい天気の日に、あなたは家の中に居なければならないなんてかわいそうだ。
It's a pity for you to have to stay indoors in this weather.
— contributed by: Miki
- こんなおいしいスープを味わったことがありますか。
Have you ever tasted such a good soup?
— contributed by: Miki
- こんなきつい仕事はこりごりだ。
I can't stand an awful sweat like this.
— contributed by: Miki
- こんなきれいな夕焼けは見たことが無い｡
Never did I see such a beautiful sunset.
— contributed by: Miki
- こんなくだらないことに多額の金を支払うとはけしからん。
It is criminal to pay much money for much trifles.
— contributed by: Miki
- こんなに心配しないでください。
Please don't worry like this(so hard).
— contributed by: kitakaze
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- fuuni
User Comments
- not to be confused with
　そんな
＝not so
　そんなに高くない
＝not so expensive
(almost an antonym)
— contributed by: dc
- The Japanese in the third example should be こんな 風にもって（持って）下さい
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #2911 corrected. The quote in #2913 is a dialogue from a famous Kabuki play, commonly known as 源治店.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- no way this is JLPT 1
— contributed by: yookoso
- changed.
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: konna
tagJ: こんな
expE: such; this; like this; such.....as this; of this kind
noteE: in this way
JLPT: 3

Front: nishitemo
〜にしても
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜にしても
Meaning: even for
Example: even for japanese keigo is difficult
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊Similar grammar constructions include; 〜も, 〜にとっても, 〜の立場でも, 〜から見ても.
FORMATION:
Ｎ + にしても
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- I think this grammar IS THE SAME as the entry (is related to):
ni shiro; nise(mo)yo; ni shitemo
We should unify both entries into a single one.
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- グループ・ポリシーの設定を無効にしても設定内容が元に戻らない。
By invalidating the group policy setting, the [rest of] the settings will not return to their original state.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 国民にしても考えは同じです。
Even for the people, the way of thinking is the same.
— contributed by: dc
- この漢字は難しい。大人にしても読みにくい。
This kanji is difficult. Even for adults, its difficult to read.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本人にしても敬語は難しい。
Even for japanese, honorific terms are difficult.
— contributed by: dc
- それにしても最近雨ばかり。
anyway its been nothing but rain recently.
— contributed by: dc
- 交通渋滞にしても遅くちゃいけない
even despite the traffic, you must not be late
— contributed by: dc
- たとえ冗談にしても、それは失礼だ。
Even as a joke, that's an insult.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 日本の夏はいつも蒸し暑いですよ。それにしても今年は随分蒸し暑いですね。
The Japanese summer is always muggy. Even so this year is very muggy.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 冬にしては結構暑いよね。
For winter its quite warm isn't it.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- あなた,道は全然分からないな。タクシードライバーのくせに！
For a taxi driver you are pretty bad with directions.
— contributed by: kadoka66
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Related Grammar
- demo
- nishiro,niseyo,nishitemo
- kuseni
User Comments
- I think 'にしても' is more like "even with" "even for"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The first example is bad because we normally use としても. The second example, in the sense of "if we were to make..." is okay but the meaning of this sentence is not at all clear.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- maybe this is usually used as the second clause to emphasize? See if my third example above makes sense
　として　= for
　にしても　= even for
— contributed by: dc
- ex#286 is the transformation of 無効にする, isn't it? I think this is not included to this にしても.
— contributed by: Miki
- As for the first example, I agree with bamboo4.
As for the 3rd and 4th examples, they can be reaplced by にさへ or にとっても.
— contributed by: Miki
- 〜にしても can be reaplced by = （例えtatoe）〜としても　→ even if
— contributed by: Miki
- 警護(guarding) should be replaced with 敬語(honoriffics) in the fourth example. In addition to Example 1, it is more natural to use としても in Examples 3 and 4.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- hmm, so we don't have a good example for nishitemo ?
maybe i am getting confused with [nishiteha]
— contributed by: dc
- can someone check my trans of
それ にしても 最近雨ばかり
— contributed by: dc
- 'それにしても'is used to (1) to change the topic, (2) even so.
The example 5 is (1). so E-trans should be changed to
— contributed by: Miki
- Anyway,its been nothing but rain recently.
— contributed by: Miki
- It might be more suitable to use であっても or colloqual だって for Examples 1, 3 and 4 にしても in Examople 2 can be a different animal.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Examples 3 and 4 can be simplified to でも. If you have でも already, they should go there. As for それにしても 最近雨ばかり, I don't have any problem.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- The [demo] we have means "but".
日本人　でも　敬語は難しい
= japanese -but- keigo is tough ??
or can demo also mean "even for" ?
— contributed by: dc
- This でも means 'even for" and different from but=でも.
— contributed by: Miki
- Miki-san is correct. Since 敬語 is the primary topic, the word order would normally be 敬語は日本人でも難しい. Yu can also say, cnversationally, 敬語となると日本人だって難しい.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- same as ~に(も)せよ and ~にしろ
also in constructs like ~にしろ~にしろ in the meaning of ~でも~でも
— contributed by: halx
- I think the "無効にしても” example is different from the rest. In it, nishitemo is simply a conjugation of mukounisuru, which means "to make inactive / to disable". In this case it's changing the meaning to "even if you disable it". Since you can do this for any verb (te form plus mo), isn't this different than the other ones?
— contributed by: Quobobo
- You are absolutely correct, Quobobo!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- wow quobobo your one smart cookie;)
— contributed by: kai
- OK interesting. Maybe that is the "ni shite mo" that I hear most often - basically "even if you do X"...
But this is very similar to "even for..." - so is this grammar block related to or evolved from "X ni shite mo"?
— contributed by: dc
- ex #4867 does not make sense either in Japanese in English translation.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- You're quite right, it ought to be something more like "Nevermind those traffic jams, you mustn't be late", don't you think?
— contributed by: zio
- zio - feel free to edit...
— contributed by: dc
- Correct me if I am wrong and I think I am reitterating some things in other people's comments, but isn't にしても simply the same as にしては except that the former shows more surprise at something being contrary to ones expectation.
See these examples.
日本人にしては背が高い。　It may be that we naturally assume a Japanese person to be shorter than say someone from America so when they are taller it is a surprise.
日本人にしても背が低いね。
Even if the stereotype is for a Japanese person to be shorter this person is exceptionally so.
English = Even for a Japanese person he/she is short.
(No offense intended here. It just seemed like a perfect example to stress my point) As a matter of fact I know several 6 foot Japanese guys and a 5 foot Japanese girl disproving any idea that Japanese people are short.
Anyway I added a better example above.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- I looked in the PDF of Meguro Language Center for JPLT2 (http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/DownloadF/2-all.pdf) and I found some "にしては" but no "にしても" in the list of grammar points appearing in past test.
I looked in the site http://www.japonin.com/intermediate-grammar-list.php and there is a reference to "にしては" but for "にしても" no reference too.
Are you sure this is useful for level 2 of JPLT?
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nishitemo
tagJ: 〜にしても
expE: even for
noteE: even for japanese keigo is difficult
JLPT: 2

Front: douyara
どうやら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
どうやら
Meaning: it seems, apparently, somehow
Example: it seems he doesn't know
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 急いだので、どうやら間に合った。
I rushed, and somehow made it on time.
— contributed by: dc
- どうやら、彼は知らないらしい。
It seems he doesn't know.
— contributed by: dc
- どうやらあの人が判らないらしい。
It appears that he cannot identify that man there.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 「あら ごめんなさい。どうやら間違え電話をしてしまったようだね。」
"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I have the wrong number."
— contributed by: Miki
- どうやら、そのみすぼらしいアパートは空き家のようだ。
Apparently the shabby flat is vacant.
— contributed by: Miki
- どうやらおっしゃるとおりだと思います。
I almost think you're right.
— contributed by: Miki
- どうやらひどい風邪にかかったようだ。
I seem to have caught a bad cold.
— contributed by: Miki
- どうやら誤解があるようだ。
There appears to be a misunderstanding.
— contributed by: Miki
- どうやら私はバスの中で財布を盗まれたらしい。
The chances are that I had my wallet stolen on the bus.
— contributed by: Miki
- どうやら食べ過ぎたみたいだ。
I'm afraid I've eaten too much.
— contributed by: Miki
- どうやら明日は雨のようだ。
I'm afraid it will rain tomorrow.
— contributed by: Miki
- 天気はどうやら、回復しそうだ。
It would seem that the weather is improving.
— contributed by: Miki
- 危機をどうやら脱したようだ。
We seem to have escaped form danger.
— contributed by: Miki
- 一個のクッキーを食おうとしたんだが、どうやら全部食われちゃった。
I only meant to eat one cookie, but I seem to have eaten the lot.
— contributed by: coon1c
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- doumo (doumo is more formal)
User Comments
- As for the first example, J should be どうやら彼_は_分からないらしい。
彼が分からないらしい would be, it seems she doesn't know who he is.
— contributed by: Miki
- どうやら彼が分からないらしい means someone (who remains unidentified but not the speaker) cannot discern him.
どうやら彼は分からないらしい means "he" is not able to discern something (not dicclosed) as observed by the speaker.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Accordingly, 彼が分からないらしい should be changed to 彼は知らないらしい.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Is the 'somehow' meaning similar to nantoka (なんとか)? If so, there is no entry for that currently...
— contributed by: yookoso
- Yes, it seems to be so.
ex#1279, 3933 and 3934 どうやら can be replaced by なんとか.
— contributed by: Miki
- #3095
I would say "どうやら、あの人は判らないらしい。"
#3930
I would say "どうやら、私はバスの中で財布を盗まれたようだ。"
The other examples are OK.
— contributed by: Nick
- #3095 どうやら、（あの人は he）あの人が(that man there)判らないらしい。
#3930 Both …らしい。 and …ようだ。 are fine.
— contributed by: Miki
- #3095
彼はどうやら、あの人が誰なのか見分けがつかないようだ。
— contributed by: Nick
- 〜らしい (I hear that... / Someone says that...)
〜ようだ (It seems that...)
These are not interchangeable.
— contributed by: Nick
- Perhaps I don't understand. This is what I think from these two phrases:
どうやら、私はバスの中で財布を盗まれたようだ。
It looks like I had my wallet stolen on the bus somehow. (The person has noticed their wallet is missing all on their own.)
どうやら、私はバスの中で財布を盗まれたらしい
I heard/It seems that I had my wallet stolen on the bus somehow.
(They don't remember what happened on the bus, but someone has told them later they saw the wallet being stolen. Or maybe someone has told them their wallet was stolen before they noticed it themselves. However, I don't think I would have the nerve to tell someone I saw their wallet being stolen yet didn't say it at the time it was happening...)
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
— contributed by: Petra
- Please note that どうやら
is used with -らしい, -みたい, -そうだ, etc.
To use どうやら by itself is, in the words of my wife, "strange"
— contributed by: jmadsen
- May I ask why one would add どうやら to a sentence instead of just relying solely on -らしい etc.? Does どうやら act as an intensifier?
— contributed by: Synonymous
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: douyara
tagJ: どうやら
expE: it seems, apparently, somehow
noteE: it seems he doesn't know
JLPT: 1

Front: doumo
どうも
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
どうも
Meaning: apparently, naturally
Example: of course she got angry
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この空模様では、どうも雨になりそうだ。
With this kind of sky apparently it will rain
— contributed by: dc
- どうもうまくゆかない。
Whatever I do, it doesn't end up well.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どうも済みません。
I feel very bad about it.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どうもよくわからん。
It's not very clear and I don't quite understand.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 「あの人たちは、またストをやるんだろうか」「どうもそうらしいね」
"Will they go on strike again?" "I'm afraid so."
— contributed by: Miki
- どうも行く必要はないようです。
There seems to be no need to go.
— contributed by: Miki
- いやどうも、どうも。
Well, thank you/sorry/sorry I'm late/good to see you, etc.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- 済みません means that one's mind remains unsettled and therefore not 澄む, that is not clear. From 澄む came the concept of 済む meaning "finishied."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- You can simply say どうも and you can dispense with all other phrases you can think of!
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: doumo
tagJ: どうも
expE: apparently, naturally
noteE: of course she got angry
JLPT: 1

Front: nikakawarazu
かかわらず
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かかわらず
Meaning: Regardless of
Example: Regardless of the cost - I must buy it.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- regardless of
can be used with verbs or nouns
N−
　年齢にかかわらず、、、
V-る　V-ない
　成功するしないにかかわらず、、、
A-い　A−くない
　結果の良し悪しにかかわらず、、、
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- このデパートは曜日にかかわらずいつも込んでいる
That department store regardless which day it is, is always busy
— contributed by: dc
- 金額の多少にかかわらずいつでもご相談下さい。
Please consult us at any time, regardless of the amount involved.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- そのような境遇であったにもかかわらず、彼は自分一人で道を切り開いた。
Although he was in such circumstances, he made his way by himself.
— contributed by: dc
- その患者はその薬を飲んだにもかかわらず少しも気分が良くならなかった。
The patient felt none the better for having taken the new pills.
— contributed by: dc
- その計画は強い反対にもかかわらず続行された。
They carried on with the plan in spite of strong objections to it.
— contributed by: dc
- その工事は住民からの強い反対にもかかわらず、続けられた。
They carried on with the construction in the face of strong opposition from the residents.
— contributed by: dc
- その講義はとても長かったが、それにもかかわらず私はその講義を楽しんだ。
The lecture was very long, but I enjoyed it none the less.
— contributed by: dc
- その車は五千ドルもしたが、それにもかかわらず、まともに走らなかった。
The car cost $5000 and did not run well at that.
— contributed by: dc
- それにもかかわらず彼女は私たちの言い値を受け入れた。
She accepted our offer notwithstanding.
— contributed by: dc
- それにもかかわらず彼女は魅力的だ。
She is charming for all that.
— contributed by: dc
- ひどい雨にもかかわらず彼らは出発した。
They departed in spite of the heavy rain.
— contributed by: dc
- ひどい渋滞にもかかわらず、私は定刻に間に合った。
In spite of the terrible congestion, I was in time for the appointed time.
— contributed by: dc
- やめろといったにもかかわらず彼は我を通した。
He stuck to his opinion though I told him not to.
— contributed by: dc
- トラックは検査に合格しなかったが、にもかかわらず運転手たちは引き取っていった。
The trucks had failed the inspection, but the drivers took them out anyway.
— contributed by: dc
- マラソンは晴雨にかかわらず開かれます。
The marathon will be held, rain or shine.
— contributed by: dc
- メアリーは病気であるにもかかわらず、働き続けた。
Mary kept on working in spite of her illness.
— contributed by: dc
- 悪天候にもかかわらず、彼らは車で行く決心をした。
They made up their minds to go to by car in spite of bad weather.
— contributed by: dc
- 悪天候にもかかわらずお年寄りたちは御機嫌だった。
The senior citizens' spirits were high in spite of the bad weather.
— contributed by: dc
- 一行は悪天候にもかかわらず出発した。
The party set out regardless of the bad weather.
— contributed by: dc
- 雨にもかかわらず、私は外出した。
In spite of the rain, I went out.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は出費に拘らず自分の計画を実行するだろう。
She will carry out her plan regardless of expense.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 疲れきっていたにもかかわらず眠れなかった。
I was very tired, but I was nevertheless unable to sleep.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女のあらゆる努力にもかかわらずその企ては挫折した。
After all her efforts the project collapsed.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は年にもかかわらず非常に生活的だ。
He is very active notwithstanding his age.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- nimokakawarazu
- zu, zuni (Verb form)
User Comments
- also ~に(は)かかわりなく
— contributed by: halx
- is the "mo" in this optional, or is there a logic to when it is/not used?
それに「も」かかわらず彼女は魅力的だ。
She is charming for all that.
— contributed by: dc
- Mostly, に or にも + かかわらず I think the "mo" is optional.
Exception I realized are
それにもかかわらず
-た／だ + にもかかわらず　ex#4468, ex#4469, ex#4478
— contributed by: Miki
- the も would seem to be emphasis.
来るにもかかわらず
"even if they come"
来るにかかわらず
regardless of whether they come
来るか来ないかにかかわらず
whether they come or not
— contributed by: dc
- I good translation I use is
にかかわらず - Regardless of
にもかかわらず - In spite of
雨にもかかわらず出かけました。 Similar to なのに
In spite of the rain, I went out.
曜日にかかわらず入ることができます。 Similar to を問わず
Regardless of which day it is, you can enter.
— contributed by: blabby
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikakawarazu
tagJ: かかわらず
expE: Regardless of
noteE: Regardless of the cost - I must buy it.
JLPT: 2

Front: ikan
いかん (如何)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
いかん (如何)
Meaning: based on
Example: based on the exam results
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜いかん　is the same as によって
Noun(の)＋いかん
— contributed by: dc
- Look at this subtle difference:
１　結果いかんで、次のレベルを決める
　　based on the result, the next level will be decided
２　結果いかんで<b>は</b>、次のレベルに行ける
　　based on the result, you will go to the next level
in (1) a clear result comes out, so the で particle is used.
in (2) a process will start, so では is used to link the two parts.
もっとはっきり説明を聞きたい。
— contributed by: dc
- Negative case "without regard to"
　いかんによらず
　いかんにかかわらず
　いかんを問わず
— contributed by: dc
- As far as I know, いかんで means that one thing depends on another. i.e. We'll decide what to do depending on the results.
いかんでは　means that something has already happened, so the speaker is using those results to predict/suggest something else . i.e. Looking at these results we should do this.
— contributed by: bob
- 〜いかんだ　: Based on how/whether 〜
名詞　＋　いかんだ
— contributed by: 誠
- 成績いかんで、大学に入学できるよ。
Depending on the results, it is possible to enter university.
成績いかんでは、大学に入れないこともあるよ
Depending on the results, it is possible(there are times where one) not being able to enter university.
— contributed by: 誠
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p40 - no.34
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p128
— contributed by: LR
- いかん is a classic form of the adverb どのように "in what way"
It's written / formal Japanese
— contributed by: LR
- いかん is an abbreviation of いかに, which is 如何 + the particle に. 如何 is a classical word meaning どのよう・どういうふう. I think this should make remembering this word and its meaning easier.
— contributed by: blutorange
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 試験の結果いかんでは、卒業できないこともある
Depending on the exam results its possible also to fail graduation
— contributed by: dc
- 実力テストの結果いかんでレベルを決める
On the basis of your test results, your level will be decided
— contributed by: dc
- 天気いかんにかかわらず来ます
Regardless of the weather, I will come
— contributed by: dc
- 占いの結果いかんでは、アメリカに帰ることになります。
depending on the fortune teller consultation, it will be decided if i will return to America
— contributed by: dc
- 天気いかんでは行きます
Depending on the weather, i will come
— contributed by: dc
- それは如何ともしがたい。
That cannot be helped one way or another.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- その問題はあなたの態度如何によって決まることだ。
That issue would be decided depending on what your attitude will be on it.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- スパイダーマンの運命や如何
What will be the fate of Spiderman!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- その試合には国籍のいかんを問わず誰でも参加出来る。
Anyone can participate in the game, no matter what nationality they are.
— contributed by: dbx
- 幸福は環境いかんによるものでなくて、むしろ自分の人生に対する見方いかんによる。
Happiness depends, not so much on circumstances, as on one's way of looking at one's life.
— contributed by: dbx
- 仕方がない、それはいかんともしがたい。
It can't be helped.
— contributed by: dbx
- 成功するかどうかは、君自身の努力いかんによる。
Whether you will succeed or not depends upon your own exertions.
— contributed by: dbx
- 成功は努力いかんによる。
Success depends on your efforts.
— contributed by: dbx
- 天候のいかんにかかわらず駅へ迎えに参ります。
Rain or shine, I will come to meet you at the station.
— contributed by: dbx
- 肌の色のいかんを問わず、彼は万人の言論の自由を擁護した。
He stood for freedom of speech for everyone regardless of color.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼の命は判決いかんにかかっている。
His life hangs on the judge's decision.
— contributed by: dbx
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- shidai
User Comments
- My comments re によって is equally applicable to Examples 1 and 2.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 占いの相談 is a strange Japanese. Normally, 占いの結果.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 直った
— contributed by: dc
- RE 天気 いかんでは, whether you say 来ます or 行きます, that is an uncommon expression. One would say 次第では instead of いかんでは.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ＃1307 There is no such word as irregardless. Don't let the Japanese double-beg fool you, the correct Eigo is Regardless, regardless of the situation...
— contributed by: Stickler
- PS, make that double-neg. I can't type
— contributed by: Stickler
- welcome Stickler!
changes made, example upped to "checked"... feel free to edit the examples yourself too...
— contributed by: dc
- In notes dc[62], I think....
結果いかんでは is by emphasizing with では, implies more another side than just 結果いかんで that you will not have a chance to go to the next level depending on the result. You next action is decided after the result of something is clear and see the situation you are in.
結果いかんで implies neutral. What to do is automatically followed by the result.
— contributed by: Miki
- The difference between 結果如何で and 結果いかんでは disappears when you say 結果如何で駄目になることがある and 結果如何では駄目になることがある.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex#3353 this いかん is derivative of いかぬ, means 〜（しては）ならない
ex#3355 いかん　comes from the combination of 厳し「い」and か「かん」ばつ　旱魃 drought.
— contributed by: Miki
- well spotted. i deleted those two examples...
— contributed by: dc
- I think it would be better to separate the entries for <font color=red>いかん</font> ／ <font color=red>いかんによる</font>　(dependent on)
and <font color=red>いかんによらず</font> ／ <font color=red>いかんにかかわらず</font> ／ <font color=red>いかんに問わず</font> (regardless of)
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ikan
tagJ: いかん (如何)
tagH: いかん
expE: based on
expJ: 「いか(如何)に」の略。どのようであろうか。
noteE: based on the exam results
JLPT: 1

Front: youni-2
ように
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ように
Meaning: became
Example: I became able to speak japanese
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- だから、英語がうまく話せるようになりたいです。
So, I want to become able to speak better english
— contributed by: dc
- どのようにしても、わたしはかまわない。
I don't care whatever you do.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ２１世紀がどのようになるのか想像できますか。
Can you imagine what the 21st century will be like?
— contributed by: Miki
- 人間は赤ん坊のときは四つんばいで、それから２本の足で歩くようになり、最後は年をとって杖が必要になる。
It crawls on all fours as a baby, then learns to walk on two legs, and finally needs a cane in old age.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたが早くよくなるように祈っています。
We are hoping for your quick recovery.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- ように has a meaning of "to do" or "so that one can do" which I guess would include "become." The first example can literally be translated as "For that reason, I want to do so that I can speak better English."
My second example follows that vein.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Um, this might be of use but it's especially for the youni NARU -sentence pattern. But it said in the comments of the "youninaru" that this grammar entry would do, so...One of the possible usages of ように:
ようになる expresses a change that takes place gradually.
With verbs:
Vdic + you ni naru= "reach the point where~"/"come to~"
子供は自分で部屋を片付けるようになりました。
(My) child has reached the point where she cleans her room herself.
Vneg + you ni naru= "reach the point where ~not"
林さんはたばこを吸わないようになる。
Mr.Hayashi has reached the point where he does not smoke.
*Vdic= Verb, dictionary form
---
Besides なる, there's also する and 言う verbs that can be connected with ように to create more specific meanings...Did some of these have their own entries...?
— contributed by: Naino
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youni-2
tagJ: ように
expE: became
noteE: I became able to speak japanese
JLPT: 2

Front: soudan
相談 (そうだん)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
相談 (そうだん)
Meaning: Making requests　（〜ください、〜ちょうだい、〜なさい、command form）
Example: Can you finish this by tomorrow?
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- できれば明日までに決めて頂けますか？
Will it be possible to make a decision on this by tomorrow? (very polite)
— contributed by: dc
- すぐにでもご回答頂けると助かるのですが、お願いできますか。
If you could make a decision right away, it would really help me. Is that possible?
— contributed by: dc
- Johnさんが参加ができるかどうか、早めに決めなければいけない。
We need to decide quickly if John can attend or not
— contributed by: dc
- 中国のXXX社より下記の通り依頼を受けました。
I received the following request from XXX co. in China
— contributed by: dc
- XXX社への確認をお願いします
Please confirm with XXX company
— contributed by: dc
- すぐに回答を貰えると、助かるのですが
It would help me if you could reply quickly...
— contributed by: dc
- ポリシーにより／ポリシーに沿い、辞退することをご希望ですか？←ポリシーによりご辞退を
Based on our policy, would you like me to refuse?
— contributed by: dc
- 社長は手紙をDCから弁護士に送って貰いたいのでしょうか？
Would the President like DC to send the letter to the lawyer?
— contributed by: dc
- 担当者がわかりません。下記の件に関して、誰に連絡をしたらいいのか火曜日までに教えていただけませんか。
I don't know the person in charge. Regarding the following items, could you please advise me who to contact before Tuesday?
— contributed by: Miki
- 速やかに調達を進めるためには、どなたと意思疎通を図ればいいでしょうか。
To proceed quickly with the procurement, please advise who needs to be kept in the (communications) loop.
— contributed by: Miki
- ママ、もっとお魚をちょうだい。
Give me more fish, mam.
— contributed by: karekano
- 結高ﾈものをちょうだいいたしましてありがとうございます。
Thank you very much for such a nice present.
— contributed by: karekano
- 十分な食事をちょうだいいたしました。
I had a good meal.
— contributed by: karekano
- 「もっとケーキを召し上がりませんか」「ありがとう。もう助ｪちょうだいしました」
"Would you like to have some more cake?" ”I`ve had enough", thank you".
— contributed by: karekano
- ラジオの音を小さくしてちょうだい。
Please turn the radio down.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Is there a polite way to ask your boss to do something quickly?
早めに決めて頂けますか？
— contributed by: dc
- 決めるならなるべく早いほうがよろしいんですがね would be more palatable.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I would ask my boss, すぐにでもご回答頂けると助かるのですが、お願いできますか。
— contributed by: Miki
- You don't have to be THAT polite to your boss, I think.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- hmm What would you say? I think it would denpend on your status and working atmosphere you are in. Even my J-boss asks me, …して頂けませんか。ちょっと変な職場かも。To my supervisor, I would say すぐに回答を貰えると、助かるのですが…。
— contributed by: Miki
- Miki is always polite :) anyway, i have added those above as [+1] checked
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: soudan
tagJ: 相談
tagH: そうだん
expE: Making requests　（〜ください、〜ちょうだい、〜なさい、command form）
expJ: 物事を決めるために他の人の意見を聞いたり、話し合ったりすること。また、その話し合い。
noteE: Can you finish this by tomorrow?
JLPT: 2

Front: iroiro
色々 (いろいろ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
色々 (いろいろ)
Meaning: Various; various colors
Example: There are various types of wine and the way they are matured varies accordingly.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 御社のことは同僚より聞き及んでおります。
I heard about your company from my colleague
— contributed by: dc
- やるって言ってませんでしたっけ？
we said "let's do it" right?
— contributed by: dc
- お褒めの言葉ありがとうございます
thank you for the compliment
— contributed by: dc
- 了解です、進めて下さい。
I understand, please go ahead (confirming a quote)
— contributed by: dc
- 先日の件ですが、添付した契約の翻訳をして貰いたい。or (more polite) 添付しました契約を翻訳して頂きたい。
Pursuant to our recent discussions, I would like you to proceed with translation of the attached contract.
— contributed by: dc
- いつまでに届けて頂けるか、お知らせ下さいますか？
Please let me know when you can deliver.
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- #2927 is impolite and would not survive in a Japanese business environment.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I agree. It's very casual J and would be used between friends or close colleague.
I heard somebody at the office saying in a ratehr sarcastic way on the phone やって頂けるとおっしゃられていませんでしたか。　　ちくりちくりって感じ。
— contributed by: Miki
- Any idea what 掲題の件 means? It shows up in the first line of a lot of my e-mail.
— contributed by: Leslie
- Leslie, Please see our reply to your question in user comment of [email]メールの内容について.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: iroiro
tagJ: 色々
tagH: いろいろ
expE: Various; various colors
expJ: ワインには色々なタイプがあり、それによって育成の仕方もさまざまです
noteE: There are various types of wine and the way they are matured varies accordingly.
JLPT: 4

Front: imasara-tatokorode
今さら〜たところで (いまさら〜たところで)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
今さら〜たところで (いまさら〜たところで)
Meaning: it's already too late, It's no use doing s.t. now
Example: It's too late to explain why.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This is usually followed by a negative.
　imasara (verb-ta) tokorode, (verb2-nai)
　imasara setsumei shita tokorode, yurusanai.
= its too late to explain - you won't be forgiven
— contributed by: dc
- (Partial) Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p24 - no.24
— contributed by: LR
- (Partial) Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p141
— contributed by: LR
- Kanzen Master has this listed under ~たところで, which apparently on it's own can also express that the first part of the sentence would be a wasted effort, e.g.
約束の時間にこんなに遅れては、行ってみたところで、だれもいないだろう
(what with it being so late after the agreed time, even if I went now, surely there'd be no one there.)
さらに really emphasizes how late in the day such an ineffective action would be. Nevertheless, keep in the back of your mind that たところで can exist on it's own with a similar meaning.
On past test papers I've had questions that lead with さらに and the correct answer they wanted for the blank that came after was たところで so maybe it's worth learning these as a pair, this will also help you distinguish it from [toshitatokorode toshitatte nishitatokorode] etc. which has a slightly different nuance meaning even though the first part of the sentence is NOT a wasted effort, the final result doesn't satisfy.
— contributed by: LR
- For reference, Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar has this listed under さらに, key sentence D
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今さら説明したところで先生は許してくれないと思う。
It's too late to explain, I don't think the teacher will forgive you now.
— contributed by: dc
- 今さら騒いだところで、どうにもならないよ。後の祭りだよ。
Yelling about it won't help now . You should have done that when it counted.
— contributed by: Miki
- 今さら、戻ったところで、彼はもうおまえを愛しないようになった。
It’s too late to come back, he no longer loves you.
— contributed by: amenya
- この問題をいまさら議論したところで無意味でしょう
To discuss the issue at this late stage would be meaningless.
— contributed by: LR
- 子供時代に過ごした村を訪ねたいと思っていますが、いまさら行ったところで、古いものは何も残していないでしょうね。
I'd like to visit the village where I spent my childhood, but even if I went there now after so long, I guess nothing of the old times would still be there.
— contributed by: LR
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- imagoroninatte
User Comments
- not sure how this is different from [imagoroninatte]
— contributed by: dc
- They are almost the same.　
今頃になって説明したところで、…。
今頃になって説明したって、…。
— contributed by: Miki
- ex#3980 can be also said as 今さら騒いでもどうにもならないよ。…。
— contributed by: Miki
- imasara-demo/temo
— contributed by: Miki
- A better translation would be " Even if (one) had 〜ed now, ... still ..."
— contributed by: 誠
- I agree with 誠. ex#3980 translation makes more sense as: "Even if you make a fuss now, nothing can be done (about it). It's too late!"
— contributed by: godfrey
- I sometimes hear the slang version without the ところで at the end, for example: 「いまさら言うなよ」
— contributed by: nickm758
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: imasara-tatokorode
tagJ: 今さら〜たところで
tagH: いまさら〜たところで
expE: it's already too late, It's no use doing s.t. now
noteE: It's too late to explain why.
JLPT: 1

Front: ikanimo
いかにも
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
いかにも
Meaning: seems (but is not); indeed
Example: the bag indeed looks heavy, but its empty
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Description + いかにも + evidence to the contrary = seems (but isn't)
Desciption + いかにも = indeed
— contributed by: Ebisu Dave
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あのかばんはいかにも重そうだが、中身はからで、１キロしかない。
The bag indeed looks heavy, but there's nothing inside, so it only weighs 1 kilo.
— contributed by: dc
- あの人は見かけはいかにもこわそうだが、本当はとても優しい人です。
That guy has a really frightening look, but he is in fact a very gentle person.
— contributed by: dc
- いかにもあいつの言いそうなことだ。
That indeed sounds like what he would have said.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あのスーツはいかにも高そうだ。
That suit has an expensive look.
— contributed by: Miki
- いかにもビルのやりそうなことだ。
That's Bill all over.
— contributed by: Miki
- いかにもリゾートって感じの格好ね。
Your clothes say "vacation resort" to me.
— contributed by: Miki
- こんなおふざけはいかにもベーカー氏らしい。
Such playfulness is characteristic of Mr Baker.
— contributed by: Miki
- こんな格好をしているといかにもスポーツをしてそうに見えるけど、全然やってないんだよ。
I look for all the world like an athlete in this outfit, but the truth is I don't do any sports at all.
— contributed by: Miki
- そうしたしゃべりかたはいかにも彼らしい。
That way of talking is typical of him.
— contributed by: Miki
- そうした話し方はいかにも彼らしい。
That way of talking is typical of him.
— contributed by: Miki
- そのような行いはいかにもメグらしい。
Such behavior is just like Meg.
— contributed by: Miki
- そんな発言はいかにも彼らしい。
Such words are particular to him.
— contributed by: Miki
- 事象として簡単なことを、いかにも難しそうに表現する人は、あまり頭がよさそうではない。
A person who makes an easy matter sound difficult does not seem to be so smart.
— contributed by: Miki
- 遅刻するなんていかにも彼らしいと思う。
I firmly believe it is characteristic of him to be late.
— contributed by: Miki
- 遅れてやってくるのは、いかにも彼のやりそうなことだった。
It was typical of him to arrive late.
— contributed by: Miki
- 朝食前に出勤するなんていかにも彼らしい。
It is characteristic of him to go to work before breakfast.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はいかにも「営業」って感じだね。
He's a salesman's salesman.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はいかにも私の親友らしく見せかけた。
He posed as my close friend.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女の口振りはいかにもそらぞらしい。
She talks too aloofly.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- ex#2993 とても親切な人でした。not でた。
you can also say, 見るからに重さそうだが、見るからに恐そうだが、.
— contributed by: Miki
- In #2993, if you want to say 親切な, you have to say "kind," but if you say 優しい then you can say "gentle." YOu can be 親切 but do not necessarily be 優しい and vice versa.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- JDict gives both kind and gentle as meanings for both - can you clarify?
親切な　【しんせつ】kind
優しい　【やさしい】gentle
— contributed by: dc
- It is true that 親切な and 優しい are often mixed up. However, technically speaking 親切 is what is represented by the act of Good Samaritan in the Bible, meaning going out of one's way to help, but this does not necessrily mean he is 優しい, which means that he is gentle of disposition and sweet-tempered. A sweet-tempered person could often be a kind person at the same time, but that is not the necessary condition.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Edited #2993.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I added in a note that clarified a bit of confusion for me. After I wrote it, it seemed a bit obvious, but I suppose that's how learning goes. I hope it's useful for others, and the kind of note that's desired.
— contributed by: Ebisu Dave
- ex #3968 " With this appearance/outfit, I indeed look like doing sports, but the truth is I don't do any sports at all. " Sounds better.
— contributed by: 誠
- The note says Description + いかにも but all the examples appear to be いかにも + Description. Should we change that?
— contributed by: yookoso
- According to my text, the grammar point is "いかにもXそうだ" (including the そうだ）..perhaps "いかにも" and "いかにもXそうだ” should be separated?
— contributed by: priest03
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ikanimo
tagJ: いかにも
expE: seems (but is not); indeed
noteE: the bag indeed looks heavy, but its empty
JLPT: 1

Front: imakaraomoeba
今から思えば (いまからおもえば)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
今から思えば (いまからおもえば)
Meaning: Looking back on it now
Example: Looking back on it now, breaking up was the right thing to do.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今から思えばあの時に会社を辞めたことは間違いではなかった。
Looking back on it now, quitting the company was the right thing to do.
— contributed by: dc
- 今から思えば両親に言われた通りにしておけば良かった。
Looking back on it now I wish i had done things the way my parents told me.
— contributed by: dc
- 今から思えばまだ両親に手伝うことをしなかった。
Looking back on it now I haven't done anything to help my parents.
— contributed by: amenya
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User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: imakaraomoeba
tagJ: 今から思えば
tagH: いまからおもえば
expE: Looking back on it now
noteE: Looking back on it now, breaking up was the right thing to do.
JLPT: 1

Front: koreijyou-ba
これ以上〜ば (これいじょう〜ば)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
これ以上〜ば (これいじょう〜ば)
Meaning: if ~ any more than this
Example: If it rains any more...
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- これ以上雨が降れば、川が氾濫してしまう
If it rains any more than this the river will flood.
— contributed by: dc
- 皆さんからお褒めの言葉を頂きこれ以上の光栄はございません。
Having received many kind compliments from all of you, I cannot feel any more honored than this.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- これ以上待つのは時間の浪費だ。
It's a waste of time to wait any longer.
— contributed by: Miki
- これ以上何を失えば　心は許されるの
How much more do I have to lose, before my heart is forgiven? (from "one more time, one more chance" by yamasaki masayoshi)
— contributed by: corbettgreg
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User Comments
- It doesn't look like examples #3008 or #4042 actually use the grammar construct.
— contributed by: Nanashi
- I agree with Nanashi.
— contributed by: bamboo
- これ以上待てば時間を浪費するばかりだ。
— contributed by: 誠
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: koreijyou-ba
tagJ: これ以上〜ば
tagH: これいじょう〜ば
expE: if ~ any more than this
noteE: If it rains any more...
JLPT: 1

Front: donna
どんな
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
どんな
Meaning: Whatever; whoever, etc.
Example: Whatever happened
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- どんなことがあっても
No matter what happens.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どんなことを言ったとしても.....
No matter whatever you said......
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どんな人も、入ることはできません
Noone whatsoever can enter.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どんな意見でも聞き入れるようにします。
We try to accept whatever opinion you may have.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どんな風に説明したの？
In what manner did you explain it?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どんなに飲んでももっとほしい
No matter how much I drink, I want more.
— contributed by: bi-ru
- あなたはその事とどんな関係があるのですか。
What do you have to do with this matter?
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- Tried to show similarity to "ikanaru-demo" which is not necessarily conversational.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- should this be donna-demo to keep consistency with [ikanaru-demo]
— contributed by: dc
- I don't think so. どんな is not inherently coupled with でも.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- for #3000
i was told:
どんな人も、入る事はできません sounds odd.
more natural are:
誰も入る事はできません
誰も入れません
but these arent examples of [donna]!
is there a reason this might sound uncomfortable?
— contributed by: dc
- どんなに飲んでももっとほしい
→
どんなに飲んでももっと欲しくなる
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: donna
tagJ: どんな
expE: Whatever; whoever, etc.
noteE: Whatever happened
JLPT: 1

Front: ikanaru-demo
いかなる〜でも (如何なる〜でも)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
いかなる〜でも (如何なる〜でも)
Meaning: whatever ~
Example: whatever your conclusion, I will accept it.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Do not confuse なる with 成る (to become). naru here is the 連体形 form of the classical copula なり. It means the same as だ・である・です・…. By using the mizenkei, it can be attributed to nouns. On a side note, a shortening of nari > na is the origin of the well-known な in na-adjectives.
— contributed by: blutorange
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- いかなる意見でも、必ず聞き入れます。
whatever your opinion is, i'll accept it
— contributed by: dc
- いかなる人でも入ることはできません。
Whoever you might be, you can't come in.
— contributed by: dc
- いかなる状況でも部屋を離れてはならない。
Under no circumstances must you leave the room.
— contributed by: Miki
- いかなる状況のもとでも、王女が王位を継承することはあるまい。
Under no circumstances will the princess succeed to the throne.
— contributed by: Miki
- いつ、いかなる時でも。
Whenever, wherever I am.
— contributed by: Miki
- いかなる彼の態度でも彼をまだ愛してる。
However his attitude is, I still love him.
— contributed by: amenya
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- donna
User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ikanaru-demo
tagJ: いかなる〜でも (如何なる〜でも)
tagH: いかなる〜でも
expE: whatever ~
noteE: whatever your conclusion, I will accept it.
JLPT: 1

Front: tari suru form
たり する　form (V stem+たり)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
たり する　form (V stem+たり)
Meaning: doing things like V+ing
Example: Yesterday I did things like watching tv and playing video games.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- The [-tari] form is used when a sequence of verbs occur in a row. The last one cannot be a tari, it needs to conclude the sentence.
normal:
　食べたり、飲んだり、のんびりしました。
　Eating and drinking, I relaxed.
neg:
　読まなかったり、行きたくなかったり、何もしなかったり、悪い人でした。
　not reading, not going, not doing anything, he was a bad guy.
with adjectives:
　サービスは良かったり、値段安かったり、、いいんじゃない？
　good service, low prices... alright eh?
neg with adjectives:
　サービスが悪かったり、値段が高くなかったり、、、
　the service is not bad, the prices aren't high...
— contributed by: dc
- Is also used fo repeated actions, like:
Watashi wa nomitari tabetari shimasu.
(I drank and ate repeatedly)
You must add "suru/shimasu" at the end.
— contributed by: Ayumi
- I changed this grammar note a little. [tari suru]
form means "doing things like". the Verb takes the plain past tense form IE 食べる become 食べた and then you add the り
買う will become 買った　then you add the り,etc...
きのう、私は　テレビを見たり、ゲームをしたり　しました。
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 飲んだり、食べたり、歌ったり、ダンスをしたり、大いに楽しみました。
We drank, ate, sung, danced - we generally had one big fun time!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- パーテイーで飲んだり, 食べたり, 踊ったりした。
We did things like drinking, eating and dancing at the party.
— contributed by: Naino
- 私達は, 先生に誉められたり, 叱られたりします。
Sometimes we are praised and sometimes scolded by our teachers.
— contributed by: Naino
- 夏には, 登山したりする。
In summer I do things like mountain climbing.
— contributed by: Naino
- 私は, 朝コーヒーを飲んだり, 飲まなかったりする。
Sometimes I drink coffee in the morning and sometimes I don't.
— contributed by: Naino
- 天気によって富士山が見えたり, 見えなかったりする。
Sometimes Mt.Fuji can be seen and sometimes it can't be seen, depending on the weather.
— contributed by: Naino
- 金曜日には木村さんは来たり, 来なかったりします。
On Fridays, Mr.Kimura sometimes comes and sometimes he doesn't.
— contributed by: Naino
- あの店の包装紙は, 赤かったり, 白かったり, 青かったりします。
The wrapping paper at that store is sometimes red, sometimes white and sometimes blue.
— contributed by: Naino
- このレポートのデータは, 正しかったり(正しく)なかったりする。
The data in this report is sometimes correct and sometimes not (correct).
— contributed by: Naino
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- shi (-し is usually used for phrases that describes your subject. for example you can say that you like a certain singer because he has a good voice, nice attitude and he is handsome. you end the sentence with a conclusion that you like the singer, and enumerate the reasons by using し.
〜たり is used for a sequence of verbs: eating, drinking and fooling around.)
User Comments
- in notes, neg: it should be 何もしなかったり instaed of 何もしなかたり.
— contributed by: Miki
- fixed. thanks for your help explaining this one... if only entering it in the website would substitute for remembering it!
— contributed by: dc
- This should be in GR category.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- My teacher told me -たり actually means more like "we did things such as... blah blah." It's more generalizing, not specifying, isn't it? That is what my teacher told me. He also told me the same meaning for -し, but I can't really find such an explanation for the usage of -し anywhere - is it the same?
— contributed by: gtunak85
- [shi] is more like a separate word (conjunction?) whereas [-tari] is a verb ending (conjugation?)
— contributed by: dc
- -し is usually used for phrases that describes your subject. for example you can say that you like a certain singer because he has a good voice, nice attitude and he is handsome. you end the sentence with a conclusion that you like the singer, and enumerate the reasons by using し.
— contributed by: infinite_trial
- can anyone come up with the conjugation rule?
— contributed by: wrooffy
- to my understanding the [V-tari] is simply the [V-ta] + "ri", hence (as in the WWWJDIC example):
飲む - 飲んだり
食べる - 食べたり
歌う - 歌ったり
する - したり
and (as gtunak85's 先生 says) it's used to "examplify" things done, eg, "we did things like this and this and that", where (as usual) the last verb determinates the tempus for all the verbs in the sentance.
At least that's my understanding of it, but I've only been studying since august so I could be wrong...
— contributed by: mojibake
- I have never encountered a たり form where the last verb was not する. I learned you should do:
V-たり、V-たり、V-たりする。
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- Many rather stupid and simple examples. :3; ...Vocabulary practise, yes?
— contributed by: Naino
- do the actions follow the exact sequence? for example maiasa koohii o nonde kara shimbun o yomimasu. or shimbun o yomu maeni koohii o nomimasu. here the sequence is explicit. does this apply to tari form as well?
— contributed by: molu
- do the actions follow the exact sequence? for example maiasa koohii o nonde kara shimbun o yomimasu. or shimbun o yomu maeni koohii o nomimasu. here the sequence is explicit. does this apply to tari form as well?
— contributed by: molu
- Hey Molu, tari doesn`t specify what order the things happened in. it just expresses the idea that you did things like Vtari, and Vtari.
Also I think that a Vtari statement must end in する or できる。　
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tari suru form
tagJ: たり する　form
tagH: V stem+たり
expE: doing things like V+ing
expJ: Vたり、　Vたり　します。
noteE: Yesterday I did things like watching tv and playing video games.
JLPT: 3

Front: yappari, yahari
やっぱり（やはり）
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
やっぱり（やはり）
Meaning: As I thought; after all
Example: As I thought, he didn't turn up.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 貧乏でいるよりもやっぱり金持ちの方がいい。
Compared to being poor, I would after all prefer being rich.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あの娘は結構悩んでいたがやっぱり彼とは結婚しなかった。
Even though that girl was almost going to pieces, she did not (after all) as expected get around to marry him.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- やっぱりそうだったか！
It turned out exactly as I expected!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- やっぱり！
That's what I thought!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- やっぱりあいつは来なかった。
As I thought, that guy did not show up after all.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ヤッパリ、ずーとあったんだよ！
whaddayaknow it was there all along!
— contributed by: dc
- やっぱりあの娘（こ）に惚れてんだ！
You do have a crush on that girl!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ヤッパリ、俺は掃除すりゃよかったんだ。
As I thought, I should have (it is good that I have) cleaned.
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- １：電車でいきますか？飛行機で行けばいいのに。２：でもちょっと高いですね。やっぱり電車で行きます。
1: You're going by train? Wouldn't it be better to go by plane?2: But it's a bit expensive. I'll stick with going by train.
— contributed by: bi-ru
- 週末の勉強だけじゃ、全然進歩しないよ。やっぱり、毎日やらないと意味がない。
You won't make any progress just studying on the weekends. [as expected] It's meaningless unless you do it every day.
— contributed by: Miki
- 日本にあるインドカレー屋のカレーの味って、やっぱり日本人の口に合わせて作られているよね。
The curry they serve in Japan is milder than real Indian curry. They adapt it to Japanese tastes.
— contributed by: Miki
- 冬はやっぱり雪がないとね。
Winter does not look real without snow.
— contributed by: Miki
- 「このねこは、やっぱりとてもきれいですよ！」と、とても年取ったおばあさんが言いました。
"And it is indeed a very pretty cat!" said the very old woman.
— contributed by: Miki
- やはり、ここのタイ料理の味付けは、日本人好みにしてあるんだね。
I think the Thai food at this place is seasoned so Japanese will like it.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたがなんと言おうと、私はやはりその説が正しいと思う。
For all you say, I still believe in the truth of the theory.
— contributed by: Miki
- 疲れているがやっぱり行くつもりだ。
I`m tired, but I`m going anyway.
— contributed by: karekano
- やっぱりお会いましたね。
So I did see you!
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女には欠点があるが、やはり彼女が好きだ。
With all her faults, I love her still.
— contributed by: karekano
- バターは高価だが、私はやはりマーガリンよりその方が好きだ。
Expensive as butter is, I still prefer it to margarine.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女はやはり元気だ。
She is as well as can be expected.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼らはやはり来年結婚するのよ。
Just as you expected, they are getting married next year.
— contributed by: karekano
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- hatashite
User Comments
- I did get my "yappari" back!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- whaddayaknow - it was there all along!
(see new EX)
the examples were probably still in the DB, so when you put the grammar item back in they reappeared, happily linked.
— contributed by: dc
- Sorry, changed your example a bit.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- and i made it "checked" and edited the main example...
— contributed by: dc
- This is GR entry item!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- isn't there some sort of nuance for yahari as opposed to yappari ...気のせいかな
— contributed by: Snake
- yes, it's 気のせい。yahari and yappari are almost the same. I think yappari is more casual than yahari.
— contributed by: Miki
- the opposite of やっぱり might be そんな（はずはない）. hmm this is suspicious.
— contributed by: Miki
- やっぱり is simply a double consonant degrading of やはり and as such it is less formal than やはり. The newer generation has even further degraded やっぱり to やっぱ. Unfortunately, it is here to stay.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yappari, yahari
tagJ: やっぱり（やはり）
expE: As I thought; after all
noteE: As I thought, he didn't turn up.
JLPT: 2

Front: womonotomosezuni
〜をものともせずに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜をものともせずに
Meaning: In the face of, in defiance of, in spite of
Example: 周囲の反対をものともせずに、二人は結婚した。
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p41 - no.38
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p493
— contributed by: LR
- NOUN ((or nominalized phrase)) + をものともせずに
Sometimes the に is omitted
— contributed by: LR
- X をものともせずに "lit., without making something out of X" means that one does something bravely and fearlessly in spite of existing, unfavorable circumstances.
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼女は足の痛みをものともせずにマラソンを走り抜いた。
Undaunted, despite the pain in her legs, she finished her run in the marathon race.
— contributed by: watashi5000
- 雪の深い道をものともせずそいつはひたすら車を駆った。
Without heed to the road deeply covered with snow, he doggedly drove on.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 敵の攻撃を物ともせず部隊は突進した。
Heedless of the enemy advance, the troops charged.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 周囲の反対をものともせずに、二人は結婚した。
in defiance of everyone around them, the two of them got married.
— contributed by: dc
- 寒さをものともせずに、彼は薄着で外出した
Making nothing of the cold he went out in thin clothes.
— contributed by: dc
- 氷のような水をものともせずに彼は川へ飛びこんだ
He jumped into the river in defiance of the icy water.
— contributed by: dc
- そのおてんば娘は危険をものともせずにその木に登った
The reckless girl climbed the tree regardless of danger.
— contributed by: dc
- 立木さんは病気をものともせずにレースを走り切って勝った。
Tachiki won and completely ran the race in spite of her illness.
— contributed by: IMABI
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User Comments
- added a translation and some see also links.
be nice to know subtelties between this and [nishiro]
— contributed by: dc
- perhaps others are "despite" whereas this is a much stronger "in defiance of/against all odds" type phrase...
— contributed by: dc
- I think it also means 'regardless'; behaving as though the obstacle or whatever isn't actually there.
— contributed by: Rob
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: womonotomosezuni
tagJ: 〜をものともせずに
expE: In the face of, in defiance of, in spite of
expJ: にもかかわらず
noteE: 周囲の反対をものともせずに、二人は結婚した。
JLPT: 1

Front: mo-ba-mo
も〜ば〜も
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
も〜ば〜も
Meaning: not only, but also
Example: not only smokes, but also drinks
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 1.いろいろな場合がある。
2.二つのことが同時に備わっている。
— contributed by: Nashira
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 父はお酒ものめばタバコも吸うので、健康が心配だ。
my father both drinks and smokes, so Im worried about his health
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 小泉さんは英語も上手なら、フランス語も上手です。
Mr Koizumi can speak English well and he can also speak french.
— contributed by: blabby
- 小泉さんは英語もできればフランス語もできる。
Mr.Koizumi is not only good in English, but he also can handle French.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 彼は歌も上手なら踊りもうまい、パーティーの人気者だ。
If he's good at singing, he's a great dancer too, so he's popular at parties.
— contributed by: minutiae
- 彼は地位もなければお金もない。
He has neither money or status
— contributed by: Nashira
- 結婚生活というものは楽しいこともあれば大変なこともある。
Married life has both fun times and also difficult times
— contributed by: Nashira
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User Comments
- Some of your recent entries have the last part of the English slipping into the Comments section.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In my textbook, this is listed as 2級 grammar.
— contributed by: blabby
- changed to 2級
— contributed by: dc
- How is this different than [shi] and/or [tari]?
— contributed by: yookoso
- も〜ば form is simpler to use.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- what is the difference between ~Sae~Ba ; ~Yara ~Yara and Tatoe~Temo/Tatoe~Demo
— contributed by: mkhasnis
- ex #3057 does not have a ば in it? 何でそれ?　もし　この記事が　も〜なら〜もと言ったら　問題ではない．でもね　そなわけではないね
— contributed by: tigert
- Is there anyone that can break down this grammar more specifically for me? First off, I have never used this grammar before. To me, the 2nd example really seems like If Koizumi san is good in English, then he/she is also proficient in French. Having a conditional there really just makes no sense to me at all. If anyone could explain this better, it would be greatly appreciated !
— contributed by: NemosX
- I intent to answer to Tigertさん. About the conditional form (条件形), we learned that this form apply to more words than verbs in japanese:
Vウ->Vエバ: する->すれば
Aイ->Aケレバ： 高い->高ければ
Aナ->Aナラ: 嫌[な]->嫌なら
N->Nナラ: 雨->雨なら
Somewhere も〜ば〜も and も〜なら〜も don't seem different.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 赤毛さん　Thank you for replying to my post. I think I　understand what your saying, by using the potential form of a the な adjective you get the same results as if you used a potential verb form, is that what you ment? いつも世話になってありがとうございます｡　
— contributed by: tigert
- Tigertさん It's what I intented to explain except that すれば is the conditional form (条件形) of する. The potential form (可能形) of する should be できる. I think there is no potential form for adjective. こちらこそ御世話になっております。
— contributed by: 赤毛
- ~も~ば~も has 2 different meanings according to my teacher. (I'm still trying to grasp them both)
1.いろいろな場合がある。
So the first meaning is to express different contrasting situations such as "If there are people who like it, there are people who don't."
2.二つのことが同時に備わっている。
The harder one of the two (for me)I interpret as something that possesses two simultaneous qualities or abiliities."He has neither money or status."
Can anybody help clear this up for me? :)
— contributed by: Nashira
- I think both meanings can be translated as:
"as much (from one) as (from the other)"
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mo-ba-mo
tagJ: も〜ば〜も
expE: not only, but also
noteE: not only smokes, but also drinks
JLPT: 2

Front: yomoya
よもや
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
よもや
Meaning: surely not
Example: I never expected you would come
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- よもやそんなことは有り得ない
That can't possbly be true!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- よもやそんなことはあるまい。
It is highly improbable.
— contributed by: Nyssa
- 私はよもや彼女が有罪だとは思ってもみなかった。
I hadn`t the slightest suspicion of her guilt.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- よもや and まさか are interchangeable, but よもや I think is more critical about incredulity than まさか.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yomoya
tagJ: よもや
expE: surely not
noteE: I never expected you would come
JLPT: 2

Front: kigasuru
気がする (きがする)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
気がする (きがする)
Meaning: to feel, realize
Example: I have a feeling he's a bad person
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- adj+気がする
adj+ような+気がする
　高いような気がする
　高い気がする
　危ない気がする
noun+のような＋気がする
　悪い人のような気がする
verb+ような＋気がする
　彼にどこかで会ったような気がする
---
note the particle is different from と used with think
　彼は悪い男だと思います
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 悪い人のような気がしました。
I felt that he was a bad person .
— contributed by: dc
- 高いような気がしている。
I feel like its expensive .
— contributed by: dc
- いつも排尿したいような気がする。
I have a constant feeling I have to pee .
— contributed by: dc
- その話は本当のような気がする。
Something tells me that this story is true .
— contributed by: dc
- ちょっと危ない気がする。
I have a feeling its a little dangerous .
— contributed by: dc
- 彼にどこかで会ったような気がする。
I have a feeling I met him somewhere before .
— contributed by: dc
- 例外が多いような気がしました。
I get the feeling there are a lot of exceptions .
— contributed by: dc
- 電車の中での勉強はとても無理なような気がします。
I feel like it's almost impossible to study on the train .
— contributed by: dc
- 旅行で行きましたけど、そこには住みたくないような気がしました。
I went travelling there, but realized I would not like to live there .
— contributed by: dc
- 「天気予報、今日は涼しいそうよ。」「反対に、暑い気がする。」
"The weather forecast says it's cool today." "On the contrary I feel hot."
— contributed by: dc
- 一週間田舎にいてすっかり元気になったような気がする。
I feel completely restored after a week in the country.
— contributed by: dc
- うしろめたい気がする。
I feel guilty.
— contributed by: dc
- お天気なので、釣りに行きたいような気がする。
It is a fine day and I feel like going fishing.
— contributed by: dc
- やはりもっと話さないとだめな気がします
I need to speak more or its no good, I get the feeling
— contributed by: dc
- 彼、最近、私に冷たくなったような気がする。
I feel like he's grown cold toward me lately.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼がその秘密を知っているような気がする。
I have a impression that he knows the secret.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼が近いうちにひょっこり訪ねてくるかもしれない気がする。
I have a feeling that he may blow in sometime soon.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は医者のような気がする。
I fancy he is a doctor.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は勉強を始めるとどうして眠気がするのだろうか。
Why should he feel drowsy whenever he begins to study?
— contributed by: dc
- 彼をどう思っているか話してみたい気がする。
I feel like telling him what I think of him.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は今日来るような気がする。
I have an idea she will come today.
— contributed by: dc
- 分かるような気がする。
I think I understand.
— contributed by: dc
- 僕の人生には何か欠けているものがあるような気がするんだ。
I have a feeling that something is lacking in my life [M]
— contributed by: dc
- 旅に出かけたい気がする。
I feel like going on a trip.
— contributed by: dc
- 扁桃腺がはれている気がするのですが。
I'm afraid my tonsils are swollen.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本語は、勉強すればするほど難しくなるような気がする。
About Japanese, I feel like the more you study, the more difficult.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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User Comments
- seems to always be preceded with youna~
　　ような気がする
— contributed by: dc
- As for the note, 悪い男と思います。is not natural.
We say 悪い男_だ_と思います。
— contributed by: Miki
- Instead of 悪い男のようなような気がする, MIki is correct that one would normally say 悪い男のように思われます。
In that example, 気がする would be used in a sense of denial, such as 悪い人のような気がしない。
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 悪い　and 危ない are both adjectives, but when the adjetive is used to qulaify a noun, the noun takes + 　のような気
危ない　気がする
　悪い　気がする
but
　悪い男のよう　な　気がする
I find this easiest to remember as
-like feeling
-no[you]na 気がする
— contributed by: dc
- Edited the last example.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #1331 I think Japanese would be more natural, 旅行で行きましたけど、（そこには）住みたい 気がしませんでした。
— contributed by: your name
- Corrected #1331.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- for examples that have been checked/corrected by yourself, i changed the "checked" dropdown menu to +1, which makes them show up in green.
— contributed by: dc
- I'm honored.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- when do you use と with this?
危ない　気がする
危ないと気が付いた　← past tense? correct?
納豆は美味しい＿と＿気が付いた
— contributed by: dc
- A line in the notes section of this entry should be changed from:"verb+のような＋気がする" to "verb+ような＋気がする" (the particle の needs to be dropped)
— contributed by: srobertson
- done, thanks.
— contributed by: dc
- #5423 is a little awkward translation
— contributed by: dc
- For #5423, how about "Still, I have the feeling that it would be wrong not to say more." (I'd use "get the feeling" if the Japanese sentence were more casual.)
— contributed by: srobertson
- I think Ex #5758 don't fit with this grammar because the 気 in
眠気【ねむけ】(n) sleepiness, drowsiness
have another meaning than in others 気がする examples.
So I labeled it "suspicious".
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Would this be correct...
さびしいような気がする (I feel lonely)
迷っているような気がする　(I feel lost)
then for -気がする
私たちは迷っている気がする　(I have a feeling we are lost!)
悪い男のように思われます。What does this sentence mean literally?
　
— contributed by: anna.kendall
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kigasuru
tagJ: 気がする
tagH: きがする
expE: to feel, realize
noteE: I have a feeling he's a bad person
JLPT: 2

Front: kurai.....wanai
くらい〜はない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
くらい〜はない
Meaning: A is the most B thing. There is not a more B thing than A is.
Example: 外国で病気になるくらい不安なことはない。
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 外国で病気になるくらい不安なことはない。
verb-plain くらい adjective (koto) はない
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 外国で病気になるくらい不安なことはない
There is nothing as unsettling as getting sick overseas.
— contributed by: dc
- 鈴鹿に買い物に行くくらいいいことはない。
There is nothing like going shopping in Suzuka.
— contributed by: tamago ouji
- 赤ちゃんぐらいかわいいものはない。
There is nothing as cute as a baby.
— contributed by: Miki
- 漢字を憶えるくらい難しいことはない。
There is nothing quite as difficult as memorizing kanji.
— contributed by: Archana
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- kurai (kurai(gurai) : about, as)
User Comments
- ex3235 Japanese is somewhat unnatural.Also I feel politeness is inconsistent.
I prefer this "鈴鹿での買い物に勝るものはないと思う。" But to use くらい、、、はない　how about this?
鈴鹿に買い物に行くくらいいいものはない。でも、今では高くなったよ。とにかく、今度の週末（今週末）行こうか。
— contributed by: anon
- 今さも高くなっただよ sounds like a dialect, amd I don't think that's suitable for this forum. I second anon's suggestion.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I edited the example to remove the last part of the sentence, since it was irrelevant to the grammar. maybe a bit harsh in retrospect...but trying to keep the grammar examples clean and understandable minimum.
— contributed by: dc
- is this also "gurai" depending on the speaker's accent?
— contributed by: dc
- I am not sure if there is a rule which of "kurai" and "gurai" should be used. I think both can be used for 「…くらい…はない」.
— contributed by: Miki
- I'm currently reading "中級日本語" from the Japan Times, and the book says that "xはyくらいです" means "y is about the only x." Maybe it's a different wording, but I'll leave it to more experienced people to make a new entry.
— contributed by: LittleFish
- LittlFish The entry for kurai meaning about is already made. I added See Also. Please have a look.
— contributed by: Miki
- In this usage, kurai, gurai, or hodo can be used. They are all comparitive. I have had this translated as : There is nothing as (adj) as (noun). For example, There is nothing as delicious and cheap as okonomiyaki ( okonomiyaki kurai/gurai/hodo oishikute yasui mono/tabemono ga/ha nai).
— contributed by: Sean
- In ex #5535, I think that 憶える should be replaced by 覚える.
— contributed by: hadv
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kurai.....wanai
tagJ: くらい〜はない
expE: A is the most B thing. There is not a more B thing than A is.
noteE: 外国で病気になるくらい不安なことはない。
JLPT: 2

Front: tekuru
て形+くる (て来る) (てくる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
て形+くる (て来る) (てくる)
Meaning: Vte go, do something, and return
Example: I'll go buy the newspaper (and come back)
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 新聞を買ってくる。
I'll go buy the newspaper. (implying you'll be back)
— contributed by: bi-ru
- 医者に行って薬をもらってきました。
I went to the doctor and got some medicine (and came back with it) .
— contributed by: bi-ru
- 日本語が少しずつ分かってきた
Little by little, I　 came to　 understand Japanese.
— contributed by: bi-ru
- 物価が下がってくる。
Prices continue to fall.
— contributed by: bi-ru
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User Comments
- contrast with verb-te+iku
　買って行く
　I'll go and buy (on the way to somewhere else)
— contributed by: dc
- maybe this grammar entry should be more ーてくる as it is about appending -kuru to compound a verb.
買ってくる、持ってくる　等
— contributed by: dc
- Maybe we could transfer that example into -nagara
— contributed by: bi-ru
- its done, on [nagara] page
— contributed by: dc
- As I found on (Takasugi Shinji's site) - contrast the difference of -tekuru and -teiku in the following:
物価が下がっていく。
物価が下がってくる。
Both mean that prices continue to fall. Both tekuru and teiku indicate continuation in this example. However teiku implies motion away from, whereas tekuru implies motion towards.
You think prices are going away from you in sentence 1, such as when you don't like the trend. You think prices are approaching you in sentence 2, such as when you like it.
— contributed by: bi-ru
- wow! わかった。I get iｔ. Thanks
— contributed by: anna.kendall
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tekuru
tagJ: て形+くる (て来る)
tagH: てくる
expE: Vte go, do something, and return
noteE: I'll go buy the newspaper (and come back)
JLPT: 3

Front: tame
為 (ため)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
為 (ため)
Meaning: In order to, because of, for
Example: I telephoned to make sure he was coming.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼が来る事を確かめる為に電話をした。
I telephoned to make sure that he was coming.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼は、去年老齢の為、なくなった。
He died last year of old age.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- このキーは何の為の物ですか？
What's this key for ?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 外国人の為のいい辞書がない
There are no good dictionaries for foreigners
— contributed by: edo
- 日本人は会社の為によくはたらきます
The Japanese work hard for ( the sake of ) their company
— contributed by: edo
- 何の為に？
What for?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 雪がたくさん降ったため試合が中止された。
Because a lot of snow fell, the match was canceled.
— contributed by: ngocld
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- youni
User Comments
- Two slightly different usages here (split them out if you want to).
1. 'In order to'
2. 'Because of'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Usually either ___の為に___ or [V-る]為に___.
But not always :-P
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Hey DC, I'm catching up with you on Grammar entries :-P
— contributed by: Amatuka
- thats why i made the batch form, so i can speed ahead!
— contributed by: dc
- hah, I've NEVER seen the kanji for tame before.
— contributed by: Grant
- tame is also used sometimes to mean "therefore/so", like [node]
何も出ていない<b>ため</b>、ユーザーは何をしていいか分からないと思います。
nothing pops out,<b>so</b> the user doesnt know what to do
— contributed by: dc
- 為 seems a bit like the word 'para' in Spanish... give or take a few uses, no?
— contributed by: Saralynne
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tame
tagJ: 為
tagH: ため
expE: In order to, because of, for
noteE: I telephoned to make sure he was coming.
JLPT: 3

Front: uchini
うちに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
うちに
Meaning: while; during; as
Example: みるみるうちに太った。/ He gained weight just while I was watching him.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- うち　（内） means inside. so this is "inside the time" or while.
— contributed by: dc
- I found this helpful:
うちに indicates a period of time WITHIN WHICH an action occurs, and corresposnds to English "while still", or in negative constructions "before".
It is different to あいだ, which indicates a period DURING OR THROUGHOUT WHICH an action occurs, and is equivalent to English "while".
学生のうちに、よく勉強ひておきなさい。
Study hard while you are still a student.
Different to: 学生の間に、いろんな所を、旅行するつもりです。　I plan to travel to lots of places during the time I am a student.
うちに is also used to indicate an event building up or reaching a climax AS some action is being done.
先生の話を聞いているうちに、眠くなってきた。
I grew tired as I listened to the teacher speak.
— contributed by: minutiae
- Another way to keep うちに and あいだ apart is:
うちに: An abstract timespan with diffuse start and end time; e.g. childhood, rainy season
あいだ: A timespan where you can pinpoint start and end time; e.g. lecture, summer holiday
— contributed by: Chad
- amega furanai uchini uchihe detekudasai
— contributed by: S.Ramesh100
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 若いうちに本をたくさん読みなさい。
While you are young, read many books.
— contributed by: dc
- 暇なうちに、遊びに来てください。
While you are free, come here and play with me please.
— contributed by: bitco
- 暗黙のうちに承諾する。
Accept implicitly.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- みるみるうちに太った。
He gained weight just while I was watching him.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どうぞ、熱いうちに、食べて下さい。
Please go ahead and eat it while it's still hot
— contributed by: minutiae
- 学生のうちに、よく勉強しておきなさい。
Study hard while you are still a student .
— contributed by: minutiae
- 先生の話を聞いているうちに、眠くなってきた。
I grew tired while I listened to the teacher speak.
— contributed by: minutiae
- ふるさとの母から届いた手紙を読んでいるうちに、思わず涙がこぼれた。
While I was reading the letter I had received from my mother old home, tears went up spontaneously.
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 日本語を勉強して行くうちに日本に関する色々なことが分かって来た。
As I am learning Japanese, I begin to understand various aspects related with Japan.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 時間があるうちに、やりなさい
While there's still time, please　do it.
— contributed by: belajar
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User Comments
- Wouldn't #3156 mean something more like "please come visit whenever you're free". I'm not a native English speaker, but er, "come here and play with me" has kind of a wrong sound to it, doesn't it?
— contributed by: zio
- Yes it certainly sounds pretty weird in English. I think zio's translation is probably the most natural sounding translation of that sentence.
— contributed by: bi-ru
- 暇なうちに does not mean "whenever you're free". "Whilte you are free" would be better. Just correct the latter part.
— contributed by: Miki
- #6183 Please change from これど to これで.
— contributed by: Miki
- Whoops! Bad typo. Thanks for alerting me to it.
— contributed by: minutiae
- isnt ex #6184 an example for the other 'UCHI NI' meaning 'before it stops'?
— contributed by: karekora
- Minutiaeさん> Please correct the notes:
勉強ひて->勉強して as in ex#6184.
Why are they 2 different grammar entry うちに+うちに-2?
In my point of view:
One use of うちに describe a progressive change in the 2 clauses before and after うちに. This use is associated with progressive form of verbs like Vテ+行く(change in the future) and Vテ+来る(change in the past) or sudden change like Vイ+出す and Vイ+始める. In this use, うちに cannot be substituted by あいだに. These examples like ex #3160 are the best for [uchini].
The other use of うちに make an opposition between a temporary state in the clause before うちに which permits the clause after うちに, and the end of this temporary clause when it will be too late. This use should be in [uchini-2] but there are various example here in [uchini].
I think it will be great to rearrange these 2 entry. So I moved Ex #6186 from here to #6903 of [uchini-2] and I changed it with the example from the notes which fits better.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Is it just me or does 学生の間に seem a little unnatural?　I cannot put my finger on it, but maybe if the sentence included the subject.
僕が学生の間に　色々な所へ行くつもりです　or maybe　this is a good place for 時 or　にを消したら?　
僕が学生の間　色々な所に行くつもりです
僕が学生の時に色々な所に行くつもりです
I don`t know what it is, but that example just doesn`t seem natural.　
— contributed by: tigert
- In ex. #3160 【彼は】みるみるうちに太った。 Could be "He gained weight in the blink of an eye" too?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: uchini
tagJ: うちに
expE: while; during; as
noteE: みるみるうちに太った。/ He gained weight just while I was watching him.
JLPT: 2

Front: wokiita
を聞いた (をきいた)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
を聞いた (をきいた)
Meaning: I heard
Example: I heard from Tom you want to move
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あなたがフランスに行きたいということをトムから聞いた
[LIT] You want to go to France (that fact) i heard the thing from Tom, I heard
— contributed by: dc
- あなたは酒嫌いだと聞いた
I heard you don't like alcohol
— contributed by: dc
- トムが金持ちの女性と結婚したことを聞いた。
I've heard of Tom's marriage to a rich woman.
— contributed by: Miki
- 後ろから私の名前が呼ばれるのを聞いた。
I heard my name called from behind.
— contributed by: Miki
- 昨日になって初めて、その事故のことを聞いた。
It was until yesterday that I heard about the accident.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私たちは雷鳴を聞いた。
We heard the crack of thunder.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は子供たちが一緒に歌っているのを聞いた。
I heard the children singing together.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は彼がぶつぶつ独り言を言うのを聞いた。
I heard him mumble to himself.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は彼が新製品について説明するのを聞いた。
I listened to him explain a new product.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は彼が犯罪に関わったことを聞いた。
I heard of his involvement in crime.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は彼女が「いいえ」というのを聞いたことがない。
I have never heard her say 'no'.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- DC>
Q: does this
　　行きたい＿という＿ことを聞いた
construct put more emphasis than just using a simple verb ending
　　行きたい＿そうです
I guess you can't use the second form to indicate exactly -who- you heard it from...or can you?
　　トムから、(あなたは）フランスに　行きたい　そうです
Miki>
トムから聞いたけ（れ）ど、フランスに 行きたいそうです ね。
Maybe it would be the same sentence in English....
bamboo4>
ということを聞いた would indicate what precedes that phrase is a hearsay, while そうです would indicate your view of what someone wants to do.
— contributed by: dc
- As for the first example, the Japanese is not natural.　I would say あなたが酒嫌い だと 聞いた。
Or あなたが　酒が好きでない／酒嫌いである　ということを 聞いた。
— contributed by: your name
- thanks, changed.
— contributed by: dc
- ex #5072　I think the translation should be "I heard that Tom got marriage with a Rich woman."
I am not for sure about this..this is just my thought.If there is Something wrong..please give me a message!
Thanks.
— contributed by: gahoangdai
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wokiita
tagJ: を聞いた
tagH: をきいた
expE: I heard
noteE: I heard from Tom you want to move
JLPT: 3

Front: itashimasu
致します (いたします)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
致します (いたします)
Meaning: do (humble)
Example: I will present this to you
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- itashimasu is "to do" spoken in a modest manner, or which the Japanese call 謙譲語 (kenjyougo or humble language).
私がいたします would be directed to your superior meaning that "I will do that."
It has nothing to do with "giving" or "receiving" which would be involved in 貰う and あげる.
— contributed by: dc
- 致します　is the keigo form of suru. Although it can mean I will do, it can also take the past tense form and mean I have done. IE 致しました
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あなたの申し出をお受け致します。
We'd like to accept your proposal.
— contributed by: dc
- また何か他の募集がありましたらお知らせ致します。
I most certainly will let you know if we have any other recruitment program turns up.
— contributed by: dc
- 少々お待ち下さい。おつなぎ致します。
Hang on, I'll transfer you.
— contributed by: Miki
- この場合、未開封のメディアパッケージを速やかにABC社に返送して頂ければ、商品代金を全額払い戻し致します。
In this case, promptly return the unopened media package to ABC for a full refund.
— contributed by: Miki
- お手伝い致しましょうか
Shall I help you?
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Trying to nail down [itashimasu] and [itadakimasu] Are these slightly literal translations (a) correct japanese and (b) accurate translations?
社長の指示を転送致します
I hereby forward the boss's instructions
社長の指示を転送させて頂きます
Please let me forward the boss's instructions
— contributed by: dc
- dc ex3173 文字化けしていましたよ。
— contributed by: Miki
- looks like 文字化け but actually i got the example verbatim from ALC... is it wrong?
— contributed by: dc
- so [itashimasu] can be thought of like a polite form of [suru]? Thus used to make all the suru verbs polite?
転送します ⇒　転送致します
— contributed by: dc
- itashimasu 致し ます can be 丁寧語 or 謙譲語 of suru.
— contributed by: Miki
- good page
<A href=http://www.geocities.jp/nihongoguide/honorhum.html> here on humble/honorific</a>
— contributed by: dc
- dc, could you please delete my commnet of "The kanji 「申」 seems to become ..."? Thanks!
— contributed by: Miki
- sure, I deleted the one about fUnny characters.
— contributed by: dc
- Is there a difference between やる and 致す？ Can they be used interchangeably? If not, could someone please explain the difference? Thank you in advance!
eg.
それも私がやります。
versus
それも私が致します。
— contributed by: kokowani
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: itashimasu
tagJ: 致します
tagH: いたします
expE: do (humble)
expJ: 致すと言う言葉はするの意味と一緒です
noteE: I will present this to you
JLPT: 2

Front: itadaku
頂く (いただく)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
頂く (いただく)
Meaning: to receive (polite)
Example: the mail I received today
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今日頂いたメールに基づいて、、
based on the email I received today...
— contributed by: dc
- 頂きます
For what we are about to receive (said before eating a meal, like "grace" in the west)
— contributed by: dc
- 社長は手紙をDCから弁護士に送って貰いたいのでしょうか？
Would the President like DC to send the letter to the lawyer?
— contributed by: dc
- あなたの許可を頂くべきだったでしょうか。
Should I have asked your permission?
— contributed by: Miki
- お返事をお待ちしております。またお返事をいただくことにより、私どもはより効率よく会議の準備をすることができます。
Your response is greatly appreciated and will enable us to prepare more efficiently.
— contributed by: Miki
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Related Grammar
- morau (morau is plain, itadaku is very polite)
- hoshii (hoshii means want, itadaku is a keigo phrase)
User Comments
- where itadaku is to receive, I think [itasu]/[itashimasu] is the opposite, ie a polite way of saying something I give to someone
— contributed by: dc
- ex#3167 It is possible to say 社長は、DCに手紙を弁護士に送って 欲しい or 貰いたい のでしょうか？ When DC is ranked higher in a company than the speak and the listener, it is desirable to use 頂きたい with respect.
— contributed by: your name
- dc,文章をクリックすると、翻訳ページに直結している！これは、すごいね、便利だね。(^-^)v
— contributed by: your name
- 特に外人にとっては便利 ＾○＾
— contributed by: dc
- #3167 is weird. You want me to edit it?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Yes, please. When you are confident its correct, please change the "checked" dropdown to a +1 to greenlight the example...
— contributed by: dc
- つまり、修正頂きたいと思います。宜しくお願い致します。
— contributed by: dc
- itadaku is the plain (dict) form of itadakimasu
— contributed by: dc
- I changed it, but it no longer belongs to this category of 頂きたい.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- hmm, why would you use morau there instead of itadaku ? i was trying to include more biz usable examples
— contributed by: dc
- 社長 need not use any honorifics to make DC to do something for him. If DC wants 社長 to do that, it's a different story.DCから社長に頼んで弁護士に手紙を送って頂くようにしたい would be okay.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- no, that phrase was DC asking the President what he wanted him to do. ie DC talking to the Prez.
— contributed by: dc
- In that case, you have to use 貰いたい.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- This is level one? I don't believe it.
— contributed by: bab
- bab Please suggest what you think the level is if you don't think this is not the level one.
— contributed by: Miki
- 致す／致しますis not the opposite of 頂く。Instead, it is a humble form of する。
— contributed by: 誠
- bab is correct - This appears in JLPT level 3.
— contributed by: NickT
- Can someone explain to me the rule behind requests in the form of, for example, お送りいただけませんか?
— contributed by: mwhite
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: itadaku
tagJ: 頂く
tagH: いただく
expE: to receive (polite)
noteE: the mail I received today
JLPT: 1

Front: itasu
致す (いたす)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
致す (いたす)
Meaning: to do (humble)
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [itashimasu]
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今後とも努力を致す所存であります。
We will make further efforts for it.
— contributed by: Miki
- その頃わたくし共は北山の掘立小屋同様寝起きをいたして...
At about that time, we lived in a shack in Kitayama, where being awake and sleeping were the same...(from Mori Ogai's "Takasebune").
— contributed by: Ness
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User Comments
- 致す：「する」の謙譲語。動作者を低めることで聞き手を敬う。多く下に「ます」を付けて用いる。 from 大辞林
混乱する〜(-.-;)
— contributed by: Miki
- 堀田小屋 should be 掘立小屋, meaning a crude shack built by inserting the pillers directly into the ground without using any foundation stones.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Ah! I was so careful not to mess up my first contibution and I did! Sorry! Thanks, bamboo4, for the catch.
— contributed by: Ness
- #5520 Ness, I think the sentence is missing ところで or ところに : 北山の掘立小屋同様のところに, otherwise the sentence doesn't make sense. Please check the book again.
— contributed by: Miki
- Re #5520: Correct version is: 其頃わたくし共は北山の堀立小屋同樣の所に寢起をいたして.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: itasu
tagJ: 致す
tagH: いたす
expE: to do (humble)
JLPT: 1

Front: toiuto
と言うと (というと)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
と言うと (というと)
Meaning: when you talk of, speaking of, when you say
Example: talking of the french...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- スイスというと何をイメージしますか？
When you hear 'Switzerland' what does it invoke in your mind?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- なぜクビにならなかったかと言うと彼には超能力があり、彼の予知で数々の難事件が解決をみたからだ
To say (the reason) why he wasn't fired, having psychic powers, he solved many difficult cases with his foresight.
— contributed by: bi-ru
- 何かというとあいつはいつも口を出そうとする。
Whatever happens, that guy always tries to interject himself.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 何故かといわれても、知りません
If you ask me why, I don't know.
— contributed by: swing39
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- to
User Comments
- Is that actually how you spell Switzerland I wonder? ^^v
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This is the best way I can interpret this example. It seems like a good one of toiuto, but maybe someone else can be more precise in its translation
— contributed by: bi-ru
- it looks like miki edited the example... in which case maybe we should turn it green rather than red = "edited"
— contributed by: dc
- Keep it in red for a while.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- added the rest of the sentence to put it in a whole context
— contributed by: bi-ru
- I just added 「･･･。」 as the J-sentence seemed to be unfinished.　ばればれですね。:P Now it looks perfect.
— contributed by: Miki
- I don't see a 「･･･。」 ? ex# 3109?
— contributed by: dc
- Yes it's ex# 3109. I added「･･･。」before bi-ru added the rest of the sentence which you can read now.
— contributed by: Miki
- What is the difference with と言ったら？
— contributed by: dc
- I think と言ったら is almost the same as と言うと but makes a sentence more casual and colloquial.
ex#3115 というと is different from others. 何か というと should be used a set. 何か_と_いったら means different.
何かといったら、犬に決まっているじゃないか。
— contributed by: Miki
- I don't really know what the meanings for both 何か というとnor the meaning for 何か_と_いったら. However, I think there's a slight difference between toiuto and toittara. Both means about "speaking of..." but the former is just stating something in a neutral sense, whereas the latter one is stating something more of surprise, or beauty.
So I think it's more common to say this "沖縄といったら、文字でかけないほど美しい浜辺や海がたくさんあるようだね"　with toittara than with toiuto. I found this in the Kanzen Masuta textbook for level 2 grammar.
— contributed by: nhk9
- といったら is used when making a conclusive or definitive statement, allowing nothing else, whereas というと is more generic and allows many alternatives.
Compare 日本の山といったら富士山だ(when you say which is THE mountain in Japan, it would have to be Mt. Fuji) with the example #378 above.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I've heard "何故と言ったら" before in a few lectures. The speaker used "なぜと言ったら..." to push the lecture in a further direction, (seeing as there was no audience participation to tell him to keep going), to keep it flowing. Almost as if to say " "Why?" you may ask; well, blah blah blah."
— contributed by: LittleFish
- nhk9 is absolutely correct. かといったら contains within it a feeling, emotion, or surprise, while かというと does not. Straight from the ALC literature for ２級.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- ex #5945: 「なぜかというと,しりません」is sort of weird. I think it should be 「何故かといわれても、知りません or 判りません」.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Recommend chamging #5945 to that effect.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- the rule for とconditional and たら conditional is exactly the same is it not. You can not use と for feelings, request sentences or to want something. ばconditional is the same I think.
so 家に帰ると、電話して下さい。is wrong
家に帰ったら、電話して下さい。
— contributed by: kadoka66
- If you ae not going to change it, delete #5945.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- it looks like 5945 has been changed - but please feel free to edit the examples, wikipedia style.
— contributed by: dc
- I was just wondering if this と言うと　isn`t really a single grammar point. と言う is often used to give an explanation of something. It basicly means "to say"
IE　何と言う学校で勉強しますか？
　What is the school you study at called?
With that as it is. the final と before the rest of the sentence is the sentence connective causative と that implies "because of S1, Naturally S2 came to be"
so Ex 378 is really
When (Someone `omitted は`) says "Switzerland", what image do you see (Naturally without the ablity to control it `と`)
Ex 3109 can be broken down to a rhetorical Question followed by the (natural and unchangable) answer.
Ex 3115 isn`t a very good translation. "sorry bamboo"
何か　means something so 何かと言う means to say something so a better translation would be
when ever (anyone　`omitted は`) says something, ( it is naturally unavoidable that `と`) that guy will open ( let it appear `出る`) his mouth.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toiuto
tagJ: と言うと
tagH: というと
expE: when you talk of, speaking of, when you say
noteE: talking of the french...
JLPT: 2

Front: since/because-group
から・ので
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
から・ので
Meaning: because
Example: because you were late
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [karaniha] because, since
約束した<b>からには</b>、やらなければなりません。
I have to do it because I promised.
[node]
— contributed by: dc
- verb ~ [tara]
if, when...
駅に着いたら、、、
when you get to the station...
verb ~ [ba]
if...
駅に来れば、、、
if you come to the station...
[node]
most frequent basic "so" connective.
駅に来たので、、、
because I came to the station...
[ueha] <b>Because of A, B must be done</b>
used for duty, obligation
約束した上は、行かなければなりません
Because I promised, I have to go
[karaniha]
"since" but used for heavy duties
女として生まれた からには 綺麗でいたい
since I was born a woman, I want to be pretty
verb ~ [teirai]
implies timeline connection
日本に来て以来
since coming to japan...
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- お魚が安かったからたくさん買いました。
Because the fish was cheap, I bought many of them.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は寝過ごしたから （ので）学校に遅刻した。
Because he had overslept, he was late for school.
— contributed by: karekano
- 「どうして行かないの」　「忙しいからです」
"Why aren`t you going?" "Because I`m busy".
— contributed by: karekano
- そうしたのは腹が立っていたからだ。
It was because I was angry that I did it.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女が帰ってきたのは雨が降ったからではない。
It was not because it was raining that she came home.
— contributed by: karekano
- 身なりが貧しいからといって人を軽蔑してはいけない。
You should not despise a man just because he is poorly dressed.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私がどうしても手助けをしないので彼は怒った。
He was angry because I wouldn`t give him any help.
— contributed by: karekano
- お金の価値がなくなってきたのでためる張り合いがなくなかった。
Because money fell in value, there was no encouragement to save.
— contributed by: karekano
- 風邪を引いているので何の味もわかりません。
Because I have a cold, I can`t taste anything.
— contributed by: karekano
- 切手がなかったので、すぐに手紙を出すことができなかった。
Because I didn`t have any stamps, I couldn`t mail the letter immediately.
— contributed by: karekano
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- nazenara (because)
User Comments
- In note, kanji is wrong, 日本に来て_以来_ is correct.
— contributed by: Miki
- 直った。最近忙しい！
— contributed by: dc
- そうみたいね。I thought you might have gone somewhere as I didn't see updates by you.
— contributed by: Miki
- doesn't following a verb with participle と also work..
カボチャを食べると嬉しいです。for if...
for when, i believe it means very close to the event, such as
魚を食べると病気に成りました。 as in just recently "when"...?
— contributed by: tenshi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: since/because-group
tagJ: から・ので
tagH: から・ので・
expE: because
noteE: because you were late
JLPT: 2

Front: はず
筈 (はず)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
筈 (はず)
Meaning: believe that it is so; expect that it is so; it is supposed to be so
Example: I expected him to come, but ...
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Conjugation:
(plain form) + はず
イー形容詞：　高いはず　　→　高かったはずです。
なー形容詞：　静かなはず　→　静かだったはずです。
　　　名詞：　学生の　　　→　学生だったはずです
　　　動詞：　話す　　　　→　話したはずです
— contributed by: dc
- This is copied from http://www.guidetojapanese.org/should.html of Tae Kim.
Using はず to describe an expectation
はず is used to express something that was or is supposed to be. You can treat はず just like a regular noun as it is usually attached to the adjective or verb that is supposed to be or supposed to happen.
The only thing to be careful about here is expressing an expectation of something not happening. To do this, you must use the negative existence verb ない to say that such an expectation does not exist. This might be in the form of 〜はずがない or 〜はずはない depending on which particle you want to use. The negative conjugation はずじゃない is really only used when you want to confirm in a positive sense such as 〜はずじゃないか？.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- "S hazu" expresses the speakers expectation, not in the sense of hoping or looking forward to something, but in the sense that the proposition expressed by S should be true or come true. Thus, when the speaker uses <b>hazu</b>, he is not merely guessing, but stating a proposition based on reliable information or knowledge.
— contributed by: lenzras
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は８時に来るはずだったが、１０時になるまで姿を現さなかった。
He was supposed to be there at 8 o'clock and he didn't show up till ten.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 易しいはずだったのに、試験は予想外に難しかった。
It was supposed to be easy, but the test proved to be unexpectedly difficult.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- そんな筈はない
That cannot be.
— contributed by: dc
- 来るはずはない
It's not likely he will come
— contributed by: dc
- 来るはずだっだ
he was supposed to be here
— contributed by: dc
- 来たはずだ
it is certain that he was here
— contributed by: dc
- 来るはずです
it is certain he will come
— contributed by: dc
- どうして私が彼の居場所を知っていようか。知るはずがない。
How should I know where he is?
— contributed by: dc
- どんなに長い日でも終わりがあるはずだ。
The longest day must have an end.
— contributed by: dc
- 急須にもうお茶が残っているはずがない。
There cannot be some more tea in the pot.
— contributed by: dc
- もし、あなたが税金を払う身であれば、そんなことは言わないはずですよ。
If you were footing the bill, you wouldn't say that.
— contributed by: dc
- もし車が無いのなら、彼は事務所にいるはずがない。
If the car is gone, he can't be at the office.
— contributed by: dc
- アンがピアノをひているはずがない。
Ann cannot be playing the piano.
— contributed by: dc
- カールが優等生だったはずがない。
Carl cannot have been a model student.
— contributed by: dc
- ジェーンがそんなことを言ったはずはない。
Jane cannot have said such a thing.
— contributed by: dc
- ジョンのような正直者が嘘を言ったはずが無い。
Such an honest man as John cannot have told a lie.
— contributed by: dc
- ジョンは今にもここへ来るはずだ。
John should be here any minute now.
— contributed by: dc
- ジョンは今ロンドンに住んでいるはずがない。
John can not be living in London now.
— contributed by: dc
- バスはすぐ来るはずです。
The bus should be coming soon.
— contributed by: dc
- ロケットは今ごろには当然月に着いているはずだ。
The rocket ought to have reached the moon by now.
— contributed by: dc
- 田中さんが、病気の子どもだけを家にのこして出かけるはずがない。
Mrs Tanaka is not supposed to leave the ill child alone at home.
— contributed by: dc
- あの本は高かったはずだ。
I expect that book to be expensive.
— contributed by: lenzras
- 山口さんに出したはずの手紙が床に落ちていた。
I found the letter I though I had sent to Mr. Yamaguchi on the floor.
— contributed by: lenzras
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User Comments
- はず is used in a number of ways, XXはずがない literally "There's no expection of XX"
used for "There's no way XX" "There's no chance of XX"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- はず means the slip provided at the end of an arrow to provide a fit with the bow string, which turned into the meaning of "naturally, of course, logically correct, etc." そんな筈はない therefore means that "there is no such fitting" i.e., it cannot be or logically not possible.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- [CONJUCTION:HAZU CONJUCT WITH PLAIN FORM]
イー形容詞　→　高いはず／高かったはずです。
なー形容詞→静かなはず／静かだったはすです。
名詞→学生の／学生だったはずです
動詞→話す／話したはずです。
— contributed by: Bharat
- Bharat > thanks for the format, I added as a Note since it is a good example of conjugation.
— contributed by: dc
- 来るはずだっだ or 来たはずだ?　The examples use the former format while the notes illustrate the latter - are both correct? If so, is one more natural or is there a rule involved with choosing which to use?
— contributed by: Anonymous
- 来るはずだっだ means he was supposed to be here, while 来たはずだ means it is certain that he was here.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- so はず can have the meaning of "certain" rather than "probable" when it is used about a past event? I added the last three examples to hilite this...
— contributed by: dc
- bamboo4 I think 来たはずだ means that I believe he should have been here. If that is the fact that he was here, we would clearly say　彼はここに来ました。What do you think?
dc #5374　文字化けしています。maybe 可能性はずっと低くなる　?? Also, I think 英語を話せなければ would be more natural.
— contributed by: Miki
- umm, 文字化け yes or no, #5374 is は(wa) and ずっと, not はず and っと. It should be deleted.
— contributed by: mankind
- I agree with mankind.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I changed ex #5374 to fit the grammar entry according to the last 3 notes. I modified ex #5363 choosing 急須（きゅうす）as Mikiさん said below.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- ex #5363　ぽっと shold be ポット.　If the tea is Japanese tea, it should be 急須（きゅうす）.
— contributed by: Miki
- Is this correct? This house must be Mr Tanaka's
この家は田中さんのはずです。
— contributed by: jonbaum
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: はず
tagJ: 筈
expE: believe that it is so; expect that it is so; it is supposed to be so
noteE: I expected him to come, but ...
JLPT: 3

Front: ueha
上は (うえは)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
上は (うえは)
Meaning: since when
Example: since you have kids, you should stop smoking
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- The clause prior to "ue" contains a situation or fact. The clause following "ue wa" indicates the speaker's decision/hope/or resolve.
— contributed by: lucinda lohmanoota
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 動物を飼う上は責任をもって世話をするべきです。
since you have a pet, you should pay attention to your responsibility.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼のことだから、「やる」と言った上は、絶対にやるだろう。
He's the type that when he says he will do it, he definitely will do it.
— contributed by: dc
- 事態がこうなったうえは、もう彼一人には任せてはおけない。
Since the situation have gone this way, you cannot entrust it only to him another time.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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- とき (とき is almost always used for time expressions, whereas 上は can be a bit more cause and effect.)
- karaniha
User Comments
- Oops. On second thoughts kill that 'see also'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ex#3193 Although I've changed from 言って上 to 言った上, the J sounds unnatural. 「やる」と言ったからには would be more natural.
— contributed by: Miki
- ah or 彼のことだから、「やる」と以上は、絶対にやるだろう。
— contributed by: Miki
- oops 抜けた... 彼のことだから、「やる」と言った以上は、絶対にやるだろう。
— contributed by: Miki
- What about: タバコは法律上、認められているんですよ。In this case, 上は is like "According to". According to the law, tobacco is acceptable.
— contributed by: benkyou_gariben
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ueha
tagJ: 上は
tagH: うえは
expE: since when
noteE: since you have kids, you should stop smoking
JLPT: 2

Front: tokoroni, tokorohe, tokorowo
ところに、ところへ、ところを
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ところに、ところへ、ところを
Meaning: (Just) when
Example: Just when I had decided to call her, she phoned me.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This grammar is used to express a certain time or circumstances, NOT a place.
＊All three versions of ところ are interchangeable grammatically, though nuance can differ.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(dict. form / たform / ているform) + ところ
いＡ + ところ
Ｎ + のところ
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Generally speaking, the final particle in this grammar is interchangable with others, giving different nuance.
[ところへ] emphasizes the process of getting to the given situation described by ところ such as XXXのところへ行った、
[ところに] emphasizes the fact that you were at that given situation such as XXXのところに出くわした.
[ところを] takes the situation described by ところ and provide the bridge to whatever was done to that siatuation, such as XXXのところを見られた
— contributed by: claytonian
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- これから寝ようとしたところへ友達が訪ねてきた。
「when」 I was about to sleep, my friend came over
— contributed by: newt
- いいところへ来ましたね。今ちょうどスイカを切ったんです。一緒に食べましょう。
You came at a good time. I was just cutting up a watermelon. Lets eat together.
— contributed by: newt
- こっそりたばこを吸っているところを妹に見られた。
I was having a cheeky cigarette and on that occasion, I was seen by my little sister
— contributed by: newt
- ぐっすり寝ているところに地震が起きて、はっと目が覚めた。
An earthquake hit right when I was soundly asleep, and I jerked awake.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼女に電話をかけようとしたところへ、彼女のほうからかかってきた。
Just when I had decided to give her a call, she phoned me.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 犯人は、店から出てきたところを、警官に捕らえられた。
Just as the thief left the store, a policeman arrested him.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- お忙しいところを来てくださって、ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much for coming when you're so busy.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 本日は、休日のところを、おいでいただき恐れ入ります。
I'm amazed that you came all the way out here when today is a holiday.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 家を出ようとしたところに電話があり、打ち合わせはキャンセルになりました。
I was just about to leave the house when the phone rang. The appointment was cancelled.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- あわてたところをみると、彼は事実を知っているにまちがいない。
From the very moment I saw he became confused, I am certain that he knows the truth.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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User Comments
- ところへ is wrong. It should be ところで、which implies that the criminal did come out of the shop and that he was apprehended at that very moment. The particle で is a contraction of にて meaning "at that place."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Thought it looked dodgy.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The -2 check sticks.
I think the 'tokoro' entries need clearing up a bit - this is possibly redundant.
Either that or it needs examples that don't match tatokoro or rutokoro
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I suggest deleting this one. Comments?
これは消すがいいとおもいます。他の意見は？
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Go ahead and delete.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex#3197 I don't know what ずいか is. It does not sound tasty. すいか watermelon ならば、一緒に食べたい。
— contributed by: Miki
- changed it to ズイカ and added a translation. Hopefully this does not mean you just cut up your JR pass...
— contributed by: dc
- I'm a bit confused re. when to use ところへ、ところに、and ところを・・ Can someone please help? (^^)
— contributed by: foggynotion
- ところへ emphasizes the process of getting to the given situation described by ところ such as XXXのところへ行った、ところに emphasizes the fact that you at at that given situation such as XXXのところに出くわした、and ところを takes the situation described by ところ and provide the bridge to whatever was done to that siatuation, such as XXXのところを見られた.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 【ところを】そういう場面を
【ところに】そういう時に
【ところへ】そういう場へ
— contributed by: ulle
- I may be wrong, but I don't think these three are interchangeable/mean the same thing at all. For example, ところを has a very specific use as "although" (most notably in the set phrase お忙しいところを) that is most certainly not interchangeable with ところへ...
— contributed by: mankind
- What about 〜ところで?
That would be nice to have a clear explanation about when to use に、を、で and へ, as bamboo4 started to do...
For example :
1) よく眠っているところを起こされた。
-> Somebody woke me up while I was deeply sleeping.
Why を and not に or で?
2) 駅の改札口を出たところで、急に雨に降られた。
-> Just when I left the station through the gates, it started raining.
Why で and not に or を?
3) 引越しで忙しいところで友達が遊びに来た。
-> Just when I was busy with the moving, my friend came over.
Why で and not に or を?
— contributed by: Demian
- Interchangeable does not mean "mean the same." It means "all three work grammatically." Nuance does change between the three, so some nuances are better than others.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- I think that there's no tokorode but tokoroni in this grammar because it's concerned with time.
— contributed by: amenya
- VERB TAtokoroni ends in aru/iru
example: massugu ittaTOKORONI toire ga aru.
Verb TAtokorode
example: tsugi no shingou wo watattaTOKORODE, tometekudasai.
— contributed by: nrehv
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tokoroni, tokorohe, tokorowo
tagJ: ところに、ところへ、ところを
expE: (Just) when
noteE: Just when I had decided to call her, she phoned me.
JLPT: 2

Front: monodakara
〜ものだから
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ものだから
Meaning: so, therefore (explaining something unavoidable)
Example: The dog ate my homework (so) I can't turn it in today.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Can't believe this got uploaded without anyone explaining its usage. You have to ask yourself - if "so..." is all monodesukara means, why not simply use "desukara"?
Monodesukara is used in situations where you're giving a reason why something couldn't be helped, usually something negative - a [nanimoshikataganai] kind of situation.
For instance, if the dog ate your homework and you were explaining that to your teacher, you'd use monodesukara to finish up giving your reason.
It's used in cases where you're obviously conciliatory due to the unfortunate outcome, but humbly emphasizing that it wasn't your fault.
— contributed by: Televangelist
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 家が狭いものですから大きい家具は置けません
The house is small (narrow) [so / therefore] you cant put big furniture in (it).
— contributed by: newt
- 一人っ子なものだからわがままに育ててしまいました。
It ((s)he) was an only child and so grew selfish
— contributed by: newt
- 遅くなってごめんね。道路が込んでいたもんだから。
I'm sorry I'm late, I got caught in a traffic jam.
— contributed by: hana
- 上着を脱いでもいいですか。暑いものですから。
Can I take my jacket off? I'm feeling a bit hot.
— contributed by: hana
- 僕は何でも嗅げれない。どうやら風邪を引っちゃったよ。ものだから。
It seems I have caught I cold and cant smell anything. ものだから
— contributed by: dev123
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User Comments
- This is the same as [monodesukara]
— contributed by: srobertson
- This pattern can be shortened and become もので, also もんで,　or もんだから.
— contributed by: olivier
- If this is truly the same as Monodesukara, the examples need to be replaced. I think we need someone truly bilingual to come in and clean this up.
— contributed by: Televangelist
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: monodakara
tagJ: 〜ものだから
expE: so, therefore (explaining something unavoidable)
noteE: The dog ate my homework (so) I can't turn it in today.
JLPT: 2

Front: mokamawazu
〜もかまわず
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜もかまわず
Meaning: dont mind, dont care about
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- V　＋　にもかまわず
N　＋　にもかまわず
人目（に）もかまわず
不景気（に）もかまわず
— contributed by: jenifer3634816
- 〜を気にしないで〜。〜に気を使わず平気で〜
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 子供は服がぬれるのもかまわず川の中に入って遊んでいる。
Without caring that thier clothes get wet, children go into the river and play.
— contributed by: newt
- 人の迷惑もかまわず電車の中で携帯電話で話している人がいる。
There are people who talk on mobile phones without concern for bothering others.
— contributed by: newt
- 姉は家族の心配もかまわず危険な冬、山へいこうとする。
Regardless of my family's worrying, my elder sister is trying to go to the mountains during the dangerous winter.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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Related Grammar
- zu, zuni (For the formation of this verb
kamau -> kamawazu)
- woyosoni
User Comments
- is this like 構わない？ that always struck me as a strange word, translated as "don't care" but used as "that's fine" in a positive way.
— contributed by: anon
- そうです。ず here implys negative and those examples can be reaplaced with も構わないで、. 'mind' is tricky for me when it's spoken.
— contributed by: Miki
- I remember it by the translation 'without regard to'
It sounds more formal, but it works with things like: This company hires regardless of age or experience.
— contributed by: boytokyo
- why is mo used before writing kamawazu?
— contributed by: andre
- Maybe it's used for emphasis?
— contributed by: Zio
- guess: It's a scope thing... vs は and が it sort of makes sense to use も. は would open up all sorts of possible things, が would be too restrictive. the も would stem from nothing at all AND the original action... just guessing
— contributed by: ninja_k
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mokamawazu
tagJ: 〜もかまわず
expE: dont mind, dont care about
JLPT: 2

Front: imagoroninatte
今ごろになって ~も (いまごろになって ~も)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
今ごろになって ~も (いまごろになって ~も)
Meaning: it's already too late
Example: It's too late to say you're sorry!
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- this is used like
[ima goro ni natte] [verb-te]+mo [too late]
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今ごろになって勝訴しても、亡くなった人は帰ってこない。
Even though we won the lawsuit, it's too late to bring the dead back.
— contributed by: dc
- 明日出発なのに、今頃になってビザがないなんて。
You are leaving tomorrow, and I can't believe at this late point you still haven't gotten yourself a visa!
— contributed by: dc
- 今ごろになってそのようなことを言われても遅いよ！
It's too late for you to tell me that at this stage!
— contributed by: dc
- 今ごろになってやめろと言われても遅い
Its too late to tell me to stop now!
— contributed by: dc
- 今頃になって（から）、切符を買うのは遅すぎる
Its too late to buy tickets now.
— contributed by: dc
- 今ごろになって（から）、注文しても遅い
It's too late to order
— contributed by: dc
- 今頃になってそんなこというの？
Are you telling me that at this juncture in time?
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- Do the brackets on #3020 and #3021 indicate that both phrases can be used with or without から with little change in the meaning? If so, since they are similar constructions, would it be better to have one without and one with, and an explanation of this optional extra in the notes?
— contributed by: mochabean
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: imagoroninatte
tagJ: 今ごろになって ~も
tagH: いまごろになって ~も
expE: it's already too late
noteE: It's too late to say you're sorry!
JLPT: 1

Front: garu
がる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
がる
Meaning: Ab ~seems (of somebody else's emotions & desires)
Example: He (looks like) he wants a new car.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- - Formed by removing the い from i-adjectives and replacing it with がる
- がる congugates as a normal Regular Group 1 / godan verb.
- Formed from adjective base + garu
(Amataku)
— contributed by: aitri
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 小川さんはどうも新しい車を欲しがるんですね。
Mr. Ogawa really looks like he wants a new car, doesn't he?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- バカ！放せよ！彼女は苦しがってるじゃない!
Idiot! Get off her! Can't you see you're choking her? (Lit: ~Doesn't she look like she's suffering.)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- お乳欲しがるあの子がかわい..
Feel such pity, the baby crying for mother's milk.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- そんなに強がるんじゃねえ！
Don't you act like a tough guy!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 怖がっていないで、ジェトコースターに乗ってみて、おもしろいよ！
Don't be scared, try the roller　coaster, it's fun!
— contributed by: タン
- 彼は、彼女と別れてから、いつも悲しがっています。
Since he broke up with his girlfriend, he's always seemed so sad.
— contributed by: agnestan
- その吠えている犬をこわがるな。
on`t be afraid of the barking dog.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女はいやがる子を学校に連れて行った。
She took her reluctant child to school.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- hoshii (ほしい has to use the がる form (ほしがる) when speaking of other people's desires.)
User Comments
- Formed by removing the い from i-adjectives and replacing it with がる
— contributed by: Amatuka
- がる congugates as a normal Regular Group 1 / godan verb.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from adjective base + garu
Ab - Adjective-base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- So this conjugates like:
欲しがっている
He was wanting...
— contributed by: dc
- In example 2, 苦しがってる is appropriate.苦しがる includes in this case some speculation that she would suffer, but I assume that is not the case here.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Although this grammar is listed as a JLPT 2 phrase, I've seen it pop up in previous years of JLPT 3...
— contributed by: awh
- i agree, it seems more basic that 2級. changed.
— contributed by: dc
- Try again...
何か確認したいんです。この「がる」って、第二人称 のことについて使えますか？第三人称だけと思いました。
能力試験は１２月５日に...
— contributed by: Leslie
- yes, that's correct.
買いたい：　I want to buy
買いたがっている: He wants to buy.
although ex1573 seems a bit out of context...
— contributed by: dc
- ex1573 is a near-idomatic structure (Doesn't she look like, translated as, Can't you see that) and maybe reflects an aspect of the language other than syntax, something like grammatical mood, but I'm not sure...
— contributed by: adamstudio
- I think ex #713 should be 小川さんはどうも新しい車が欲しがるんですね。 Rather than　小川さんはどうも新しい車を欲しがるんですね。
Am I incorrect?
— contributed by: UmiLi
- 2UmiLi: Grammatically, the use is like 誰かが何々を欲しがる , because it is a transitive verb.
Therefore, you can find both を欲しがる and が欲しがる in google, but it doesnt mean the same thing.
— contributed by: Iji
- In the book I use it is said that for expressing someone's apparent will the progressive form がっている should always be used except for the negative form where がらない　can be used. In that case, the first sentence would be incorrect. So is this a total mistake in my book or what ?
— contributed by: TyroneLove
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: garu
tagJ: がる
expE: Ab ~seems (of somebody else's emotions & desires)
noteE: He (looks like) he wants a new car.
JLPT: 3

Front: zu, zuni
〜ず
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ず
Meaning: Without (doing)
Example: Without thinking
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- あ-Stem + ず
It means _without_, it is formed by the [NegativeForm] + zu" and means "without doing".
"~zu ni" is the same as "~nai de".
— contributed by: cup
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 思わず裸足で外に出た。
Without thinking I went outside barefoot .
— contributed by: bi-ru
- 女だと間違えず働きやがって！スケベなリモコンだ！
For a woman, this damn thing works without a mistake!　 Pervy remote control!
— contributed by: bi-ru
- 日本語を覚えずに日本でのクラス（授業）は難しい。
Classes are hard in Japan without remembering Japanese
— contributed by: cup
- なぜあなたは食わず嫌いになったのか?
Why have you turned into a such a person who criticizes before trying?
— contributed by: blabby
- 日本語を覚えずに、日本で暮すのは難しい。
It is hard to live in Japan without mastering the Japanese language.
— contributed by: Miki
- 愛を信じられずに育ったカン・ジェホは、働きながら大学に通う苦学生。
Brought up without believing in love, Kan Jeho supports herself working while going to college.
— contributed by: dc
- 困っている人を見たら、助けずにはいられない。
If I see worried people, I can't help but rescue them .
— contributed by: 赤毛
- あまり将来のことを考えずにこの仕事を選んだばかりに、今苦労ばかりしている。
Just after choosing this job almost without thinking about the future, I only have troubles now.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- この布は見ずに強い反面、熱には弱い。
This cloth seems strong without trying but weak in the action.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 雨が降らず、川の水が干上がった
With no rain, the water in the river dried up.
— contributed by: Phenie
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User Comments
- Vn denotes Verb negative base.
i.e.
yomu -> yoma(nai)
taberu -> tabe(nai)
— contributed by: bi-ru
- nice example bi-ru!
— contributed by: dc
- this seems like a mishearing of #5529
クラス　暮らす
— contributed by: dc
- Can you make this a adjective? Like, let's say:
Shinjirarenai hanashi (The story that is not believed)
Could you say:
Shinjirarezu hanashi
— contributed by: Ayumi
- 信じられず comes up in google with quite a few hits, but this is a verb. "without believing". I think your example might be an adverb - as you are using it to modify another verb?
eg:
幼い頃に母に捨てられ、愛を信じられずに育ったカン・ジェホは、働きながら大学に通う苦学生。
— contributed by: dc
- although i'm not sure of the actual probability of native speakers using such a phrasing, strictly grammatically speaking, 信じられざる話 would be the correct form. in traditional japanese grammar, ず is called 終止形 (collective term for verbs and adjectives at the end of sentences). the 連体形 (modifying nouns (体言)) of ず is ざる. in modern japanese, the 終止形 (ない） and the 連体形 (ない) are the same, so one doesn't think in those terms most of the time, but when using lingering elements from classical japanese, they are important. however, ざる-ending expressions, though not restricted to written japanese, have a rather formal sound to them.
— contributed by: rasmusjp
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: zu, zuni
tagJ: 〜ず
expE: Without (doing)
noteE: Without thinking
JLPT: 2

Front: douse
どうせ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
どうせ
Meaning: after all; eventually; at best
Example: After all, there's nothing permanent.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- どうせ金なんてそのうちなくなるんだ
After all (eventually) money you now have will be gone.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どうせ二人は枯すすき、花の咲かない枯ススキ
After all we two are nothing but withered grass: flowerless grass
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どうせ郵便局へ行くのなら、切手を買ってくださいませんか？
Since you're going to the post-office anyway won't you please buy some stamps for me?
— contributed by: dc
- どうせ行かなければならないのなら早いほうがいいです。
If you have to go anyway , then you might as well do it quickly.
— contributed by: trinity
- あなたが手伝ってくれないことは分かっている。どうせあなたはそういう人だ。
I know you won't help me. That's the kind of guy you are, after all.
— contributed by: EvilKyra
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User Comments
- どうせ is a word that characterizes the Japanese view of the transient and mutability of life. いろは歌 is a typical example.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- The second example is a quote from a old Japanese pop song about a man and his wife whose life would end up as a river boat ferry man.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- しぶい歌ですね。My mother knows 船頭小唄.
— contributed by: your name
- I think どうせ also can be used as in "anyway", ex 3
— contributed by: dc
- もちろん、bamboo４さんはしぶいでしょう！
— contributed by: dc
- Thank you, dc!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- In example 3, we normally use ついでに, rather than どうせ. 郵便局に行くんだったら、ついでに切手を買ってきて.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- someone used the phrase どうせ男 the other day, in a kind of sarcastic way. could this mean "at best, kind of like guys (but not really)" .. ?
— contributed by: testy
- or more like, "after all, they are guys (so they would do that kind of thing)"
— contributed by: testy
- どうせ男 means an irrsponsible, happy-go-lucky guy, whose view would be どうせ(after all), so that he would just go about his life without really trying.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- dc, Roma-ji for どうせ　is wrong. It should be doUse.
— contributed by: anon
- ah, thats a little problem, as all the comments etc are linked from "doose"... I can change + the examples but will lose the comments for now.
— contributed by: dc
- there is no such thing as incorrect romaaji.
— contributed by: doppel
- Whether there is such a thing as incorrect romaji is a debate for another forum, but douse is consistent with the romaji used on this particular site so I went ahead and made the change (we can do that now but couldn't before when DC posted his comment).
— contributed by: yookoso
- #1090
Put "。" at the end of the sentence.
— contributed by: Nick
- In #1090 there should be a "the" thrown in there after "(eventually)" ... but even then its still kind of awkward.
— contributed by: ixtli
- Wouldn't #1090 correspond with the English idiom "you can't take it with you"? Regardless, it would probably read better as "Eventually (In the end) the money you have now will (all) be gone".
— contributed by: PorkChop
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: douse
tagJ: どうせ
expE: after all; eventually; at best
noteE: After all, there's nothing permanent.
JLPT: 3

Front: monono
〜ものの
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ものの
Meaning: although
Example: Although I bought a computer, I can't use it
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [monono] is basically the same as
[shikashi] or
[keredomo]
and interchangeable:
　　パソコンを買った[ものの]、使い方が全然わからない。
→　パソコンを買った[けれども]、
→　パソコンを買った[しかし]
→　パソコンを買った[ということは本当だが]
Its true I bought a PC, but ... (I have no idea how to use it)
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- パソコンを買ったものの使い方がぜんぜんわからない。
I bought a PC, but I have no idea how to use it.
— contributed by: dc
- 熱は下がったものの、まだ咳が止まらない。
Fever went down but I still have a very bad cough.
— contributed by: Miki
- 軽いけがで済んだからいいようなものの、次回からは気をつけて下さい。
You are very lucky to get away with such a light injury, but be careful next time.
— contributed by: Miki
- あのホワイト・ライオンの子どもはおとなしいとはいうものの、なんといっても獣ですから、気を許さないで下さい。
While you can say the white lion cub is tame, it is a wild animal after all; so please do not let down your guard.
— contributed by: Miki
- いろいろな説はあるものの、恐竜がなぜ突然絶滅してしまったのかはまだ謎のままである。
There are many theories about the sudden extinction of the dinosaurs, but the real cause still remains anyone's guess.
— contributed by: CorDarei
- パーティーに行くことにしたものの気がはずまない。
Even though I have decided to go to the party, I'm still not satisfied.
— contributed by: CorDarei
- パーティーに行くことにしたものの気がはずまない。
Although I decided to go to the party, my mood hasn't improved
— contributed by: dc
- 流言飛語に惑わされるべからず、とはいうものの、言うは易く行うは難し、と思わない？
They say you shouldn't take rumors seriously but that's easier said than done.
— contributed by: dc
- SaaS認知は中企業以上では高まってきているものの、小企業ではまだ低いとみている。
While SaaS knowhow is high in medium-scale companies and above, it is yet low in small-scale companies.
— contributed by: mhykx
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User Comments
- this "but" seems to lean toward "although" 〜 のに
— contributed by: dc
- Quite often used in the construct ~とはいうものの, with a noun before と it's always used in that form.
— contributed by: halx
- ものの should be equated to "although" or "despite the fact that..." rather than "but" so that "I bought a PC, but I have no idea how to use it" shold preferably be "Although I bought myself a PC, I have no idea how to use it."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- my text book explaints it with:
けれども　〜ということは本当だが、しかし
— contributed by: halx
- You can replace with them.
〜けれども／〜ということは本当だが、しかし
→パソコンを買ったけれども、使い方が全然わからない。
— contributed by: Miki
- ex #4372 is a duplicate (with funny translation)
— contributed by: halx
- All the examples here sound good to my ears.
— contributed by: Nick
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: monono
tagJ: 〜ものの
expE: although
noteE: Although I bought a computer, I can't use it
JLPT: 2

Front: nikotaete
に応えて (にこたえて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に応えて (にこたえて)
Meaning: in response to
Example: in response to consumer demand...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- FORMATION:
Ｎ + にこたえて
Ｎ1 + にこたえる + Ｎ2
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- に応じて「ほかからの働きかけに応る。」
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- わが社は消費者のニーズに応えて新製品を開発しました。
in response to consumer demand, our company has developed a new product.
— contributed by: dc
- 社員の要求にこたえて労働時間を短縮した。
In response to employees demand, the working hours are reduced.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 「医者になってほしい。」という親の期待に応えて、彼は医者になった。
In response to his father's hope, "I want you to become a doctor," he became one.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 学生の希望にこたえて,図書館は夜10時まで開けられることになった。
In response to students wishes, the library will be opened at until night 10 o clock.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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User Comments
- The above example should really be に応えて. 応 such as 回答 involves answering questions whereas 応 such as 応じる or 対応 means to respond to, to deal with. As proof, comparing google results for ニーズに答えて and ニーズに応えて reveils 2,000 vs 27,000 results.
— contributed by: kimchi314
- Oops, typo in the above. I meant 答 such as 回答
— contributed by: kimchi314
- seems you are right, that was a typo in the original kanji input.
に答えて →　応えて fixed.
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikotaete
tagJ: に応えて
tagH: にこたえて
expE: in response to
noteE: in response to consumer demand...
JLPT: 2

Front: Respectful Verbs I
敬語どうし (けいごどうし)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
敬語どうし (けいごどうし)
Meaning: Will you _____?
Example: Will you buy it, madam?
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Honorific and Humble Forms
Japanese can be roughly separated into three levels of politeness: casual, polite, and honorific/humble. So far, we have already gone over the polite forms using "desu" and "masu". We will now cover the next level of politeness using honorific and humble forms. You will often hear this type of language in any customer/consumer type situations such as fast food cashiers, etc.. For now, the first thing to remember is that the speaker always considers himself/herself to be at the lowest level. So any actions performed by oneself are in humble form while actions performed by anyone else seen from the view of the speaker uses the honorific form. For the simple example of first and second person, the first person is always humble while the second person is always honorific.
Set Expressions
The difficult part of learning honorific and humble language is that there are a number of words that have separate verbs for honorific and humble forms. Anything that does not have it's own special expression fall under the rules of humble and honorific conjugations that we will cover next.
Plain | Honorific | Humble
する | なさる | 致す
行く | いらっしゃる | 参る
来る | いらっしゃる | 参る
ある | ござる | −
いる | いらっしゃる | おる
見る | ご覧になる | 拝見する
聞く | 伺う (to ask) | −
言う | おっしゃる | 申す／申し上げる
あげる | 差し上げる | −
くれる | 下さる | −
もらう | − | いただく
食べる | 召し上がる | −
知っている | ご存知（です） | 存じる
— contributed by: kimchi314
- Conjugating honorific/humble verbs
Most of the verbs in the table above follow the normal masu-conjugation rules except for: なさる、ござる、いらっしゃる、おっしゃる、and 下さる. For all these verbs, instead of the 「る」 becoming a 「り」 as it does with normal u-verbs, it instead becomes an 「い」 for all tenses of the masu-form.
Any conjugations besides the masu-form do not change from regular u-verbs. In addition to these verbs, 「です」 becomes 「でございます」, which is the masu-form conjugation of 「でござる」 which comes from 「である」 (to be covered much later).
— contributed by: dc
- Plain | ます-form | Past ます-form | Negative ます-form | Past-negative ます-form
なさる | なさいます | なさいました | なさいません | なさいませんでした
ござる | ございます | ございました | ございません | ございませんでした
いらっしゃる | いらっしゃいます | いらっしゃいました | いらっしゃいません | いらっしゃいませんでした
おっしゃる | おっしゃいます | おっしゃいました | おっしゃいません | おっしゃいませんでした
下さる | 下さいます | 下さいました | 下さいません | 下さいませんでした
— contributed by: dc
- Regular Keigo Verb Forms
丁寧 Teinei＊譲語 Kenjougo＊尊敬語 Sonkeigo
------------------------------------------
Vstem+ます　＊　お+Vstem +します　＊　お+Vstem+になります
Irregular Keigo Verb Forms
丁寧 Teinei＊譲語 Kenjougo＊尊敬語 Sonkeigo
------------------------------------------
いいます　＊　もうします　＊ おっしゃいます
食べます・　＊　いただきます　＊　めしあがります
飲みます
行きます・　＊　まいります　＊　いらっしゃいます
来ます
います　＊　おります　＊　いらっしゃいます
します　＊　いたします　＊　なさいます
しっています　＊　ぞんじています　＊　ごぞんじです
聞きます　＊　うかがいます　＊　---none---
見ます　＊　はいけんします　＊　ごらんになります
会います　＊　おめにかかります　＊　---none---
— contributed by: infinite_trial
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
There are currently no examples for this grammar entry.
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User Comments
- Correction for Kenjougo?
しっています　＊　ぞんじています　＊　ごぞんじです
＝＝＞
しっています　＊　ぞんじて おります　＊　ごぞんじです
— contributed by: lance
- The table shows up on my screen like this "PlainHonorificHumble," and the verbs are all run together. Could there be a problem with the HTML formatting of this page?
— contributed by: Charles Jenkins
- OK, I have made some changes so that tables can now be displayed...
— contributed by: yookoso
- It might be important to note that keigo changes depending on whether what you're talking about involves the higher person or not.
Also, saying double-keigo, such as お話になっていらっしゃいます。 is apparently putting on airs unless you are a salesman.
— contributed by: Volcanon
- Is the o + verb in base II suru for humble and
0+verb in base II + ni naru somewhere around here? I bet they are... So an even higher degree of politeness would be o + base II + itasu correct? Please see http://japanetics.blogspot.com and I am interested in contributing examples yo! Thanks also for a great site!
— contributed by: brettkun
- Hello, I have a suggestion:
- For 知る, if it is an object/place/thing that you know of, you reply with 存じております。If it is a person you know of (say a professor, doctor, etc) you reply with 存じてあげています／おります。
- ごめんなさい in honorifics turns into 申し訳ありません。
- A useful keigo grammar note is causative verb+morau/itadaku, which literally means "(the listener) to allow me to do/perform some action". For example if a person is about to start a meeting, he/she would say　ただいま会議を始めさせていただきます. It's just a very polite way to say "I will start the meeting now". But the literal translation would be "Now, allow me to perform the action of starting the meeting". Isn't that way more polite than just saying you will start the meeting? =)
Anyway, that's my two cents on honorifics.
— contributed by: kryoung
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Respectful Verbs I
tagJ: 敬語どうし
tagH: けいごどうし
expE: Will you _____?
noteE: Will you buy it, madam?
JLPT: 4

Front: Causative
せる・させる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
せる・させる
Meaning: make, let (someone do something)
Example: I let my daughter eat ice-cream
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- And the form ( ~らせられる。~させられる)?
— contributed by: Adm.Heloise
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 娘にアイスを食べさせてあげた。
I let my daughter eat ice cream.
— contributed by: darg
- 僕に払わせてください。
Let me pay for it.
— contributed by: darg
- 彼女は彼に早く寝させました。
She made him go to sleep early.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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User Comments
- causative verbs 使役動詞
passive verbs 　受動態動詞、受身動詞
— contributed by: anon
- Great page, I found it most helpful.
Just one question - how would we translate 'shinareru'?
For verbs which obviously have actors and objects such as to eat, to play etc, to be eaten and to be played are easy translations. But for things like die, and other such verbs that you do yourself?
— contributed by: bi-ru
- These actions are done unto you by others (the subject is the passive recepient) So in the case of 死なれる, in most cases, you should be able to translate it as "someone dies on you".
— contributed by: kimchi314
- It is great! There are not many text books that cover cuasative and passive verbs properly. I'm impressed!
— contributed by: Masumi
- shinareru = to be killed
ex: Kanojo wa kare ni shinaremashita. (She was killed by him.)
— contributed by: Ayumi
- shinareru = to be killed
— contributed by: Dama
- Tha Causative form of "kuru" is KOSASERU not koraseru as it appears in the Causative Conjugation Rules Box
— contributed by: kaszarob
- 彼女は彼に殺された＝She was killed by him.
彼女は彼に死なれた＝She had died on him.
気をつけてね！＾＾
— contributed by: akiokun
- 〜られる＝Passive　〜させる＝Causative　　ね＾＾
— contributed by: akiokun
- Why donﾂｴt you write the example also in romaji?
Despite you explanation it is very dificult to know how to read the kanji.
— contributed by: futaro
- 彼女は彼に死なれた＝He had died on her
It is "he" who had died on "her" and not the other way round.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- "ask a question" looks confusing for you.
Tthe example (2)先生が質問をたくさん聞かせてくれた。 is strange. It should be 先生がたくさん質問を_させてくれた。 if English is Teacher let (someone) ask lots of questions.
Another example (5)　外国人に質問を聞かれたが、答えられなかった。 is correct. You can also say　外国人に質問をされたが、…。
— contributed by: Miki
- This is most definitely on JLPT level 3.
— contributed by: Drew
- futaro, this page was originally from another Japanese "tutorial", and the original writer never put it in romaji...I think he wanted the readers to look it up.
— contributed by: Saralynne
- Greetings.
I understood the 払わせてください (Let me pay for it).
And the 彼に払わせてあげる (I let him pay).
What about:
払わせてもらう?
— contributed by: sky
- sky, 払わせてもらう, like most things in Japanese is going to be translated slightly differently depending on context. However, I think a good general idea is: "be allowed to pay." Not necessarily a strict, weird 払う許可を得る type of way, but that is the idea. It is a phrase you could use pretty often when you go out to eat with people who also try to flip the bill (as is often the case in Japan). Saying that would be like saying "Let me get this one," or "I'll take care of it," because you are acknowledging that ultimately it is your companions who hold the power to decide and that you are "receiving" (貰う） their "letting"（させる） you pick up the tab. It could be compared with 奢ってあげる, but the latter may be a bit more... ずうずうしいかな？ And after all, 驕る者久しからず＾＾. Anyway, yeah, this is going to vary with the situation, but I hope that helps.
— contributed by: Lorenz
- 班長が俺に叱られた。I was scolded by our group leader.
Is that correct?
edit:
@Lorenz, I was surprised, I thought I was the one who wrote your comment. We have exactly same name. ^^
— contributed by: lenzras
- 先生は生徒に宿題をさせる
sensei wa seito ni shukudai o saseru
guru menyuruh murid mengerjakan PR
友達は私を待たせます
tomodachi wa watashi o matasemasu
teman membuat saya menunggu
お母さんは娘にスーパーで買い物をさせました
okaasan wa musume ni suupaa de kaimono o
sasemashita
ibu menyuruh anak perempuannya berbelanja di supermarket
今日は仕事を休ませてください
kyou wa shigoto o yasumasete kudasai
tolong izinkan saya cuti kerja hari ini
お腹空いているんだから、なんか食べさしてく
れよ。
onaka suite iru n dakara, nanka tabesashite kure
yo! saya lapar, tolong izinkan saya makan sesuatu!
http://bahasajepangbersama.blogspot.com.es/2014/09/grammar-bahasa-jepang-yasui-nikui.html
— contributed by: riizhu
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Causative
tagJ: せる・させる
expE: make, let (someone do something)
noteE: I let my daughter eat ice-cream
JLPT: 3

Front: shika
しか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
しか
Meaning: but, only、just
Example: thats all I can do
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- but / only used with neg. predicates & highlights expressed word
compared to だけ, which is used with positive nuance... check out comparison below
— contributed by: dc
- Maybe its similar to the difference between "just" and "only".
３人だけでも十分
Just 3 people is fine
３人しかないので、大変だった
Only 3 people, so it was tough..
If you exchange, the nuance is different
３人[しかない]でも十分
Even if with only 3 people, its enough
the nuance is that 3 people is not really enough, but if we try we can do it...
Part of the clue is that after shika you use a negative:
shika[nai]
and dake you use a positive
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ローマ字しか書けません。
I can not write anything but romaji [Roman letters]. (western person)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- [Related expression]田中さんだけ来ました。
Only Mr. Tanaka came.
— contributed by: dc
- 田中さんしか来ませんでした。
Noone came except Mr Tanaka.
— contributed by: dc
- 百円しかない。
I only have 100 yen
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 赤いものしかない。
Nothing but red things.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そこは車でしか行けない。
you can only go there by car
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 英語しか知りません。
I only know English.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- 彼らしか私に礼を言わなかった。
They were the only people to thank me.
— contributed by: karekano
- ほんの数人の友達しかいない。
I have only a few friends.
— contributed by: karekano
- 火曜のフットボール試合の観客はわずかしかいなかった。
There were few spectators at the football match on Tuesday.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は金を浪費することしか能ない。
She never does anything but waste her money.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼はせいぜい平均点しか取れないだろう。
He will get an average mark at best.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女はせいぜい５千円しか払わないだろう。
She will pay 5,000 yen at most.
— contributed by: karekano
- 君に賛成だとしか言えない。
I can`t say but that I agree with you.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は金もうけのことしか考えない。
She thinks of nothing but making money.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- shikanai (Note しか and しかない entry. The しかない entry is for [verb] しかない.)
- dake ([shika] emphasizes the negative, whereas [dake] just means only/just, in a neutral fashion)
User Comments
- しか in comparison to だけ has a bit of an implication that the amount that /is/ present is small in comparison with what might be expected.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In the しか 'Mr. Tanaka' example the implication is that more might have been expected to come. There is not such an implication in the だけ version.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- (Or such is my understanding ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- often used as 「しかない」- nothing but
— contributed by: dc
- Or you can use だけしか to emphasize that there were no-shows.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I always got confused when textbooks said that しか...ない means "only," but ない is negative. This kind of threw me off. I've never seen it defined as "nothing but" before. Thank you :)
— contributed by: LittleFish
- Yes, thanks Littlefish. The negative is definitely confusing without further explanation to me as well. So, I now read the 'Mr. Tanaka' example more literally as "Nobody, except Mr. Tanaka, came". Otherwise the negative isn't logical. So I think of it as meaning 'except' and wait for the negative to be 'nothing' or 'noone'.
— contributed by: SpurryMOses
- Spurry is right, so corrected example #1048.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I think さえ resembles the English "save" quite a lot. So #1048 could also be "Save Mr. Tanaka, no-one came"
— contributed by: Chousuke
- Uh, I wonder what I was thinking. Of course I meant しか, not さえ.
— contributed by: Chousuke
- If you wanna use "save" in #1048,it would have to be "save for."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I know for this grammar that you often omit the particle.
ラーメンをしか食べていない sounds strange to me.
ラーメンしか食べていない sounds more natural.
Today, I wanted to say "Recently, I am only meeting XX". In this case you would say XXさん と/に しか会っていない. right?
I also hear 何々の前にしか会ってない。
Can anyone clarify the rules of particle omission?
— contributed by: blabby
- In the notes,３人しかないので should be ３人しかいないので　When you count persons, you use いる/いない and when you refer to inanimate things, you use ある/ない, as the general rule.Elementary, my dear Watson.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I learned this one as "no more than", which always helped me think of it as a negative-sounding idea, and so I never had trouble remembering to use a negative verb with it. Many of the examples use shika + nai, but you should realize that it is the negative form of ANY verb (subject to other grammar rules, of course.)
— contributed by: jmadsen
- What's the difference between だけ　and　ただ? Is it just that ただ　comes before a noun, and　だけ after?
— contributed by: pingpongpaddle
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: shika
tagJ: しか
expE: but, only、just
noteE: thats all I can do
JLPT: 2

Front: nashi
なし
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なし
Meaning: without
Example: without a coat on
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- とても寒いけれど、彼女はコートなしで出かけました。
Although it is very cold, she went out without a coat on
— contributed by: tuananh
- 彼女はコートなしで出かけました
she went out without wearing a coat
— contributed by: dc
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- nuki
User Comments
- Do you have to add "de" at the end?
— contributed by: Ayumi
- で indicates a way something is done. Thus コート無しで means literally "in a coatless fashion". But you don't have to always use で, for example, 名前無し means nameless or anonymous. Also, it's an noun-like suffix, and you use it with の in adjectival context、 like in 名無しの人。
For fun factor, it seems that -無し was the negative suffix in classical Japanese, equivalent of modern-day -ない. So although it's an equivalent of a suffix inflected like i-adjectives (形容詞), it behaves like a noun today.
— contributed by: mathrick
- An error crept in, 名前無し there should have really been 名無し.
— contributed by: mathrick
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nashi
tagJ: なし
expE: without
noteE: without a coat on
JLPT: 3

Front: itadakimasu
頂きます (いただきます)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
頂きます (いただきます)
Meaning: to receive
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [itadaku]
— contributed by: dc
- いただきます・いただく
It is a polite receiving verb. Normally Japanese people would say "Itadakimasu" before a meal. Translated, it could be something along the lines of "Thank you for the meal".
However, as a verb itself, it can be attached to the 'te-form' of another verb to indicate appreciation. (Check out notes for giving and receiving verbs.)
— contributed by: talon_tearine
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 頂きます。
Bon appétit!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- お言葉に甘えてもう一杯頂きます。
If you insist I'll have another drink.
— contributed by: Miki
- コーヒーをやめて紅茶を頂きます。
I'd like to have tea instead of coffee.
— contributed by: Miki
- 先生に辞書をいただきました。
I received a dictionary from the teacher.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 社員「すみません、あした用事があるので、仕事を休ませていただきたいんですが。」社長「あしたか。ちょっと急でこまるんだけれど。」
Employee: "please, tomorrow I have things to do. Would you let me have a day off ?" Boss: "Tomorrow? It is pretty sudden and I am bothered..."
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 火曜日、木曜日、土曜日にしていただけませんか。
Would you mind do it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday?
— contributed by: 赤毛
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User Comments
- Would you like to change this into Grammar category?
I think you should.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- done
— contributed by: dc
- I think this is level 3 of JPLT (instead of 2).
— contributed by: 赤毛
- コーヒーをやめて紅茶を頂きます。
Is this sentence a bit rude with the やめて？I don't know so I was just wondering。I thought it had more of the conotation of quit/stop.
— contributed by: anna.kendall
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: itadakimasu
tagJ: 頂きます
tagH: いただきます
expE: to receive
JLPT: 2

Front: kakeda; kakeno; kakeru
かけだ・かけの・かける
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かけだ・かけの・かける
Meaning: in the middle of; not yet finished V-ing
Example: I fell asleep while in the middle of reading the magazine.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb ryk (VB masu) kakeru
- used with Transitive/Intransitive verbs
- an action/ a state is about to take place- you start doing something but you don't finish that action, so it remains half done
= BEGIN TO~; BE ABOUT TO~; ALMOST (DO)~
a). ご飯を食べかけた時に、地震が起きた。
　　When I was about to eat[/just started to eat] my meal, the earthquake occured. (so I didn't finish the action)
b).父は若い時に、海でおぼれかけたそうだ。
I was told that my father almost drowned in the sea when he was young.
c).雨が降りかけたが、また天気になった。
It started to rain, but it became fine again.
d).オアは開きかけたが、また閉まってしまった。
The door begun to open, but it closed again
— contributed by: deeana
- ます形　＋　かける
1. 〜かけている/〜かける：実際に起こる直前
This form takes the meaning of "just as", "just before", or "on the verge of" "about to." It uses verbs that finish or change in an instant (一瞬で終わる/変わること), i.e. 消える、死ぬ、切れる etc.
Ex:
携帯電話のバッテリーが切れかけている。
私は子供の頃病気で死にかけたことがあるらしい。
死にかけていた猫を拾ってきた。
2. 〜かける/〜かけて: 直前
This form implies the idea that the action had barely begun and then stopped.
Ex.
今日こそ彼に一言いってやろうと思ったが、言いかけてやめた。In other words, "he" never got the complaint. The speaker probably stopped at, "umm... nevermind."
宿題の文作を書きかけたが、なかなか先にすすまないので結局途中でやめてしまった。This person probably got as far as writing their name before quitting.
3. 〜かけの/〜かけだ: 途中
This form means in the middle of an incomplete action. It takes verbs that take time/occur over time (動作が続く動詞), i.e. 食べる、飲む、etc.
Ex.
テーブルの上の飲みかけのコーヒー、誰の。
— contributed by: brazenxvirtue
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 雑誌を読みかけて、そのままうとうと寝てしまった。
I fell asleep while in the middle of reading the magazine.
— contributed by: Jonathan Salatan
- 何か言いかけてやめるのはよくない。
It is not good to stop(somebody) in the middle of saying something.
— contributed by: ananya
- やっと風邪が治りかけたと思ったら、今度は歯が痛くなってきた。
Just when I thought I was finally over my cold, my tooth began to hurt.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- He had just left, but soon came back, as if he had remembered something he had to do.
彼は帰りかけたが、用事を思い出したらしく、すぐに戻ってきた。
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- My father went somewhere, leaving the newspaper open at the place he was reading.
父は新聞を読みかけたままにして、どこかへ行ってしまった。
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- It started rain from the day before yesterday,and still continues.
おとといから今日にかけてずっと雨が降り続いている.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- これは、食べかけですが、どうぞ召し上がってください。its already been eaten a bit,but please have it.
— contributed by: ashishjoshi
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Related Grammar
- kaketa (duplicate entry)
User Comments
- Jonathan: [kaketa] is an identical entry, so i will probably move this example over...
— contributed by: dc
- 〜かける indicated that one has begun an action and is currently involved with it. In almost all cases 〜かけるmay be used in place of 〜かかる, although it expresses a slightly more advanced state (see examples above).
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- In the example sentence that it has been written by (deeana)
雨が降りかけたが、また天気になった。It should be
雨が降りかけたが、またいい天気になった。
I think that it would be better to get these sentence check by Japanese.
— contributed by: javierchomer
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kakeda; kakeno; kakeru
tagJ: かけだ・かけの・かける
expE: in the middle of; not yet finished V-ing
noteE: I fell asleep while in the middle of reading the magazine.
JLPT: 2

Front: kurainara-hougaii
くらいなら〜〜ほうがいい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
くらいなら〜〜ほうがいい
Meaning: Show a strong feeling of opposition.
Example: I would much rather...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 友達を傷つけるくらいなら、自分が我慢したほうがいい
I would much rather endure and keep it to myself, rather than hurt my friends.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたと結婚するくらいだったら鳥と結婚するわ。
I might as well marry a bird as marry you. [F]
— contributed by: Miki
- ここにいるくらいならすぐに出発したほうがいいですよ。
You may as well start at once as stay here.
— contributed by: Miki
- あんな男と結婚するくらいなら死んだほうがましだ。
I might as well die as marry such a man.
— contributed by: Miki
- ここでタクシーを拾おうとするくらいなら家まで歩いたほうがましだ。
We might as well walk home as try to catch a taxi here.
— contributed by: Miki
- このお金を彼にあげるくらいなら、捨てたほうがいい。
I may as well throw the money away as give it to him.
— contributed by: Miki
- この会社でそんな仕事をするくらいなら会社をやめる（ほうがいい）。
I would quit before I would do that job in this company.
— contributed by: Miki
- この暑い中を外出するくらいなら家にいた方がよい。
I would rather stay at home than go out in this hot weather.
— contributed by: Miki
- こんな料理を食べるくらいならドッグフードを食べたほうがましだ。
We might as well eat dog food as eat such a dish.
— contributed by: Miki
- 君を捨てるぐらいなら死んだほうがましだ　（ほうがいいだ）。
I would die before leaving you.
— contributed by: karekano
- 降参するぐらいなら死んだほうがましだ　（ほうがいいだ）。
I would sooner die than give up.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- ex#4681 ＝あなたと結婚するくらいだったら鳥と結婚したほうがいい
— contributed by: Miki
- or ...結婚するほうがいい
— contributed by: Miki
- ex4683＝…死んだほうがいい。
— contributed by: Miki
- I learned this with 〜〜くらいなら、〜〜ほうがまし
— contributed by: danie115
- In ex #4682, the meaning is something like: "Since you are here (and I don`t like you), I will get out"?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kurainara-hougaii
tagJ: くらいなら〜〜ほうがいい
expE: Show a strong feeling of opposition.
noteE: I would much rather...
JLPT: 2

Front: toshiteha
としては
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
としては
Meaning: for
Example: For japanese steak, this is pretty tasty.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [toshiteha] always follows a noun, whereas [warini] can be used after a noun or adjective
<font color=red>
noun + toshite ha
noun + no wari ni
</font>
先生としては、若いです。
先生<b>の</b>割りに、若いです
for a teacher, he is young
<font color=red>
adj + warini
</font>
OK○　高い割りに、不味かった
for the expensive price, it wasnt very tasty
NG×　高いとしては、不味かった　
cannot use toshiteha after adjective
— contributed by: dc
- toshiteha and [warini] imply that something is odd or unexpected. [toshite] and [nitotte] do not really have such an implication.
Comparison:
敏之としては、数学が上手です。
For Toshiyuki, he is good at math.
としては implies, perhaps, that Toshiyuki is usually bad at any academics, so it is odd that he is good at math. So the meaning might be, "for someone as stupid as Toshiyuki, it's amazing that he's actually good at math."
敏之にとって、数学が上手です。
For Toshiyuki, he is good at math.
にとって implies that Toshiyuki is normally good at math. So the meaning might be, "Toshiyuki is good at math, but we kinda all knew that already."
— contributed by: gtunak85
- ＊This is a compound particle which indicates a standard for comparisons.
FORMATION:
Ｎ + としては
＊Be careful! として ([toshite]) has a different connotation. See that entry for more.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ミキさんは一年生としては英語が上手だ。
For a first year student, Miki is good in English.
— contributed by: dc
- あの人は学者としては立派だが人間としては尊敬できない。
That person is admirable as a scholar but cannot be respected as a human being.
— contributed by: Meghana
- このステーキは日本のステーキとしては安いです。
This steak is inexpensive for Japanese steak.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- ジョンソンさんは日本語の一年生としては、日本語が上手だ。
Mr. Johnson is good at Japanese for a first-year student.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- これは日本のアパートとしては、大きい方です。
For a Japanese apartment, this is one of the bigger ones.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
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- warini
User Comments
- is this different from [toshite], or just toshite + ha ?
— contributed by: dc
- do these have any subtlety of different meaning?
　先生として　　若いです。
　先生としては、若いです。
— contributed by: dc
- I don't think so, and は is added as a selective emphasis. However, one would not normally hear the first sentence and the second is common.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- It seems like としては and 割りに imply something odd and conflicting, opposed to normal statements [toshite] and [nitotte]. For example, in the examples, a teacher is expected to be older, an expensive food is expected to be tasty, and a student who is only first year isn't expected to be so good. [toshite] and [nitotte]'s examples do not imply something odd.
— contributed by: gtunak85
- that seems like a good explanation, thanks!
can you add it to the notes field at the top?
— contributed by: dc
- I'm sorry to say but the は in this grammar form is the particle wa. In romnji it should be wa. Sorry. By the way, this is my first time on this site and so far I love it.
— contributed by: Tori
- In Hepburn Ro-maji (ヘボン式ローマ字), the general consensus is that the particle は is written as "ha", even though the English pronunciation is more like a "wa". e.g. watashi ha blabby desu.
— contributed by: blabby
- I see...
— contributed by: Tori
- Actually that is not true, if we follow the Hepburn romanization system the particle は should be written as "wa", see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepburn_romanization .
— contributed by: Rafal
- writting it as 'wa' would be too confusing, as it is written as は in japanese　not わ wa.
— contributed by: karekora
- I don`t know about hepburn ro-maji/ romanji system or anything that complicated, but it seems that japanese people use the ha when they type in romanji, so I think it is best to follow in their example. if you confused by a ha in a place that it doesn`t make sense then your probably looking at the　は particle. if you use wa in your emails to japanese friends you soon find that they don`t understand what your talking about. Japanese isn`t as mistake friendly as English.
— contributed by: tigert
- dcさん、
I think that for 先生としては、若いです, this sentence places more emphasis on particle は。 in a sense, it focuses on the contradiction that even though the person is a teacher, they're still young.
compare to 先生として若いです, that implied contrast and comparison from particle は is lost and so we don't have that sort of connotation in this sentence. but as bamboo4さん said, this sentence wouldn't really be heard and if you think about it doesn't make much sense. if 先生として can be translated as "in their role as a teacher" what does anything about them being young have to do with their role if we use this grammar?
— contributed by: Tetsuzan
- With regard to the discussion about how to spell は in romaji, can I just add one point: since we are here studying the language, the key requirement is for all readers to be able to determine which は is ha and which は is wa, and to learn the right way of using the expressions. What is polite or traditional in emails etc is less relevant. Who would write emails in romaji anyway??
— contributed by: Celesta
- うちは豚肉はおいていないんだよ - Can anyone please tell me in this sentence what does は (coming after 豚肉) means?
— contributed by: laser2302
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toshiteha
tagJ: としては
expE: for
noteE: For japanese steak, this is pretty tasty.
JLPT: 2

Front: atteno
あっての
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
あっての
Meaning: Thanks to (various things), (outcome)
Example: My success is thanks to your support
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あなたの援助あっての私の成功。
My success is thanks to your support.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 今日の私があるのも、２０数年前に私を産んでくれた両親あっての事です。
What I am today is thanks to my parents who gave me a life twenty some years ago.
— contributed by: Miki
- なんの気なしに言っただけで、別に悪気があってのことではありません。
I just said so without thinking much about it. I didn't mean anything serious.
— contributed by: dbx
- 事故で車は全損って嘆いているけどさ、怪我がなくてなにより、命あっての物種だよ。
I know you're complaining about your car being totaled but it's just a good thing you weren't injured. You should be thankful to be alive.
— contributed by: dbx
- 命あっての物種。
While there is life, there is hope.
— contributed by: dbx
- 日々の練習あっての勝利だ。
Victory is not possible without everyday practice. .
— contributed by: rad
- デパートはお客様あっての商売、お客様は何より大切です。
Customers are more important than anything because the department store's business depends on them.
— contributed by: inakaluke
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- okagede (あっての similar to おかげで)
- arebakoso
User Comments
- Noted on a site as 'JLPT 2' level.
— contributed by: your name
- ケータイで読めるだ！
— contributed by: まさか
- I can't find this in my copies of JPLT2 grammar...
— contributed by: halx
- English version of the example is kinda awkward.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Its JLPT1
— contributed by: dc
- A good translation of AあってのB might be "B exists because of A" or more naturally, "B wouldn't be anything without A"?
— contributed by: blabby
- AあってのB means "there ain't no B except for A."
平和があっての経済の発展 would therefore mean "There would be no economic prosperity without peace."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- What if you said,
平和あっての経済の発展
Does that still make sense?
— contributed by: rogen
- I think so.
— contributed by: Miki
- #3645 is seems to be different in meaning and form from the [noun]あっての[noun] construction described here; rather it seems to simply be a form of ある.
— contributed by: mochabean
- I read from "Japanese Grammar level 1" Japanese book and it wrote:"Because of existence of A so the existence of B is necessary, certainly. If A does not exist, B becomes unnecessary, too".
Example:"学生あっての教師だ"
— contributed by: chohongsieudieu
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: atteno
tagJ: あっての
expE: Thanks to (various things), (outcome)
expJ: 意味 A があるからこそB がある。A がなければB もない。
noteE: My success is thanks to your support
JLPT: 1

Front: kiwamarinai/ kiwamaru
極まりない/　極まる (きわまりない/　きわまる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
極まりない/　極まる (きわまりない/　きわまる)
Meaning: unlimited, extremely, boundlessly
Example: 私は、彼の失礼きわまりない態度に我慢ならなかった。 I couldn't get used to his unlimited rudeness.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その机は、乱雑極まりない状態だ。
The desk is in a state of total disorder.
— contributed by: FekketCantenel
- こんな風は強い日に小型のボートで沖に出るなんて、危険極まりない。
This type of wind, for example sailing offshore on a small boat in a hard day, is extremely dangerous.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 私は、彼の失礼きわまりない態度に我慢ならなかった。
I couldn't get used to his unlimited rudeness.
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- 退屈極まり無く
— contributed by: dc
- 極まり無し　adj.
— contributed by: Miki
- 極まりない (adj) is dictionary form
— contributed by: Miki
- I changed it to level 1 because I founded ex #6877 in
http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/DownloadF/1-all.pdf.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kiwamarinai/ kiwamaru
tagJ: 極まりない/　極まる
tagH: きわまりない/　きわまる
expE: unlimited, extremely, boundlessly
noteE: 私は、彼の失礼きわまりない態度に我慢ならなかった。 I couldn't get used to his unlimited rudeness.
JLPT: 1

Front: kara
から
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
から
Meaning: because
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- A1 (plain form) + からです
A2 (root) + だから
N + だから
— contributed by: yookoso
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 面接に行くからはげましてください
I'm going to an interview so please encourage me.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 必要から発明が生まれる。
Inventions are made as dictated by necessity.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あの日帰ったのは体調が悪かったからです。
It is because the physical condition was bad that I returned that day.
— contributed by: Miki
- ああ、ゆっくりやって下さい。急ぎませんから。
Oh, take your time. (Because) I'm in no hurry.
— contributed by: Miki
- 昨夜病気だから、眠れなかった。
Because I was sick, I couldn't sleep last night.
— contributed by: 反戦
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- kara-2 (Several different から usages)
User Comments
- See also 'kara-2' (from)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- See also [node]
— contributed by: Miki
- what if kara comes at the end of a sentence? Are there any more examples of this?
— contributed by: Crystal
- kara at the end of a sentence seems like an answer to a question:
sore ha takai kara / okane ga nai node
because its expensive / because i dont have any money
(when you have just been asked why you didnt buy something)
dakara also isused at the end in the same way.
hiroko no koto dakara ...
because its hiroko...
— contributed by: dc
- I saw the following explanation of the difference between kara and node on a mailing list today:
The conjunction "kara" and "node" both express reason or cause. While "kara" is used for reason or cause of a speaker's volition, opinion and so on, "node" is for existing (existed) action or situation.
- Kino wa samukatta node uchi ni imashita. Since it was cold, I stayed home.
- Atama ga itakatta node gakkou o yasunda. Since I had a headache, I didn't go to school.
- Totemo shizukadatta node yoku nemuremashita. Since it was very quiet, I could sleep well.
- Yoku benkyou shita node shiken ni goukaku shita. Since I studied hard, I passed the examination.
The sentences expressing personal judgment such as speculation, suggestion, intention, request, opinion, volition, invitation, and so forth must take "kara."
- Kono kawa wa kitanai kara tabun sakana wa inai deshou. Since this river is polluted, there is probably no fish.
- Mou osoi kara hayaku nenasai. Go to bed, since it is getting late.
- Kono hon wa totemo omoshiroi kara yonda hou ga ii. This book is very interesting, so you'd better to read it.
- Kono kuruma wa furui kara atarashi kuruma ga hoshii desu. This car is old, so I want a new car.
While "kara" focuses more on the reason, "node" focuses more on the resulting effect. This is why the "kara" clause is used independently more often than "node".
- Doushite okureta no. Why were you late?
- Densha ni nori okureta kara. Because I missed the train.
"Kara" can be immediately followed by "~ desu."
- Atama ga itakatta kara desu. Because I had a headache. (OK)
- Atama ga itakatta node desu. Because I had a headache. (Not OK = Wrong)
Any comments, corrections?
— contributed by: yookoso
- Pls help as I am NOT able to click into the lines to flash out the glossary. It stated "no space" - why and how to rectify?
Onegai shimasu
kuahjoanne@yahoo.com.sg
— contributed by: jokuah
- It's the first time that I read an understandable explanation.
Thank you so much for it.
— contributed by: parodia
- that's awesome guys! arigatou gozaimasu :D
— contributed by: feru
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kara
tagJ: から
expE: because
JLPT: 4

Front: node
ので
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ので
Meaning: because, and
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼の話はあまりにも馬鹿げていたので誰も信じなかった。
His story was too ridiculous for anyone to believe.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- このように平易な英語で書かれているので、この本は初心者に役立つ。
Written as it is in plain English, this book is useful for beginners.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼はお金に困っていたので、昨日スーパーマーケットで万引きを働いた。
He was hard up for money and so lifted goods in a supermarket yesterday.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 風邪をひいたので学校に行かない
I won't go to school because I cought a cold
— contributed by: Xero
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- karaniha (からには is a much stronger 'because' than ので)
- since/because-group
- kara
User Comments
- This is one of the weaker 'because' words, if you see what I mean.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In other words, the causal relationship isn't always spelled out in obvious terms in translations of sentences with 'node', hence the 'and' option.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- node is almost a connector between phrases, whereas karaniha is much stronger.
— contributed by: dc
- But you cannot replace 'node' with 'karaniha'. Please see [kara].
— contributed by: Miki
- ex #483 - Can 'node' also mean 'Since' in this context? "He shoplifted goods in a supermarket yesterday since he was hard up for money."
— contributed by: GenkiGuy
- i changed that ex slightly.
reason "and" result
doesnt really express causality.
reason "and so" result
is better
— contributed by: dc
- You can use "because," too.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- node..is level 3grammar point.its not a part in level 4
— contributed by: ramu
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: node
tagJ: ので
expE: because, and
JLPT: 4

Front: uru
得る (うる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
得る (うる)
Meaning: able to do
Example: All I can think of
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 得る means to obtain/to acquire
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- [Note negative form is enai えない]
— contributed by: dc
- Strictly speaking, the conjugations of 得る are:
- negative: えない
- masu form: えます
- te form: えて
- terminal form (i.e. at the end of sentences, or when attaching to べき): える／うる
- attributive form (i.e. akin to such things as すきな for すき; used when attaching to nouns): うる
- conditional form: うれば
It is the only 二段 (nidan) verb from old Japanese that hasn't fully become an 一段 (ichidan) verb in modern Japanese. (える／うる in old Japanese was う, so it has changed a little already.)
In summary, although うる is a more archaic way of saying える, the only time you can choose between える／うる is when it comes at the end of the sentence, or when attaching to べき (in which case, however, うる is also preferable due to the also archaic nature of べき). This means one should say for example うるために, うるように, うること, うるところ and so on. Additionally, ありうる is never ありえる.
However, in practice, the "wrong" forms are still somewhat often used.
— contributed by: kittymercury
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 考え得る方法は全部試してみたが、どれも失敗に終わった。
I tried everything I can think of, but everything failed.
— contributed by: dc
- そのようなことをしても得るべきものはなにもない。
There is nothing whatever to be gained by resorting to such move.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- これらのガスは地球規模の温暖化をもたらし得る。
These gases can lead to global warming.
— contributed by: Miki
- そういう事故は時折起こり得る事だ。
Such accidents can happen from time to time.
— contributed by: Miki
- 勤勉さが経験不足を補うこともあり得る。
Diligence may compensate for lack of experience.
— contributed by: Miki
- 計画を立てる前に、あまり慎重にし過ぎると、計画そのものがひっくり返ることも、時にはあり得るだろう。
Sometimes being overcautious in planning could upset the apple cart.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女はオリンピックでメダルを獲得しうる。
She can win a medal in the Olympics.
— contributed by: rkmovva
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Note that Edict examples presently include える and うる in the same list.
— contributed by: your name
- Try not to get confused with える (same kanji /generally/ different meaning).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- A verb-suffix 得る will generally have this meaning and /usually/ be pronounced うる but I hear that it's increasingly common for that usage to /also/ be pronounced える
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In summary : This is a pig of a word(s) ;-)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- うる is archaic or 文語体 whereas える is modern. However,うる is still used, e.g., 考えうる、成しうる, etc.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #6482 should say "medal in THE Olympics" and should have a period at the end.
— contributed by: ixtli
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: uru
tagJ: 得る
tagH: うる
expE: able to do
noteE: All I can think of
JLPT: 2

Front: at-the-time-group
そのとき (際して・時 (さいして - とき) (saishite - toki))
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
そのとき (際して・時 (さいして - とき) (saishite - toki))
Meaning: at the time
Example: at the time i came back
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- before
[mae]
on the occasion
[nisaishite]
[niatatte]
when
[toki]
[tatokoro]
at exactly that time
[tatotan]
[shunkan]
while doing A, B (since we're here, lets do X too)
[tsuideni]
[okeikini]
[okikkakeni]
since (thereafter):
[teirai]
[tekara]
— contributed by: dc
- １級：
[gahayaika]
[sobakara]
[yainaya]
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その時から貴方以外見えなくて」.
Since that moment I can see no one else besides you.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
There are currently no related grammar links for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
User Comments
- Is there any difference between そのとき and Verb + ときに? "At the time" is just short for "At the time when."
— contributed by: Dahak
- yes, they seem to be.
at the time when (verb)
at that time...
私が買ったときに、高いと思った、、
そのときは高かったけど
at the time when i bought it, i thot it was expensive
at that time it was expensive
— contributed by: dc
- そのときは高いと思った?
At that time, I thought it was expensive.
Basically use そのとき when you don't link the time (とき) to an action (verb).
Correct?
— contributed by: Dahak
- seems like it. その時 is a standalone.　
当時 = at the designated time (more formal)
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: at-the-time-group
tagJ: そのとき
tagH: 際して・時 (さいして - とき) (saishite - toki)
expE: at the time
expJ: その時点
noteE: at the time i came back
JLPT: 2

Front: ikanniyorazu
いかんによらず
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
いかんによらず
Meaning: without regard to
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜いかんによらず　＝　〜いかんにかかわらず　
　　　　　　　　　 ＝　〜いかんを問わず
意味　：〜がどうであるかに関係なく
— contributed by: 誠
- What is the difference between 名詞＋を問わず and 名詞＋の＋いかんを問わず？
— contributed by: nikoniko
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p40 - no.35
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p128 (Key sentence D)
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 理由のいかんによらず、殺人は許されないことだ。
Regardless of the reason, murder is unforgiveable
— contributed by: ogtob
- 国籍のいかんを問わず、採用試験を受けることのできる自治体が増えている。
The number of municipalities where one can take the employment test regardless of nationalty is increasing.
— contributed by: ogtob
- 納入した学費は理由のいかんに関わらず返却しません。
The tuition and fees you have paid will not be returned, no matter what the reason.
— contributed by: LR
- このコンテンツの複製は方法、媒体のいかんを問わず禁止されている。
Copying the content is prohibited, regardless of the method or the medium.
— contributed by: LR
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- ikan
- nikakawarazu
User Comments
- 理由（りゆう）の如何（いかん）によらず
This means "no matter what reason there is."
Usually, Japanese people say "理由が何であろうとも" instead.
— contributed by: Nick
- "理由が何であろうとも" would be used especially in speaking. In written form, "いかんにもよらず" is often seen.
— contributed by: Miki
- A better translation for #5473 is "The number of municipalities where you can take the employment test regardless of nationalty is increasing.
— contributed by: samboki
- @nikonniko Same meaning, different usage - as with a LOT of grammar. 名詞＋を問わず is a straight forward easy to use phrase, appropriate for most language situations.
名詞＋の＋いかんを問わずis more formal, appropriate for written language, archaic?
— contributed by: LR
- There are loads more examples over at [ikan] where the entries are kind of 混ぜている.
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ikanniyorazu
tagJ: いかんによらず
expE: without regard to
JLPT: 1

Front: nishiro,niseyo,nishitemo
にしろ; にせ(も)よ; にしても
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にしろ; にせ(も)よ; にしても
Meaning: Even though; Even if;
Example: Even if you are busy, it is not good not to eat.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- use it like this
(although A) -nishiro- (you should not B)
(poor) -nishiro- (you should not steal)
often [tatoe] (even) is used as a prefix.
— contributed by: dc
- FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + にしろ・にせよ
いＡ + にしろ・にせよ
なＡ・Ｎ + (である) + にしろ・にせよ
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- I ordered the entries ni "nishiro,niseyo,nishitemo" and "nishiro,niseyo,nishitemo-2" and which were a little of a mess.
I differentiated them since they had opposite different meanings and there's and I think there is an extra one (ni shitemo) which is not needed, since it equals the same as the "nishiro,niseyo,nishitemo". I request to unify them in such a case.
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
- 接続：
[動詞 ・ い刑 ・ な刑 ・ 名] の普通刑 + にしろ]
*ただし[な刑]と[名]の「だ」はつかない。[な刑-である][名-である]も使う
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- たとえ貧乏にせよ盗みはいけないよ！
Even though you are poor, you should not steal
— contributed by: dc
- たとえ社長になったにせよ謙虚な生活をした方がいい。
Even if you become company President, it's better to be humble.
— contributed by: dc
- 本当にしろうそにしろ
Whether true or not true.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どんな金持ちにしろ地獄に財産を持って行けない
However rich he may be, he cannot take his wealth to Hell!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- いずれにしろ
whether or not
— contributed by: dc
- いくら忙しいに（も）せよ食事をしないのはよくない。
How so ever busy you may be, skipping the meals is not good.
— contributed by: Meghana
- どんな人に会うにしろ、失礼はだめです。
regardless of who ever you meet, bad manners are unacceptable.
— contributed by: brsdjbd
- 彼に同意するにせよしないにせよ、考えさせられる話だ。
Whether you agree with him or not, that is thought-provoking.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- どういう結果になるにせよ、やるだけやってみるべきだ。
No matter the outcome, you at least have to try.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- どんな理由があるにせよ人を殺す権利はない。
You have no right to kill anybody, no matter the reason (for any reason).
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- いくら有能があるにせよ、努力なしに成功できるとは思わない。
No matter how much skill you have, I don't think you can succeed without great effort.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 少年にしろ、成人にしろ、悪いことをしたら、厳しい罰を受けるべきです。
Whether a juvenile or an adult, if someone does something bad, he/she should receive strict punishment.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 旅行に行くにせよ、行かないにせよ、早く決めたほうがいい。
You should decide soon whether or not you're going to take a trip.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- たった三日の旅行にせよ、準備は必要だ。
Even if it is a journey of three days only, preparation is necessary.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- いくら忙しいにもせよ食事をしないのはよくない。
Even if you are busy, it is not good not to eat.
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- tatoe-temo
- nimokakawarazu
- nokuseni
- kuseni
User Comments
- にせよ and にしろ are the same. but very different from のくせに which is stronger like "despite"
— contributed by: dc
- If you've got all にせよ examples and no にしろ I suggest moving changing the 'headline' entry to にせよ.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- at the moment everything (including links) is indexed off the headline entry. so just changed the jpnz...
— contributed by: dc
- Can you explain when we use にしろ and when to use にせよ? tks
— contributed by: yuenannie
- I totally can't read that Kanji-Katakana in #6372, and I highly doubt にも（かかわらず） should mix with にせよ in #5813. By the way, was it rubyhatchetさん　himself who marked the entries as excellent in the first place? I doubt the value of this kind of valuating system.
— contributed by: adnim
- I added/moved ex 3043(from bamboo4) to its respective correct grammar entry.
I request an admin to erase the entry.
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nishiro,niseyo,nishitemo
tagJ: にしろ; にせ(も)よ; にしても
expE: Even though; Even if;
expJ: たとえ〜ても ・ 〜でも
noteE: Even if you are busy, it is not good not to eat.
JLPT: 2

Front: gachi
がち
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
がち
Meaning: tend to
Example: he tends to be late
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- verb masu stem + gachi
　遅れます　⇒　遅れがち = tends to be late
noun + gachi
　怒りがち = tends to anger (get angry)
note: many verbs can be turned into nouns by using a -ri ending.
　怒る【いかる】(v5r) to get angry, to be angry
　怒り【いかり】(n) anger, hatred, (P)
　　⇒　怒りがち
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私のボスは、短気で怒りがち。　　　（怒りっぽい is conventionl.）
My boss is short-tempered and tends to get angry easily .
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 担当者の好き嫌いによる誤解も場合によっては起こりがち。
Depending on the likes and dislikes of the person in charge it is also easy for mis-understandings to occur.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 曇りがち
mainly cloudy
— contributed by: dc
- 遠慮がち
tends to be reserved
— contributed by: dc
- お金持ちは貧乏人を見下しがちである。
The rich are apt to look down upon the poor.
— contributed by: Miki
- 学生たちは同じ間違いをおかしがちだ。
The students are apt to make the same mistakes.
— contributed by: Miki
- 運動が健康の鍵であることを私たちは、とかく忘れがちだ。
We tend to forget that exercise is a key to good health.
— contributed by: Miki
- 果物はすぐに腐りがちである。
Fruits tend to decay soon.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私たちはどんな番組が行われているかに関係なく、テレビを見がちである。
We are apt to watch television, irrespective of what program is on.
— contributed by: Miki
- 寝不足だと注意が散漫になりがちです。
When you lack sleep, you are apt to be careless.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女は病気がちで青白い顔をしている。
She is in poor health so she looks pale.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 冬になってから曇りがちの毎日です。
The skies are mostly cloudy everyday now that winter has come.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 彼は欠席が多いので勉強が遅れがちです。
He is often absent from class so he is apt to be behind the others.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- 私は子供の頃、病気がちだった。
I tended to get sick when I was a child.
— contributed by: hana
- 彼は最近休みがちだ。
He's been taking leave from work lately.
— contributed by: agnestan
- そのケーキはおいしそうなあ。。。残念ながら、私は太りがちだから。。。
That cake looks so yummy... It's a pity,　but I tend to put on weight easily, so....
— contributed by: agnestan
- 先日、病気がちのおばを見舞いに行った。
Yesterday,i went to visit sickly aunt.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼女の小説は退屈になりがちだ。
Her novels tend to dullness (be dull).
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は怠惰に走りがちだ。
He tends to laziness.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- gari (がち and がり are similar, the latter seems to be used more for personal feelings. )
User Comments
- The most common use of 'gachi' I found was ... 便秘がち ^^;
— contributed by: Amatuka
- waver vi 心が揺らぐ、迷う
— contributed by: Miki
- Formed from verb -masu base + gachi
Vm = Verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- amatuka > formation instructions can go in the "notes" section at the top, rather than buried in the comments...
— contributed by: dc
- actually i was going to enter your Vm+ .. usage note, but the examples we have here are all with nouns? Can anyone provide some verb+gachi examples?
— contributed by: dc
- 機嫌を取る→機嫌を取りがち
へつらう→へつらいがち
やる気を無くす→やる気を無くしがち
遠慮する→遠慮しがち
訳は、任せます。:P
— contributed by: Miki
- 〜がち: tendency; inclination
This suggests that a situation tends to occur often or easily, as in, 'to be absent often' or 'to become ill easily'.
Both 〜ぎみ and 〜がち are almost always used in a neagtive sense.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- kekke
— contributed by: quytd
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: gachi
tagJ: がち
expE: tend to
noteE: he tends to be late
JLPT: 1

Front: gasaigo
〜が最後 (〜がさいご)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜が最後 (〜がさいご)
Meaning: If s.o. does s.t for even a moment, the following result will necessarily occur • Once someone starts something, the person can’t stop it
Example: If the boss even touches the mic for a second, he won't let anyone else sing karaoke ALL night
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see http://www.geocities.com/easykanji/jlptgrammar.html
Once someone starts something, the person can’t stop it.
Notes: Easily confused with ~kiri, but the meanings are completely different and ga saigo doesn’t mean ‘for the last time’. Always used with past tense verbs.
— contributed by: dc
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p16 - no.12
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 食べ出したが最後、おいしくて止められなかった
It was so delicious that once I started eating, I couldn’t stop.
— contributed by: dc
- 見つかったが最後、真珠は取上げられてしまいますぞ。
Whoever finds us will take the pearl. [M]
— contributed by: Miki
- 入ったが最後、二度と出てこられなくなるトイレ
Such a restroom that once you enter in it, you wont ever want to come out. (Ex:http://vgzh.dtdns.net/mt/images/rotorooter.jpg)
— contributed by: S.G.
- あいつはマイクを握ったが最後、離そうとしないカラオケ狂だ。
He is such karaoke fan that if only he gets his hands on the mike he wouldn’t drop it all night.
— contributed by: S.G.
- 冒頭の一文がいい。「これからする話を聞いてほしいんだ。」素直に耳を傾け始めたが最後、そのまま止まらなくなること必定である。
The opening sentence is good. "I want you to listen to the following story". If you just obediently lean in your ears, it's certain that you won't be able to stop (reading). (Nikkei book review)
— contributed by: LR
- 男は踏み入れたが最後、生きては帰られない地獄寺で噴出する女の怨念
If a man so much as steps inside, he won't return alive from this hellish temple of gushing women's hatred. (description of alt. J-film "牧口雄二の世界")
— contributed by: LR
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User Comments
- There are cases where this is similar to 一旦〜 (Once you 〜)
— contributed by: blabby
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: gasaigo
tagJ: 〜が最後
tagH: 〜がさいご
expE: If s.o. does s.t for even a moment, the following result will necessarily occur • Once someone starts something, the person can’t stop it
expJ: 〜したら • いったん〜たらそのまま • いったん〜たら必ず
noteE: If the boss even touches the mic for a second, he won't let anyone else sing karaoke ALL night
JLPT: 1

Front: beku
〜べく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜べく
Meaning: For the purpose of; To ____, In order to
Example: I studied hard in order to become an engineer.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ‘Beku’ is the same as ‘~ngatame’ but they differ grammatically. ‘Beku’ comes after the dictionary form of a verb, whereas ‘~ngatame’ follows the ‘~tai’ form of a verb. Written.
see http://www.geocities.com/easykanji/jlptgrammar.html
— contributed by: dc
- (Goal/End result) + beku + (Current Action)
— contributed by: MaDaZi
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p21 - no.22
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p67
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- エンジニアになるべく一生懸命勉強した
I studied hard in order to become an engineer.
— contributed by: dc
- このお支払いの問題が解決できるよう、ご指摘の件を改善すべく努力いたします。
We will make great efforts in order to remedy the problem you indicated, so that we can solve this payment problem.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼らは男を逮捕すべく追いかけた。
They chased the man to arrest him.
— contributed by: Miki
- 恩師に会うべく、久しぶりに母校を訪れた
For the first time in ages, I went back to my old school in order to see my old teacher.
— contributed by: LR
- 本学は、経済的な理由で大学教育を受けられない海外の優秀な学生にその機会を与えるべく、 奨学金を供与している。
We provide scholarships to give educational opportunities to excellent students from overseas who cannot go on to higher education for financial reasons.
— contributed by: LR
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- tame
User Comments
- Shall I delete ex# 3915 and ex#3916? Their べく are different from the entry.
— contributed by: Miki
- yes, they should go under [narubeku]
in edit example, change the last field "category" and that will move them over...
— contributed by: anon
- how does this differ from ために？
— contributed by: infinite_trial
- I've read that they are more or less inerchangable but ために is used more for something you want to do - personal will (個人の意思)
However べく is used more for some assumed responsibility (当然の義務). Can anyone help us out and explain this better?
べく is also mainly used in written Japanese.
— contributed by: blabby
- べく is 連用形 of べし. It could oerate as an imperative or as firm presumption, indication of probability or expression of a plan.
Imperative = 全員参加すべく
Presumption = 後日登城の御裁可あるべく候(archaic)
Indication = 期待にこたえるべく努力する
Plan = 犯人を逮捕すべく
This expression is basically archaic, but it is still used in conversation in such set phrases as 成るべくして成った or 勝つべくして勝った.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I came across this in a JLPT 1 problem collection. Note the unusual use of the ~ます form - 励ますべく appears to be a special case of some kind.
試合に負けて落ち込んでいる友達をはげますべく、酒を飲みに誘った。
— contributed by: Paul
- 励ます(はげます) is the dictionary form of 励まします(はげまします)
It is not a special case but sometimes easy to be confused with a ます形 verb.
— contributed by: blabby
- D'oh!
— contributed by: Paul
- "べく"
This sounds very formal, so it fits #3914 only.
#3310
I would say "エンジニアになれるように・・・。"
#3917
I would say "彼らは男を逮捕しようと追いかけた。"
— contributed by: Nick
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: beku
tagJ: 〜べく
expE: For the purpose of; To ____, In order to
noteE: I studied hard in order to become an engineer.
JLPT: 1

Front: dakeno
〜だけの
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜だけの
Meaning: As much as; As fast as; To the extent of.
Example: Have as much as you want.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Has no negative form. Dake no is always used before a noun.
see http://www.geocities.com/easykanji/jlptgrammar.html
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- お好きなだけどうぞ。
Have as much as you want.
— contributed by: dc
- できるだけのことはした。
I did as much as I could
— contributed by: dc
- 12人座れるだけの椅子がありますか。
Are there enough chairs to seat 12 persons?
— contributed by: miki
- 彼女は稼ぐのと同じだけのお金を使う。
She spends as much money as she earns.
— contributed by: miki
- 彼に必要なだけのお金を貸してやりなさい。
Lend him as much money as he needs.
— contributed by: miki
- 世界に蚊が何匹いるかのだけのお金を作りたい。
I want to make as much money as there are mosquitos in the world.
— contributed by: gandal
- とにかくやってみるだけのことだ。
We can but try.
— contributed by: karekano
- できるだけの援助をしましょう。
I will give you what help I can.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は手に入るだけの金は受け取るだろう。
He will accept any money he can get.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女はその訴訟に勝てるだけの有能な弁護士である。
She is lawyer enough (enough of a lawyer) to win the case.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私は家を買えるだけの金を積み立ている。
I`m accumulating enough money to buy a house.
— contributed by: karekano
- 君たち全員に足りるだけの分がある。
There is enough for all of you.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- I am not sure if the ex #6547 is correct. If anyone has feedback on this よろしく
— contributed by: gandal
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dakeno
tagJ: 〜だけの
expE: As much as; As fast as; To the extent of.
noteE: Have as much as you want.
JLPT: 2

Front: deare
〜であれ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜であれ
Meaning: No matter what; Even if; No matter how
Example: Even the company president has to obey the rules.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Same meaning as ‘Tatoe~temo’. Written. Formal.
see http://www.geocities.com/easykanji/jlptgrammar.html
— contributed by: dc
- ＊〜であれ〜であれ（二語の組み合わせ）も同じ意味である。例えば：糖尿病（ダイアベティス）があって、菓子であれ果物であれ、甘いものは一切口にしない。
— contributed by: abhijeet
- Ref# A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p67
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p24 - no.25
— contributed by: LR
- Often comes in pairs -
たとえ〜〜であれ
どんな〜〜であれ
いかに〜〜であれ
— contributed by: LR
- Expresses the idea of concession
— contributed by: LR
- NOUN + であれ
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 社長であれ規則はまもらないといけない。
Even the company president has to obey the rules.
— contributed by: dc
- 投票は海外に住んでいる人であれするべきだ。
Voting is something that you have to do, even if you live abroad.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたの職業がなんであれ、また、その職業にどんなに満足していても、何かほかの仕事を選べばよかったと思うときがあるものだ。
No matter what your profession, or how happy you may be in it, there are moments when you wish you had chosen some other career.
— contributed by: Miki
- たとえ天候がどうであれ、私は行きます。
I will go, be the weather what it may.
— contributed by: Miki
- ドアの所にいる人が誰であれ、待つように言ってください。
Whoever is at the door, please ask him to wait.
— contributed by: Miki
- 通勤がいかに不便であれ、今の家を変わるつもりはない。
No matter how inconvenient my commute is, I do not intend to move house
— contributed by: LR
- たとえ国王であれ、国民すべてを従わせることができるわけではない。
Even if you were the king, it doesn't follow that all your subjects will obey.
— contributed by: LR
- 当時の軍隊では上官の命令がいかに理不尽であれ、下級兵はそれに従うしかなかった。
In the army in those days, no matter how unreasonable the senior officers' commands, the soliders under them had no choice but to obey them.
— contributed by: LR
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- nishiro,niseyo,nishitemo-2
- towaie
User Comments
- Please, think to the people who have a hardtime understandin japanes writing and put the example also in romanji. Thank you.
— contributed by: futaro
- I am not able to read kanjis...
— contributed by: uetaki
- This example is JLPT level 1. It is formal and WRITTEN grammar.
Just click on the example and you will get a tranlastion into hiragana from the Edict dictionary.
If you can't read hiragana, you will find studying advanced written grammar a little hard...
— contributed by: blabby
- Is this just like a formal version of　「だって」、As in,　アメリカ人だってご飯を食べますよ。
Hmm actually that's not right, is it. I guess it's more like でも or であっても, yeah?
— contributed by: rogen
- From what I have studied so far であれ has a similar meaning to であっても　and　でも
— contributed by: evdsluys
- The book that I am studying from has a [de are..de are] as the phrase to be studied, but I do not see any examples here. Is it a totally different expression?
— contributed by: lucinda lohmanoota
- [deare] and [deare..deare] are different.
[deare] would be for "数分間であれ" please practice, if only for a few minutes per day
[deare..deare] would be for "男性であれ、女性であれ" whether you are male or female, you have the same human rights.
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: deare
tagJ: 〜であれ
expE: No matter what; Even if; No matter how
noteE: Even the company president has to obey the rules.
JLPT: 1

Front: dani
〜だに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜だに
Meaning: Even; just
Example: I never even imagined it
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [Dani] is similar to [sae], and [sura]. The particle [ni] is often inserted between a noun and dani but is not necessary. There is a difference between [dani] and [imada ni]. Dani gives the definition just/ even. As do [sae] and [sura] and can directly follow nouns, adverbs, and verbs. [Imada ni] is different. One main difference is the fact that it is from 未だに showing a relation to the word mada. Infact, some dictionaries say that [imada ni] is a variation of mada ni. [Imada ni] therefore reflects the range of meaning is mada ni. Meaning still and yet. It is placed in the sentence the same way as a normal Ni-type adverb while dani being after what it modifies. [Imada ni] is often in practice written as 今だに although according to Meikyou dictionary to be be a common misinterpretation which would be in turn on how Japanese people themselves think about the phrase as Imada ni does influence the state in the present more than anything else.
— contributed by: IMABI
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 想像だにしなかった
I never even imagined it
— contributed by: dc
- 聞くだに恐ろしい
Just hearing about it is dreadful
— contributed by: dc
- 今だに
even now
— contributed by: dc
- その時計は私の祖父が買ったのだが、いまだに調子が良い。
The clock, which my grandfather bought, is still in good order. だに
— contributed by: dbx
- その質問はいまだに頭から離れない。
That question still sticks me.
— contributed by: dbx
- その州では未だに古い慣習が根強い、とその文化人類学者は言っている。
The anthropologist says old customs still prevail in the province.
— contributed by: dbx
- その傷はいまだに直らない。
The wound has not healed yet.
— contributed by: dbx
- その母親は子供の死をいまだに嘆き悲しんでいた。
The mother was still grieving over her child's death.
— contributed by: dbx
- なぜ彼が自殺をしたかはいまだに謎である。
Why he killed himself is still a mystery.
— contributed by: dbx
- わが国の税制にはいまだに一貫した哲学がない。
Our tax system is still without coherent philosophy.
— contributed by: dbx
- 考えるだに恐ろしいことだ。
Even thinking about it is scary.
— contributed by: blabby
- 彼らはこのアイデアを一顧だにしない。
They won't even give the idea a chance.
— contributed by: EvilKyra
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- sae
- (de)sura
User Comments
- いまだに(未だに) is one word. 副詞
— contributed by: Miki
- 未だに is parsed into 未だ and に.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- いまだに = even now
いまどき = in this age
— contributed by: dc
- ex #3747 is a little off. The word 直る actually means to be fixed or repaired. 治る is to heal. They have the same pronounciation (なおる) but the kanji have different meanings.
— contributed by: CWebb
- just wondering, but how formal is this? Would you use this in everyday speech, or formal speech, or writing only?
thanks!
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- EvilKyra, in my experience this is not an expression that you use in everyday speech. Also, someone does indeed have to clear out all of the 未だに（イマダニ）examples erroneously listed as examples of this grammar point.
— contributed by: Lorenz
- According to JDIC, 未だに (いまだに) is an adverb by itself, and seems to be most of the examples. Is there a difference here between 今だに and 未だに?
— contributed by: Forveya
- Yes there is a difference and I'm going to put all the examples of imada ni onto a seperate page with my own editing of the translations.
— contributed by: IMABI
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dani
tagJ: 〜だに
expE: Even; just
noteE: I never even imagined it
JLPT: 1

Front: nanode
なので
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なので
Meaning: since
Example: since this is secret
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この情報は内々に知らされたものなので、あなたに何も教えることはできない
This information was given to me in confidence, so I can't tell you anything.
— contributed by: dc
- それは真実なのでいまさら四の五の言ってもはじまらない
Since it is quite true, grumbling about it now does not get you anywhere.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あんなに子供が好きなので、スーは先生になるべきだ。
Liking children the way she does Sue should become a teacher.
— contributed by: dbx
- いすをどかしてください。邪魔なので。
Please put those chairs away. As they are in the way.
— contributed by: dbx
- イヤホンを頼んだはずなのですが。
The thing is , I asked for earphones.
— contributed by: dbx
- お天気なので、釣りに行きたいような気がする。
It is a fine day and I feel like going fishing.
— contributed by: dbx
- お母さんが病気なので、今日はお父さんが料理をします。
Because my mother is sick, my father will cook today.
— contributed by: dbx
- こういうわけで私はあなたに反対なのです。
This is the reason I disagree with you.
— contributed by: dbx
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- node
User Comments
- can someone explain the difference between this and just [node] ?
— contributed by: dc
- I think it is simply that if the clause before node is a noun, such as in this example, then you use 'nanode'. If it is a verb then you only use 'node'.
As far as I know, 'na' seems to be related to the copula 'da', and can be seen in other similar circumstances such as 'nanoni'. Exactly why it changes to na instead of da I don't know.
Contrast 'sou da to omou',and 'sou na node...'
— contributed by: bi-ru
- な is 連体形 of 助動詞「だ」which inflect as だろ、で、だっ、だ、な、なら but な only connects to particles の、ので、のに.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nanode
tagJ: なので
expE: since
noteE: since this is secret
JLPT: 2

Front: niyotte
によって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
によって
Meaning: by; according to; due to; owing to; due to
Example: we lost our father due to the war
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Usage:
Noun
辞典によって漢字を調べる
examine kanji by using a dictionary
YesNo
お金が貰えるかどうかによって決めます
depending on whether or not I can receive money, I will decide
SubjInf
読むことによって決めます
I can decide by reading
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- アメリカ大陸はコロンブスによって発見された。
The american continent was discovered by Columbus.
— contributed by: dc
- Dan Sman さんによって書かれた本
A book　written by Mr Dan Sman
— contributed by: dc
- 列車の代わりに飛行機に乗ることによって失った時間を埋め合わすことができる。
You can make up for lost time by taking an airplane instead of a train.
— contributed by: Miki
- 理想は言葉によって表現される。
Thoughts are expressed by means of words.
— contributed by: Miki
- リンゴは彼女によってナイフで半分に切られた。
The apple was cut in two by her with a knife.
— contributed by: Miki
- 卵は大きさと重さによって選別された。
The eggs were greaded according to weight and size.
— contributed by: Miki
- 友達を見ることによってどんな人かわかる。
You can tell what a person is like by looking at his friends.
— contributed by: Miki
- 輸入の増加によって需要は下がった。
The demand was brought down by increases in imports.
— contributed by: Miki
- 法律によって我々は子供たちを学校に通わせなければならない。
The law obliges us to send our children to school.
— contributed by: Miki
- わが社では、最新のコンピューター・ソフトの使用によって仕事の合理化を目指すことになった。
At our company, we're aiming at streamlining labor by using the latest computer software.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- この　薬　は　人　に　よって　は　副作用　が　出ること　が　あります。
Some people have side effects from this medicine.
— contributed by: jmadsen
- イエスキリストの名によって、アメン。
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
— contributed by: dario27
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- niyoruto ([niyotte] often means "by" [niyoruto/yoreba] is more "according to" but both have a "depending on" implication)
User Comments
- can be
〜によって
〜により
〜による
〜によっては
but not niyoruto or niyoreba
— contributed by: dc
- Just added #6476 because I think it's a real mind-bender, at least for me. I'd love someone who can really read it to explain the "niyotte wa" idea- it seems strange to me.
— contributed by: jmadsen
- Please explain when we use によって、により、によっては　？ｔｋｘ
— contributed by: yuenannie
- The example on the note 辞典によって漢字を調べる is not natural. Usually　辞典（字典）で漢字を調べる。　
— contributed by: Miki
- I have never heard someone say Jiｔen. 辞書は何回も聞いたことがありますが､　辞典はどう違いますか？
— contributed by: tigert
- Could someone, please, explain the difference between ni yori e ni yotte?
— contributed by: lilibr
- lilibr, ni yori is simply a literary version of ni yotte. It is common in written style.
— contributed by: Monte Cristo
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niyotte
tagJ: によって
expE: by; according to; due to; owing to; due to
noteE: we lost our father due to the war
JLPT: 1

Front: mamire
まみれ　(塗れ） (まにれ)
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まみれ　(塗れ） (まにれ)
Meaning: covered in st (名詞＋に＋まみれる); (名詞＋まみれ)
Example: covered in sauce：　ソースまみれ、ソースにまみれる
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Is only used for powdery like, or liquid such as blood, dust, oil, etc. Mamire is meant for physical items. However, this physicality can be stretched enough to include things that are related to a physical state such as failure or trends which both of which show the current state of something. Similar to mamire, [darake] is similar and can be used for both physical and abstract concepts.
— contributed by: IMABI
Examples
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- その子供たちは全身ほこりまみれだった
The children were covered with dirt from head to foot
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は全身泥まみれだった。
He was covered with mud from head to foot.
— contributed by: dc3
- そのナイフは血にまみれていた。
The knife was covered in blood.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼の額は汗まみれだった。
Sweat bathed his forehead.
— contributed by: Miki
- インドにお互いを色でまみれる祭がある。
There is a festival of coloring each other in India.
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
- あの子は泥と埃塗れだった。
That kid was covered in mud and dust.
— contributed by: IMABI
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User Comments
- 誇りまみれ
— contributed by: dc
- それを言うならば、埃まみれ hokori mamire
I'd rather covered with pride than dust, though.
— contributed by: Miki
- In 4175 「血に」の「に」が必要ですか　
— contributed by: inevittable
- This is similar to darake, but mimare is only for liquids or powders like blood or dust, whereas darake can be for these things and things like mistakes, and holes (as in a car riddled with bullet holes).
— contributed by: inevittable
- inevittable, I'm pretty sure 4175 needs the に because まみれ is in its verb form and not followed by だ or だった。
— contributed by: tmkain
- >>inevittable
tmkain is absolutely correct; if it was まみれ as in all other examples you could say 血まみれ。「彼の顔が血まみれだった。」「彼の顔が血にまみれた。」
— contributed by: マリ
- すみません。ミキさんとｄｃさんがお喋っていることを良く分かりませんがもっと詳しく説明してくださいませんか。多分完璧の例文は「誇りまめれるより埃まみれた方が良い」になります。
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
- if I can use mamire with something abstract like love or not. Can I say: "私は今本当に幸せです．回りの人の愛まみれですから。”
— contributed by: amenya
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mamire
tagJ: まみれ　(塗れ）
tagH: まにれ
expE: covered in st (名詞＋に＋まみれる); (名詞＋まみれ)
noteE: covered in sauce：　ソースまみれ、ソースにまみれる
JLPT: 1

Front: nikakawaru
に関わる (にかかわる)
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に関わる (にかかわる)
Meaning: Brings about an effect on; relates to; a matter of
Example: that will affect our reputation
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 名詞/noun+にかかわる+名詞
— contributed by: rochin
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p41 - no.37
— contributed by: LR
- Brings about an effect on
the {〜} in {〜にかかわる} is often something that is important or serious.
However, there are also uses where it simply means related to
— contributed by: LR
- 命に関わる
Is a set phrase "To be a matter of life or death"
— contributed by: LR
- Such important / serious things that might be affected are frequently 命 life, 威信 prestige / dignity, 名誉 honour 〜生活〜 things to do with lifestyle 〜環境 environments.
— contributed by: LR
Examples
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- ああいう行動は君の名誉にかかわる。
That kind of behaviour affects your honour.
— contributed by: dc
- こういう行いは君の威信にかかわる。
Such conduct is beneath your dignity. (lit. will affect your dignity).
— contributed by: dc
- これは我が校の名誉にかかわる問題だ。
This affects the honor of our school.
— contributed by: dc
- それは生死にかかわる問題だ。
It is a matter of life and death.
— contributed by: dc
- よく注意して運転しないと、命にかかわるよ。
If you drive with anything less than extreme caution, you're risking your life.
— contributed by: dc
- 酸素が不足することは大部分の動物にとって命にかかわることである。
Lack of oxygen is fatal to most animals.
— contributed by: dc
- 私たちは狂気のテロ活動にかかわる者に寛容でいるつもりはない。
We will not tolerate anyone who engages in insane terrorism.
— contributed by: dc
- 製品仕様にかかわる一切の工業所有権はＡＢＣ社に帰属するものとする。
Any industrial property rights relating to the Product Specification shall belong to ABC Inc.
— contributed by: dc
- 戦争は我々すべてにかかわることだ。
War concerns us all.
— contributed by: dc
- 名誉にかかわる問題なので、彼は怒った。
He got angry because his honor was at stake.
— contributed by: dc
- 命にかかわるような病気ではありません。
The illness is not a matter of life or death.
— contributed by: dc
- 負ければ大国の威信にかかわるとあって、無意味な戦いが続けれた。
If the major power lost it would affect the country's prestige, so for that reason alone, this meaningless war continued.
— contributed by: LR
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User Comments
- is this a formal version 関係?
— contributed by: dc
- The opposite to this is にかかわらず which is ２級 grammar.
— contributed by: blabby
- The kanji is 関わる
— contributed by: Nanashi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikakawaru
tagJ: に関わる
tagH: にかかわる
expE: Brings about an effect on; relates to; a matter of
expJ: 〜に影響を呼ばす。〜ノブ分には大切なことや重大な内容がくることが多い。単に「〜に関係する」の意味で用いることも多い
noteE: that will affect our reputation
JLPT: 1

Front: yamanai
やまない (止ま無い・已ま無い)
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やまない (止ま無い・已ま無い)
Meaning: not to stop
Example: Kids don't stop seeking their parents' love.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 子供たちは親の愛を求めてやまない。
Kids don't stop seeking their parent's love.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 空模様からすると、雨はしばらくはやまないだろう。
From the look of the sky I'm afraid the rain won't let up for a while.
— contributed by: dc
- ご健康を心から願ってやみません。
I (never stop) wish you good health.
— contributed by: blabby
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User Comments
- Relevant grammar question & comments <a href=http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?p=69249#post69249>here</a> (sixth post).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from verb-te + yamanai. (Note that Vte is usually associated with feelings & desires).
Vte = Verb, -te connective form.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- This expression is normally used in written Japanese; not conversaitonal Japanese. I think this belong to Class 3.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- class 3 as in sankyuu? it seems more 1-kyuu to me, esp if only used written?
— contributed by: dc
- Sorry, I made a mistake - I meant 1-kyuu.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 〜てやまない. This is often used with words such as 求める, 希望する, 祈る and 願う.
— contributed by: blabby
- This grammar is indeed for 1kyuu and does not always belog to the written language. If you hold a speech the form "-teyamimasen" 「てやみません」
It comes from the word「やむ」that means stop. For example you can say 「雨いつごろやむかな」, which corresponds to when you in English want to say "When will it stop raining, I wonder".
Or this
A>「あれ、ピアノの音がやんだ。レッスン終わったんだ」Eh? The sound of the piano stopped. The lesson is over.
B>　「そうね」Yes, indeed.
— contributed by: kuma
- I think ex #3368 doesn't really belongs to this category, rather it belongs to the verb 「やむ」、although this grammar comes from the word 「やむ」。
— contributed by: 誠
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yamanai
tagJ: やまない (止ま無い・已ま無い)
tagH: やまない
expE: not to stop
noteE: Kids don't stop seeking their parents' love.
JLPT: 1

Front: wotowazu
を問わず (をとわず)
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を問わず (をとわず)
Meaning: regardless (of)
Example: Regardless of age,.....
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 学歴、経験は問わず、やる気のある社員を募集します。
We are recruting employees who have the get up and go regardless of academic background and experience.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私が書いたかを問わず、(全て）「作者：あまつか」です。
It's (always) [Author : Amatuka] whether I wrote it or not.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 著作権表示があると否とを問わず真実の作者は法律上当然著作権者になります。
Whether or not any copyright indication is made, the true author by operation of law becomes the copyright owner.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- その試合には国籍のいかんを問わず誰でも参加できる。
Anyone can participate in the game, no matter what nationality they are.
— contributed by: Miki
- 試合は晴雨を問わず行われます。
The game will be held rain or shine.
— contributed by: Miki
- 年齢を問わず人々はこの歌が好きだ。
People of the ages like this song.
— contributed by: Miki
- 肌の色のいかんを問わず、彼は万人の言論の自由を擁護した。
He stood for freedom of speech for everyone regardless of color.
— contributed by: Miki
- 老いも若きも、また男女を問わず、地元の浴場で一緒になることを楽しみにしていた。
Both young and old, men and women, regularly get together at the local bathhouses.
— contributed by: Miki
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- nikakawarazu
- zu, zuni (Verb form)
User Comments
- Lit : 'without asking about'
— contributed by: Amatuka
- を is used to mark a noun or noun phrase.
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Would you care to clarify the second example? Do you mean "It always says Amatuka (as the byline) whether I (Amatuka-san) wrote it or not?"
— contributed by: Leslie
- Yes, I believe that was what Amatsuka meant.
— contributed by: Miki
- But that's not what the Geneva Convention and the Universal Copyright Conventions say. Japan and the Japanese Copyright Law follow those conventions.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Does anyone know why would ex #544 use は instead of を??
— contributed by: eeyakc
- I'm also confused as to the differences between は and を with this grammar.
— contributed by: Pwillig
- Ex #4346 translation could be: "People, regardless of age, like this music"?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wotowazu
tagJ: を問わず
tagH: をとわず
expE: regardless (of)
noteE: Regardless of age,.....
JLPT: 2

Front: womotonishite
をもとにして
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をもとにして
Meaning: based on
Example: this novel is based on real life
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Dakara anata-tachi Nihongo no o-tetsudau domo arigatoo gozaimasu.
— contributed by: Shinsetsu
Examples
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- 以前は経験を元にして設計していましたが、 今や経験と勘だけではレースに勝てるような マシンを作ることはできません。
Before we would design from our past experience but now experience and intuition alone aren't enough to built a machine that can win races.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この映画は小説をもとにしている。
This film is an adaptation of a novel.
— contributed by: dc
- 自分が集めた事実をもとにして、科学者は、その事実に意味と秩序と勝ちを与える論理の模様すなわち理論を織りあげるのである。
Around his facts the scientist weaves a logical pattern or theory which gives the facts meaning, order, and significance.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は親譲りの財産をもとにして富を作った。
He built on his father's fortune.
— contributed by: dc
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- womotoni (I'd say をもとにして is a bit more like "Takes ___ as it's basis" compared to をもとに "Based on")
User Comments
- を is used to mark a noun or noun phrase.
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Grammar question & comments relevant to this entry <a href=http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=7485>here</a> (third post).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- thats an interesting thread - and I like the way you used blue for the answers!
— contributed by: dc
- Feel free to nick the questions, answers & comments :-P
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Amatuka, if you make the answer text the same color as the background color, you can achieve the same effect. As it stands, the unhighlighted answer text is somewhat painful to look at, even though one is not supposed to be able to see it before highlighting it.
— contributed by: Nanashi
- Amatuka, if you make the answer text the same color as the background color, you can achieve the same effect. As it stands, the unhighlighted answer text is somewhat painful to look at, even though one is not supposed to be able to see it before highlighting it.
— contributed by: Nanashi
- Could someone tell me if there is a difference between [をもとにして]and[に基づいて]? Thanks.
— contributed by: ＺＧ
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: womotonishite
tagJ: をもとにして
expE: based on
noteE: this novel is based on real life
JLPT: 2

Front: womotoni
をもとに
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をもとに
Meaning: on basis of
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [basis-of-action-group] for similar items and comparisons.
— contributed by: dc
- Noun + womotoni (shite) + (noun)
~womotoni is followed by something new which is made based on the afore-mentioned "noun".
— contributed by: Stjenjen
Examples
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- ファンの人気投票をもとに審査し、今年の歌のベストテンが決まります。
Based on inspecting the fans popularity vote, we will decide this years Best Ten.
— contributed by: dc
- この映画は小説をもとにしている。
This film is an adaptation of a novel.
— contributed by: dbx
- 自分が集めた事実をもとにして、科学者は、その事実に意味と秩序と価値を与える論理の模様、すなわち理論を織りあげるのである。
Around his facts the scientist weaves a logical pattern or theory which gives the facts meaning, order, and significance.
— contributed by: dbx
- 山川民の調査結果をもとに、今後の方針を決めようと思う。
From now on I wish that we decide the objectives on the basis of the result of the survey about the people of Yamakawa.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 日本語のクラスは、テストの点数と今までの学習期間をもとに決定される。
About the class of Japanese, the decision will be taken on the basis of the period of study until now and the score points of the tests .
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 我々の販売予測をもとにして。
On the basis of our sales forecast. on the basis
— contributed by: karekano
- 新しい筋をもとに作られた物語でした。
A story was built around a new plot.
— contributed by: karekano
- 父から聞いた話をもとにして童話を書いて見た。
I tried writing the tale based on a story I heard from my father.
— contributed by: higehiru
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- karasuruto
- uede
User Comments
- を is used to mark a noun or noun phrase.
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In ex. #3623 can I say "the facts that I have collect" 自分が集めた事実 instead of "his facts"?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: womotoni
tagJ: をもとに
expE: on basis of
JLPT: 2

Front: hamochiron
はもちろん
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はもちろん
Meaning: not to mention; not only, but also;
Example: He can't walk, let alone run
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜は，言う必要がないくらい当然で〜
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 国が違うと、言葉や文化はもちろん、人々の考え方まで違う。
for different countries, of course the language and culture, not to mention the way people think, is different
— contributed by: dc
- あのレストランはサービスはもちろん味も悪くない。
That restaurant of course the service is good but also the food (LIT: flavor) is not bad.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は私たちに着物はもちろんお金もくれた。
He gave us not only clothes but some money.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は書くことはもちろん読むことも出来ない。
He can't even read, let alone write.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は走ることはもちろん、歩くこともできない。
He cannot walk, let alone run.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は知識はもちろん人格も備えている。
He has character as well as knowledge.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女はピアノはもちろんのこと、バイオリンも弾ける。
She can play the violin, not to mention the piano.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は英語はもちろん、フランス語も話せる。
She can speak French, to say noting of English.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は言語はもちろん、文学も研究している。
She studies literature as well as language.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は自転車はもちろんオートバイにも乗れない。
She cannot even ride a bicycle, not to mention a motorbike.
— contributed by: dc
- 疲れきっていたので勉強するのはもちろん考えるのも嫌だった。
I was too exhausted to think, let alone study.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は、勉強はもちろんスポーツもよくできる。
He is not only a good student, he is a good athlete as well 。
— contributed by: hana
- うちには、車はもちろん自転車もないんです。
My family doesn't have a bicycle, let alone a car.
— contributed by: hana
- 私が生まれた村は，電車はもちろん ，バスも通っていない。
The village where i born,there was no train,so bus is out of the question.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 何があったのか教えてださい、もちろんここだけの話です。
Please tell me what happened - off the record, of course.
— contributed by: karekano
- 「一緒に行ってもいいですか」　「もちろんです。」
”May I go with you?" " Of course ".
— contributed by: karekano
- もちろん二人は結婚するものと思っている。
I take it for granted (that) they`ll get married.
— contributed by: karekano
- 「本当にこのネクタイをするのかい」「うん、もちろんだよ。」
"Are you really putting on this tie?" "Yes, why not?"
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- hamotoyori (very similar but はもとより is more polite: のほうが改まった言い方)
User Comments
- shouldn't the translation of example #3376 be like: "He CAN'T even read, let alone write."
— contributed by: eastmaels
- changed, tx. BTW - feel free to edit/correct examples. thats what the edit button is for!
— contributed by: dc
- dc how can we edit modify examples? In re-design version, I cannot. Are there more columns next to user name of each entry?
— contributed by: Miki
- miki - hmm. i will look into it...
— contributed by: dc
- There are other examples in this batch that requires finetuning. Think, DC!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #3384 should be without ひ after 自転車. 彼女は自転車はもちろんオートバイにも乗れない。
— contributed by: Miki
- miki - are you still unable to edit examples? I fixed the commented one above (also the translation was wrong).
— contributed by: dc
- I thought we fixed that. apologies, will look into it.
— contributed by: dc
- Is this read as "Ha Mochiron" or "Wa Mochiron"?
— contributed by: tenkamuteki82
- I noticed in all the examples the はもちろん is followed by a 〜も statement.
is the も required to make this statement valid?
— contributed by: tigert
- Just spotted in example [#6617]: 「スポッツ」。Should that be 『スポーツ』 かな？
— contributed by: foggynotion
- Why is #3382's example note 研究 and not 勉強？
— contributed by: nazonatte69
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hamochiron
tagJ: はもちろん
expE: not to mention; not only, but also;
noteE: He can't walk, let alone run
JLPT: 2

Front: hakadoru
はかどる (捗る)
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はかどる (捗る)
Meaning: Make progress
Example: Making progress in one's work
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 仕事がはかどってるようですね
Looks like you are making progress in your work.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どの程度はかどっているのですか？
How much progress are you making?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あの人は学校の勉強のほうははかどっているのですか。
How is getting along with his school work?
— contributed by: Miki
- 仕事は非常にはかどっている。
The work is marching right along.
— contributed by: Miki
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Related Grammar
- hakanai
User Comments
- はか means the results from one's efforts - see はかない.はかどる therefore takes the results of your efforts in making progress.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I wonder if this is really JLPT level 3?
— contributed by: dc
- this is an interesting phrase, but is this a grammar construct, or vocabulary I wonder?
— contributed by: anon
- Maybe as bamboo4 said before that haka is the result from one's effort, then haka+toru (take the result) becomes hakadoru which resulted to the meaning "making progress"...
— contributed by: Ethanol
- I am not sure about the connection b/n はかどる/はかない. 捗る(はかどる)-JPLT1 vocab (Kanji) / 儚い(はかない) - JPLT1 vocab (no kanji). It seems this may simply be Lev.1 vocab rather than grammar?
— contributed by: samboki
- good word but it's vocab. The meaning of surrounding word constructs do not change based on it.
— contributed by: Bakurosareta
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hakadoru
tagJ: はかどる (捗る)
tagH: はかどる
expE: Make progress
noteE: Making progress in one's work
JLPT: 1

Front: gatera
がてら
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がてら
Meaning: while doing something
Example: getting one thing done while doing something else
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [がてら]
Used to express getting one thing accomplished while doing a second thing. Perhaps a good English equivalent would be "to kill two birds with one stone."
— contributed by: colinp123
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 散歩がてら本屋に寄った。
Since I took a walk. I stopped at a bookshop.
— contributed by: Miki
- ドライブがてら駅に私を迎えにきてください。
Since you go for a run in the car, coud you pick me up at the station?
— contributed by: miki
- 息抜きがてら同僚とチャットをする。
Chat with a colleague on the internet for a change.
— contributed by: miki
- せっかく上京したのだから見物がてら、買い物でもしよう。
Since I've come all the way to the capital, I might as well get some shopping done on top of sightseeing.
— contributed by: colinp123
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User Comments
- more formal than -nagara but similar - ??
— contributed by: dc
- gatera can be reaplced with [tsuideni]ついでに or wo[kanete] を兼ねて.
○散歩ついでに、本屋に寄った。
○散歩を兼ねて、本屋に寄った。
ｘ散歩をしながら、本屋に寄った。This is not natural.
I think that がてら is used to show another action （本屋に寄る） taken place in the middle of one main action （散歩をする）, 散歩→本屋→散歩
While ながら、two or more actions are at the same time.
eg. 友だちと喋りながら歩く。 I walk as talking with a friend.　歩く=喋る
— contributed by: Miki
- You can also use かたがた.
散歩かたがた公園に行った.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- got it. so its not a verb ending like 〜ながら。
It means more like "on the occasion of" or "while doing A, also did B" than "during or while" ... ie slightly separated incidents.
Is it a very formal/written phrase?
— contributed by: dc
- Right on, dc.
ついでに is conversational, がてら,かねて and かたがた are predominantly used in writing.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- My book says that this is not used for a "big" event. It is used for something small or something that can be finished soon.
旅行がてら = NO
散歩がてら = OK
— contributed by: blabby
- No, that is not correct.がてら can be used in any situation where you say "while doing X, I also did Y."
There is such limitation as Blabby refers to.
It is perfectly correct to say 中国旅行がてらタイにも足を伸ばした。Or 花子と話がてら、夏子にも挨拶した。
I dn't know what your book is, but if that's what it says,it is not correct.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- The book I am using is 実力アップ！日本語能力試験一級文法編 by Unicom. The explanations are in Japanese so Ill quote from the book.
〜がてら　ー　(〜をするときに)
たいへんなことや大きいことではなく、小さいことやすぐに終わること。
×旅行がてら　　○散歩がてる
Maybe this books explanations are not as good as I thought...
— contributed by: blabby
- I think that "gatera" is most like "tsuideni". It means "on the occasion of".
To Mikisan: Vる/N の+ ついでに
--> 散歩のついでに....
— contributed by: amenya
- がてら has two meanings.
1.verb + がてら + A
In this case, がてら is used to show another action(A) taken place in the middle of one main action. This can be replaced with ついでに, but not with 兼ねて.
2. noun(A) + がてら + B
In this case, it can be replaced with ついでに or 兼ねて. But be carefull, there's a subtle difference between the two.
ついでに = doing B while doing A
兼ねて = doing B with the intention of doing A
— contributed by: Iso
- In the book くらべてわかる中級日本語阜ｻ文型ドリル, they talk about the fact that it depends on the location where the 2 actions take place.
The 2 actions take place in same or different location -> AついでにB
The 2 actions take place in different location -> AがてらB(unless the main action implies a movement or displacement 〜しに行く)
Also the 2nd meaning of AがてらB could be "doing B will help to do A" and also only ついでに can be used at the beginning of a sentence.
But the two expressions can mean "killing 2 birds with one stone".
In fact, after reading many exemple sentences, I think that the difference between がてら and ついでに
doesn't lie in the meaning (beside the 2nd meaning of がてら).
Most of the time they mean the same. What makes me choose one over the other is how I construct the sentence, which words I use and how the whole sentence sounds.
In the end, I believe one shouldn't try too hard to build a rule to differentiate them.
If a rule is not obvious enough or contains too much exceptions, then it shouldn't be used as a rule in the first place.
I think it's one of those cases where you have 2 ways for saying the same thing, which is great so when you talk, you don't sound all the same.
— contributed by: mc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: gatera
tagJ: がてら
expE: while doing something
noteE: getting one thing done while doing something else
JLPT: 1

Front: kaneru
兼ねる (かねる)
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兼ねる (かねる)
Meaning: hesitate to, cannot, hard to do
Example: その点は賛成しかねる。/ I am unable to agree on that point.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 言いかねる
ii-kaneru
= i hestitate/don't want to say...
eg "I hesitate to say this, but please don't come to the party"
言い難い （　いいがたい ）
ii-gatai
= this is hard to say
eg "It's hard to say what he was thinking..."
— contributed by: dc
- Verb-masu stem
言います　＞　言いかねます　言いかねる
— contributed by: dc
Examples
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- 言いかねる
find it hard to say
— contributed by: dc
- たまりかねる
find it hard to bear (something any longer)
— contributed by: dc
- こんな高価な贈り物、頂きかねます。
I cannot accept such an expensive gift.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女に本当の事を言いかねて彼はだまった
he found it hard to say the truth to her, and remained silent.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そのことについては、即答しかねます。 sokutou-suru
I find it hard to respond to that matter immediately
— contributed by: bitco
- こういう事情ですから、残念ながら、せっかくのご招待をお受けいたしかねるのです。
As such is the case, I am sorry I can't accept your kind invitation.
— contributed by: dc
- その点は賛成しかねる。
I cannot agree with you on that point
— contributed by: dc
- 一年間で浪費するはした金がいくらになるか、だれにも決めかねる。
No one can determine the amount of pin - money we waste in a year.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女の態度は少々腹にすえかねる。
I find her manner a little hard to take.
— contributed by: dc
- その意見に賛成とは言いかねます。
I am unable to agree with that opinion.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 労働条件の変更について会社から説明を受けたが、私はどうも納得しかねる。
I received an explanation from my Company about the changes in the working conditions, but I really hesitate to agree with them.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 面接試験ではどんな質問が出るのかと聞かれたが、そのようなことを聞かれてもちょっと答えかねる。
In the oral examination, every question coming forth have been heard, but even if I heard the question, I hesitate a little to respond.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- そんな方法には賛成し兼ねる。
I can't approve such methods.
— contributed by: karekano
- 髪をもっと短く切ろうかどうか決め兼ねている。
I can`t decide whether or not to cut my hair shorter.
— contributed by: karekano
- 今日は晴天だから、雷雨がありかねる。
Today because the sunny weather,it's hard to rain storm.
— contributed by: belajar
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Related Grammar
- kanenai (かねない is the negative of かねる)
User Comments
- Formed from Verb -masu base + kaneru
Note that kaneru conjugates as a normal verb (e.g. かねた、かねます etc are possible)
Vm = Verb -masu base
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Snake said >
this is just like a stronger version of [gatai] then?
e.g.
言い難い - hard to say
言い兼ねる - can't say (because it is so hard to)
but i guess, iigatai isn't a verb is it, it's more like an adjective.. how about 'iigatai ga suru' or something (k so i made that up but...^_^)
— contributed by: dc
- ii-kaneru seems to have a particularly japanese feeling, something like "well, i don't really want to say that, but... (its true)".
Like, I hesitate to say this, but I must.
But hopefully a japanese native can clear up the difference some more.
— contributed by: dc
- 分かりーかねる　was also explained as what people at depato stores are taught to say to customers. If someone asks "do you sell X" and you absolutely know you don't sell it, you cannot say that. No, instead it's far better to waste the customer's time and pretend to look for it, and then say "wakari-kaneru" so they don't know. Maybe then they might buy something else while waiting?
— contributed by: dc
- いいかねる (not いい兼ねる) and 言い難い has different nuance. The former is subjective, in that you "hesitate to say" whereas the latter means "it is hard to say" and thus principally objective, even though in such expression as 必ずしも言い難い(not necessarily can be said) may not necessarily objective.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- thanks! pls review "note" at top...
— contributed by: dc
- 言い難い is also read as いいにくい。this is more casual than 言いかねる。
こんなこと言いにくいのですが、パーティに来ないでくれませんか。:P
— contributed by: your name
- Agree that 言いにくい is more casual in a situation such as こんなこと言いにくいのですが、パーティに来ないでくれませんか = I hesitate to say this, but please don't come to the party.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- From a native Japanese teacher I know that にくい is mostly for object characteristics and 難い is for human thinking. So the above comment is not really true.
— contributed by: kupokomapa
- In casual conversation you'll hear いいにくい used all over the place. Learn both!
彼女に本当の事を言い かねて彼はだまった
He said nothing, it was too hard to tell her the truth.
一年間で浪費するはした金がいくらになるか、だれにも決めかねる。
No one can determine the amount of money wasted in a year.
— contributed by: slopethisway
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kaneru
tagJ: 兼ねる
tagH: かねる
expE: hesitate to, cannot, hard to do
noteE: その点は賛成しかねる。/ I am unable to agree on that point.
JLPT: 2

Front: youdehanaika-2
ようではないか
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ようではないか
Meaning: doesn't it seem ~ ?
Example: seems like it will rain?
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 雨が降るようではないか
seems like its going to rain doesn't it?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 空にのびる枝が我々を導いてくれてるようではないか。
Doesn't it seem as if the branches extending into the sky are guiding us?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 動いているのに、進んでいないようではないか。
Een though you're moving it doesn't seems as if you're going anywhere.
— contributed by: Miki
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Related Grammar
- youdehanaika (Don't confuse ようではないか with 様ではないか Same kana, different meaning.)
User Comments
- This sentence is not so natural.
I would say 雨が降り_そう_ではないか。
ではないか can be replaced by じゃないか。(conv)
— contributed by: Miki
- Doesn't seem to be very common usage.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Is that example any better?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- With this example, it is difficult to make it any better to suit the entry.
— contributed by: Miki
- ようではないか is a book Japanese. It is hardly used in conversation.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youdehanaika-2
tagJ: ようではないか
expE: doesn't it seem ~ ?
noteE: seems like it will rain?
JLPT: 2

Front: youni
ように
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ように
Meaning: in order to
Example: in order to be on time
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- there are a few ways to express the intention to do something, which seem very similar at first. but:
-youni is used with the potential or negative form of a verb.
　yoku kikoeru youni .. = to be able to hear better
　wasurenai you ni = in order not to forget
　dekiru yooni = so that I will be able to do
-[tameni] is usually just the plain form
　kau tameni = in order to buy
　kiku tameni = in order to hear
— contributed by: anon
- see [basis-of-action-group] for similar items and comparisons.
— contributed by: dc
- Also means "like" or "as"
Watashi you ni hashiru. (Run like me, to run like me)
— contributed by: Ayumi
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 忘れ物をしないようにご注意して下さい。
In order not to leave things, please take care (often heard on trains)
— contributed by: Amatuka
- この度の流出したデータを入手された方はお手数ですが削除いただけますようお願い申し上げます。
Please excuse us for the bother, but could those people who have acquired the data erroneously disseminated on this occasion please delete them.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたが元気になりますように
I pray you get better soon.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- パソコン管理が煩雑になってきましたので、管理しやすいように徐々に変更していきます。
The computer admin has become really tricky, so in order to make it easier to do, I'll be changing things bit by bit
— contributed by: dc
- 間に合うように急いで家を出ました。
In order not to be late, I left the house in a hurry.
— contributed by: dc
- 始めた時のようなことが無いように、開発工程管理をしっかりとお願いします
In order not to do it like we did at the beginning, be very vigilant about the stages of the development process, please
— contributed by: dc
- そのようにしてもいいのですか。
Can I do it like that?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 上例のように使えば、いいと思います。
I think it is alright if you use it like the example above
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- 風邪がはやく治るように彼は注射を打ってもらった。
In order to have the cold heal up quickly, he received an injection.
— contributed by: Kenny
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User Comments
- As seen in 'ようお願い申し上げます' the に may be omitted in some usages.
BTW, that would appear to be a very polite sentence.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from 'verb + you ni'
V = verb
— contributed by: Amatuka
- When used at the end of a sentence it usually indicates a wish, prayer or hope etc.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I was told that verbs are not as comfortable in this construct, but not sure why. eg
計算するように、市場データを調べておきました
In order to do a calculation, I researched market data
— contributed by: dc
- 計算するように
is a different expression. It sounds like
計算するかのように
= like a calculation, metaphorically speaking
so you should use
計算するために
in this case. It is different from 間に合うように
← can someone clarify this explanation?
— contributed by: dc
- The Japanese of ex 3 is not matched to English.
この度の流出したデータを入手された方は→この度データを入力された方は
— contributed by: Miki
- ex 1 J should be 間に合うように not 間に合うするように.
— contributed by: Miki
- As for 計算するように、市場データを調べておきました。I think it is just not natural in the context. :( Others will be able to help.
— contributed by: Miki
- Only 計算するように I can think of lis that of an instruction or order = 間違いなく計算するようにしてください (see to it that you perform the calculations without any error.)
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ように is used for non-volitional verbs for example できる、わかる、見える、聞こえる、起きられる. It is also used for the negative form of verbs 〜ないように. Otherwise ために is used. However I don't think it is always this simple. Some verbs can be volitional and non-volitional.
— contributed by: blabby
- Here is a good explanation
http://www014.upp.so-net.ne.jp/nbunka/02nov.htm
— contributed by: blabby
- As far as I know, ように can be used for both volitional and non-volitional verbs.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I don't know what a volitional form is... but you-ni also means (like doing-)
計算ように次の作動を考えた。
Like calculating, he thought out his next move.
— contributed by: KotatsuSama
- 計算ように次の作動を考えた should be あたかも計算するように次の動作を考えた
— contributed by: bamboo4
- kotatsusama, i asked my kyoto sensei about ex.3119. he said it should be 上記 or 上記の例文。not 上例。失礼しました。関係ないけどただ言いたいだけですけど、このサイトは本当に使えるんです。皆さんありがとう。
— contributed by: jasyn78
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youni
tagJ: ように
expE: in order to
noteE: in order to be on time
JLPT: 0

Front: kara-2
てから
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てから
Meaning: after
Example: From 9 to 5.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 以下のプルダウンメニューから、言語およびプラットフォームご利用いただけるバージョンが表示されます。
From the pull down menu below language and the platform it is to be used on are displayed.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 先週の木曜日からずっと雨が降っている。
It has been raining since last Thursday.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- それをここから持って行け！
Get them out of here!
— contributed by: Miki
- 「オーストラリアからですか」とフィリピン人はたずねました。
"Are you from Australia?" asked the Filipino.
— contributed by: Miki
- 「結婚してからも私働いて高?ﾈいわよ」と彼女は言った。
"I don't mind if I keep working after we're married", she said.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は火星から来ました。　わたしはかせいからきました。
I came from mars. Watashi wa kasei kara kimashita.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- この本は図書館から借りました。このほんはとしょかんからかりました。
I borrowed this book from the library. (subject omitted)Kono hon wa, toshokan kara　karimashita.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
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Related Grammar
- made (から(from), まで(to,till))
User Comments
- #472
以下のプルダウンメニューから、言語およびプラットフォームご利用いただけるバージョンが表示されますshould be: 以下のプルダウンメニューに、言語およびご利用頂けるプラットフォームのバージョンが表示されます。
"From the pull down menu below language and the platform it is to be used on are displayed" should be: The pull down menu below displays the language and the available versions of the platform that can be used.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Example #472 is fine if you put a comma after the word "menu."
— contributed by: Joyce
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kara-2
tagJ: てから
expE: after
noteE: From 9 to 5.
JLPT: 4

Front: karaiuto
からいうと
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からいうと
Meaning: from the standpoint of
Example: from the grammar point of view, chinese is easy
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- noun　+ からいうと
— contributed by: rochin
- -からいえば/-からいって　are also used instead of -からいうとbutthe meaning is same
— contributed by: rochin
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 価格から言えば日本の方が高い。
On the basis of prices, Japan is more expensive.
— contributed by: dc
- エコロジーの視点からいうと、南極は観光や商業的な探索ではなく、研究のみに利用されるべきである。
From the standpoint of ecology, Antarctica should be reserved solely to research, not to tourism or to commercial exploration.
— contributed by: dbx
- 建築デザインの立場からいうと、このアプローチにはもっと多くの代案が考えられる。
From the standpoint of architectural design, there can be more alternatives to this approach.
— contributed by: dbx
- 文法からいうと、ロシア語ほど難しい言葉はない。
From the standpoint of grammar, there is no more difficult language than Russian.
— contributed by: MightyAtom
- 現状から言って、直ちにその計画を実行するのは無理だ。
From the existing state, it is impossible to realize this project immediately.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 顔からいうと、彼女がミス日本になると思います。
Judging by her face, I think she will become the next Miss Japan.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- karamiruto
User Comments
- This is a bit like "point of view" but more based on an angle of the problem than the viewer.
— contributed by: dc
- So, it's just like [上]?
計算から言えばこれで正しい is a correct sentence?
— contributed by: Jordi
- Yes, it is. You can also say like 計算上(で)は、これで正しい。hmm it's just like 上.
— contributed by: Miki
- is that 上 a [uede] or [jyoude] ? I guess from the example it is uede, which i thought was more "upon" than "based on" - ie implying a careful thought and conclusion. whereas "based on" is more like a conclusion is obvious, based on the information... is there that same difference in japanese or are they the same?
— contributed by: your name
- 計算上(jou)（で）は、or 計算の上(ue)では
— contributed by: Miki
- Please see [uede].
I don't think からいうと implys a careful thought and conclusion.
— contributed by: Miki
- 計算から言えばこれで正しい is somewhat awkward - 計算からするとこれで正しい is preferable.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I think #6368 meant to say 言語 instead of 言葉
— contributed by: razortm
- hey razortm, I`ve heard 言語　and 言葉 both used to mean language.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: karaiuto
tagJ: からいうと
expE: from the standpoint of
noteE: from the grammar point of view, chinese is easy
JLPT: 2

Front: karamiruto
から見ると (からみると)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
から見ると (からみると)
Meaning: seen from the point of view
Example: seen from a plane
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- noun + から見ると/から見れば/から見て
— contributed by: rochin
- から見ると野代わりにから見れば/から見ても使えます
— contributed by: rochin
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- しかし、外から見ると、なぜこんなに非効率な作業をしているのだろう、と疑問に思うことが少なくない
However, when looked at from an outside perspective, it'd not be uncommon to think "Why are they doing such inefficent work I wonder."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私の立場からみると当然でしょう。
From my point of view, it makes sense.
— contributed by: dc
- 月から見ると、地球はボールのように見える。
Seen from the moon, the earth looks like a ball.
— contributed by: dbx
- 現在の空模様から見るといつ土砂降りになるかわからない。
Judging from the present look of the sky, we may have a downpour any moment.
— contributed by: dbx
- 雇用者の数という見地から見ると、すべての工場のうちここは最も大規模なところだ。
It terms of the number of employees, this is the largest of all industries.
— contributed by: dbx
- 山頂から見ると、その島はとても美しい。
Seen from the top of the hill, the island is very beautiful.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私たちの家は西欧の基準から見ると小さすぎるとのことです。
They say our house is too small by Western standards.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の目から見ると彼なんかまだ赤ん坊だ。
He is only a baby in my eyes.
— contributed by: dbx
- 小屋の様子から見ると、そこには誰も住んでいないようだ。
From the look of the cabin, no one lives in it.
— contributed by: dbx
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User Comments
- In the second example, からみるとis okay but I would prefer からすると.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- vote for からすると.
— contributed by: your name
- In ex #3435, 見地から見ると is a redundancy - you either say 見地からは or からすると. Making the same mistake of 馬から落ちて落馬して
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: karamiruto
tagJ: から見ると
tagH: からみると
expE: seen from the point of view
noteE: seen from a plane
JLPT: 2

Front: toori
通り (とおり)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
通り (とおり)
Meaning: in that way
Example: Didn't it turn out the way I said?
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [basis-of-action-group] for similar items and comparisons.
— contributed by: dc
- FORMATION:
Ｖ(dict. form/たform/ているform) + とおり(に)
Ｎ + の + とおり(に)
Ｎ + どおり(に)
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 予想通り日本チームが優勝した。
Just like the prediction, the Japan team won.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女はもと通り元気になった。
She's back to her original energetic self.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私が言った通りになったでしょう！
Didn't it come out to be the way I said?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- その通り！
That's right !
— contributed by: bi-ru
- その問題には三通りの答えがあります。
That question has answers in three ways.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 先ず一通り見せて頂けますか？
Would you mind if I browse through them first?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 大丈夫。マニュアルに書いてあるとおりにすれば、うまくいきます。
It's okay. If you do it just like the manual says, it'll work.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 昨日のサッカーの試合は、期待されたとおりにＡ国が勝った。
At yesterday's soccer game, Country A won just as expected .
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 天気予報とおり、午後から雨になった。
Just as predicted , it started raining in the afternoon.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 医者の指示どおり、毎日運動をすることにした。
Just as my doctor instructed, I decided to exercise every day.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- その規則は数通りに解釈できる。
The rule can be read several ways.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- The example is actually 'doori'. 予想通り 【よそうどおり】 (exp) as expected (neutral and negative events); as feared
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Many '通り' 'toori' examples are actually a literal 'way' as in street.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私が言った通りになったでしょう！
watashi ga itta _toori_ ni natta deshou!
— contributed by: Miki
- Formed from (plain) verb + toori or
noun + toori.
Note that a euphonic change to doori is possible depending on what it follows.
V = Verb
N = Noun
— contributed by: Amatuka
- when does it have に after?
私が教えた通り<b>に</b>、、
— contributed by: dc
- You can also say
予想 通りに 日本チームが優勝した。
彼女は もと 通りに 元気になった。
— contributed by: Miki
- chizu no toori ni mairimashta kara, zenzen mayoimasen deshta.
— contributed by: prachi_saurabh
- toori ni.... expreses the idea that something takes place in the same way as something... or it could be negative also.. means doesn't take place..
— contributed by: prachi_saurabh
- "expreses the idea that something takes place in the same way as something" does not make any sense at all.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- In ex #6257, I don't understand "卵z". So instead of "Checked" I changed it to "suspicious"...
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I have always thought of　
「〜 通りに」　as ”like 〜”
and
「〜通り」as "same way as 〜"
ローマにいる間、ローマ人の通りにします｡
while in rome, do like the romans do.
ローマにいる間、ローマ人の通りします｡
while in rome, do things the way romans do.
the meaning doesn`t change much, but thinking of it like this makes translation less complicated.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toori
tagJ: 通り
tagH: とおり
expE: in that way
noteE: Didn't it turn out the way I said?
JLPT: 2

Front: kotoda
ことだ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ことだ
Meaning: should
Example: you should read it
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ｖ(plain form) + ことだ (should)
Ｖない(form) + ことだ (should not)
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 自由とは人に迷惑をかけないことだと言ったＪ.Ｓ.ミル
J.S. Mill, who said. "Freedom is not to be used to trouble other people."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 大学に入りたければ一生懸命勉強することだ
if you want to go to college, you should study as hard as you can.
— contributed by: d4
- 風邪気味なら、早く寝ることだ
if you feel like you have a cold, you better go to bed early
— contributed by: d4
- あなたはこれをよむことだ
You should read this.
— contributed by: Xephyer
- 上手になるために、繰り返して練習をすることだ。
In order to do it well, you should practice over and over again.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 一人で悩んでいないで、家族と友達に相談してみることですよ。何かいいアドバイスがもらえるでしょう。
You should try discussing this with your family and friends, and not suffer alone. You can probably get a lot of good advice.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- お金をためたいのでしょう。それなら、無駄づかいをしないことです。
You want to save money, right? If that's the case, you shouldn't waste it.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 暖かくして、ゆっくり休むことだ。
You should keep warm, relax and rest.
— contributed by: hana
- 無理をしないことです。
Don't push yourself too hard.
— contributed by: hana
- 発言する前に、この問題の要点は理解することだ。
Before you speak, this is the point of issue should be understand.
— contributed by: belajar
- 発言する前に、この問題の要点は理解することだ。
Before you speak, this is the point of issue should be understand.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- monoda
User Comments
- I think my translation is a little rough here ^^; Incidently this is much the same as "An it harm none, do as ye will shalt be the whole of the law."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Formed from verb + koto
Negative sense etc possible.
V = verb.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- often used to emphasize some important thing
— contributed by: dc
- seems pretty identical to 〜べき
読むべき = 読むことだ = you should read
— contributed by: dc
- is #5489 correct? xephyer, did you make up the japanese example?
— contributed by: dc
- thanks for the correction miki. changed.
— contributed by: dc
- #5489 is weird. No one would say that. あなたはこれを読むべきだ would be okay,
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #5489 when you are scolded, you might be told in this way. あなたはこれをよむことだ。（そうすれば全てがわかる。。とかかんとか）Don't you think so?
— contributed by: Miki
- べき seemingly implies somewhat more of 'should'ness, while 〜ことだ is literally like 'this is about 〜(gerund)', and really is the emphasis on something being required. In a way, ことだ is even more imperative.
— contributed by: Kaens
- It is not necessarily a stern usage(e.g.scolding), it can be an advice or recommendation with the meaning "should".
〜ことだ　：　〜ことを勧める　、〜ことが必要だ
— contributed by: 誠
- For 〜ものだ, it is used when the thing is of common sense, and usually is used to advice or remind people of morality,principle of life,etc.
〜ものだ：　〜が一般的な常識だ　（人に対して注意する時によく使われる）
— contributed by: 誠
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kotoda
tagJ: ことだ
expE: should
noteE: you should read it
JLPT: 2

Front: katawara
〜かたわら (傍ら)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜かたわら (傍ら)
Meaning: not only, ...also (This expression is only used in writing)
Example: My mother not only studies French, she teaches it as well.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜のかたわら can also be in the more figurative sense as well. It is also a more archaic expression in spoken Japanese (according to a friend)
— contributed by: ninja_k
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- メアリーは読書をしており、１匹の猫がかたわらで眠っていた。
Mary was reading, with a cat sleeping beside her.
— contributed by: dbx
- 王妃は王のかたわらに立っていた。
The queen stood beside the king.
— contributed by: dbx
- 審判はコートのかたわらにある高い椅子に座る。
The umpire sits in a high chair at the side of the court.
— contributed by: dbx
- 仕事のかたわら、子供達にフランス語を教えるつもりです。
Besides working, I'm planning to teach the children french.
— contributed by: ninja_k
- 私はスペイン語を習うかたわら、趣味でフラメンコを習うことにしました.
As well as studying Spanish, I decided to study flamenco as a hobby.
— contributed by: rakki
- 私の母は自分で編み物を習うかたわら、人にも教えている
In addition to learning how to knit, my mother also teaches it .
— contributed by: 酢渇
- 妹は会社に勤めるかたわら、夜は専門学校で英語を勉強しています。
My little sister studies English at a trade school at night while working at a company.
— contributed by: ddblue
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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User Comments
- This can also mean (according to my book): on the side, besides ... see my example.
— contributed by: ninja_k
- かたわら in #4749 is diffierent from other examples, but it is stil correct use of that word.It may properly rate another slot.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I defer to precedent on the topic...
— contributed by: ninja_k
- This is in my 一級 grammar book. The explanation is "〜しながら、同時に"
This is different to 傍ら/側ら/かたわら(で/に) "Next to/Nearby" as bamboo4 said.
— contributed by: blabby
- An example of the 一級 grammar is
私は会社に勤めてるかたわら、夜は家で日本語を勉強しています。
Besides working, at night I study Japanese at home.
— contributed by: blabby
- 平日に仕事をするかたわら、休みの日にはボランティアをしている。
Besides working during the week, (he/she/they)do/does volunteer work on (his/her/their) days off.
You could also replace "besides" with "while". かたわら is used figuratively and not.
When used after a verb it usually means 〜しながら、同時に
When used after a noun it usually means "to be physicaly beside".
かたわらに置いています　"placed beside"
〜のかたわらに "beside 〜"
There should most definatley be another meaning and example added to the entry.
— contributed by: crlane
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: katawara
tagJ: 〜かたわら (傍ら)
tagH: 〜かたわら
expE: not only, ...also (This expression is only used in writing)
expJ: 〜一方で, 〜しながら、同時に
noteE: My mother not only studies French, she teaches it as well.
JLPT: 1

Front: kawarini
かわりに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かわりに
Meaning: in place of; instead of
Example: instead of milk, sweetener
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [kawaru-group] for explanation and similar items
— contributed by: dc
- Noun + の
先生のかわりに
i-Adj
高いかわいに
ku-Adj
早くかわりに
verb-masu + kawarini
遊ぶ代わりに
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今朝はコーヒーの代わりにココアを飲んだ
This morning, instead of coffee, I drank cocoa
— contributed by: d4
- 話す代わりに
instead of talking
— contributed by: d4
- 高い代わりに
instead of being expensive
— contributed by: d4
- 先生のかわりに私が教えた。
In place of my teacher, I taught.
— contributed by: dc
- ２階に私のかわりにもっていってください。
Would you mind carrying it up the stairs for me?
— contributed by: dbx
- かわりに君にそこへ行って欲しい。
I wish you to go there instead.
— contributed by: dbx
- これらの労働者を一時解雇するかわりに、彼等の労働時間を短縮すればよいじゃないか。
Instead of laying off these workers, why don't we just cut their hours?
— contributed by: dbx
- これを私のかわりにしていただけたらとてもありがたいのですが。
I would be very pleased if you do this for me.
— contributed by: dbx
- しばらく私のかわりに子どもから目を離さないでください。
Keep an eye on the child for me for a moment.
— contributed by: dbx
- そのかわりに最前定義した二つの経済学的変数に関する議論を行うことにしよう。
Instead, I will turn to a discussion of the two economic variables I defined a moment ago.
— contributed by: dbx
- まことにすみませんが、私のかわりにそれをやっていただけませんか。
Would you be good enough to do it for me?
— contributed by: dbx
- 音楽会に行くかわりにＣＤを三枚買うほうがいいと思う。
I think it is better to buy 3CDs instead of going to a musical concert.
— contributed by: Meghana
- ビールを切らしてしまった。代わりにウイスキーを飲めよ。
I have run out of beer. Drink some whisky instead.
— contributed by: karekano
- お辞儀の代わりに、アメリカ人は握手をする。
Instead of bowing, American people shake hands.
— contributed by: karekano
- この石は金づちのかわりになる。
This rock will do for a hammer.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of かわりに
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Related Grammar
- kawarini-2 (-2 example is for "to make up for" sense)
User Comments
- Is this correct:
彼は早くかわりに、遅かった
Instead of being early, he was late.
— contributed by: dc
- In the Notes section,
shouldn't it be:
高いかわいに→高いかわりに
And:
"verb-dictionary + kawarini"
— contributed by: eastmaels
- Question: My grammar book says に かわり instead of かわりに for all its examples and explanations. ex. 首相　に　かわり、　外相　が　アメリカ　を　訪問　した。
Can anyone clarify?
— contributed by: jmadsen
- Just got my question answered :-)
ni kawari is more "polite" or "official", and also shows a more passive sense of the "ni" particle. kawari + ni is more typical in spoken language. So, these two sentences are the same in meaning:
相　に　かわり、　外相　が　アメリカ　を　訪問　した。
相　の　かわり　に、　外相　が　アメリカ　を　訪問　した。
But the first is more likely to occur in a news report.
— contributed by: jmadsen
- can you even use い adjectives with this form of かわりに?
I know it can be used for the other form , i.e some form of compensation or balance　(E.g.　高い代わりに便利だった）, but all the books i have read including the dictionary of int grammar, state it cant be used in a way such as 高い代わりに （instead of being expensive)
— contributed by: bluntcrayon
- 彼は早くかわりに、遅かった
Instead of being early, he was late.
→This is wrong. There is no "(~ku)kawarini" usage.
i-adj＋かわりに
e.g.彼は 行動が はやいかわりに ミスが多い。
— contributed by: kaz
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kawarini
tagJ: かわりに
expE: in place of; instead of
noteE: instead of milk, sweetener
JLPT: 2

Front: kke
〜っけ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜っけ
Meaning: ~?, like か
Example: (What) is it, again?
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This grammar is used only in conversation. It is used when asking a question in order to confirm/affirm something.
＊Because it an expression for confirmation, it is alright to use past tense when referring to something in the present or future.
EX: 来月の三日は月曜日でしたっけ。(＝月曜日だったっけ)
"The 3rd of next month was Monday, right?"
FORMATION:
V(plain past form) + っけ
V(dict. form) + んだっけ・んだったっけ
いA(minus い) + かったっけ
なA + だ・だった + っけ
N + だ・だった + っけ
＊If you wish to use more formal Japanese, you can use 「ましたっけ」 or 「でしたっけ」, but you CANNOT use 「ますっけ」 or 「ですっけ」.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- っけ is used as a question marker in informal Speech (and even then is often just shortened to け。)
っけ itself is generally used when asking about something you should really already know but have forgotten, or when you are affirming something that you're maybe 50% sure about.
— contributed by: 反戦
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 誰だっけ？
Who is it again?
— contributed by: Amatuka
- お名前は何とおっしゃいましたっけ。
What was your name again ?
— contributed by: Miki
- この前、僕が君に会ったのはいつだっけ。
Do you remember when I saw you last? [M]
— contributed by: Miki
- この前、私があなたに会ったのはいつだっけ。
Do you remember when I saw you last? [M/F]
— contributed by: Miki
- 何の話をしていたっけ？
What were we taking about again?
— contributed by: Miki
- 私の新しいムスタングを見せてなかったっけ？
Didn't I show you my new Mustang?
— contributed by: Miki
- 私達は何をするように言われたのだっけ。
What was it that we were told to do?
— contributed by: Miki
- 次の時間（授業）は何だっけ？
What is the next class ?
— contributed by: Miki
- 車酔いするほうだっけ？
Don't you tend to get carsick?
— contributed by: Miki
- 今晩、山田さんも来るんだっけ。
Yamada is also coming tonight, right?
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 君は去年日本へ来たんだっけ。
You went to Japan last year, right?
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- この本、おもしろかったっけ。
This book was interesting, right?
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- お宅はどちらでしたっけ。
I wonder where the house was...
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- あしたのパーティーのこと、話したっけ？
id I tell you about tomorrow's party?
— contributed by: lilibr
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- ne
- kana
User Comments
- け (usually っけ) is used when asking about something you _should already know_ (e.g. because you've been told but since forgotten/become unsure).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I often hear
nan deshita-kke?
ah, you know, whatchermecallit
— contributed by: dc
- I read in a Grammar Textbook that it means almost the same as -かなあ、or −かしら
— contributed by: your name
- yes, so you can also say 誰だったかなぁ。誰だったかしら。-かしら is used mainly by female.
— contributed by: Miki
- In example #4620, "taking" should be "talking".
— contributed by: wdelossantos
- does 来た now mean "went"? (ex: #6210)
— contributed by: tappster
- っけ may _only_ follow the あ-row of kana. Thus, だっけ and ましたっけ are correct, but してっけ or 食べるっけ, etc., are incorrect.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- ques.「ano resutoran ni soubetsukai shinai」
「あそこ ５０人 入れる ほど 広かったっけ」
Please explain this.the second sentence is a question or giving explanation why the party cant be held there?
— contributed by: jayati
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kke
tagJ: 〜っけ
expE: ~?, like か
noteE: (What) is it, again?
JLPT: 2

Front: katagata
かたがた(旁)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かたがた(旁)
Meaning: at the same time, incidentally
Example: incidental to business, go sightseeing
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [名]＋かたがた
— contributed by: khongbietboi
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 仕事かたがた京都見物にゆく
While on business, go sightseeing in Kyoto
— contributed by: dc
- 来春結婚する孫が、結婚の報告かたがた婚約者を連れてやってきた。
My grandson, who is getting married next spring, has brought his fiancee with him to visit while bringing us news of his wedding.
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- 無事に卒業できたので、恩師に報告かたがた、手紙を書いた.
She was able to graduate without any problems and so wrote a letter to thank her professor.
— contributed by: rakki
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- kanete
- okeikini
- tsuideni
- simultaneous-actions-group
- gatera
User Comments
- Relevant grammar question <a href=http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?p=68999#post68999>here</a>. (Fourth post).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- かたがた is interchangeable to 兼ねて
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Yeah, but 兼ねて takes a direct object particle - かたがた doesn't.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- whats a direct object particle? it doesn't require a は・を after the item it relates to?
— contributed by: dc
- Amatuka means, for example, を in 仕事を兼ねて京都見物にゆく
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I added "kanete" (兼ねて) in the grammar section, but I cannot edit it!
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: katagata
tagJ: かたがた(旁)
tagH: かたがた
expE: at the same time, incidentally
noteE: incidental to business, go sightseeing
JLPT: 1

Front: nagarani
ながらに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ながらに
Meaning: since (A) started, it has been continuously in the same state
Example: Use old things as they were originally used.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- （A)ながらに
since (A) started, it has been continuously in the same state
〜ままの状態で :
— contributed by: dc
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p63 - no.58
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # 例文で学ぶ日本語阜ｻ文型辞典: 英・中・韓対訳付き P219, no.188
http://books.google.com/books?id=98c6A4Iv9sMC&lpg=PA138&vq=%E8%A1%8C%E3%81%8D%E3%81%A4&pg=PA219#v=onepage&q=%E3%81%AA%E3%81%8C%E3%82%89%E3%81%AB&f=false
(コピペーthe whole link)
— contributed by: LR
- Customarily used with a limited number of words 昔、生きる、生まれる、涙、いつも
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- すべての人は生まれながらに平等である。
All men are created equal.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は生まれながらに知性と美に恵まれていた。
Nature endowed him with wit and beauty.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は生まれながらにして偉大な才能に恵まれていた。
He was endowed with great talents.
— contributed by: Miki
- 昔ながらのやり方。
In the traditional [unchanged of old] style.
— contributed by: blabby
- 古いものを昔ながらに使う。
Use old things as they were originally used.
— contributed by: blabby
- インターネットの活用すれば、居ながらにして世界中の情報が手に入る
by using the internet, you can get the world's information without leaving your house
— contributed by: LR
- その少年は生まれながらに動物たちと交流できる不思議な迫ﾍを身につけていた。
That boy was born with a mysterious ability to converse with animals
— contributed by: LR
- 薬害の被害者たちは、これまでの苦しい経験を涙ながらに語った。
The victims of drugs spoke through tears of their tough experiences up until now.
— contributed by: LR
- いつもながらの心遣いに、心から感謝垂ｵ上げます。
We deeply appreciate your continuing thoughtfulness.
— contributed by: LR
- 人間には、生まれながらにして貧富の差がある。それは現実だ。
Human beings live with the the wealth or poverty they were born into. That is just the reality of the situation.
— contributed by: LR
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- nagara
- nagaramo
User Comments
- One English translation could be "as it was" (〜ままの状態で)
— contributed by: blabby
- The expression 涙ながらに〜 "Tearfully", seems different to the existing examples. In this case the meaning is more like "to have".
— contributed by: blabby
- Can't exactly explain the 涙ながらに examples but they're coming up in multiple textbooks under this entry so I think it's safe to leave it in.
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nagarani
tagJ: ながらに
expE: since (A) started, it has been continuously in the same state
expJ: 〜ままの状態で
noteE: Use old things as they were originally used.
JLPT: 1

Front: nakushite
なくして
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なくして
Meaning: If it wasn't for...
Example: If it wasn't for love...
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p17 - no.16
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p315
— contributed by: LR
- The use of wa after nakushite indicates that the sentence is a conditional sentence. This means that when a sentence has a conditional meaning, wa is mandatory as shown in 山川教授...
= perhaps nakushite is "without"
= perhaps nakushitewa is "if it weren't for" - slightly stronger
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 愛なくして、結婚生活は続けられない。
If it wasn't for love, marriage would not succeed.
— contributed by: blabby
- 民主主義なくしては達成できない。
If it wasn't for democracy, it would be unattainable.
— contributed by: blabby
- 苦労なくしてもうけなし。
No gain without pains.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私の許可なくして、君はそんなことをすべきではなかったのだが。
You should not have done it without my permission.
— contributed by: Miki
- 忍耐なくしては、誰も成功することはできない。
Nobody is able to succeed without endurance.
— contributed by: Miki
- 山川教授なくしては今の私は存在しなかったであろう。
If it weren't for Prof. Yamakawa, I wouldn't be what I am now
— contributed by: LR
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Related Grammar
- nashini ((X) nashi ni (wa) is close in meaning to (X) nakushite (wa). nashi ni could replace nakushite in some cases:
山川教授なしには今の私は存在しなかったであろう。
However the reverse is not true - since nashini means "without doing s.t. that should be done in advance"
Advanced grammar dictionary - p317)
User Comments
- I think a good translation for this is "If it wasn't for_,".
— contributed by: blabby
- I agree that it should be translated as " If it wasn't for...".
By the way, in ex #5309 the usage of なくして seems strange. Because it sounds strange when translated,
[ If it wasn't my permission, you should not have done such a thing].
〜なくして（は）．．．ない where the usage usually comes with
"If it wasn't ..., then..(followed usually by sentence stating : can't / doesn't have the potential or possibility to do or have something)"
It should have been :
「私の許可がなかったら、君はそんなことをすべきではなかったのだが．．．」
If there wasn't any of my permission, you shouldn't have done such a thing...
Or 「私の許可ではなかったら、君はそんなことをすべきではなかったのだが．．．」
If it wasn't of my permission, you shouldn't have done such a thing.
Or another example for なくして,
皆さんの協力なくして、そんなに辛い事を解決できないのだ。
— contributed by: 誠
- As for #5309, I don't think the Japanese is wrong even if it sounds strange when translated. Please advise a proper translation for it.
— contributed by: Miki
- ex #5309 would mean that
if it wasn't of my permission, you shouldn't have done such a thing.
I am actually doubting the usage of なくして in that example,
not the Japanese.
Instead I suggest:
私の許可なくして、君はそんなことを達成するのが無理だ。
If it wasn't of my permission, it is impossible you could achieve such a thing.
After なくして、 it is natural to be followed by something that one can't achieve or something that is impossible to happen without it.
In #5309, it is 'shouldn't' instead of 'can't/impossible'
Here are some examples from a book:
1.彼は、人工呼吸器の助けなくしては一日も生きられない体だ。
2.日々の努力なくして、成功はあり得ない。
3.それは、涙なくしては見られない感動的な映画だった。
４．皆さんの応援なくして、優勝はなっかったと確信致します。
５．苦しい練習なくして、試合に勝つ事はできあないのだ。
６．悲しみなくして、人生の喜ぶを知ることはできない。
７．如何にお金があろうと、育てる者の愛情なくして、子供は幸せになることができない。
There is a difference between 'If it wasn't for...' with 'without'.
— contributed by: 誠
- みきさん、
Below is some explanation from my 先生：
「私の許可なくして＿＿＿」の文は日本語ではあまり使いませんから、
正しい文は「私の許可なしで＿＿＿」でしょう。
or
「私の許可なしに、______」
— contributed by: 誠
- 私の許可なくして is perfectly valid in terms of written Japanese. In terms of spoken Japanese, perhaps 私の許可を受けないで would be normal, even though 私の許可なしに would also be acceptable.
— contributed by: bamboo
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nakushite
tagJ: なくして
expE: If it wasn't for...
noteE: If it wasn't for love...
JLPT: 1

Front: naradeha
ならでは
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ならでは
Meaning: unless / impossible if it's not / only possible with/by/at/etc / very difficult by any other~,
Example: service you can expect only at this shop / cannot be done by anyone but him / impossible unless one is a student
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- implies a special characteristic, or something that is unique to (that type of person)
— contributed by: dc
- Almost always seems to be used like
noun +ならでは + の + noun
○　あの人ならではの能力
×　あの人ならではできる
— contributed by: dc
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p20 - no.18
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p350
— contributed by: LR
- DC's explanation is a little misleading
The three main formations are:
Noun1 + ならではの Noun2
(この店ならではのサービス service you can only expect at this shop)
Nounならではだ
(学生ならではだ Impossible unless s.o. is a student)
Noun ならでは Verb-potential-negative
(彼ならではできない s.t. cannot be done by anyone else but him)
— contributed by: LR
- naradeha is mainly used for positive statements about s.t. / s.o but conceivably could be used for negative / sarcastic statements:
そういうくだらない考えはジョージならでは思いつかないことだ。
(Only George could come up with such a stupid idea)
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あの人ならではこのような文章を書けなかっただろう。
No one could have written such a prose as this one except him.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あの人ならではとてもこの仕事はできない。
Noone but he would be equal to this task.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- こんな美味しい料理は母親ならではのものです。
no one but mother could have made such delicious food.
— contributed by: tuananh
- その辞書ならではの特徴
characteristic of the dictionary
— contributed by: dc
- この季節ならではの感じなのかもしれない。
a feeling special to this season perhaps
— contributed by: dc
- 地方ならではの魅力的な仕事
A charming type of work specific to the region
— contributed by: dc
- うるさいマスターならではの料理は、どれも新鮮で、うまいっ
Especially for the fussy "master" (husband?) anything fresh and tasty.
— contributed by: dc
- y限定・入手困難】の入荷に強い当社ならではの商品力とプライスに必ずご満足頂けると思います。
With that company's stress on limited edition and hard to obtain goods, you are sure to be satisfied. (bad trans)
— contributed by: dc
- こんな新しい発想はあのデザイナーならではのものです。
Such a new conception is something only that designer could think of.
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- この大学の法律図書館には、この大学ならではの充実した資料が揃っている。
The law library of this university houses a rich collection of documents, the likes of which do not exist at other institutions.
— contributed by: LR
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- denakuteha
- denakereba
User Comments
- ならでは is equal to でなくては.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #5012 I think this would be better Japanese. こんなおいしい料理は、母親ならではのものです。
or　こんなおいしい料理は母親でなくては作れない。
母親ならでは作られない。is somewhat not natural for me.
— contributed by: Miki
- I agree, Miki-san.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- changed.
— contributed by: dc
- is this a little like 「のことだから」
弘子のことだから、遅れました。
its hiroko of course, so she was late.
— contributed by: dc
- It is not like 弘子のことだから, which means "as it is usual for Hiroko." Accordingly, you would not say 弘子のことだから、遅れました, but you would say 弘子のことだから、遅れるでしょう. In other words, we use that expression for prediction rather than description of what actually took place. If you want to say "HIroko was late, as usual," you would say 例によって(いつもの通り）、弘子は遅れてきた.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- dc
You can also say : 弘子はいつも通りに遅れてきた
— contributed by: 誠
- So would it be correct to say that in cases where ならでは isn't followed by の it will always be followed by a phrase containing a negative verb?
— contributed by: Sumofan
- うるさいマスターならではの料理は、どれも新鮮で、うまいっ
It should be:
All dishes except for the annoying master (manager/bar owner) were fresh and tasty.
— contributed by: amrutadk16
- Miki, I have this in my grammar textbook:
この味はおふくろの手作りならでは出せない味だ。
What do you think?
— contributed by: LR
- @amrutadk16:
Are you sure it shouldn't say, "Only the annoying master (chef/manager) makes food so fresh and tasty"?
— contributed by: Kertys
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naradeha
tagJ: ならでは
expE: unless / impossible if it's not / only possible with/by/at/etc / very difficult by any other~,
noteE: service you can expect only at this shop / cannot be done by anyone but him / impossible unless one is a student
JLPT: 1

Front: niitatte
に至って (にいたって)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に至って (にいたって)
Meaning: Once [things have] reached the point at which...; (Only) now that it has come to this...
Example: Expresses that it is already late in the game. // in an extreme instance //at this moment [point] (in time)
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 破産しそうで破産に至っていない人
someone who is on the verge of bankruptcy but hasn't been through bankruptcy
— contributed by: dc
- 学生達も受験を目前にするに至って、やっとやる気になった。
When the university students reached the stage of their exams, they finally got motivation.
— contributed by: blabby
- いじめによる自殺が社会問題化するに至って、やっと文部省は重い腰を上げた。
Suicide due to bullying has reached the level of being one of society’s problems. Therefore, finally the ministry of education has decided to act.
— contributed by: blabby
- 大地震で何千人もの死傷者を出すに至って、やっと危機管理の重要性が叫ばれるようになった。
It took thousands of earthquake casualties before the importance of crisis management could finally be called for.
— contributed by: inakaluke
- 腹心の部下が辞めてしまうに至って、社長は自分の非に気づいた。
It took his closest confident resigning before the company president awoke to his own fault.
— contributed by: inakaluke
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- niitaru
User Comments
- I think a good translation for this would be "When it reaches the level/stage of..".
My book says it is used for an extreme situation (極端な状態).
— contributed by: blabby
- do you have any examples?
— contributed by: dc
- According to this excellent resource,
http://ws.31rsm.ne.jp/~toolware/dictionary/dictionary.html
We get this explanation 「〜になる」を更に強調した表現
— contributed by: blabby
- In my opinion, this [に至って] is come from [に至る]. So,I agree with blabby's examples.
— contributed by: murasaki1506
- I think the very or extremely meanings are usually for「に至っては」.
— contributed by: aes
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niitatte
tagJ: に至って
tagH: にいたって
expE: Once [things have] reached the point at which...; (Only) now that it has come to this...
expJ: 程度が普通の状態をこえているさま。大変。非常に。
noteE: Expresses that it is already late in the game. // in an extreme instance //at this moment [point] (in time)
JLPT: 1

Front: nishiteha
〜にしては
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜にしては
Meaning: even though (it is) ; for
Example: its a cold day for June
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Formation:
V/i/na/N[普通形] + にしては
それにしては
意外な気持ち - An unexpected feeling
— contributed by: hana
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 年寄りにしては若く見える。
Even though he's old, he looks young.
— contributed by: dc
- お金持ちにしては古い車に乗っている。
For (eg: even though he is) a rich person, he drives an old car.
— contributed by: dc
- ６月にしては寒い朝だ。
It is a cold morning for June.
— contributed by: dbx
- ７０歳にしては、彼はいまだに驚くほど元気である。
For a man of seventy he still has surprising vigour.
— contributed by: dbx
- このホテルはこの町にしては比較的高い。
This hotel is relatively expensive for this town.
— contributed by: dbx
- こんな暖かい陽気は２月にしては異常だ。
This warm weather is abnormal for February.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は、タクシーの運転手にしては道を知らない。
Despite being a taxi driver , he doesn't even know the way.
— contributed by: dbx
- そんなに乱暴ふるまうなんて、クリスにしては普通ではありませんでした。
It was out of the ordinary for Chris to behave so roughly.
— contributed by: dbx
- ほかの人の助けを当てにしてはいけない。
You shouldn't count on others for help.
— contributed by: dbx
- 初めてケーキを作ったにしては、上手にできましたね。
For somebody which makes cakes for the fist time, she did it very well.
— contributed by: dbx
- ビリーは彼の年にしてはとても背が高い。
Billy is very tall for his age.
— contributed by: dbx
- 外見はあまり当てにしてはいけない。
You must not rely too much on appearance.
— contributed by: dbx
- この子は小学生にしてはずいぶんしっかりしている。
Despite being in primary school , this child is studying really good.
— contributed by: dbx
- 駆け出しの新聞記者にしては腕がいい。
You are doing well for a cub reporter.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は２０代にしては、ふけてるな。
He looks surprisingly old for someone in his 20s.
— contributed by: dbx
- 君は物事を中途半端にしてはいけないよ。
You shouldn't do things by halves.
— contributed by: dbx
- 言うまでもないことだがローマは１日にしては成らず。
It goes without saying that Rome was not built in a day.
— contributed by: dbx
- 今ごろにしては暖かい。
It's a warm day for this jogging for an hour 。
— contributed by: dbx
- 今日はこれでおしまいにしてはどうでしょう。
What do you say calling it a day.
— contributed by: dbx
- 中古車にしては、値段が幾分高い。
The price is kind of high for a used car.
— contributed by: maky
- 外国人にしては日本語が上手だ。
For a foreigner, his Japanese is very good.
— contributed by: hana
- 洗ったの？　それにしてはきれいじゃないね。
You washed it? Even still, it's not clean, is it?
— contributed by: hana
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- nanoni
User Comments
- closer to "wari ni" than "nimokakawarazu"
— contributed by: dc
- Meaning: contrary to one's (natural) expectation
— contributed by: halx
- I think the にしてはいけない examples sentences don't belong here.
— contributed by: halx
- X にしてはいけない must mean, "Even though you are doing X, that's not okay."
— contributed by: adamstudio
- I think there are two types of にしては mixed up in these examples.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I also agree that the <b>にしてはいけない</b>　examples should be moved.
— contributed by: hana
- I don't understand "乱魔ﾉ" in [ex #3520]. Perhaps it means "乱麻の"?
I don't understand the English translation of [ex #3530] and [ex #3531].
Perhaps an alternative translation for にしては is despite (Ex: despite being a foreigner, his Japanese is very good. ).
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I created the entry [tehaikenai] for the にしてはいけない examples sentences. I moved Ex #3519, #3521, #3522, #3524, #3525, #3527 and #3528 to this new entry. They became #6770, #6771, #6772, #6773, #6774, #6775 and #6776 respectively. I found the way to conserve Dbxさん as author in the new entry. I changed Ex #3519, #3522, #3525 and #3527 to fit the [nishiteha] entry. Is it too much contribution?
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nishiteha
tagJ: 〜にしては
expE: even though (it is) ; for
noteE: its a cold day for June
JLPT: 2

Front: kiwamaru
〜極まる (〜きわまる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜極まる (〜きわまる)
Meaning: Extremely; The height of…; Knows no bounds. Always has a negative meaning.
Example: The height of rudeness.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Formal. Kiwamaru and kiwamarinai are exactly the same meaning and can be used interchangeably. Kiwamatte is also the same meaning, but is used as a conjunction and is often used with the word感 (かん, feeling).
see http://www.geocities.com/easykanji/jlptgrammar.html
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 失礼極まりない
The height of rudeness
— contributed by: dc
- その映画を見て、感極まって泣いた
The film was so moving that I cried
— contributed by: dc
- その映画をみて、感極まった様子だった
The film was so moving that it made her seem very sad
— contributed by: dc
- 不愉快極まる会話だった
It was a most uncomfortable conversation
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の考えは不愉快極まる。
I am revolted by his idea.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 彼女はその知らせを聞いて感極まって泣き出した。
She was moved to tears by the news.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 進退窮まる.
Be in a tight corner.
— contributed by: IMABI
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- nokiwami
User Comments
- Mainly used in written Japanese.
— contributed by: blabby
- Although 感極まる and 失礼極まりない are often used in conversational diction.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I don't understand ex #3317 and the corresponding translation.
Ex #3315 seems to be from [kiwamarinai] entry, but perhaps one entry is enough for all the examples.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kiwamaru
tagJ: 〜極まる
tagH: 〜きわまる
expE: Extremely; The height of…; Knows no bounds. Always has a negative meaning.
expJ: 極限に達する
noteE: The height of rudeness.
JLPT: 2

Front: kawakirini
かわきりに, 皮切りに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かわきりに, 皮切りに
Meaning: beginning of, starting with
Example: introduce the speech with a joke
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p7 - no.10
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 冗談をかわきりに話をする。
introduce the speech with a joke.
— contributed by: dc
- 「私の経験では」のような言葉を皮切りに話しを始めなさい。
Begin statements with openers like, "In my experience, ...",
— contributed by: Miki
- 札幌をかわきりに全国５箇所でセミナーを開催いたします。
Starting from Sapporo, we hold seminars at five places across the contry.
— contributed by: Miki
- 朝の連続ドラマに主演したのを皮切りに、彼女はスターへの道を歩み始めた
After cutting her teeth starring in a morning drama, she began her path to becoming a star
— contributed by: LR
- 競技場では、100メートル競走を皮切りとして、次々に熱戦が繰り広げられた。
At the stadium, starting with the hundred metre race, one fierce contest after another unfolded.
— contributed by: LR
- 今度の演奏会は、大阪を皮切りに、全国10カ所で行われる。
This concert recital will commence in Osaka before touring 10 places nationwide.
— contributed by: LR
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User Comments
- For #5720, Wo Hajime sounds more natural...
— contributed by: SARIRU
- It may be so but the meaning is the same. kawakiri maybe used rather in speech or in written form.
— contributed by: Miki
- #3536 冗談をかわきりに話をする is a bit odd. 話をする shold be changed to 話を始める.
— contributed by: bambo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kawakirini
tagJ: かわきりに, 皮切りに
tagH: かわきりに
expE: beginning of, starting with
noteE: introduce the speech with a joke
JLPT: 1

Front: wochuushinni
を中心に (をちゅうしんに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
を中心に (をちゅうしんに)
Meaning: center on, in the middle of
Example: the center of our discussion
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- focus を subject の　中心に する
china を meeting の　中心に する
= make china the center of the meeting
　中国<font color=red>を</font>議論<b>の</b><font color=red>中心に</font>しましょう
　lets make china <font color=red>the center</font> <b>of</b> our discussion
japanese native speakers will go "huh?" if you get your を and の mixed up - its like mixing "the" and "of"!
and this is a different word order:
　<font color=red>中国</font><b>を中心に</b>議論をする
　<font color=red>focus</font> <b>を中心に</b> discussion を suru
　<font color=red>china</font> <b>as the center</b> lets discuss
— contributed by: dc
- see [basis-of-action-group] for similar items and comparisons.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 駅を中心にたくさんの商店が集まっている。
Centered around the station there are many stores.
— contributed by: dc
- 中国を海外展開計画の中心に議論しましょう
Let's make China the center of our overseas expansion plan discussion
— contributed by: dc
- 今日の会議でこの議題を中心に議論をしましょう。
Let's make this matter the central topic of the discussion at today's meeting,
— contributed by: dc
- この地方を中心として、山地は、本州の東北では三列に、同じく西南では二列に分かれて連なっています。
Centered around this region, three separate mountain ranges extend towards north-east of Honshu, and two separate mountain ranges extend to the south-western part of Honshu
— contributed by: kankun
- その家のことはすべてメアリーおばさんを中心に動いていた。
Everything in that house revolved upon Aunt Mary.
— contributed by: dbx
- 世界経済はアメリカ経済を中心に動いているという事実は誰も否定できない。
Nobody can deny the fact the world economy revolves around the American economy.
— contributed by: dbx
- 非核武装を中心にした話し合い。
Talks centering on nuclear disarmament.
— contributed by: dbx
- 午前中は文法を勉強する。午後は会話を中心に勉強することになったいる。
In the morning used to study grammar, In the middle of after noon studying conversation as well.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 私は家族を中心に物事を考えている。
My interests are centered on my family.
— contributed by: karekano
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- saichuuni ([saichuuni] is more emphatically in the middle)
User Comments
- First example is a literal physical centre - with 'in the centre of' meaning, second is a metaphorical centre - with the 'centre on' meaning.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- を is used to mark a noun or noun phrase.
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- In the first example, thye Japanese version is okay but the English version should be modified. "In the middle of the station" sounds like all shops are "in" the station. It should be 駅の周りに. However, that deviates from を中心に. I suggest deletion of the first example.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- You can probably say as English translation of the first example, "centered around the station" and you don't have to delete it. I think though that translation is kind of awkward.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Perhaps literally this is "taking the station as the center there are lots of shops"
— contributed by: dc
- As for the second example, overseas expansion plan would be 海外発展計画 or 海外展開計画. Please check 海外拠点 in ALC(www.alc.co.jp).
— contributed by: Miki
- 毎度！修理しました！
— contributed by: dc
- Hooray!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- boo! one more correction. 中国を 海外展開計画_の_中心に 議論しましょう
— contributed by: Miki
- boo back! I think i got it. but please check the last example in notes above - not sure why there are two items with を - implies two subjects does it not?
— contributed by: dc
- 中国を中心に議論しましょう = OK?
中国を中心に議論<b>を</b>しましょう = needs を ?
— contributed by: dc
- You can have を particularly as an emphasis.
As a refinement of 中国を中心に議論しましょう, you can consider 中国を中心に置いて（中心として）議論しましょう. Don't get me wrong,the example as shown is OK.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- まあ、この辺りでいいんじゃないですか。
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex3209 When you say 東北日本、西南日本, it means Northeast part and southeast part of Japanese archipelago divided in the line from Itoigawa糸魚川, Niigata Pref. to Shizuoka.
— contributed by: Miki
- Instaed of 「この地方を中心として、山地は、東北日本では三列に、西南日本では二列に分かれて連なっています。」, how about 「この地方を中心として、東北側では3列に、西南部では2列に山脈が連なっています。」?
— contributed by: Miki
- あっ、しまった。　西南側 is beeter for consistency.
— contributed by: Miki
- I edited #3209. If anyone does not like what I did, just holler.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wochuushinni
tagJ: を中心に
tagH: をちゅうしんに
expE: center on, in the middle of
noteE: the center of our discussion
JLPT: 2

Front: niitaru
に至る (にいたる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に至る (にいたる)
Meaning: leads to, all the way to, as far as
Example: this thinking will lead us to glory
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- noun + に至る
　東京に至るまで as far as tokyo
Vdic + に至る
often used with まで：until
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この道は公園に至る。
This road goes to the park.
— contributed by: dbx
- 義務の路は栄光に至る道であった。
The path of duty was the way to glory.
— contributed by: dbx
- 公民権運動はある夢に至る。
The civil rights movement leads to a dream.
— contributed by: dbx
- 重要なのはゴールではなく、そこに至る道程である。
It is not the goal but the way there that matters.
— contributed by: dbx
- 昔から今に至るまで存在する、あらゆる社会の歴史は階級闘争の歴史である。
The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.
— contributed by: dbx
- 宣戦布告に至るまでの時期はこのような状況であったと言える。
Thus were affairs circumstanced in the period leading up to the declaration of war.
— contributed by: dbx
- 大事に至る前に火事は消し止められた。
The fire was put out before it got serious.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼らは、カルカッタからニュウーヨーク市に至るまで、世界中に支部を持っている。
They have branches all over the world, from Calcutta to New York City.
— contributed by: dbx
- 滅びに至る門は大きく、その道は広い。
For the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction.
— contributed by: dbx
- 関東から東北にいたるまで
From Kantou as far as Touhoku.
— contributed by: dc
- 中国から地中海に至るシルクロードには、さまざまな文化交流の跡が見られる。
A variety of traces of cultural exchange can be seen along the ancient route of the Silk Road, all the way from the Mediterranean to China.
— contributed by: inakaluke
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User Comments
- #5145 could be replaced with [kara-nikakete]
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niitaru
tagJ: に至る
tagH: にいたる
expE: leads to, all the way to, as far as
noteE: this thinking will lead us to glory
JLPT: 1

Front: takadaka
たかだか (高高)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
たかだか (高高)
Meaning: At most
Example: At the very outside
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この仕事だったらたかだか三日もあればできる。
This work can be completed within about three days at the outside.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- パーティーの出席者はたかだか20人だろう。
No more than (At best, only) 20 people will come to the party.
— contributed by: karekano
- たかだか五万円稼いだくらいでいばるな。
Don't be cocky about making a mere 50,000 yen.
— contributed by: karekano
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- seizei
User Comments
- is this the same as [seizei] ?
— contributed by: dc
- Yes, it is sinonymous to [seizei]
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Can anyone make use of sentence to use Seizei
— contributed by: Narender
- Please check [seizei]. Especially, #1111
— contributed by: Miki
- Proper translation for takadaka is "At best".
At most has opposite meaning.
— contributed by: christ
- Narender-san. Ex：せいぜい勉強しておけよ。Study as hard as possible (you can).
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: takadaka
tagJ: たかだか (高高)
tagH: たかだか
expE: At most
noteE: At the very outside
JLPT: 1

Front: ueni
上に (うえに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
上に (うえに)
Meaning: moreover; what's more; additionally; not only
Example: as well as not liking him...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ue ni is also used to say something exists on top of something else
Formation
A no ue ni B ga aru.
A のうえに　B がある。
つくえのうえにほんがある
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 別に心配するほどのものでもないと思ったうえに、有益な情報や新しい提案があるなら聞いてはみたいと思ったのでしょう。
Over and above not really being a worrying matter [he] also thought that if there was beneficial information or new suggestions he'd like to hear about them.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 何といっても以前のバージョンと比べて処理がとにかく速いうえにとても管理しやすくなっています。
Whatever you say, in comparison to the previous version (data) processing is generally faster and moreover it has become very easy to (control/manage).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 寒かったうえに、風が強かった。
It was cold, and, in addition, it was windy.
— contributed by: dbx
- 道に迷ったうえに、雨にまで降られた。
We lost our way, and what was worse, we were caught in a shower.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼はウイスキーを一本あけたうえに、ビールを少し飲んだ。
He drank some beer besides a bottle of whisky.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は私に助言してくれたうえにお金までくれた。
He gave me money as well as advice.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は詩人であるうえに学者でもある。
In addition to being a poet, he is a scholar.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女はとても頭がいいうえに一生懸命勉強する。
She is very smart, and what is more, she studies hard.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は性格が悪いうえに会った女性の中で一番醜いです。
Not only does she have a bad personality, she's also the ugliest girl I've ever met.
— contributed by: julz
- その日の帰宅後、僕はママとパパに髪を切らされてしまい、全くうんざりだった上に2人とも僕の進学適性試験のことでうるさかった。
After I went home that day, my mom and dad made me cut my hair, which was a real drag, and then they hassled me about my SATs.
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- この手続きは、面倒なうえに時間もかかるので、皆がいやがっている。
As these formalities, in addition to be tiresome , take much time too, everybody hates them.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 私の彼はかっこいいうえに、お金持ちなんです。
My boyfriend is not only cool, but he is rich as well.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- テーブルの上においた読みかけの本を母がかたづけてしまった。
The book has ordered to put upon the table by mother,it was not finished reading as well.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 遅刻した上に教科書まで忘れた。
Besides being late, I forgot to bring　textbooks.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Kanji version - 上に
— contributed by: Amatuka
- not to be confused with uede
— contributed by: dc
- (Nicked from <a href=http://www.sf.airnet.ne.jp/~ts/japanese/message/jpnF0EXyYNVF0ERkzCm.html>somebody else's post</a>) <b>'Could have the connotation of "adding insult to injury"'</b>
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The exmple is awkward for me. Have no idea to correct it using 上に.
— contributed by: Miki
- That's what I get for nicking stuff off news-sites.
I'll have to see if I can find a better example.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I've also tried going over the English translation again - it wasn't very impressive.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Any chance of making this searchable via its kanji form? Almost missed it searching with 上に.
— contributed by: ljfurlong
- i changed the japanese of the entry to 上に, as i think you're right - that is the most common way this phrase is written. beginners can work with the romaji...
— contributed by: dc
- Another apt translation of the term: "on top of". ("On top of it being cold, it was windy." "On top of losing our way, we were caught in a rainstorm.")
— contributed by: Synonymous
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ueni
tagJ: 上に
tagH: うえに
expE: moreover; what's more; additionally; not only
noteE: as well as not liking him...
JLPT: 2

Front: nimomashite
にもまして
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にもまして
Meaning: above everything; more than before
Example: More than winning the match, i think we can be proud that we really gave it our all
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- トムはいまや以前にもまして勤勉に働いている。
Tom works more diligently now.
— contributed by: dbx
- 何ものにもまして私は健康になりたい。
Above all, I want to be healthy.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は以前にもまして勉強しようと決めたのです。
He decided to study harder.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は何物にもまして名誉を重んじる。
He values honor above anything else.
— contributed by: dbx
- その花は色が美しいのにもまして、香りが素晴らしい。
This flowers color is beautiful. However, the scent is even more beautiful.
— contributed by: blabby
- 新しい会社では、覚えなければならないことが多くて大変だが、それにもましてたいへんなのは、人間関係だ。
It's tough trying to learn things at a new company, but even more tough than that is forming bonds with your new co-workers.
— contributed by: inakaluke
- 試合に勝ったのにもまして、全力を出し切れたことを誇りに思う
More than winning the match, i think we can be proud that we really gave it our all
— contributed by: LR
- 通訳の試験に合格し、嬉しいのにもまして、今は果たしてうまくやれるか心配だ。
I'm happy I passed the intepreter's exam, but moreover, now I'm worried about whether I can do the job well.
— contributed by: LR
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User Comments
- how is this different from　より [yori] ？
— contributed by: dc
- にも+まして（増して）is similar to より here.
I feel　にもまして is more emphasized than より in telling the difference.
— contributed by: Miki
- is this a written only word?
— contributed by: dc
- 「AにもましてBは〜だ」
= A is 〜 but B is even more 〜.
= Aも〜だが、さらにBの方が上だ。
— contributed by: blabby
- Is this almost like TORIWAKE ??
— contributed by: naimononedari
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nimomashite
tagJ: にもまして
expE: above everything; more than before
expJ: 「AにもましてB」は「Aもそうだが、それ以上B」の意味
noteE: More than winning the match, i think we can be proud that we really gave it our all
JLPT: 1

Front: nikurabete
〜に比べて (〜にくらべて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜に比べて (〜にくらべて)
Meaning: compared to
Example: compared to past times...
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今年は去年に比べ、雨の量が多い。
This year, compared to last year, the quantity of rain is much more.
— contributed by: dc
- ノーパンクタイヤはエアタイヤに比べて寿命が長く、理想的です。
"no puncture" tires in comparison with air tires have a long useful life and are ideal
— contributed by: zero
- この作品は君の前のに比べて進歩している。
This work is an improvement on your last.
— contributed by: dbx
- この本はあの本に比べて、ためになるばかりでなくおもしろい。
This book is not only more instructive but more interesting than that book.
— contributed by: dbx
- それは以前に比べて格段に進歩した。
It has greatly improved compared with what it was.
— contributed by: dbx
- コンピューターに比べて、ワープロは一つの目的にしか使えない。
Compared to a computer, a word processor has a single purpose.
— contributed by: dbx
- 古い機種に比べてこちらのほうがずっと扱いやすい。
Compared with the old model, this is far easier to handle.
— contributed by: dbx
- 昨年に比べて今年は春の訪れが早かった。
Spring has come early this year compared with last year.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の収入は支出に比べて、５００ポンド足りない。
My income falls short of my expenditure by five hundred pounds.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私の足はあなたのに比べて小さい。
My foot is small compared to yours. .
— contributed by: dbx
- 前に比べて、私は今よく忘れている
I'm now very forgetful compared with the time before
— contributed by: amenya
- 外国にて、日本はが高いと言われている。
Compared to other countries, it is said that groceries are more expensive in Japan.
— contributed by: Makai
- 諸外国にて、日本はが高いと言われている。
Compared to other countries, it is said that groceries are more expensive in Japan.
— contributed by: Makai
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- nihikikae
User Comments
- Can anyone comment on the difference between に比べて and に比べると?
— contributed by: yookoso
- に比べて vs. に比べ
My source says the meaning is the same, but に比べ is found more with graphs, reports, etc. Anyone confirm this?
— contributed by: jmadsen
- Can someone enlighten us as to the difference between ~に比べると and ~と比べると？ They seem interchangeable.
— contributed by: ganchan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikurabete
tagJ: 〜に比べて
tagH: 〜にくらべて
expE: compared to
noteE: compared to past times...
JLPT: 1

Front: -hajimeru
〜始める (〜はじめる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜始める (〜はじめる)
Meaning: to begin/start VERB-ing
Example: I started reading yesterday.
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This construct expresses the beginning of an action or verb. It takes the [conjunctive form] of the verb and appends to it the auxiliary verb 始める.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- Hajimaru which also means to start same as hajimeru means the same.
However, hajimaru doesn't require someone to do something and it never takes the を particle while hajimeru needs を.
Japanese contains these types of verbs: transitive and intransitive.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 本を読み始めた
I started reading the book.
— contributed by: dc
- 本格的に本を読み始めたのは大学生になってからである。
I really began reading books in earnest once I was a University Student.
— contributed by: dc
- ６時を過ぎると従業員は帰り始めた。
After 6 p.m. the employees began to disappear.
— contributed by: Miki
- あまりにも彼の手紙が優しかったので、彼女は感動して泣き始めた。
So friendly was his letter that she was deeply moved and began to cry.
— contributed by: Miki
- お母さんはコーヒーカップの歴史について調べ始めた。
My mother looked up the history of coffee cups.
— contributed by: Miki
- お母さんが突然歌い始めた。
All of a sudden my mother began to sing.
— contributed by: Miki
- この新聞は最も人気のある筆者をはずしてから、読者数を減らし始めた。
The newspaper began to lose readers when it dispensed with one of its most popular writers.
— contributed by: Miki
- さらに悪いことに、激しく雷が鳴り始めた。
To make matters worse, it began to thunder fiercely.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- 本格的に本を読み出したのは大学生になってからである。
"When i really began to read books was after i became a University Student".
What are the differences here betweeen the yomihajimeta and the yomidashita? It feels as if the yomidashita is done in a faster way or something more epochal? Appreciate the comments on this observation :)!
— contributed by: Exrulez
- V-hajimeta and
V-dashita
I infer some differences from the examples we have so far (need more though, hint hint :)
yomi-hajimeta : that was the first time I started reading
ugoki-dashita : it started moving
not neccesarily the first time.
ugoki-hajimeta : it started to move (first time?)
also, depends on the verb. -dashita seems to feel more sudden, violent to me, like machinery lurching to a start... ?
— contributed by: dc
- PS i added your example anyway above, but as a -hajimeta (on this page). by adding examples makes it easier for others to edit (comments can only be edited/deleted by their author but ex's are open)
— contributed by: dc
- I cannot find a difference between V出すand vし始める.
— contributed by: Miki
- 出す have a nuance of sudden action
走り出す means to "break into a run", like when a girl sees a cockroach and she "走り出す"。
始めた have a more neutral meaning, as in started eating, or start running in the case of "走り始めた" (like you start running when a race start.)
so that's what i think...
— contributed by: arkofnoah
- I changed the information about this entry, because the entry appeared to be a grammar rule for the plain past tense of 始める, when in fact the rule can be abstracted to cover the entirety of conjugations of the verb (be it plain, polite, past, non-past).
@Miki - arkofnoah hit it right on the head; 〜出す carries an "explosive" feeling along with it. 〜始める does not.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- Yes, I agree with arkofnoah.(@_@)
— contributed by: Miki
- Are there any exmaples of 「生き始める」and the usage of this compound verb?
Thank you
— contributed by: Patty
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: -hajimeru
tagJ: 〜始める
tagH: 〜はじめる
expE: to begin/start VERB-ing
expJ: ある活動を始める
noteE: I started reading yesterday.
JLPT: 4

Front: saseru
させる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
させる
Meaning: make, let someone do something
Example: I made my daughter study
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 田中さんは娘を大学へ行かせた
Tanaka san made/let his daughter go to college
— contributed by: d4
- そんなことさせるなんて、あんたも強情だね。
You must be pretty hardheaded to make him do that.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あなたの息子さんを親離れさせるべきです。
You should make your son independent from you.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたに心配させるつもりはない。
I don't mean to make you worry.
— contributed by: Miki
- どうしても私の言葉を彼に信じさせる事ができなかった。
I could never make him believe what I said.
— contributed by: Miki
- サリーは弟にバスルームを掃除させた。
Sally made her brother clean the bathroom.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は彼に計画を変更させた。
I made him change his plan.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私は彼に戸を開けさせた。
I made him open the door.
— contributed by: Miki
- 先生は彼を帰宅させた。
The teacher let him go home.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- Causative ([causepass] page has the full explanation)
User Comments
- <a href=http://www.geocities.jp/nihongoguide/causepass.html>great page here</a>
— contributed by: dc
- Isn't this JLPT Level 3 grammar?
— contributed by: Jon
- yep, its level 3. changed...
— contributed by: dc
- させる I belive can also imply that you were allowed to do something.
— contributed by: LP
- that's the "let" part :)
— contributed by: nnskage
- Does this need it's own entry? Shouldn't this just be merged with all other causative verb forms?
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- Does Have the form rasaseru and saserareru?
— contributed by: Adm.Heloise
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: saseru
tagJ: させる
expE: make, let someone do something
noteE: I made my daughter study
JLPT: 3

Front: yainaya
や否や (やいなや)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
や否や (やいなや)
Meaning: just as soon as
Example: the baby cried as soon as it saw me
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 赤ん坊は私の顔をみるやいなや、泣き出した。
The baby began to cry the moment that she saw my face
— contributed by: dc
- そこに出かけるやいなや彼女は病気になった。
No sooner had she gone there than she was taken ill.
— contributed by: dbx
- その一行が出発するやいなや、雨が降り出した。
The party had no sooner started than it began to rain.
— contributed by: dbx
- その音を聞くやいなや、犬は逃げていきました。
On hearing the sound, the dog rushed away.
— contributed by: dbx
- その犬は私の姿を見るやいなや逃げて行った。
Scarcely had the dog seen me before in ran away.
— contributed by: dbx
- その子はお母さんを見るやいなやワッと泣き出した。
No sooner had the child seen his mother than he burst into tears.
— contributed by: dbx
- その女の子は母親を見るやいなやわっと泣き出した。
The instant the girl saw her mother, she burst out crying.
— contributed by: dbx
- その少女は怪物の姿を見るやいなや逃げ出した。
No sooner had the girl caught sight of the monster than she ran away.
— contributed by: dbx
- その知らせを聞くやいなや彼女は青ざめた。
On hearing the news, she turned pale.
— contributed by: dbx
- その部屋にはいるやいなや私は、たばこの臭いのほかにガスの臭いがするのに気がついた。
No sooner had I entered the room than I noticed the smell not only of tobacco but of gas.
— contributed by: dbx
- その部屋に入るやいなや彼らは話をやめた。
The minute I entered the room, they stopped talking.
— contributed by: dbx
- ＰＳＰは発売されるや、すべて売り切れた。
As soon as the the Playstation portable was put on sale, it totally sold out.
— contributed by: blabby
- 私が檻を開けるや否やその猫は飛び出して行った。
As soon as I opened the cage, the cat rushed out.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 出発するや否や雨が降り出した。
As soon as I left it started to rain.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 帰宅するや否や雨が降り出した。
As soon as I got home it started to rain.
— contributed by: IMABI
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- totan(ni)
- kadoukanouchini
User Comments
- Good page on this <a href=http://www2.dokkyo.ac.jp/~japan/japanese/sub5/sub5-7.htm>here</a>
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Relevant grammar question & comments <a href=http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7485>here</a> (second post).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ex#1078 can be also said, 赤ん坊は私の顔をみるなり、泣き出した。
hmm no entry for なり?
— contributed by: Miki
- Is it always a "negative" sentence that comes after the "yainaya"? (ie cry, shut up, rain...)
— contributed by: Pied
- My textbook uses kanji for this grammar - や否や.
It also says that sometimes the "否や" is omitted - Aや、B.
— contributed by: blabby
- Still it seems hard for me to difference the use ofや否や、かと思うと、なり、たとたんに. It's clear the meaning of the examples, but if I had to choose one of these in a blank, I'd probably fail.
— contributed by: poderesx
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yainaya
tagJ: や否や
tagH: やいなや
expE: just as soon as
expJ: 動詞の終止形に付いて、同時にまたは引き続いてすぐに物事が行われる意を表す。．．．するとすぐに。．．．するが早いか。
noteE: the baby cried as soon as it saw me
JLPT: 1

Front: sae
さえ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
さえ
Meaning: even; only; just
Example: I can't even see it
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb-masu stem
　尋ねさえ　　＞ just ask
　待ってさえ　＞ just wait
V-te
　使ってさえ = just use
Noun
　あなたさえよければ = if its OK with you
　
irregular:
　する　＞　しさえ = if you just do..
　　　　　　勉強しさえ　= only study
　くる　＞　来さえ　（きさえ）＞　just come
　　　　　　ついてきさえ　＞ just follow
often used with ーば
　意見を述べさえすればよい。
　If you just tell us your opinion it would be great.
negative
　見えます　＞　見えさえしない
　can NOT even see
— contributed by: dc
- note this usage:
○　見ることさえしない
　　cannot even see
○　見さえしない
　　did not even look
×　見るさえない　
　　incorrect
— contributed by: dc
- [sae] and [sura] are slightly formal. an informal way of saying "even" is with [mo]
見ることもできない - cannot even see
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 食べ過ぎて、イチゴさえ食べられない。
I am so full I could not even eat a strawberry.
— contributed by: dc
- 食べ物がなくなれば、人間はネズミさえ食べる。
If there is no food, humans would even eat a mouse.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ほとんどの人がその存在さえ知らないようなこと
thing which most people don't even know exists
— contributed by: dc
- ソースコードを見つけられさえしないのに、開発するなんてもってのほかだ。
they can't even -find- the source code, let alone finish developing it!
— contributed by: dc
- その手紙を（読んだことはともかくとして、）見たかさえ分からない
I don't know if she even -saw- the letter, let alone read it
— contributed by: dc
- 見えさえしない、絶対読めない。
I can't even see it, let alone read it
— contributed by: dc
- 定規を使ってさえ、まっすぐに線が引けない。
Even using a ruler, he cannot draw a straight line.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたさえよければ、私はかまいませんよ。
It's OK with me if it's OK with you.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたはいわれた通りにしさえすればいい。
You have only to do what you are told.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたの欠点でさえも私のあなたに対する尊敬の気持ちを減じはしないし、友情においてはこれが大切なことです。
Even your faults do not lessen my respect for you, and in friendship this is what counts.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは、彼に参加したいかどうか尋ねさえすればいい。
You have only to ask him if he'd like to join us.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたはここで待ってさえいればいいのです。
If you just wait here, thats enough.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたはここに来さえすればよい。
You have only to come here.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたはこのボタンを押しさえすればいいのです。
You have only to push this button.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたはそれを求めさえすればいいそうすれば、与えられるでしょう。
You have only to ask for it and it will be given to you.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたはもっと一生懸命勉強しさえすればいいのです。
All you have to do is study harder.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは意見を述べさえすればよい。
All you have to do is to make a comment.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは一所懸命勉強しさえすればよい、そうすれば試験に合格するだろう。
You have only to study hard, and you will pass the test.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは私についてきさえすればよい。
All you have to do is follow me.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は英語を勉強したことがなく、アルファベットさえ読めない。
He has never studied English, and he can't even read the alphabet.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- この数日、歯が痛くて、固いものはもちろん、豆腐さえ食べられなくて困った。
I've had a toothache for the past few days, and I can't even eat tofu, let alone tough food.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 食べ物がなくなれば、人間はネズミさえ食べる。
If food were to run out, people would even eat rats.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼女は酒が好きで、料理に使う安い酒さえ飲んでしまう。
She really loves liquor (sake), and she'll even drink cheap liquor (sake) used for cooking.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 今でさえ彼女を信じられない。
Even now I can`t believe her.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は食費さえ惜しんだ。
She even begrudged the money for food.
— contributed by: karekano
- 子供ばかりでなく大人さえも悲鳴をあげた。
In addiction to the children, even the adults screamed.
— contributed by: karekano
- 知ってさえいたならなあ。
If I had only known!
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- (de)sura
User Comments
- Is there a way to use this with verbs?
　見えないさえ、絶対読めない
　I can't even see it, of course I can't read it.
— contributed by: dc
- 見えさえ_しない、絶対読めない。;)
This would be more natural Japanese.
定規を使ってさえ、まっすぐに線が引けない。
Even useing a ruler, he cannot draw a straight line.
— contributed by: Miki
- #115 sounds like a baby talk. 「満腹で」or 「食べ過ぎて」would be more appropriate. #360 can be improved by saying 「飢餓の極限では」(At the extreme hunger).
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex#115 in girls talk it is used like もうお腹がいっぱい過ぎて、デザートさえ食べられないよ。
— contributed by: your name
- #3184 is a bad Japanese, and it also does not correspond with the English version. 見さえしない means "does not even look at it" from which 絶対読めない does not follow, since it means "in no event can it be read."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Delete #3184.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I changed #3184 to be along miki's first comment. Is this correct now? I think a negative example is needed on this page.
— contributed by: dc
- dc, you really changed #3184? It's still 変 x2.
— contributed by: Miki
- #3184 is a bad example. You can change it to read 見ることさえできないのに読める筈がない.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- i changed #3184 again, and added bamboos as an alt.
— contributed by: dc
- but the alt didnt seem to get saved. hmm.
— contributed by: dc
- When さえ is connected to a noun, the particles "が" and　"を" are omitted.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- The word さえ　defines the limits of something, and is used to emphasize the statement made following it. It may imply a feeling of surprise or blame.
— contributed by: angelitosh2004
- angeli - good comments - but could you give examples please?
— contributed by: dc
- sae is an emphatic partical which express the idea of EVEN or ONLY, in conditional clauses.
this word can be used as a noun following partical or following a te-form. in the combination with ba form (conditional), it is used as JUST or IF
— contributed by: prachi
- parachi's comment is all garble to me. Come up with an example to show what you mean.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- About the translation of Example 3644..The translation i suggest is that..The only thing you have to do is to press this button..I think..If we understand by this way..We are able to emphasize the wanna talk to the opposite people..I am so sorry if there was something wrong.
— contributed by: gahoangdai
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sae
tagJ: さえ
expE: even; only; just
noteE: I can't even see it
JLPT: 2

Front: nitsuite
について
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
について
Meaning: regarding, about
Example: lets talk about the project
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- In more [formal] instances, につきまして is used.
— contributed by: Pan
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 晩餐会の席でソトウェアの新バージョンの発について触れたい。
I want to mention [touch upon] the release of our new software edition at the banquet.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 計画について
regarding the plan
— contributed by: dc
- 私が行くことについて
regarding my going there
— contributed by: dc
- 正午ごろについてどうですか？
How about Noon'ish?
— contributed by: ninja_k
- コンピューターの使い方についての本がほしい。
I want a book regarding the usage of computers.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 私が子供の頃、日本という国について知っていたことは、東アジアの島国だということぐらいでした。（here ぐらい expresses the aproximation)
In my childhood, all I knew about Japan was that it is an insular country situated in Eastern Asia.
— contributed by: kitakaze
- 私たちは趣味について話した。
We talked about our hobbies.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は旅行について随筆を書いた。
She wrote an essay on travel.
— contributed by: karekano
- 新聞はその地震についての長い記事を載せていた。
The newspaper had a long report on the earthquake.
— contributed by: karekano
- その件について私に報告を欠かさないで下さい。
Please keep me informed of the matter.
— contributed by: karekano
- 判事はその事件について公正な評決を下すよう陪審に説示した。
The judge has charged the jury to make a fair decision in the case.
— contributed by: karekano
- 子供の教育について誰かが親に責任を負うのか
Who is responsible to the parents for the education of the children？
— contributed by: karekano
- その事件について彼方はどう思いますか
What is your attitude to the accident?
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼はその結果についてまったく無頓着だ。
He is quite indifferent as to the outcome.
— contributed by: karekano
- どこで待ち合わせるかについて彼女は何か言っていましたか
id she suggest where we should meet?
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- nikanshite
User Comments
- ex#4716 The Japanese is awkward. We would say　正午ごろはどうですか？ So this doesn't fit to the entry. More casual, 正午ごろは、どう？
— contributed by: Miki
- I agree with Miki
— contributed by: Narender
- I agree with Miki
— contributed by: Narender
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitsuite
tagJ: について
expE: regarding, about
noteE: lets talk about the project
JLPT: 3

Front: womegutte
をめぐって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
をめぐって
Meaning: regarding
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 名詞/nouns + を巡って・巡る
— contributed by: rochin
- 〜を中心にそれに関係あることになる〜
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 国会は、盗聴法案を巡ってまさに侃々諤々の体であった。
Parliament members had a raucous argument over the Wiretapping Law.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- その土地をどうするかをめぐって反目が生じた。
A quarrel arose about what to do with the land.
— contributed by: dbx
- インドのバイヤーと日本のビジネスマンは新製品の値をめぐって激しいやりとりをした。
An Indian buyer and a Japanese businessman haggled over the price of the new product.
— contributed by: dbx
- 委員会はその計画をめぐって意見が割れた。
The committee was split over the project.
— contributed by: dbx
- 委員会はその計画をめぐって意見が分かれた。
The committee was split over the project.
— contributed by: dbx
- 候補者たちは減税法案をめぐって応酬しました。
Candidates traded blows over the proposed tax cut.
— contributed by: dbx
- 国会はその法案をめぐって暗礁に乗り上げてしまいました。
The Diet was deadlock over the bill.
— contributed by: dbx
- 先生たちはその問題をめぐって賛否が分かれた。
The teachers were divided on the issue.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼の死をめぐってあるうわさが広まっている。
A rumor is abroad about his death.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼らの間でつまらないことをめぐってけんかが始まった。
A fight started about nothing between them.
— contributed by: dbx
- この小説は、1　人の女性をめぐって、５人の男性か戦う話です。
These novels are five men or stories to fight over one woman.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- その事件をめぐって、さまざまなうわさがながれている。
Over the incident, the flow of rumors.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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User Comments
- womeguri をめぐり is different form, same meaning.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- raucous [rｏ':kэs] adj.　騒々しい
— contributed by: Miki
- を is used to mark a noun or noun phrase.
N = noun.
— contributed by: Amatuka
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: womegutte
tagJ: をめぐって
expE: regarding
JLPT: 2

Front: shidai
次第 (しだい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
次第 (しだい)
Meaning: as soon as; depending on
Example: As soon as i get to India, I will call you.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 次第: as soon as; if 〜, then immediately 〜.
This grammar implies a planned sequence of actions. It does NOT imply a surprising result. As a result, this grammar cannot be used with the past tense.
Ｖ(ます form MINUS ます) + 次第
次第で(は) or 次第だ: depends on; is decided by; changes depending on.
Ｎ + 次第だ・次第で(は)
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- This is a conjuction/noun which is used to express that an action indicated by a preceding verb or an action implemented by a preceding noun is a prerequisite for another action.
インドに着き次第を電話差し上げます。
As soon as I get to india, I will call you.
— contributed by: brij_shukla2000
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その結果を聞き次第
As soon as I hear the result
— contributed by: dc
- 事と次第によっては許さないよ。
I will not forgive you depending upon the circumstances.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ビアガーデンに客がたくさんいるかどうかは天気次第だ。
The financial success of beer-gardens is at the mercy of the weather.
— contributed by: dc
- ホームページの人気は内容次第。
The popularity of a Web site depends on its content.
— contributed by: dc
- 雨がやみ次第、家に向かって出発しよう。
We shall leave for home as soon as it stops raining.
— contributed by: dc
- 駅に着き次第、電話します。
On my arrival at the station, I will call you.
— contributed by: dc
- 音は次第に弱くなり、そうしてとうとう聞こえなくなった。
The sound became fainter and fainter, till at last it disappeared.
— contributed by: dc
- 母は赤ちゃんの世話をしてもられ次第、私の仕事の未来でしょう。
My work prospects really depend on whether my mum can look after my baby.
— contributed by: anna.kendall
- 手当たり次第に土地を買い占める。
Buy up all available land.
— contributed by: karekano
- 万事は君のこの取り扱い方次第だ。
It all depends on how you handle this.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私たちが行くか行かないかはあなた次第です。
It depends on you whether we go or not.
— contributed by: karekano
- 昇進は迫ﾍ次第である
Promotion is dependent on ability.
— contributed by: karekano
- この世のなかはおかねしだいと言う人もいる。
— contributed by: sukhdeep
- この世のなかはおかねしだいと言う人もいる。
— contributed by: sukhdeep
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- shidaide
- totan(ni)
- yainaya
- kadoukanouchini
- nari
- kanaikanouchini
- tatokoro
User Comments
- Sorry, I inadvertently deleted an example on this page. Can somebody put it back?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- use your superpowers wisely!
— contributed by: dc
- I'm not an expert, but does the example given above reflect the definition "as soon as"?
— contributed by: Leslie
- thanks leslie - that was a mixup.
〜次第　 = as soon
〜次第で = depending on...
so I added a see also to [shidaide] and a better example
— contributed by: dc
- Yea, the example given above does reflect "as soon as" too, depending upon what follows. E.G., その結果を聞き次第、ご連絡します would be "I will contact you as soon as I hear the result."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 「〜次第」「〜次第で」で分けるのではなくて、"Verb(stem)+次第=as soon as"、"Noun＋次第/次第で=depending on"と、その前に来る品詞で分けてはどうでしょうか。
— contributed by: f.m.
- 事と次第によっては許さないよ。
According to the facts and circumstances I cannot forgive you.
— contributed by: slopethisway
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: shidai
tagJ: 次第
tagH: しだい
expE: as soon as; depending on
noteE: As soon as i get to India, I will call you.
JLPT: 2

Front: あげる
上げる (あげる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
上げる (あげる)
Meaning: to do something for someone else
Example: I will read this to you
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- When someone is considering offering their services, they can use [ageru], which is usually the translation of "to give" (transitive verb here).
See the examples below.
Most of the time, people use it combined with the [-て] form.
Because of the nuance it adds, it's a one-way verb to use : this form is meant to humbly express yourself to someone.
The honorific way could be like this :
貴方の為なら、何でもいたします。
(Anata no tame nara, nan de mo itashimasu.)
I would do anything for you.
[liter. "if it is for you, I shall do anything"]
(it's a very basic note ; please check [kureru] and [morau] to get a better understanding of the usage of these verbs)
— contributed by: Furan
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 赤ちゃんに絵本を。読んであげる
I will read a picture book for the baby
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたがたの近所の人たちをできるだけ助けてあげるようにしましょう。
You should do all you can to help your neighbours.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたにしてあげる事は、これだけです。
This is all I can do for you.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたに代わって買い物をして家を掃除して夕食を作ってあげる。
I'll do your shopping, clean up the house, and cook your dinner for you.
— contributed by: dbx
- いつかそのうちに動物園に連れてってあげるよ。
I will take you to the zoo one of these days.
— contributed by: dbx
- おいしい夕食をつくってあげるね。
I'm going to cook you a nice dinner.
— contributed by: dbx
- お望みの事はなんでもやってあげるよ。
I will do whatever you wish.
— contributed by: dbx
- このペン、私が使いおわったら君に貸してあげるよ。
When I've done with this pen, I will lend it to you.
— contributed by: dbx
- 君はお母さんに何をしてあげましたか?
what did you do for your mother?
— contributed by: komodo
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- itadaku
- sashiageru
- yaru
User Comments
- #566
Add "。" at the end of the sentence.
#3727
No error, but there's no need to say "あなたがたの."
#3728
In this example, I would say "あげられる" instead of "あげる."
#3729
No glaring error, but...
あなたに代わって、買い物をして、家を掃除して、夕食を作ってあげる。
This must be easier to read.
#3730
I would say "そのうち" instead of "いつかそのうちに."
The other examples sound good.
— contributed by: Nick
- Hey Nick, I think its great your talking the time to error check the examples, but I disagree with your suggestion for [ex #3728]､ It doesn`t seem natural to use the potential form of a verb in this manner. I think its more natural just the way it is, but I would lose the あなたに. since the verb あげる　is a one way verb the person you are talking to is already implied and あなたという言葉はあまりいい感じじゃありませんね.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: あげる
tagJ: 上げる
expE: to do something for someone else
noteE: I will read this to you
JLPT: 3

Front: nado
〜など
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜など
Meaning: and etc.
Example: and so on
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- など, which means 'et cetera', 'and so on', is similar to and can be used in conjunction with や, but is generally used to conclude a list of examples, or samples of a potentially larger list.
— contributed by: kappamaki
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は失敗などしないと言う。
He says he is above failure.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 私は野球、テニス、バレーボールなどをすることができます。
I can play baseball, tennis, volleyball, and so on
— contributed by: Amatuka
- お母さん、アップルジュース、コーラ、お茶等を買って欲しいんですけど。
Mum, I want you to buy apple juice, coca cola, tea and things like that.
— contributed by: tamago ouji
- 鉛筆やペンや消しゴムや本などを買いました。
I bought pencils, pens, erasers and books and etc.
— contributed by: kappamaki
- 彼らは私の年齢、姓名、国籍などを聞きました。
They ask about my age, my name, my nationality and so on.
— contributed by: burakkuneko
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User Comments
- In the first example 'and such like' may be implied, but nado is often used in this way without necessarily literally meaning 'and so on', I think maybe it makes the sentence less rigidly precise.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- The second example is the standard 'list' usage. The particle 'ya' can be used in place of the commas.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 等、、、 is also used as english "etc..."
— contributed by: dc
- なんか and なんて have the same meaning but are colloquial terms. Another usage of those three is when you don't think much of something or contem something.
— contributed by: halx
- Ex.3218: Isnﾂｴt apple :ringo?
— contributed by: Futaro
- Apple juice is りんごジュース or アップルジュース.
— contributed by: Miki
- I think など, like なんて, can also indicates that the speaker is shocked or outraged. I think it's the case in this sentence: かよわいものから　りゃくだつなど！
— contributed by: mattaku
- Could など be used after a series of も instead of や?. For example "He stole money, the credit cards, a watch, and other things". お金もクレジットカ−ドも時計も服など盗んだ
— contributed by: Weasker
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nado
tagJ: 〜など
expE: and etc.
noteE: and so on
JLPT: 3

Front: toiwanbakarini
と言わんばかりに (といわんばかりに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
と言わんばかりに (といわんばかりに)
Meaning: as if to say
Example: She winked at me, as if to say , I love you
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Partial Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p620 (side note)
— contributed by: LR
- On the difference between とばかりに and と言わんばかりに
と言わんばかりに"as if to say", and というように"in such a way that, as if to say" are synonymous with とばかりに and can be used in place of とばかりに in some cases.
However, you can't say と言わんばかりabout yourself: "The fog finally cleared so I ran outside as if to say this is my only chance" would be weird in Japanese (surely you don't need to guess your own thinking), but in this sentence you could use とばかりに and it would be more like "The fog finally cleared so I ran outside as if it was my only chance"
see sentences at [tobakarini]
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私がうそをついたと言わんばかりにののしった
He spoke ill of me as if to say I had lied about it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 「あなたを愛しているのよ」と言わんばかりに彼女は僕にウィンクした。
She winked at me, as much as to say , I love you.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- これ以上の議論は無駄だと言わんばかりに、A国の代表は席を立った。
As if to say that further discussion is pointless, the representative from country A got up from his seat.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼は同意すると言わんばかりにうなずいた。
He nodded as much as to say , I agree.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼らは「かわいそうな奴」といわんばかりに私達をじっと見た。
They looked at us, as much as to say, "Poor creature."
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は万事承知と言わんばかりに私に目くばせした。
She winked at me as much as to say she knew everything.
— contributed by: dbx
- 友人は「不可能」と言わんばかりに首を横に振った。
My friend shook his head as much as to say "impossible".
— contributed by: dbx
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User Comments
- there are lots of different bakari~~s! bakari bakari!
— contributed by: dc
- I think the と quotation in the second example /may/ have an implied 言わない after it.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- "Seems to be used in casual/slang speech with negative verb stem + ん so as to mean "as if to [verb]" without actually doing so."
— contributed by: dc
- Appeared in 2000 JLPT level 1
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Meaning changed back. Seems that I was right in the first place.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- hmm I don't see the difference this and another ばかりに。The same nuance when you add （言わん）.
絶好の機会と（言わん）ばかりに、飛びついた。
— contributed by: Miki
- Maybe we need more examples for the other [g]bakarini[/b] but it seems to have a qualitative (type) difference to me.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Could just be down to lack of familiarity with forms like 言わん though...
— contributed by: Amatuka
- is 言わん just short for iwanai? like
'iwanai bakari ni -> just about not saying (but its almost as if it was said)
— contributed by: Snake
- You would say 言わなかったばかりに and 言わんばかりに, but not 言わないばかりに.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 言わん can be short for 言わない, but in this case, 言わん = 言わむ is an old fashioned subjunctive, equivalent to 言おう.
I was highly confused at first until I discovered that the final "ん" can signal two different inflectional forms
— contributed by: DealPete
- Maybe this should be listed as "と(言わん)ばかりに". I've seen lots of examples such as
うちの犬は「散歩に行こうよ」とばかりに僕の顔を見て吠えた。
My dog looked at me and barked as if to say "let's go for a walk!"
— contributed by: blabby
- In Californish it would be "was like"
— contributed by: Bakurosareta
- I think it would be helpful if the Authors of grammar posts made sure to include a grammar note. examples are helpful, but good solid grammatical information makes it easier to memorize and utilize in real life situations.
— contributed by: tigert
- tigert! This is the internet... we're not authors... we're just like you. If you want a perfect explanation buy a text book... then come back and explain it to the rest of us mere mortals.
— contributed by: LR
- Hi... so this post is all kinda messed up. Kanzen Master (old JLPT 1) & the Advanced Dictionary of Japanese Grammar both have とばかりに,　と言わんばかりにas separate (if related) entries so I'm going to try and clear these up and separate them.
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toiwanbakarini
tagJ: と言わんばかりに
tagH: といわんばかりに
expE: as if to say
noteE: She winked at me, as if to say , I love you
JLPT: 1

Front: zunihairarenai
〜ずにはいられない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ずにはいられない
Meaning: cannot help
Example: I can't help feeling sad
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I can't help doing ...
I can't stop doing ...
these are both the same:
verb+ ~zu ni ha irarenai
verb+~nai de ha irarenai
(eg sezuni is a contraction of shinai)
— contributed by: dc
- Not used for "feeling" something, where you should use [tenaranai]
-- doing
I can't help shopping
買い物せずにはいられない
買い物しないではいられない
-- feeling
I can't help feeling anxious
NG: 私は不安しないではいられない
OK: 私は不安でならない
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 買い物せずにはいられない
I can't help shopping
— contributed by: dc
- 愛さずにはいられない。
I cannot stop loving you.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- きみがまちがっていると思わずにはいられない。
I cannot help but think that you are making a mistake.
— contributed by: dc
- しかし今は、一目見て、サメがその人にくらいつくのは避けられないようだということに気づかずにはいられない。
However, I can't help noticing, at this moment, that at first glance it seems inevitable that the shark will devour the man.
— contributed by: dc
- その本を読むと誰でも泣かずにはいられない。
No one can read the book without crying.
— contributed by: dc
- それを笑わずにはいられない。
I cannot help but laugh at it.
— contributed by: dc
- 君の愚かさには笑わずにはいられない。
I cannot help laughing at your folly.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は、彼の才能を称賛せずにはいられない。
I can't help admiring his talent.
— contributed by: dc
- 私はあなたを好きにならずにはいられない。
I cannot help falling in love with you.
— contributed by: dc
- 私はあなたを笑わずにはいられない。
I cannot help laughing at you.
— contributed by: dc
- 私はくしゃみをせずにはいられない、きのうかぜをひたんだ。
I can't help sneezing, I caught a cold yesterday.
— contributed by: dc
- 私はその少女を気の毒に思わずにはいられない。
I can't help feeling sorry for the girl.
— contributed by: dc
- 私はその冗談を聞いて笑わずにはいられない。
I cannot help laughing at the joke.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は英国の田舎に愛着を感じずにはいられない。
I can't help feeling affection for the English countryside.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は自国を愛さずにはいられない。
I can't help loving my country.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は笑わずにはいられない。
I can but laugh.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は赤ちゃんを見るとほほえまずにはいられない。
I cannot help smiling at babies.
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- why is this NG? This sentence is not wrong.
I can't help shopping. 買い物せずには いられない。
note : せず is a transformation of する＋ず nega.
— contributed by: your name
- 買い物しないではいられない would be a normal, conversational way to say it, though.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex3421 For me the Japanese is garbled. Looks like 私は、彼の才能を賞賛せずにはいられない。
ex3424 it should be 風邪をひいたんだ。
— contributed by: Miki
- This entry falls under JLPT Level 2 along with ないではいられない.
— contributed by: Olivier
- Would somebody fix #3421?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- How does this differ from naidehairarenai?
— contributed by: guest
- The summary example is "I can't help feeling sad" but then the notes say that this expression is not used for feelings. Could someone (dc?) please explain. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
— contributed by: confused
- Dear "confused", to my knowledge ないではいられない is used for or after VERBS and feelings such as "sad" are ADJECTIVES so this might be a reason why. Good luck with your studies!
— contributed by: danny
- I`ve changed ex #3421, bamboo4-san, but I`m not sure about this ”せず”　construction...　称賛するは称賛せずになりますか
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: zunihairarenai
tagJ: 〜ずにはいられない
expE: cannot help
noteE: I can't help feeling sad
JLPT: 2

Front: kanoyouda
かのようだ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かのようだ
Meaning: like, as if (metaphor)
Example: he looked as if he knew nothing about it
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- かれは全てを知っているのになにも知らないかのような顔をしている。
He knew everything, but he made a face as if he didn't know anything about it.
— contributed by: dc
- まるで生きているかのようだ。
seems like it is alive.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はまるで父親に会ったことがないかのようだ。
It seems like he has never met his father before.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたはなぜ彼のことをまるで老人であるかのように話すのか。
Why do you talk about him as if he were an old man.
— contributed by: dc
- あの人はまるで私を知っているかのようにおじぎをしているわ。
That man bows to me as if he knew me. [F]
— contributed by: dc
- その子供はまるで大人であるかのような話し方をする。
The child talks as if he were an adult.
— contributed by: dc
- その男の子は、自分がまるで偉大な学者であるかのような話し方をする。
The boy talks as if he were a great scholar.
— contributed by: dc
- 赤いドレスの彼女がほほえむと美しい花が開いたかのようだった。
When she smiled in her red dress, it was like if a beautiful flower was opening.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- まだ三月の初めなのにとても暑い。まるで夏になったかのようだ。
Even if we are only at the beginning of March, the weather is very hot. It's as if summer has already come.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼女はまるで徹夜をしたかのような顔をしていました。
Her face looks as if she spent the whole night awake.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- この集会は下記のように開催されます。
This gathering will be held as follows.
— contributed by: 7079Deguchi
- 我が家の屋根裏部屋は蒸し風呂のようだ。
Our attic is like [(as) warm　as] an oven.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女はやり手のようだ。
She looks (like) an able woman.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- often goes along with marude まるで "as if"
— contributed by: dc
- What is the difference between かのようだ and のようだ or just ようだ?
— contributed by: anon
- ようだ is a very literal "like" something:
> This meat tastes like chicken.
かのうよう is usually more metaphorical
> she is like a princess
please also see [marude] which is often used in the same sentence.
can a japanese native speaker please confirm this?
— contributed by: dc
- My book on JLPT grammar describes ーかのようだ as "ようだ" より強い
— contributed by: MM
- The kanji for "meet" in ex #3793 is wrong, should be に会ったことがない
— contributed by: Alex
- alex - pls fix?
— contributed by: dc
- Alex, you should be able to edit these yourself. Just click on the edit link on the right-hand side of the example. I fixed the one you mentioned. However, I was wondering and maybe someone can comment, couldn't 「彼はまるで父親に合ったことがないかのようだ。」mean that they have never gotten a long? 合うcan mean something like "mesh well" can't it?
— contributed by: emilyjuno
- According to my Kanzen Master book, the difference between かのようだ and just ようだ is that in the case of かのようだ, it's not actually true but it just seems like it.
So for example, if you see the boss' packed schedule this month, you can't say:
社長は来月忙しいかのようだ。 x Wrong
社長は来月忙しいようだ。 o Right
Here's the excerpt from the book:
（意味）　実際にはそうではないが、〜のようだ。
— contributed by: ahbonk
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kanoyouda
tagJ: かのようだ
expE: like, as if (metaphor)
noteE: he looked as if he knew nothing about it
JLPT: 2

Front: nashini
なしに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なしに
Meaning: without (the thing "without" is s.t. that should naturally have been there)
Example: You cannot enter university without the proper forms
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p17 - no.17
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p363
— contributed by: LR
- nashi ni is usually used in written Japanese or in formal spoken Japanese
— contributed by: LR
- when wa follows nashi ni, the final predicate has to be negative.
— contributed by: LR
- before nashi ni can be either a noun or a "koto"-nominalized noun phrase
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あなたのおもてなしにはどんなに感謝しても感謝しきれません。
Your hospitality cannot go unthanked.
— contributed by: dbx
- この辞書なしには済まされない。
I can't do without this dictionary.
— contributed by: dbx
- その取り決めは、予告なしに変ることがある。
The arrangements are subject to change without notice.
— contributed by: dbx
- だれも努力なしには何事も成し遂げられない。
No one can achieve anything without effort.
— contributed by: dbx
- なんの気なしに言っただけで、別に悪気があってのことではありません。
I just said so without thinking much about it. I didn't mean anything serious.
— contributed by: dbx
- ぶどう酒なしには一日も過ごせない、と彼は言う。
He says he can't go without wine even for a day.
— contributed by: dbx
- 男たちは何の許可もなしに事務所のコンピュータを勝手に使ってた。
The men were using the office computers without permission
— contributed by: LR
- 一切の政治権力なしに人々の自由を実現することは、はたして可狽ﾈのだろうか。
I wonder if people's freedom can be realized without any political power
— contributed by: LR
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User Comments
- I guess this would be the noun version of [Vn-zu] (not doing something)?
— contributed by: Antonio
- what does o-motenashi have to do with the suffix (?) 'nashi'?
— contributed by: shijin
- Nothing. #4122 おもてなし does not fit to this entry.
— contributed by: Miki
- Agreed. omotenashi = hospitality.
ex #4122 can be translated literally as:
For your hospitality, I cannot completely express my gratefulness no matter how I thank you.
— contributed by: 誠
- Please tell me why in ex #4123 we use 済まされない？
I think i should be 済ませない。Please help me!!
— contributed by: ashita
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nashini
tagJ: なしに
expE: without (the thing "without" is s.t. that should naturally have been there)
expJ: 〜をしないで • がないままで
noteE: You cannot enter university without the proper forms
JLPT: 1

Front: kotokara
〜ことから
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ことから
Meaning: because
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 「Ａことから、Ｂ」 Ａは、Ｂで言うことの理由・原因・根拠
「Ａことから、Ｂ」 A is the reason, cause/origin, or basis for B.
Ｖ(plain form) + ことから
いＡ(reg. form) + ことから
なＡ + な + ことから // なＡ + だった + ことから
Ｎ + だった + ことから
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- ので、「その理由を述べて後ろの文の根拠を示す。」
Ｖ(plain form) + ことから
いＡ(reg. form) + ことから
なＡ + な + ことから // なＡ + だった + ことから
Ｎ + だった + ことから
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 文字のことから看板のことまでご相談下さい。
See us for everything from letters to signboards.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 皆さん、話がおしゃむ君のことから逸れてるんですけど｡
'Scuze me all, but the subject's about Oshamu-kun so you're getting off topic.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- そういうことだから。
Because it's supposed to be like that.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- このことから当然彼は潔白にちがいないということになる。
It follows from this that he must be innocent.
— contributed by: dc
- このことから彼は当然無罪潔白にちがいないということになる。
It follows from this that he must be innocent.
— contributed by: dc
- ふとしたことからその噂は嘘だと分かった。
Accidentally, the rumor has turned out to be false.
— contributed by: dc
- クモの巣を作るには、このきぬの枠を作り、それを木や垣根のような固い物体に固定させることから始める。
To make a web, it starts by making a frame of this silk and fastening it to hard objects, such as trees or fences.
— contributed by: dc
- 眼鏡の形をしていることから、その橋を眼鏡橋とよぶ。
Since the bridge looks like a pair of glasses, they call it Meganebashi.
— contributed by: dc
- 店の前にいつも人が並んでいることから、人気のある店だということがわかる。
Since there's always a line of people in front of the store, I understand the fact that it's a popular shop.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 町並みが昔のままに保存され、古い寺も多いことから、その町は「小京都」と呼ばれている。
Since the streets are maintained to look how they did long ago, and since there are lots of old temples, that town is called "Little Kyoto."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- この地方には良質な水が豊富なことから、人々が酒造りをはじめるようになりました。
Since this area has an abundance of good-quality water, people have come to begin brewing sake.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 道がぬれていることから、昨夜、雨が降ったことが分かった。
It has been understood to have rained last night because the road has been wet.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 二人が一緒に仕事がしたことから，交際が始まった。
As working together,our friendship has been began.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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- kotodakara
- node
- nazenara (also because)
User Comments
- These examples are not for this entry if the english is "because". Maybe koto + "kara-2"?
— contributed by: Miki
- There is a difference between ことから and ことだから.
ことから = Because
ことだから = "It's always like this so.."
Maybe somebody can find a better translation for ことだから.
— contributed by: blabby
- I added some more examples, although they may not be exactly relevant.
— contributed by: dc
- I can only see that the last example(#4160) is relevant to the meaning " because" , the rest should be removed or moved to another ことから entry.
— contributed by: 誠
- 〜ことから　：　〜という理由で
名詞　＋　〜のことだから　：
〜という特徴のある．．．だから．．．（〜と予想される）
— contributed by: 誠
- i think #3268 is seen as :
そういうこと＋だから
— contributed by: 誠
- Examples #431, and #432 do not belong in this category. A rough translation of this grammar *is* "because," but the type of reasons before ことから are more specific, and a similar expression is ので.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kotokara
tagJ: 〜ことから
expE: because
JLPT: 2

Front: monoka
ものか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ものか
Meaning: absolutely not...
Example: I am not going to give up
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 強い否定を表す。
Expresses strong denial or rejection.
— contributed by: hana
- Formation:
V
Aい
Aな ＋ものか/もんか/ものですか/もんですか
Nな
— contributed by: yara
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あきらめるものか。最後までがんばりぬくぞ。
I am absolutely not going to give up. I will persevere to the end.
— contributed by: dc
- そうはいうけど、わかるものか。
I hear what you are saying, but I would not know about that.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- そんなものか。
That could very well be.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どんなものかよく調べてみないと判らない。
I would not know what it is unless I look into it seriously.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 俺の目の黒いうちはそんなことさせるものか
If you wanna do it, do it over my dead body!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- あんな店、二度と行くものか。
I would never go back to that terrible store (again).
— contributed by: hana
- 元気なもんか。くたくただよ。
I don't feel good at all. I'm exhausted.
— contributed by: hana
- うれしいもんですか。困っているんです。
I'm not at all pleased. I am not in a good situation.
— contributed by: hana
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User Comments
- often used for 反語的　− rhetorical questions
— contributed by: dc
- this phrase with "mono" really sticks out as very different from the others (monono/monoda) as it contains a strong negative
— contributed by: dc
- I can't help myself ^^
させるもんかああ？！！ヘタクソ！！
— contributed by: Snake
- found a few more examples but they dont seem to be inline...
— contributed by: dc
- I think most (all?) sentences by dbx (and one by bamboo4) are just quoted questions and do not belong here. I think the strongly negative ものか needs to be at the end of a sentence, AFAIK. BTW, ものか may be changed to もんか in 話し言葉 or
— contributed by: halx
- i think i agree with halx
— contributed by: ackry
- third with halx
or rather, i suggest creation of the separate entry for 'ものかな' (which seems a better example of what hesitatious "may be" to me)
— contributed by: Kaens
- monoka is zettai shinai no koto desu ne.same as mai.
some of the sentences does not have that nuance i think.
— contributed by: jayati
- cleaned up the irrelevant examples..
— contributed by: dc
- I translate ものか to "As if...?" or "Like I...?" rhetorical denials in spoken English. For example:
#6565[As_if_I_would_go_a_store_like_that_twice!?]
#268[Like_I_would_give up!?_I'm_going_to_fight_to_the_very_end!]
— contributed by: tsuru
- What are the nuances between the usage of ものですか and どころではない？
— contributed by: Tetsuzan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: monoka
tagJ: ものか
expE: absolutely not...
noteE: I am not going to give up
JLPT: 2

Front: niatte
にあって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にあって
Meaning: being in/due to/suited to
Example: due to the confusion
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Noun + にあって
　混乱期にあって
　幼児期にあって
often used to with situation that has a time span. "At the time that" or "under the circumstances of..."
— contributed by: dc
- にあって＝に＋ある→いる
いる to be: → "being in"
— contributed by: dc
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p66 - no.60
— contributed by: LR
- formal, written, used to emphasize (the significance of?) a situation one finds oneself in. Conjunctive phrase that can lead to either resultative or contradictory final remark.
— contributed by: LR
- (usually you would use alternative phrases like 〜で、〜において [nioite])
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # 例文で学ぶ日本語阜ｻ文型辞典: 英・中・韓対訳付き p232 no.201
http://books.google.com/books?id=98c6A4Iv9sMC&lpg=PA138&vq=%E8%A1%8C%E3%81%8D%E3%81%A4&pg=PA232#v=onepage&q=%E3%81%AB%E3%81%82%E3%81%A3%E3%81%A6&f=false
コピペーthe whole link
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 幼児期にあって、彼はストレスの多い状況を経験した。
As an infant, he underwent a stressful situation.
— contributed by: dc
- この核時代にあっては、世界中どこの国だって安全ではない。
No country under the sun is safe in this nuclear age.
— contributed by: dc
- その行いが神にあってなされたことが明らかにされるためである。」
So that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
— contributed by: dc
- その宝はまだ森の中にあって、そこの木の下に埋めてある。
The treasure is still in the forest, where it is buried under a tree.
— contributed by: dc
- それは信じるものはみな、人の子にあって永遠の命を持つためです。
That every one who believes in him may have eternal life.
— contributed by: dc
- 自然がいつもそこにあって私たちを助けてくれることを当然だと思ってはいけない。
on't take it for granted that the nature is always there to help us.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本は完全に近代化したという点で、アジア諸国の中にあって独特の存在である。
Japan is unique among the Asian countries in having modernized completely.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の家は丘の中腹にあって、見晴らしがすばらしい。
His house stands on the hill-side and commands a splendid view.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は混乱のただ中にあっても冷静だ。
He is cool amid confusion.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女のドレスは私の趣味にあっていない。
Her dress is not to my taste.
— contributed by: dc
- 豊かさの中にあっても餓死する人がいるのは残念なことである。
It is a pity that some people starve to death even in the midst of plenty.
— contributed by: dc
- 数学は高度情報社会にあって、必要な教養となっている。
Mathematics, in such a highly information orientated society is a necessary field of study.　
— contributed by: pen
- 彼女はどんな逆境にあっても、決して希望を失わなかった。
She never lost hope, even in times of adversity.
— contributed by: inakaluke
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- nioite
User Comments
- related to a situation.. 状況にあって
— contributed by: dc
- I think it usually にあっては, which is similar to においては or では
but still とあって is usedin this form: tell the circumstances.
— contributed by: dc
- #4237, #4239 These sentences come from ヨハネの福音書 3 (John 3).
— contributed by: Miki
- #5081, #5082, #5083, #5084, #5086, #5090, #5092, #5093, #5095 are not for this entry.
に + a form of あう
— contributed by: Miki
- #5091 is missing "my". 彼女のドレスは_私／自分の趣味にあっていない。
— contributed by: Miki
- corrected/deleted. will remove comments soon too.
— contributed by: dc
- I assume that example #4234 should read as follow: 児時期にあって心に受けた傷は、生涯トラウマとして心に残りつずけるそうだ。
— contributed by: Olivier
- Olivier, It shouldn't be 児時期. 幼児期 youjiki is fine.
つづける　続ける
But English says something like 幼児期にあって、彼はストレスの多い状況を経験した。
— contributed by: Miki
- I've changed #4234 to Miki's verion, since the original was an incomplete sentence and Miki's reworking still contains the grammar point.
— contributed by: mochabean
- I'd like to suggest that the religious sentences be removed. [4237] and [4239]. Sentences should probably reflect Japanese culture and Christianity is not a major element.
— contributed by: seanohagan
- The meaning "being suitable" is not in this context. That comes from 似合う (niau). For example:
あなたは赤が似合っています.
You look good in red.
— contributed by: balitung
- I actually find the religious grammar useful, since it is a translation. Thanks for the good examples.
— contributed by: mdobrin
- These are the parts of Japanese grammar that I hate the most - the ones which are in no way distinctive by sound or meaning and have some vague use that you may or may not get right after some 10 years of study... :-S
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niatte
tagJ: にあって
expE: being in/due to/suited to
noteE: due to the confusion
JLPT: 1

Front: ni ataranai
に あたらない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に あたらない
Meaning: no need to do so
Example: no need to feel sorry for him
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 天気藍ﾍめったにあたらない。
A weather report is rarely on target.
— contributed by: dc
- それは驚くに当たらない。
It is not to be wondered at.
— contributed by: Miki
- 同情するにあたらない、飲酒運転したんだから、自業自得だ
no need to feel sorry for him, he was drunk-driving so its his own fault.
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- Although example 3680 is correct in structure, its context is somewhat incorrect.
--Ni Ataranai = isn't worthy of --
Ataranai = opposite of ataru (to be right on)
— contributed by: Yuto
- 自業自得 = As you sow, so shall you reap.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #3680
あたらない in this case if different from other examples because あたる mere means "hit the target" like bullet. Accordingly, "A weather forecasts are rarely near the mark" would be more appropriate.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- This is often used with words such as 驚く, 嘆く, 褒める, etc.
— contributed by: blabby
- Can also be used without the する. When used with just the noun (非難、同情、称賛、etc.) this phrase could be translated as "doesn't merit (criticism, sympathy, admiration, etc.)"
— contributed by: srobertson
- Therefore, i think ＃３６８０ does not belong to this category since it doesn't imply the meaning 「〜no need to ...」
— contributed by: 誠
- Correct, 誠
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I disagree with bamboo4 and　誠. I think that the given definition itself is too restrictive and wrong. The literal meaning of #4233 could be more accurately described as "sympathy (for that person) DOES NOT MATCH the reality (of what that person has done) = sympathy is not warranted in this case." I think that #3680 should stay, because it shows the diversity and the true basic spirit of this expression. That is, all examples here have the meaning of something "not matching," "being off the mark" or "not appropriate." I think we should change the definition since it is misleading.
— contributed by: godfrey
- 当たる in #3680 does not mean "match" but it really means phyisical striking like an arrow hitting the target. The other examples of あたる does not have that physical meaning. While I agree that the definition is not appropriate, I still think #3680 stands alone here.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Isn't the construction of #4045 and #4233 this:
「動詞」にあたらない
but #3680 actually:
｢副詞」あたらない （副詞＝めったに）
— contributed by: 熊君
- I agree with godfrey, the meaning 'no need to do sth' is not always correct, yet you can always interpret the sentence correctly with ataru having the meaning of 'hitting the target'. Then example #4045 could be interpreted as 'Having sympathy doesn't hit the target > isn't right' or something like that.
I don't think example #3680 stands alone, the construction is just used in a more literal way than in the other examples.
— contributed by: Hanne
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ni ataranai
tagJ: に あたらない
expE: no need to do so
noteE: no need to feel sorry for him
JLPT: 1

Front: nikatakunai
〜に難くない (〜にかたくない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜に難くない (〜にかたくない)
Meaning: not hard to ...(名詞＋にかたくない/　Vる＋にかたくない）
Example: not hard to imagine it becoming a problem
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- in certain circumstances, it would be possible.
often used with imagine "it would not be hard to imagine this happening"
— contributed by: dc
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼の不安は想像にかたくない
Its not hard to imagine he is worried
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の喜びは、察するにかたくない。
It's not hard to guess how happy he is.
— contributed by: blabby
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User Comments
- This is very often used with 想像する and 察する.
— contributed by: blabby
- 子供を亡くした親の悲しみは、察するにかたくない。
— contributed by: khongbietboi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikatakunai
tagJ: 〜に難くない
tagH: 〜にかたくない
expE: not hard to ...(名詞＋にかたくない/　Vる＋にかたくない）
noteE: not hard to imagine it becoming a problem
JLPT: 1

Front: nishite
〜にして
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜にして
Meaning: only; because of that
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 科学者にして出来事
other similar meanings:
[dake] だけ only：
　科学者＿だけ＿出来事
　a thing only a scholar could do
[dakara] だから so
　科学者＿だから＿出来た
　he is a scholar so he could do it
[dakarakoso] だからこそ due to/because of
　科学者だからこそできた
　because he is a great scholar he could do it
— contributed by: dc
Examples
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- かれはノーベル賞に値する研究を成し遂げた。これは、偉大な科学者にして初めてできることであろう。
He worked hard to execute Nobel Prize level research. This was the something only a great scholar could achieve.
— contributed by: dc
- 留学生にして日本に行った。
Only as a student did I go to Japan.
— contributed by: Perches
- ９０歳 にして彼はいまだに驚くほど元気である。
At the age of ninety he still has surprising vigour.
— contributed by: Miki
- これは長年訓練を積んだ彼のような人にして初めてできる技だ。
This is a skill that only a person with long-term training such as he can pull off.
— contributed by: inakaluke
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User Comments
- #5146: can someone check please?
— contributed by: dc
- #6138　The Japanese is weird. 留学生として日本に行った。 is better. That means this example does not fit to this entry.
— contributed by: Miki
- #5146 The Japanese looks ok. Usually the expression is used as written language. Simpler expression is これは、偉大な科学者であって初めてできることであろう。
— contributed by: Miki
- #6139 For your reference, this にして is different from the entry.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nishite
tagJ: 〜にして
expE: only; because of that
JLPT: 1

Front: nitaeru
〜にたえる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜にたえる
Meaning: has value; it is worth doing
Example: It is worth reading that book
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 耐える = to put up with, be able bear.
— contributed by: dc
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p67 - no.64
— contributed by: LR
- 注意
While the verb 耐える as a piece of vocabulary means being able to withstand / endure, the grammar phrase にたえる means to deserve, be worthy of, to have value in... にたえる is completely different from 耐える!
— contributed by: LR
- Customarily used with a set number of words such as 市販、鑑賞、読む、見る、聞く、批判、評価 (worthy of being sold, admired, read, seen, heard, criticism/comment, evaluation)
— contributed by: LR
Examples
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- 十分読むにたえる作品だ。
That book is worth reading
— contributed by: dc
- 趣味で始めた焼き物だが、ようやく市販するにたえる作品ができるようになった
I just started cooking things as a hobby, but pretty soon I was making stuff that was good enough for sale
— contributed by: va_tei
- あの子は大人の鑑賞にたえる絵を描く
That kid draws pictures that are worthy of adult appreciation.
— contributed by: boobataur
- ずいぶん値段が安いけど、使用にたえるかどうか、ちゃんと確認して買った方がいい。
The price may be very cheap, but before you buy it you should make sure to check whether it merits use or not.
— contributed by: LR
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- nitaenai1
User Comments
- I have found that this entry, just like the one on に耐えない, is considered as belonging to Level 1 of JPLT.
— contributed by: olivier
- Moving this one, also, to JLPT 1 - 2010/12/04
— contributed by: LR
- changed example sentences that were unrelated to this grammar entry.
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitaeru
tagJ: 〜にたえる
expE: has value; it is worth doing
expJ: 十分に〜に値する・どうにか〜することができる。
noteE: It is worth reading that book
JLPT: 1

Front: nitaenai1
〜にたえない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜にたえない
Meaning: cannot stand; cannot do; no value to
Example: I can't stand listening to his karaoke
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 耐える means to bear.
Vdic + に + 耐えない = (Verb) is unbearable
— contributed by: dc
- On the difference between [nitaienai1] and [nitaienai2]
There are two たえないs of note in the Japanese language... hurray.　How to distinguish them?
[nitaienai1] is for saying you just can't stand something and should be constructed from VERB辞書形 + にたえない
[nitaienai2] is for saying that you have a strong emotional reaction to something - "氏の当会へのご援助はまことに感謝に堪えません｜We cannot be too grateful to him for the help he has given our society." and should be constructed NOUN + たえない.
Both are on the old JLPT 1 syllabus, if anyone knows what's on the new N1, please advise
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p67 - no.63
— contributed by: LR
- Customarily used only with a set number of verbs like "can't stand to look", "can't stand to hear" "can't stand to read" "can't stand to face up to" - 見る、聴く、読む、正視する
— contributed by: LR
Examples
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- これは芸術作品どころか、見るにたえないほどのできだ。
This is far from being an artists work, its so bad its hard to look at
— contributed by: dc
- 聞くに耐えない歌いぶり
execrable singing
— contributed by: dc
- 最近のテレビには、見るにたえないほどひどい番組がある
TV of late, the programs are so terrible, I can't stand to watch them
— contributed by: dc
- 見るに耐えない
butt-ugly
— contributed by: dc
- 言うに耐えない
unspeakable
— contributed by: dc
- ああいう陰口は聞くにたえません。
I can't stand to hear that kind of bitching behind people's backs.
— contributed by: dc
- 国会議員と言う要職にある彼が酒に酔って魔黷ﾄいる状態は、全く見るにたえない姿だ。
Holding such an important job as he does as a member of the diet, I utterly cannot endure seeing him behaving so unruly under the influence of alcohol. (1999 paper)
— contributed by: LR
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User Comments
- This entry should be listed as belonging to Level 1.
— contributed by: Olivier
- Moving this to level 1, 2010/12/4
— contributed by: LR
- Should it not be 耐えられない instead, since it's a potential verb?
I looked it up at ALC Space, and most of the examples have a られる ending: http://eow.alc.co.jp/%E8%80%90/UTF-8/
— contributed by: kin_sama
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitaenai1
tagJ: 〜にたえない
expE: cannot stand; cannot do; no value to
noteE: I can't stand listening to his karaoke
JLPT: 1

Front: nitaru
〜に足る (〜にたる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜に足る (〜にたる)
Meaning: is plenty; has value
Example: Adequately trustworthy person
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 信頼するに足る人物だと思っていた、その人にだまされてしまった
I thought he was a perfectly trustworthy person, but I was cheated by him.
— contributed by: dc
- いやしくもなすに足る事なら立派にやるだけの価値がある。
If it is worth doing at all it is worth doing well.
— contributed by: dc
- この農園は私たちの必要を満たすに足るだけの野菜を産出する。
This farm yields enough vegetables to meet our needs.
— contributed by: dc
- ビルは印刷業でいい暮らしをするに足るお金をかせいだ。
The printing business made Bill a small fortune.
— contributed by: dc
- 大衆によって重んじられている人が必ずしもそれを受けるに足る人とは言えない。
People who are made much of by the public are not always those who must deserve it.
— contributed by: dc
- 君たち全員に足るだけのパンがある。
There is enough bread for all of you.
— contributed by: karekano
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitaru
tagJ: 〜に足る
tagH: 〜にたる
expE: is plenty; has value
noteE: Adequately trustworthy person
JLPT: 2

Front: nihikikae
にひきかえ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にひきかえ
Meaning: in sharp contrast with; compared to
Example: The son, in stark contrast to his meticulous father, was slovenly.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p44 - no.42
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p380
— contributed by: LR
- Should indicate sharp contrast, as opposed to small differences
— contributed by: LR
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 私の古い車にひきかえかれのはとても早いです。
In contrast to my old car, his is really fast.
— contributed by: d4
- 去年はトマト50個収穫できたのよ。それにひきかえ今年は30個だけ。多分気候のせいね…
We harvested 50 tomatoes last year. In contrast, this year we harvested only 30. This may be due to the weather...
— contributed by: dc
- 同じ年の人にひきかえ彼はとても頭がいいです。
He is very intelligent in stark contrast to people of the same age
— contributed by: amenya
- 几帳面な父にひきかえ息子はだらしなかった。
The son, in contrast to his meticulous father, was slovenly.
— contributed by: Boomeranger
- この大学は教育の質がとてもいいのにひきかえ、学内の設備が劣る（おとる）
While the quality of the education at this college is excellent, the quality of the campus facilities is inferior
— contributed by: LR
- 先月の食料品の売り上げが著しく伸びたのにひきかえ、衣料品の売り上げが落ち込んだ
Last month sales of foodstuffs expanded considerably, but in contrast, clothing sales dropped off
— contributed by: LR
- 16世紀のフランスでは、貴族の食事は贅沢だったのにひきかえ、市民の食事はとても貧しいものだった。
In France in the 16th century, the nobility ate extravagently while the common people ate very poorly.
— contributed by: LR
- 前回の作品にひきかえ、今回のはすばらしいできだ。
In sharp contrast to his last work, this latest piece is a superb accomplishment
— contributed by: LR
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- nitaishite
User Comments
- Is this often used in spoken japanese as well?
— contributed by: Bree
- ex#5166 needs to have "this year" added somewhere "In contrast, we harvested only 30 this year."
— contributed by: Stephen
- done
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nihikikae
tagJ: にひきかえ
expE: in sharp contrast with; compared to
expJ: に比べると反対に
noteE: The son, in stark contrast to his meticulous father, was slovenly.
JLPT: 1

Front: noitari
〜の至り (〜のいたり)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜の至り (〜のいたり)
Meaning: completely; utmost
Example: the utmost joy
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- formal, written.
Noun + の至り
— contributed by: dc
- Notes: Formal. No kiwami and no itari mean exactly the same thing and are also exactly the same grammatically. The only difference is that no itari sounds more humble.
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- khongbietboi, according to my JLPT1 grammar book what you are saying isn't entirely correct. no itari can only be used for the speaker, whereas no kiwami can be used for others as well. so they are NOT exactly the same.
— contributed by: mankind
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 赤面の至りだ。
I was completely embarassed.
— contributed by: dc
- 若気の至りで
in the folly of youth
— contributed by: dc
- 喜びの至り
utmost joy
— contributed by: dc
- 冥加の至り
great blessing
— contributed by: dc
- 憧れの女優に握手してもらって、もう感激の至りだ。
I shook the hand of my favourite actress. I was completely overwhelmed.
— contributed by: blabby
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User Comments
- is this the same as [nokiwami]
— contributed by: dc
- maybe [noitari] has more of an implication of something that lead up to this situation? like [niitaru] - same kanji 至る
— contributed by: dc
- I read that this is mainly used with experssions of emotion. 光栄, 感激, 若気,感心, etc are commonly used. It is ofen inerchangable with 〜の極み but 〜の極み is also used for words of non-emotion such as 疲労の極み.
— contributed by: blabby
- Can somebody confirm if 〜の至り is used only for emotions.
贅沢(ぜいたく)の至り and 低俗の至り are wrong because they are not emotions. Right?
They should be 贅沢の極み and 低俗の極み right??
Is ther an easier way to tell the difference between 〜の極みand 〜の至り?
— contributed by: blabby
- I am not sure if you can categorize 至り as relating to emotions and　極み as not. 光栄の至り、汗顔の至り and　慶賀の至り, etc., may not just relate to emotions. It is hard to set up any rule to differentiate.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Everyone, according to my JLPT1 grammar book, an important difference between の至り and の極み is that the first can only be used for yourself (the speaker), whereas the latter can be used for others as well. Hope that helps
— contributed by: mankind
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: noitari
tagJ: 〜の至り
tagH: 〜のいたり
expE: completely; utmost
noteE: the utmost joy
JLPT: 1

Front: haoroka
〜は愚か・〜は疎か (〜はおろか)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜は愚か・〜は疎か (〜はおろか)
Meaning: let alone B; not to mention; of course A but also B;
Example: He can't read hiragana let alone kanji.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜はおろか：〜というだけでは不十分で．．．も、
　　　　　　 〜はもちろん
— contributed by: 誠
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p45 - no.44
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p694
— contributed by: LR
- A phrase that is used when s.t. is not only true with one thing or person, but also with another thing or person that is less expected or understandable
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その赤ちゃんは走る事はおろか、歩くことさえできない。
The baby cannot even walk, much less run.
— contributed by: dc
- 私の連れは疲れすぎていて走るのはおろか、歩くこともできない、と言った。
My companion said that she was too tired to walk, let alone run.
— contributed by: dc
- 私はバイオリンはおろかギターも弾けない。
I can't play the guitar, much less the violin.
— contributed by: dc
- 僕はイタリア語を書くのはおろか読めもしない。
I can't even read Italian, let alone write it. [M]
— contributed by: dc
- 話すことはおろか、ささやくなんてとんでもないことです。
Don't whisper, let alone speak.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は漢字はおろか、ひらがなも正確に読めません
Of course she can't read Kanji, she can't even read Hiragana accurately.
— contributed by: dc
- こんな成績では進学はおろか、卒業だって危ないよ。
With such bad results, not only is there a possibility you won't be able to enter university, you might not even graduate!
— contributed by: blabby
- 弟は内気で、人前でスピーチはおろか簡単な挨拶さえできない
my brothers an introvert, so far from being able to give a speech in front of people, he can't even do simple greetings.
— contributed by: LR
- アメリカでは隣町まで100マイル、途中途中ガソリンスタンドはおろか、民家さえないという場所がたくさんある。
In America there are many places where the next town is 100 miles away and there are no houses, let alone a gas station in between.
— contributed by: LR
- 最近は大学はおろか、中学生でもかなりの者が海外旅行を経験している。
Never mind university students, these days even junior and senior high school students have experienced traveling abroad.
— contributed by: LR
- 戦争はおろか食糧難すら経験したことがない者が口先だけで戦争を議論しているのは笑止だ。
It is laughable that those people who have never even experienced a food shortage, much less a war should make such glib arguments about war.
— contributed by: LR
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Related Grammar
- hamochiron
- dokoroka
- haiumademonaku
User Comments
- is it different from はもちろん？
— contributed by: infinite_trial
- i think its pretty similar but [hamochiron] is more common. [haoroka] seems more formal...
I added some other "see also" forms
— contributed by: dc
- upon observation i see that はもちろん has positive and negative nuance, は言うまでもなく is positive and はおろか is negative. i hope i am right.
— contributed by: infinite_trial
- I think you are right. My book says はおろか is often used for negative things.
I wonder if this is related to 愚か "stupid"?
— contributed by: blabby
- おろか here is 疎か.
— contributed by: Miki
- 〜はおろか　is more strong/ have a strong emphasis or feeling than 〜はもちろん　and 〜はもとより. In Chinese (何只是〜／那只是〜／別説〜、就連．．．）, it is translated as " it is of course not just that 〜, but also... " or "... , not to mention 〜"
— contributed by: 誠
- It is in fact a JLPT Level 1 entry.
— contributed by: Olivier
- I think it maybe like 'dokoroka'. And it returns a negative thing.
— contributed by: seishun
- Changing this from a JLPT Level 2 to Level 1 entry. 2010/12/3
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: haoroka
tagJ: 〜は愚か・〜は疎か
tagH: 〜はおろか
expE: let alone B; not to mention; of course A but also B;
expJ: は 言うまでもない; はもちろん; 「AはおろかBも/さえ/まで」のように強調して表現されることが多い。
noteE: He can't read hiragana let alone kanji.
JLPT: 1

Front: soremadeda
〜それまでだ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜それまでだ
Meaning: Conveys the idea that if something occurs, then a bad end is reached.
Example: If you tell your girlfriend that her cooking sucks, you're screwed.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 今までどんなに頑張ったには関係なく、あきらめたらそれまでだ。
It doesn't matter how hard you've tried up this point. If you quit, it's all over.
— contributed by: tess4aria
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User Comments
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Acknowledgments
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: soremadeda
tagJ: 〜それまでだ
expE: Conveys the idea that if something occurs, then a bad end is reached.
noteE: If you tell your girlfriend that her cooking sucks, you're screwed.
JLPT: 1

Front: hitori-dakedenaku,hitori-nominarazu
ひとり〜だけでなく, ひとり〜のみならず
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ひとり〜だけでなく, ひとり〜のみならず
Meaning: not only (A) but also (B)
Example: The trend in declining birth rates is not just Japan, but is similarly seen in other countries too.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 普通、「ひとりＡだけでなくＢも」の形で用いられ、「ただＡだけでなくＢも」の意味。Ａ、Ｂには対象的、並立的あるいは類似の内容がくる。
— contributed by: abhijeet
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p45 - no.45
— contributed by: LR
- Formal, written
— contributed by: LR
- Not only a singular (problem) but a wider (problem)
Makes the problem seem more abstract? (It's not just a problem with Lee, this is a problem suffered by all exchange students)
— contributed by: LR
- ひとりdoesn't necesarily mean one person - it means a singular out of a whole (e.g. ひとり日本, ひとり上海 out of the rest of the world)
— contributed by: LR
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 最近のロンドン爆破テロは、ひとりイギリスだけではなく世界の問題です。
The recent terrorism in London is not simply England's problem, it involves the whole world.
— contributed by: blabby
- いじめや不登校問題は、ひとり教育の現場だけでなく大きな社会問題となっております。
Bullying and non-attendance is not only becoming [an issue] in the field of education but also a major social problem.
— contributed by: Miki
- 義務兵役制度は ひとり台湾、ドイツだけでなくデンマーク、オーストリアなど全世界20カ 国で長い歴史を持っています。
Compulsory military services have a long history and are being implemented not only in Taiwan and Germany, but in 20 countries around the world including Denmark and Austria.
— contributed by: Miki
- 失業はひとり本人の問題だけでなく、家族にも心配をかける。
Unemployment is not just a problem for the person herself, it's a cause for worry for the whole family.
— contributed by: LR
- 公共の場所でタバコを吸うのはひとり本人に有害であるだけでなく、周囲の人にとっても迷惑なものである。
Smoking tobacco in a public place is not just harmful to the person themself, it's a nuisance for people in the surrounding area.
— contributed by: LR
- 就職難はひとり上海のみならず、ほかのところにおいても同様に見られる傾向である。
Job shortages are not limited to Shanghai, it's a trend that can be seen similarly in other places.
— contributed by: LR
- 出生数の減少傾向は、ひとり日本のみならず、諸外国においても同様に見られる。
The trend in declining birth rates is not just Japan, but is similarly seen in other countries too.
— contributed by: LR
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User Comments
- A good translation could be "Not simply", "Not just" or "Not merely". What do you all think?
This grammar is equal to ひとり〜のみならず.
— contributed by: blabby
- ただ単に
— contributed by: Miki
- does 不登校's school refusal mean skipping school? aka playing hookey?
— contributed by: purple gloomy
- Yes, in one way. 不登校 also means someone refuses to go to shool due to psychological reason.
— contributed by: Miki
- It seems like "not the only". Maybe "not just" is best? Can it be used in the context of "not the only factor/reason"?
— contributed by: Reality Bytes
- "Bullying and school refusal becam not only in the field of education but also major social problem." -- This is not a good translation.
I suggest the following:
"Things like bullying and truancy are not only problems of the field of education; they have become major social problems."
— contributed by: thekaje
- I think truancy is a better translation for 不登校. skipping school has its own word サボする｡　IE　To sabatoge yourself, by skipping class.
— contributed by: tigert
- A little off the grammar topic, delving into questions of vocab..... but while truancy and skipping are good suggestions, they don't quite cover it. As the example suggests this is a 'special phenomenon' in Japan that is considered to be becoming a real social problem (aren't they special?). It refers to a situation where a student refuses to attend school at all - As in, they lock themselves in their room and never go out. It is not a singular event, but an ongoing and open-ended one. Dropping out/drop outs would probably be the most appropriate translation.
— contributed by: samboki
- I've edited the translation and gone for 'non-attendance'. This term seems to be used a lot, at least here in the UK, when describing the problems of children who are 'serial truants' and essentially refusing to go at all, rather than simply skipping school for a day here and there (it's in the news a lot since it became law that the parents can be prosecuted and even sent to prison for failing to ensure their child attends school). 'Drop-out' to me suggests someone who is no longer enroled at the school as a result of non-attendance, which is perhaps a little different (?)
If anyone disagrees, feel free to edit!
— contributed by: mochabean
- This might also work as a translation:
not 〜 alone = ひとり〜だけでなく
not (a problem in England) alone
not (an issue in the field of education) alone
not (in Taiwan and Germany) alone
— contributed by: seanohagan
- this grammar is not the same than に限らず?
for instance in the example ex #5317 Can I say
最近のロンドン爆破テロは、イギリスに限らず世界の問題です。 ?
— contributed by: 涼宮
- This is a JLPT Level 1 grammar structure, moving it to appropriate level 2010/12/3
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hitori-dakedenaku,hitori-nominarazu
tagJ: ひとり〜だけでなく, ひとり〜のみならず
expE: not only (A) but also (B)
expJ: Not only a singular ((problem)) but a wider ((problem))
noteE: The trend in declining birth rates is not just Japan, but is similarly seen in other countries too.
JLPT: 1

Front: bekarazu
〜べからず
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜べからず
Meaning: must not
Example: do not leave garbage here
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ここにゴミを捨てるべからず。
It is forbidden to throw trash here.
— contributed by: dbx
- 公園の掲示に芝生にはいるべからず。とかいてあった。
The notice in the park said to keep of the grass.
— contributed by: dbx
- 好機逸すべからず。この機に一気に仕事を仕上げてしまおう。
This is a golden opportunity we'd be stupid to pass up. Let's get to work and finish it all in one fell swoop.
— contributed by: dbx
- 芝生に入るべからず。
Keep off the grass!
— contributed by: dbx
- 書籍が学問に従うべく、学問が書籍に従うべからず。
Books must follow sciences, and not sciences books.
— contributed by: dbx
- 鉄は熱いうちに打て；後期逸すべからず。
Strike while the iron is hot, you must not loose your last chance.
— contributed by: dbx
- 流言飛語に惑わされるべからず、とはいうものの、言うは易く行うは難し、と思わない？
They say you shouldn't take rumors seriously but that's easier said than done.
— contributed by: dbx
- ここにゴミ捨てるべからず。
No dumping of rubbish here!
— contributed by: dbx
- その混乱実に名状すべからず。
The confusion beggars description.
— contributed by: dbx
- 働かざる者は食うべからず。
The person who not working, does not deserve to eat.　(proverb)
— contributed by: tsunami
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- べき
User Comments
- Shouldn't example # 4256 read:
The notice in the park said to keep off the grass
not:
The notice in the park said to keep of the grass
?
— contributed by: PaulO
- The only time I have seen this grammar is on signs. My teacher says it is an old fashioned way of saying 〜してはいけない. Obviously it is the negative form of 〜べき.
— contributed by: blabby
- This is the negative form of べし　;) (べから・べく（べかり）・べし・べき（べかる）・べけれ・○)
べきではない would be used in speaking.
— contributed by: Miki
- Pardon me, but in Classical Japanese it is the negative of 〜べき
http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/bungo/bungo.html
— contributed by: quendidil
- I think a lot of the conjugated verbs in CJ survived in modern Japanese as common idioms or grammatical expressions
— contributed by: quendidil
- >> quendidil
The dictionary form (終止形) would be べし, but in MJ, べし has been replaced by べきだ.
So if we're talking about MJ, べからず is the negative of べきだ, but in CJ, it would be べし.
— contributed by: jimmyseal
- In ex #6206, wouldn't "動かざる者" mean "the person who isn't moving" rather than "the person who isn't working?" I only ask because it's easy to mistake the Kanji for "to move" (動) with the Kanji for "to work" (働). I apologize if this phrase is an idiomatic usage of which I am not aware.
— contributed by: bshock
- In ex #4260 I've translated: "後期逸すべからず" as "you must not loose your last chance". Is it ok?
— contributed by: karekano
- In ex #6206 I've changed 動かざる者は食うべからず べからず。 -> 働かざる者は食うべからず。
— contributed by: karekano
- In ex #4261 is it necessary to translate "と思わない？" as "don't you think"? I'm always in doubt if and how should I traslate: kai, yo, mai, da, ne...
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: bekarazu
tagJ: 〜べからず
expE: must not
noteE: do not leave garbage here
JLPT: 2

Front: bekarazaru
〜べからざる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜べからざる
Meaning: must not; cannot
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜べからず／〜べからざる　：　〜してはいけない・禁止
１．「〜べからず」は立て看板などの注意書きに使われます。
２．「〜べからざる」（名詞の前に付く形）は「許すべからざる、欠くべからざる」のほかはあまり使われません。
— contributed by: 誠
- はしを渡るべからずというのは昔のことわざで日本人の人なら誰でも知ってるはずです。覚えといていただいたらうれしい：）このことわざについてもっと詳しく知りたければ調べてみてください。
By the way この上に書いてある誠さんのノートに間違ってることに気づきました。名詞の前につくというのじゃなくて、動詞の前につく形のほうが正しいとおもいます。
— contributed by: iamharenchi
- Etymologically, this is adjective 可(べ)し in 連用形 beku, to which 在(あ)り is appended, forming bekuari > bekari. Then, to its 未然形 bekara, the classical verb of negation ず is added, forming bekarazu. Further, 在り can be added again, resulting in bekarazari, whose 連体形 is bekarazaru. Also recall that 連体形 is used for verbs before nouns (attributive usage) and 終止形 for ending sentences.
— contributed by: blutorange
Examples
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- 成人指定映画は青少年の見るべからざるものだ。
Movies for adults must not be watched by young people.
— contributed by: tuananh
- 許すべからざる行為。
An act that cannot be forgiven.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- これは将に無視すべからざる犯罪ではないでしょうか。
Is it not true that this is certainly a crime that cannot be ignored?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 今日の社会では、パソコンは欠くべからざるものとなっている。
In today's society, computers are becoming something you can't do without.
— contributed by: blabby
- この荷物には「危険！触るべからず」と書いてある
On this luggage, it is written/stated that 「Danger! Do not touch」
— contributed by: 誠
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User Comments
- 未然形 of an auxilliary verb べかり(from べくあり= should be）plus negative auxilliary verb ざる,which is 連体形 of ず.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- is this extremely formal? it sounds like it...
— contributed by: dc
- It is not only formal but it is somewhat archaic.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I've been studying Japanese for almost 3 years and I've never come across this grammar except in text books...I asked my (young) Japanese friends and they have no idea. But if you do a Google search, there are lots of examples.
It is always followed by a noun. もの, こと, 行為, etc.
— contributed by: blabby
- You can also construct a phrase combining it with various suffixes. べからざるや、べからざるか、べからずとする、etc.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- "〜べからざる"
This must be worth remembering, but few Japanese use it in everyday speech.
I think that most Japanese usually say:
#5013
成人指定映画は青少年にとって見てはいけないものだ。
#5014
許されない行為
#5015
これはまさに無視してはいけない犯罪ではないでしょうか。
#5318
今日の社会では、パソコンは欠かせないものとなっている。
#5854
この荷物には「危険！触るな！」と書いてある。
— contributed by: Nick
- Actually, the 終止形 form is べし, and it conjugates like an adjective, meaning the 未然形 is べから.
As blabby hinted, use べからざる before nouns, and べからず at the end of sentences.
— contributed by: jimmyseal
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: bekarazaru
tagJ: 〜べからざる
expE: must not; cannot
JLPT: 1

Front: majiki
〜まじき
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜まじき
Meaning: not likely
Example: -2
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 許すまじきことであれ。
It's something that cannot be forgiven
— contributed by: dc
- すまじきものは宮仕え。
It's government service one should avoid.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 許すまじき暴言を吐いた。
She used offensive language that cannot be forgiven.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- まじ is a predecessor of まい, both archaic foorm of auxilliary verb meaning negation of べし.
In the modern Japanese, it is not commonly used in conversation excpet for some archaic set phrase such as すまじきものは宮仕え、This was written about 1,000 years ago by 清少納言(Seishonagon) in her essay called 枕草子(Makurano Soushi).
— contributed by: bamboo4
- can this be translated as "no need to"?
— contributed by: dc
- No, it's more emphatic "should not."
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: majiki
tagJ: 〜まじき
expE: not likely
noteE: -2
JLPT: 1

Front: nisotte
〜に沿って (〜にそって)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜に沿って (〜にそって)
Meaning: go along with; in line with
Example: to go along with the kids wishes...
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- see [basis-of-action-group] for similar items and comparisons.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
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- いきなり線に沿って切らずに、まず大まかに型抜きをする。そして、線に沿って切り抜く。
Don't just cut out along the line right away, first cut out with room to spare then cut along the line.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼の計画に沿って物事を進めた
we went along with his plans
— contributed by: dc
- 私達はパレードが通りに沿って進んでいくのを見た。
We saw the parade move down the street.
— contributed by: dbx
- 川に沿って歩きなさい、そうすれば学校が見えるでしょう。
Walk along the river and you will find the school.
— contributed by: dbx
- 通りに沿って桜が植えられている。
Cherry trees are planted along the street.
— contributed by: dbx
- 通りに沿って店が並んでいる。
There are stores along the street.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は川に沿って歩いた。
He walked along the river.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は通りに沿って車を運転していた。
He was driving a car along the street.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼らはアフリカの西海岸に沿って航海した。
They sailed along the west coast of Africa.
— contributed by: dbx
- 郵便局は通りに沿ってあります。すぐわかるよ。
The post office is down the street. You cannot miss it.
— contributed by: dbx
- B社の方針に沿って、既存コンテンツの機種対応に追われている様子。
In line with B company's requirements, it seems they are striving to implement existing contents handset compatibility
— contributed by: dc
- この川に沿って一時間ぐらい歩くと、海に出ます。
If you walk along this river for about an hour, you'll come to the ocean.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 子供たちの希望に沿った公園が作られた。その公園は大人の考えたものとはかなり違っていた。
A park was made in line with the children's wishes. It was pretty different from what an adult would design.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 会社の経営方針に沿って、来年度の計画が立てられた。
In line with the company's managerial policy, the plans for the next fiscal year were made.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 両岸に沿ってずっと並木がある。
There are trees all along the banks.
— contributed by: karekano
- 道路は海岸に沿って延びている。
The road runs along the coast.
— contributed by: karekano
- 上で述べた線に沿って。。。
Along the lines mentioned above...
— contributed by: karekano
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- nishitagatte; nishitagai
User Comments
- Also used for literal / physical 'going along with' (as in first example).
— contributed by: Amatuka
- could imply in parallel with
— contributed by: dc
- not as strong as にしたがって
— contributed by: dc
- My class is studying about Japan, and i am proud to know this site and recommend it to all my classmates! AWESOME!
— contributed by: Cindy
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nisotte
tagJ: 〜に沿って
tagH: 〜にそって
expE: go along with; in line with
noteE: to go along with the kids wishes...
JLPT: 2

Front: dokoroka
どころか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
どころか
Meaning: far from A, in fact B; not just; even
Example: Far from being nice, she is in fact an ogre.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- In 「Ｓ１ どころか Ｓ２」, Ｓ１ indicates that someone or something is very far from an expected state. In Ｓ２ appears a situation quite different from the situation expressed in Ｓ１.
＊Please look at the following table:
==Ｓ１===Ｓ２===EXAMPLE===MEANING
--Aff.---Aff.---#6266 ----'not just; even'
--Aff.---Neg. --#6263 ----'far from'
--Neg. --Aff.---#6265 ----'far from'
--Neg. --Neg. --#6264 ----'not just; even'
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + どころか
いＡ + どころか
なＡ・Ｎ + どころか
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 食べるどころか
far from eating
— contributed by: dc
- 私は彼があまり好きでなかった、それどころか憎んでさえいた。
I didn't like him much, in fact I hated him.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 彼の奥さんは、やさしいどころか鬼のような人だ。
his wife is far from being nice, she is like an ogre!
— contributed by: dc
- 「彼女は、まだ若いですね」「いえ、若いどころか、もう孫が三人いるんですよ」
- She is still quite young. - far from being young , she already has three grandchildren.
— contributed by: dc
- 間違いを指摘すると、感謝されるどころか、怒られた。
When I pointed out his mistakes, far from thanking me, he got angry at me.
— contributed by: Miki
- ダイエットしていたのに、痩せるどころか、太ってしまいました。
I have been on a diet. But far from losing weight, I got fatter!
— contributed by: Miki
- 「おわったの」「それどころかまだ始めていないよ」
Have you finished? "On the contrary, I have not even begun yet."
— contributed by: dbx
- 「終わったの」「それどころかまだ始めてもいないよ」
"Have you finished?" "On the contrary I have not even begun yet."
— contributed by: dbx
- １ドルどころか、１セントも持っていない。
I don't have a cent, let alone a dollar.
— contributed by: dbx
- ＩＱの低さの原因を人種に求めるという議論を論駁するどころか、リンのデータはそれを事実上補強することになっている。
Far from refuting the thesis that racism is to blame for lower IQ score, Lynn's data actually supports it.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは、私はすることが何もないと思っているが、それどころかたいへん忙しいのです。
You think I have nothing to do; but on the contrary, I am very busy.
— contributed by: dbx
- あなたは仕事が気に入ってると思いますが。それどころか嫌いだ。
I believe you like your job. On the contrary, I hate it.
— contributed by: dbx
- この辞書は初級者に、いやそれどころか上級者にも役に立つ。
This dictionary is useful to beginners, yes, and to advanced learners.
— contributed by: dbx
- その絵は醜いとは思わない。それどころか、むしろ美しいと思う。
That picture doesn't seem ugly to me; on the contrary, I think it's rather beautiful.
— contributed by: dbx
- その手紙を読むどころか、彼は封も切らなかった。
Far from reading the letter, he did not even open it.
— contributed by: dbx
- それは、失敗どころか、大成功だった。
Far from being a failure, it was a great success.
— contributed by: dbx
- それもう終わった。それどころか、いまからだよ。
Have you finished it? On the contrary, I've just begun.
— contributed by: dbx
- ためになるどころか、その雨は収穫にひどい害を与えた。
So far from doing any good the rain did a great deal of farm to the crop.
— contributed by: dbx
- ちゅうちょするどころか彼女は喜んで私を援助してくれると言った。
Far from hesitating, she willingly offered to help me.
— contributed by: dbx
- ジャックが音楽が苦手なんてとんでもない、それどころか、ピアノを弾くのがうまい。
It isn't true that Jack is no good at music : on the contrary, he plays the piano well.
— contributed by: dbx
- トムは怠け者の少年ではありません。それどころかよく働きます。
Tom is not a lazy boy. As a matter of fact, he works hard.
— contributed by: dbx
- メアリーは貧しくはない。それどころか、かなり裕福だ。
Mary is not poor. On the contrary, she is quite rich.
— contributed by: dbx
- 雨はやむどころかいよいよひどくなった。
Instead of stopping, the rain increased.
— contributed by: dbx
- 我々の交渉は失敗どころか、大成功だった。
Far from being a failure, our negotiation was a great success.
— contributed by: dbx
- 休養するどころかかえっていつもより仕事に励んだ。
Instead of taking a rest, he worked much harder than usual.
— contributed by: dbx
- 今度の上司？個性的どころか、ありがちなタイプね。
The new supervisor? He's not very original - pretty much like the rest.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は料理どころか音楽もスポーツもできる。
He is good not only at cooking but also music and sports
— contributed by: prashant007
- スミスさんは日本語の新聞が読めるどころか、平仮名も知らない。
Mr. Smith is far from being able to read a Japanese newspaper; he doesn't even know hiragana.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- ジョンャ唐ｳんは漢字が書けないどころか、平仮名も書けない。
Mr. Johnson is not just unable to write kanji; he cannot write even hiragana.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- スミスさんは日本語が書けないどころか、日本語で小説が書けるぐらいだ。
Mr. Smith is far from being unable to write Japanese; he can even write a novel in Japanese.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- クラークさんは刺し身が食べられるどころか、納豆まで食べられる。
Mr. Clark is not just able to eat sashimi; he can even eat natto.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- けさの天気藍ﾅは午後から晴れると言っていた。ところが、藍ﾉ反して雨が降り続いている。
According to this morning weather forecast the sky will be clear.but, . on the contrary of forecasting its raining now
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 警察の必死の捜索にも関わらず、生存者どころか、死体すら発見されていない。
Despite an extensive police search, no bodies have been found; let alone survivors.
— contributed by: Monte
- 患者の体は立ち上げるどころか、座ることもできません。
Never mind the the patient was standing, was not able to sit.
— contributed by: belajar
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
- Search our database for more examples of どころか
- Add an example sentence
- Detailed example form
Related Grammar
- dokorodehanai, dokorodehanaku
- toutei
User Comments
- also どころではなく
— contributed by: Amatuka
- Could anyone give some more examples? I'm still not clear about どころか.
— contributed by: Vbk
- I am quite good at Japanese but I am not sure about my English. Please correct.
— contributed by: Miki
- checked. thats the way this system should work, each checking native speakers...
— contributed by: dc
- Konnichiwa:) Example 4320 uses the word 'arigachi'. Is that the verb 'arimasu' used with the ending 'gachi' that means 'tend to~'?
— contributed by: Jenn
- I think "arigachi" is:
有り勝ち　　（な形　名　　frequent, usual, common）
— contributed by: laki-laura
- The English in #5942 sounds funny. Please fix.
— contributed by: petra
- ex #5942 The Engish sentence should be corrected to read: He is good not only at cooking but also music and sports
— contributed by: bamboo4
- What often throw people off is that どころか can be used both in positive and negative sense. Compare: 彼は寿司どころか納豆も食べる (He can east not only sushi but even natto). 彼は納豆どころか寿司も食べられない (He cannot eat not only natto but even sushi).
— contributed by: bamboo4
- what about 忙しくて、旅行するどころか、テレビを見る暇さえない。would be more like 'はもちろん' more than 'even'?
— contributed by: karekora
- #5942 corrected
— contributed by: dc
- Ex　４３０３’s　Translation should be....01 Dollar!I do not have just even 01 Cent.
I do not know but this Sounds Better！
— contributed by: gahoangdai
- According to Dictionary of Japanese Grammar, どころか　and ばかりか are quite similar in their meanings, however, in the case where the first clause is a negative and the second clause is positive (and vice versa), then どころか should be used preferentially over ばかりか。
However, can どころか really be used in cases where the clauses are either both negative or both positive??
— contributed by: Tetsuzan
- Well I added a comment on this with a lot of examples, but I guess it was too long. So it was automatically wiped. There was no warning. Not going to go to the trouble of writing it again.
Short form: "far from" has two problems:
1. it doesn't address the suppositional nature of dokoroga
2. it doesn't address sentences where the B part is in agreement with the A part. It only addresses the contrastive B points.
Even Unicom breaks this point into two. This is not necessary and just gives you more work to do.
I think of dokoroka as "There is a presumption that..." or "You might think that..." as the A part, and the B part is either an agreement or a contrast to the presumption/supposition.
You can use "Far from" as a translation for some contrasting B sentences, however it is not how you should be *thinking* about parsing this grammar point.
— contributed by: Radish
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dokoroka
tagJ: どころか
expE: far from A, in fact B; not just; even
noteE: Far from being nice, she is in fact an ogre.
JLPT: 2

Front: oku
おく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
おく
Meaning: to do it in advance OR to leave it in the current state expecting a later change
Example: I left the window open
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- "oku" and "-te oku" always has something expected in the future.
This is a AuxVerb and is used in by the patterm てーStem + おく
1) To keep the action’s result.
2) To continue the action.
3) Admitting the situation is/will be a certain way and leaving it the way it is.
4) To do something in advance, and expecting a certain result or happening.
5) To doing something temporally to get by for the moment.
— contributed by: cup
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 会議のために、準備しておきました
I prepared for the meeting in advance
— contributed by: dc
- もっと早く検診を受けておけばよかった
I wish I had taken my health check earlier
— contributed by: dc
- ２本も飲めなかったから、１本はあなたに残しておきました。
I couldn't drink both bottles, so I left one for you.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたの報告書に目を通し、コメントを書いておきました。
I've looked through your report and made some notes on it.
— contributed by: dc
- それは引き出しに入れておきました。
I put in the drawer.
— contributed by: dc
- ボブは彼が集めていた切手をほとんど全部ティナにあげて、ほんのすこしだけ自分のためにとっておきました。
Bob gave Tina almost all the stamps he had collected, and kept only a few for himself.
— contributed by: dc
- 君は、窓を開けたままにしておきましたか。
Did you leave the window open?
— contributed by: dc
- 状況を改善するための提案を付け加えておきました。
I've added my recommendations to improve the situation.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼に君の名を言っておきました。
I mentioned your name to him.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼に助言をしておきました。
I gave him some helpful advice.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は私を２時間もたたせておきました。
She left me standing there for two hours.
— contributed by: dc
- いや。。ちゃんと聞いておこう。
No, I'd better listen and remember it for later !
— contributed by: cup
- わたしが払っておきます。
I’ll pay all for the meantime (...and I’m exepecting something back in the future )
— contributed by: cup
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Related Grammar
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User Comments
- Q: there seems to be two meanings:
to do in advance
to put aside
— contributed by: dc
- I think that last example doesn't belong - it is referring to okiru - to get up...
— contributed by: anon
- It seems like 'in advance' is just relative to the time you are speaking to someone. (Before I spoke to you I did X). In that case how is it different from just using "mae ni" or "sakihodo"? For example
前に会議の準備をしました ?
On the other hand, it seems like it can also mean "made sure to do" especially when reading example 4322 - 4325? Any help understanding this better would be appreciated.
— contributed by: nefertiti
- おく has the primary meaning of "leave it where it is at" or "leave it at its present status." The use of おく as indicating "in advance" is very limited such as 耳に入れておく. Most of the examples shown here are "leave it where it is at" type, and only 3303, 4327 and 4328 would qualify as statements in "in advance" category.For other examples, it is incorrect to label them as in "to do something in advance" category.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- the meaning should be changed then "to do something in advance" and "leave it as it is/leave it where it is at". but usually おく is paired with ままに　to imply the latter meaning.
— contributed by: infinite_trial
- changed. is "oku:in advance" a separate grammar usage, or just when used with other auxiliary words, i wonder.
— contributed by: dc
- The trick to reading this is to remember that て-Stem means "ClauseX and then ClauseY" so you read the sentances as i did/doing/will do ClauseX and I expect some unspecific effect(ClauseY) to happen/happened/be happening...
— contributed by: cup
- nefertitiさん　Your right about the meaning of 2I made sure to do" or "I will make sure to do"
I use it a lot when I want to say, "You can count on it" or " You can bet I`ll get it done"
Bamboo4さん, I`m not sure why you think the use of "in advanced" meaning is very limited, I hear it used all the time. 買っておく、調べておく､聞いておく、etc... from my experiance, it seems to be a case of whether the context is past or future.
infinite_trialさん 何?　ままに?　そのままの　ままにですか?　I think that to use ままに one needs to have a discription before it.
I.E. そのままに
You are pointing to something or talking about something that both listener and speaker are familiar with.
若まま
　　　"so young" or "foolish"
I have also heard it used to mean selfish, but I`m not sure if its the same 漢字
　　　壊したままに
　　　　"broken"
Its possible to use this with full sentences, adjectives, etc.. I`m not 100% on the conj rules, but it seems to be used mostly with the past tense.
— contributed by: tigert
- Tigert-san, I knew wagamama (selfish) 我が儘;我がままbut 若まま I didn't know ^^
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: oku
tagJ: おく
expE: to do it in advance OR to leave it in the current state expecting a later change
noteE: I left the window open
JLPT: 2

Front: nisakidatte; nisakidatsu
に先立って; に先立つ (にさきだって; にさきだつ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に先立って; に先立つ (にさきだって; にさきだつ)
Meaning: before; preceeding; prior to
Example: Preceeding the showing, the performer will come onto the stage and greet everyone.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- this is quite formal, so "preceeding" might be the best translation. Otherwise 前に (maeni) is more casual.
— contributed by: dc
- 先立つ（さきだつ）is the dictionary form, as in one of the examples below.
— contributed by: dc
- ＊This grammar can be used as a sort of conjunction (に先立って; に先立ち), or in front of another noun (に先立つ).
FORMATION:
Ｎ + に先立って
Ｎ1 + に先立つ + Ｎ2
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- フィルタリング導入に先立って、親子の信頼関係を損ねないために考慮すべきこと。
Things that should be considered before setting up [Internet] filtering in order not to damage the relationship of trust between parent and child.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- お金に先立つのは家族だ。
family comes before money
— contributed by: dc
- 映画の一般公開に先立って主演女優のサイン会が開かれた。
Preceeding the general opening of the film, the leading actress's signing session was opened.
— contributed by: dc
- 会に先立って彼らは夕食をとった。
Prior to the meeting, they had dinner.
— contributed by: dc
- 海戦に先立って出港した後に、乗組員が船に慣れる時間がないことが、しばしばあるものだ。
A sailor frequently has no time to get his sea legs after leaving port before a sea battle starts.
— contributed by: dc
- このミーティングの目的は、１月の商品企画会議に先立ち、新製品のプランを考えることです。
The purpose of the meeting is to make a plan for a new product prior to the Product Development Meeting in January.
— contributed by: dc
- スミスさんは奥さんに先立たれた。
Mr Smith was bereaved of his wife.
— contributed by: dc
- 会に先立って彼らは夕食をとった。
Prior to the meeting, they had dinner.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は息子に先立たれた。
He was bereaved of his son.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は１人息子に先立たれた。
She has buried her only son.
— contributed by: dc
- 話し合いの糧にするために、ミーティングに先立ち、皆様からいただいた提案をとりまとめてみました。
I have tried to compile the ideas that you proposed prior to the meeting, so that we can use them as the base for the discussion.
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- Translation for "family come before money" can be
お金よりも、先立つ（さきだつ）のは家族だ。
— contributed by: Miki
- #1084 - サイン会 should properly be "autographing session" not "signature session." Also "Films opening" should perhaps be "the first public release of the Film"
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex#4336 話し合いのもとにするために、was a bit strange. I changed from 話し合いのもと to 話し合いの糧 kate.
— contributed by: Miki
- #4332, #4334, #4335 先立つ in these examples means somebody dies earlier than his parents or spouse.
— contributed by: Miki
- So Miki, in the case of #4435, should it be better to say, "She was preceeded by her only son."? Sounds like it matches the idea of 先立つ pretty well.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nisakidatte; nisakidatsu
tagJ: に先立って; に先立つ
tagH: にさきだって; にさきだつ
expE: before; preceeding; prior to
expJ: のまえに
noteE: Preceeding the showing, the performer will come onto the stage and greet everyone.
JLPT: 2

Front: kanete
兼ねて (かねて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
兼ねて (かねて)
Meaning: combine with
Example: combine work and play
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Noun + を + 兼ねて
Noun + を + 兼ねる
— contributed by: blabby
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 大阪の仕事を兼ねて京都見物に行く
In going to Osaka on business, I'll combine it with a sightseeing visit to Kyoto.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 総理大臣（首相）と外務大臣（外相）とを兼ねる。
Hold the office of Prime Minister concurrently with the portfolio of Foreign Minister.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 私は勉強と遊びを兼ねている仕事につきたい。
I want to get a job that mixes work and play.
— contributed by: dc
- 作文の練習を兼ねて、日本のペンフレンドと文通をしています。まあ、一挙両得というわけです。
Combined with writing practice, I am corresponding with my Japanese pen friend. I guess I am killing two birds with one stone.
— contributed by: blabby
- 趣味と実益を兼ねて日本語の勉強をしたが、いつの間にか、通訳が本業になってしまった。
Along with personal interest and practical reasons, I studied Japanese. Before I knew it, translation became my main source of income.
— contributed by: blabby
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- kaneru (sound the same, mean something different)
- simultaneous-actions-group
- gatera
User Comments
- Thank you for putting this page up.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Does anyone know if it is possible to use this in a form other than Noun+を+兼ねて?
— contributed by: blabby
- I thought of examles other than Noun nor noun phrase, nothing comes up. noun phrase eg. 頭を冷やすのを兼ねて公園に散歩に行く
— contributed by: Miki
- Thanks for your help Miki, I'll add it to the notes section.
— contributed by: blabby
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kanete
tagJ: 兼ねて
tagH: かねて
expE: combine with
noteE: combine work and play
JLPT: 1

Front: wo kinjienai
を禁じ得無い (をきんじえない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
を禁じ得無い (をきんじえない)
Meaning: can't help feeling
Example: I can't help feeling sorry for them
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 怒りや悲しみなどの気持を抑えることができない
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 孤児には同情をきんじえない。
I can’t help feeling sorry for the orphans.
— contributed by: dc
- 同情を禁じえない
cant help feeling sorry for
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の愚かな振る舞いに怒りを禁じえなかった。
I could not control my anger at his silly behaviour.
— contributed by: Miki
- 不安を禁じえない。
I can't help but be worried.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は彼女に驚きを禁じえなかった。
He couldn't help but surprise her.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- is this the same as [tenaranai]
— contributed by: dc
- Tenaranaiis not the same as 禁じえない. 抑えられない can be the similar to 禁じえない.
禁じえない would be used when you talk about feelings.　同情を抑えられない。
— contributed by: Miki
- I think the nuance is more towards "(I) can't control/supress".
It is often used with 怒り,同情,驚き,失望,涙,笑い
— contributed by: blabby
- Is this just the verb 禁じる + 得る [eru]? If so, should it have it's own entry when [eru] already exists?
— contributed by: yookoso
- yookoso, you are right. 禁じる means 抑える or " to suppress", while 得ない means cannot or できない。禁じ得ない　literally means 禁じることができない／抑えることができない or "unable to supress", but this grammar always used together with feelings such as 同情、驚き、失望、涙,....
— contributed by: 誠
- [How would you change Ex.#5123 if you wanted to say:" He couldn't help being surprised by her." as opposed to the present meaning of "He couldn't help but surprise her."?]
— contributed by: rebeccanolan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wo kinjienai
tagJ: を禁じ得無い
tagH: をきんじえない
expE: can't help feeling
noteE: I can't help feeling sorry for them
JLPT: 1

Front: nitsurete
につれて
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
につれて
Meaning: as; in proportion to; with
Example: As I ate, my headache improved.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- V-dic + 〜
食べるにつれて　 along with eating
Noun + 〜
増加につれて　　along with the increase
— contributed by: dc
- 連れて行く means to take someone with (you)
私は友達を連れて行きました
I took my friend along
Will you take us for a drive next Sunday?
今度の日曜日にドライブにつれていってくれませんか。
— contributed by: dc
- ＊につれ(て) is a phrase used to indicate that a change occurs in accordance with another simultaneous change. Because of this, the verbs in the につれ(て) clause and the main clause have to be verbs of change or of a process, such as 'become proficient' and 'increase.'
＊When と共に(とともに) means 'as,' it can be rephrased as につれて, に伴って(にともなって), or に従って(にしたがって).
EXAMPLE: 景気の回復[と共に/につれて/に伴って/に従って]失業率が下がってきた。(As business recovers, the unemployment rate is coming down.)
＊The difference between Ｖ(inf・nonpast)にしたがって and Ｖ(inf・nonpast)につれて is that the former is more of a written style and the latter is more of a spoken style.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(inf・nonpast) + につれて
Ｎ + につれて
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 食べるにつれて頭が良くなった
As I ate, my head got better
— contributed by: dc
- 気温の変化につれて
with the change of temperature
— contributed by: dc
- 夜がふけるにつれて、嵐はますます激しさを増した。
As the night deepened the ferocity of the storm increased more and more.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 車の数の増加につれて、地球温暖化が問題になってきた、と言われている
It is said that along　with the increase in the number of cars, global warming is becoming a problem
— contributed by: nhk9
- 演説を進むにつれて僕はますます退屈になった。
I got more and more bored as the speech went on.
— contributed by: dc
- 寒くなるにつれて、セーターがほしくなった。
As the day got cooler, I came to want a sweater.
— contributed by: dc
- 飛行機は急角度で上昇し、それから海岸を離れるにつれて水平飛行に移った。
The plane rose sharply before leveling off as it left the coast.
— contributed by: dc
- 興奮するにつれて、彼はますます早口になった。
As he grew excited, he spoke more and more rapidly.
— contributed by: dc
- 金持ちになるにつれて、彼はますます欲深くなった。
The richer he became, the more he wanted.
— contributed by: dc
- 空気が抜けるにつれて風船は徐々に降りてきた。
The balloon descended gradually as the air came out.
— contributed by: dc
- 経験を積むにつれて更に知恵が身につく。
You get more wisdom as you have more experiences.
— contributed by: dc
- 芸術家は年を取るにつれて画風が変わるであろう。
As the artist grows older his paintings may alter.
— contributed by: dc
- 研究するにつれてますます心理学が面白く感じるようになった。
The more I studied psychology, the more interesting I came to find it.
— contributed by: dc
- 高く昇るにつれて大気は薄くなる。
The atmosphere becomes thinner as you climb higher.
— contributed by: dc
- 高く上るにつれて、空気はより冷たくなっている。
As you climb higher, the air becomes colder.
— contributed by: dc
- 歳をとるにつれて、人はだんだん無邪気で無くなる。
The older we grow, the less innocent we become.
— contributed by: dc
- 私が登るにつれて、枝が曲り始めた。
The branch began to bend as I climbed along it.
— contributed by: dc
- 時代の変化につれて結婚の形も変わってきた。
With the changing time, marraige style has also changed.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 時間が経つにつれ、したこともだんだん忘れてしまう。
As time passes, even things that (you) studied, (you) end up forgetting.
— contributed by: Makai
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- gatera
User Comments
- nitsurete can be replaced by nitomonatte.
nitusrete has a nuance of degree.
As I ate (more and more), ...
As one reads something (more), ...
— contributed by: Miki
- It seems like Nitsurete is often accompanied by -kita at the end of the sentence.
— contributed by: nhk9
- But -kita at the end suggests you eye-witness the changes?
— contributed by: author
- are niturete, nitomatte, totomoni and nishitagatte fundamentally the same in usage?
— contributed by: sagittarius
- No kita doesnt suggest that you have eye witnessed it but just suggests that something has come to be.
eg. 寒くなって来た。 It has gotten colder.
— contributed by: cbee
- so totomoni and nitsurete are interchangable?
— contributed by: karekora
- Can anyone explain the difference between につれて and につれ, please?
年をとるにつれ、昔のことがなつかしく思い出される。
Is it used in written Japanese?
— contributed by: pioneerka
- Pioneerka, につれ is simply a more formal version of につれて.
— contributed by: monte cristo
- I have put 'hikou' before 'ki' in the beggining of the sentence, is it ok? (English isn't my mother language, sorry if I mistake something). Everytime I change one example I will put "suspicious", ok?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nitsurete
tagJ: につれて
expE: as; in proportion to; with
expJ: とともに; に伴って; に従って; と一緒に
noteE: As I ate, my headache improved.
JLPT: 2

Front: dearou to
であろうと
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
であろうと
Meaning: No matter what; Even if; No matter how
Example: no matter what kind of person
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- For most verbs that end in iru/eru (except for a few verbs I mean), remove the <b>ru</b> and add dearou.
For other verbs that end in, ru (exceptional verbs are in this group), tsu, u ku, gu, mu, and bu, change the last syllable to the <b>i</b> section of it (as in ru = ri, tsu = chi, u = i, etc.). For example...
taberu = tabedearou
miru = midearou
kaeru* = kaeridearou (one of the exceptional verbs)
nugu = nugidearou
— contributed by: Ayumi
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- どんな人であろうと、この映画は楽しめます。
This movie can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter what kind of person they are.
— contributed by: dc
- いかに粗末であろうとも、我が家は我が家である。
No matter how humble it may be, home is home.
— contributed by: dc
- この本を書いたのが誰であろうとも、その人はとても利口だ。
No matter who it was that wrote this book, he's very clever.
— contributed by: dc
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- ikanaru-demo
- tatoe-temo (even if)
- wotowazu (regardless of)
User Comments
- I think it should be noted that either と or とも follows it.
Well, he examples imply that, but can I have some confirmation?
— contributed by: gtunak85
- I think it follows either と or とも.
たとえ…ても / …ても / …とも
— contributed by: Miki
- 「であろうと」は書き方ので、「だろうと」を話せるんですか？それとも他の阜ｻを使う？
— contributed by: leslie
- 「であろうと」and 「だろうと」are both ok in writing and speaking. 書く時も話す時にも、両方使えます。だろうと is usually used in speaking and であろうと sounds with a self-important air, I feel. 重々しい響きがある。
— contributed by: Miki
- Ayumi, your notes are really complicated. You can just refer to the ます形 or stem form.
— contributed by: kyoushi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dearou to
tagJ: であろうと
expE: No matter what; Even if; No matter how
noteE: no matter what kind of person
JLPT: 2

Front: gahayaika
〜が早いか (〜がはやいか)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜が早いか (〜がはやいか)
Meaning: as soon as
Example: As soon as the President arrived
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Basically the same as ‘ya inaya’ and ‘nari’ but ‘ga hayai ka’ indicates that the speaker was waiting for something to happen.
— contributed by: dc
- [接続]　:　[動詞ー辞書形 / た形]　＋　が早いが
— contributed by: abhijeet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 社長が会議室に入ったがはやいか、早速会議が始まった。
As soon as the company president entered the meeting room, the meeting started.
— contributed by: dc
- その朝彼がキッチンに入って来るがはやいか、彼女は彼と些細なことで口論を始めた。
As soon as he came into the room in the morning, she got into a shouting match with him over the most trivial thing.
— contributed by: miki
- その力士はまわしを取るが早いか、相手を投げ飛ばした。
As soon as the sumo wrestler snared the front of the opponent's sash, he tumbled him onto the ground.
— contributed by: Miki
- 新刊を出版したのですが、出版するが早いか腹を立てた人から手紙が届き始めました。
We put a new book out, but the second it was published we started to get letters from angry people.
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- ことによるとあの女は、私が太刀打ちを始めるが早いか、人の助けでも呼ぶために、藪をくぐって逃げたかもしれない。
It's possible that as soon as I started the sword fight, that that woman ran slipped into the grove and ran to call for help.
— contributed by: nazonatte69
- 言うが早いかやってしまった。
No sooner said than done.
— contributed by: abhijeet
- ベルが鳴ったが早いか、生徒たちは教室を飛び出して行った。
As soon as the bell rang, the students left the classroom.
— contributed by: abhijeet
- 弟は晩ごはんを食べ終わるが早いか宿題をし始めた。
As soon as my younger brother finishes dinner he starts his homework.
— contributed by: inukokoro
- 弟は晩ごはんを食べ終わるが早いか宿題をし始めた。
— contributed by: inukokoro
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- inaya
User Comments
- This can mean "ほとんど同時に" and as said by DC, usually you are waiting for something. School bell, starters pistol at a race, announcement of the winner, etc.
— contributed by: blabby
- やいなや meaning "almost as soon as" is normally used and the use of が早いか in the examples is kind of stroange.
We normally use it in such sentence as 聞くが早いか、あいつは飛び出していった。
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex. 4703での｢キッチン」と書いてある件ですが、その代わりに、台所を変えて、英語の説明では「kitchen」を変えるのはどう思いますか？
— contributed by: nazonatte69
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: gahayaika
tagJ: 〜が早いか
tagH: 〜がはやいか
expE: as soon as
expJ: 〜するや否(いな)や。〜するとすぐに。
noteE: As soon as the President arrived
JLPT: 1

Front: denakute-nandarou
〜でなくてなんだろう
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜でなくてなんだろう
Meaning: If thats not ... I don't know what is
Example: If that's not a secret society, i don't know what is
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- always follows a noun. written only
— contributed by: dc
- 〜でなくてなんだろう literally means : "If it is not 〜,then what it is/ what can it be?"
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- このケーキが世界一でなくてなんだろう。
If this isn't the world's best cake, then I don't know what is.
— contributed by: dc
- あの国の大統領は国民の意見は無視して何でも自分一人で決定する。これが独裁者でなくてなんだろう。
The president of that country decides everything himself ignoring nation's concerns. If that's not dictatorship, then i don't know what is.
— contributed by: goodwinww
- 自分の命を犠牲にして多くの人を救ったあの男が英雄でなくてなんだろう。
That man who sacrificed his own life to help so many people, if he isn't a hero I don't know who is. でなくてなんだろう
— contributed by: khongbietboi
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User Comments
- JLPT Level 4?
— contributed by: anon
- well spotted. Level 1 i think.
— contributed by: dc
- JPLT Level 1 without a doubt.
— contributed by: olivier
- not to be a nit-picker, but how does that example sentence fit in with "written only"?
— contributed by: rasmusjp
- suppose we're talking about a person, is 〜でなくてだれだろう acceptable? (same goes for places, time, etc)
— contributed by: cosmo
- たとえば？あの人はスミスさんでなくてだれだろう？とか？I think its grammatically correct its just probably not used. Also consider that when speaking about other people you have to be careful about politeness, so saying なくてだれだろう？might be considered a little bit rude.
— contributed by: iamharenchi
- Is there an equivalent word/phrase which means "if that isn't (X) then what is?" or similar?
It'd be very handy to use in day to day life.
— contributed by: joooohn
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: denakute-nandarou
tagJ: 〜でなくてなんだろう
expE: If thats not ... I don't know what is
noteE: If that's not a secret society, i don't know what is
JLPT: 1

Front: to
〜と
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜と
Meaning: (on when) doing, if
Example: after you see ...
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- S1と　S2　is a causative sentence connective that implies that because of S1 naturally S2 was the result and has an unintentional or undesired nuance to it
For example：
この間、友達と一緒にキムチの食べほうだいをしたと　おなかが　痛くなりました.
The other day, my friend(s) and I had an "all you can eat" kimchi party and as a natural result (of eating some much kimchi) my stomach started to hurt.
— contributed by: tigert
- と　is preceded by the dictionary form.
— contributed by: pedro_cristian
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 「ロミオとジュリエット」を見ると必ず涙ぐむ。
After you see 'Romeo and Juliet' you will definitely cry
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 家を出るとすぐに雨が降り始めた。
As soon as I left home, it began to rain.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ここだと２万円前後の テレビ が 買うことができる。
If it's here then you can buy a television for 20,000 yen - give or take.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 冬になると雨が降っています。
When it becomes winter (when winter comes)-it rains.
— contributed by: eitanbol
- 冬になると雨が降っています
— contributed by: eitanbol
- 立川駅に着くと電話をしなくてはいけない
When ( I ) get to Tachikawa station, I have to make a call.
— contributed by: eitanbol
- 立川駅に着くと電話をしなくてはいけない
— contributed by: eitanbol
- 雨が降ると、送別会パーティに行けません。
If If it's raining, (I) can not come to the farewell party.
— contributed by: burakkuneko
- ３級の能力試験を合格できると、来年２級の試験を参加してみる嵐閧ﾅす。
If i am able to pass level 3 of Nouryoku Shiken, next year i plan to participate in level 2.
— contributed by: burakkuneko
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User Comments
- First example's /literal/ translation is "_On_ seeing `Romeo and Juliet' one is certain to be moved to tears."
— contributed by: Amatuka
- I think the 3rd exmpale looks different from others though it is still（接助）活用語の終止形に接続する。
This 「と」seems to imply remarks following.
「はっきり言うと、それは不可能だ」「この場合ですと、お値段が高くなります」「ここですと、安いテレビが買えます。」
— contributed by: Miki
- Yeah, I wasn't sure whether to put it in a separate entry or not. In the end I settled for changing the grammar entry to
"(on / when) doing<b>, if</b>"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ex# 181 please see [tatotan]
— contributed by: Miki
- Appeared in JLPT 2 (Select verbform+particle, 見ると)
— contributed by: dc
- 「ここだと二万円前後のテレビが買うことができる」＝
「ここなら二万円前後のテレビが買うことができる」
同じです。
— contributed by: 誠
- in the second example it should be furidashita
— contributed by: g12
- well, furidasu 降り出す means furihajimeru　降り始める.
— contributed by: Miki
- Both 降り出す and 降り始める are acceptable.
— contributed by: bambo4
- 降り出す implies a little bit more or an unexpected or emphatic tone to me.......
— contributed by: Gren
- eitanbol,
ex#6145/ex#6146 冬になると雨が降っています does not fit to the English. 冬になると雨が降ります。 or 雨が降る。would be better.
ex#6147/ex#6148 立川駅に着くと is not natural. 立川駅に着いたら電話をしなくてはいけない。or 電話をしなければならない。is better.
— contributed by: Miki
- みきさんは　日本人ですか？　Ex6145/Ex6146は　「冬になると　雨が降って来ます」と言えば　いいですか？
Let me know please.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: to
tagJ: 〜と
expE: (on when) doing, if
noteE: after you see ...
JLPT: 3

Front: noamari
の余り (のあまり)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
の余り (のあまり)
Meaning: because of too much
Example: 心配のあまり => because of too much anxiety
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- can be used for both good and bad things.
心配のあまり
because of too much anxiety.
嬉しさのあまりとび上がった。
I was so glad I couldnt help jumping up
— contributed by: dc
- [動-辞書形 / た形；な形-な；名-の]＋あまり
— contributed by: yuenannie
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 心配のあまり
because of too much anxiety.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は一番行きたかった大学に合格し、嬉しさのあまり跳び上がった。
Being successful with the eligibility for the University she most wanted to enter, she was so glad she couldn't help jumping up.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- 父親の死を知らされて、悲しみのあまり、寝込んでしまいました。
When people let him know about the death of his father, because of too much sadness , he went laid up completely.
— contributed by: dc
- ショックのあまり、涙も出ませんでしたよ。
I was so shocked that I didn't even cry.
— contributed by: dc
- 韓国には空腹のあまり家主の犬を調理しようとした男を逮捕された。
In Korea, a man who, because of too much hunger , intended to cook his proprietary dog, have been arrested.
— contributed by: dc
- 恥辱のあまり数回自殺未遂している。
Because of too much shame she attempted suicide several times.
— contributed by: dc
- そのニュースを聞いた時、ニコルは悲しみのあまり我を忘れた。
Nicole was beside herself with grief when she heard the news and forgot about us.
— contributed by: dbx
- その映画を見て彼女は感動のあまり涙を流した。
The movie moved her to tears.
— contributed by: dbx
- その光景を見て私は恐怖のあまり身の毛がよだつ思いだった。
My hair stood on end with horror when I saw the scene.
— contributed by: dbx
- その知らせを聞いたとき、誰もが喜びのあまり叫び声をあげた。
Everyone shouted for joy when they heard the news.
— contributed by: dbx
- スフィンクスは激怒のあまりうなった。
The Sphinx howled with rage.
— contributed by: dbx
- 感動のあまり、彼は一言も発することができなかった。
So great was his emotion that he could not utter a word.
— contributed by: dbx
- 嬉しさのあまりとび上がった。
I was so glad I couldnt help jumping up
— contributed by: dbx
- 驚きのあまり口もきけなかった。
I was too surprised to speak.
— contributed by: dbx
- 驚きのあまり話す力がなくなってしまいました。
Astonishment deprived me of my power of speech.
— contributed by: dbx
- 私は空腹のあまり口もきけなかった。
I was too hungry to speak.
— contributed by: dbx
- 昇任したさのあまり彼は他人の感情を考えなかった。
His desire for promotion blinded him to other's feelings.
— contributed by: dbx
- 悲しみのあまり彼女は気が狂った。
Grief drove her mad.
— contributed by: dbx
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Related Grammar
- amari
User Comments
- With kanji - 余り. See also variant あんまり
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あんまり is often used on its own to mean "That's too much!" / "That's horrible!" "ソレはあんまりよ！"
— contributed by: Amatuka
- ex#137 This would be more natural この話は本当にしてはあまりにもうますぎる。
— contributed by: Miki
- I agree with Miki-san. Let's change #137.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- ex#4429 English should be 'I was too glad to jump up.'
— contributed by: Miki
- #4429: how about: I was so glad I jumped up?
— contributed by: dc
- shouldn't ex [#4417] be removed here and moved to amari 2?
— contributed by: infinite_trial
- I agree with "infinite_trial." Also, in #4415, "late up night" should be "late at nights."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Shouldn't ex#137, ex #4413, #4414, #4415, #4417 be moved to another あまりcategory?
— contributed by: 誠
- Just to clarify, can のあまり only be used with nouns or adjectives (+sa)?
— contributed by: tw
- very colloquial masculine version:　あんま
— contributed by: shiho-chan
- 誠 is absolutely right about ex[#137, #4413, #4414, #4415, #4417]! The あまり in these examples has another meaning ("too") and they should be moved!
— contributed by: S.G.
- I moved [amari] entry to [noamari] which didn't exist.
I moved Ex #137, #4413, #4414, #4415 and #4417 to the [amari] entry I created for them, and they became Ex #6790, #6791, #6792, #6793 and #6794 respectively.
I changed #137, #4413, #4414, #4415, #4417 so they fit for the [noamari] entry.
Is this too much contribution?/参加の余りでしょうか。
After that, I don't understand "昇任したさ" in Ex #4433. 高い makes 高さ by move to substantive. Does したい makes したさ the same way?
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: noamari
tagJ: の余り
tagH: のあまり
expE: because of too much
noteE: 心配のあまり => because of too much anxiety
JLPT: 2

Front: niizon, niison
に依存 (にいぞん, にいそん)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に依存 (にいぞん, にいそん)
Meaning: depending on, relying on
Example: depending on the maker
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- jjkk
— contributed by: parma832003
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- オーサリングツールとなると結局ツールメーカーに依存する
when it comes to authoring tools, it depends on the tool maker
— contributed by: dc
- その組織の運営は自発的な寄付 に依存している。
That organization's operation depends on voluntary contributions.
— contributed by: CorDarei
- その国の経済は、農業に依存している。
The country's economy depends on agriculture.
— contributed by: CorDarei
- 皆の成功は一郎の動力に依存しています。
Everyone's success depends on Ichiro's effort.
— contributed by: timmy43
- 合衆国が日本の先端技術に依存していること。
US`　dependence on Japan`s high technology.
— contributed by: karekano
- 日本は石油を外国に依存している。
Japan depends on foreign countries for oil.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女の援助に依存はできないよ。
You can`t rely on her help.
— contributed by: karekano
- 君はいつも彼女の援助に依存ばかりしている。
You are always counting on her to help you.
— contributed by: karekano
- この国は石油とガスを輸入に依存している。
This country is dependent on oil and gas import.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私たちの成功は方法に依存している。
Our sucess is contingent upon the method.
— contributed by: karekano
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- shidai
- ikan
User Comments
- Does anyone know the difference in nuance between 依存(いぞん), 依頼(いらい) and 頼る(たよる).
I think 依頼 involves requesting (maybe to a superior) while 依存 is maybe a little stronger? Usually I hear に頼ってる in casual speech.
By the way, should the Japanaese title be changed to に依存? The ro-maji and Kanji don't match.
— contributed by: blabby
- 依頼 means "to request."
依存 means "to rely upon"
頼る means "to depend on" or "count on"
依存 is stronger than 頼る
— contributed by: bamboo4
- in the WWWJDIC, there are two pronunciation for 依存: "いぞん" or "いそん". Why do you have only one in the title of this grammar entry?
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 私は日本語がさっぱり分からないから御遠慮なくて私の文法を直してください。
— contributed by: timmy43
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niizon, niison
tagJ: に依存
tagH: にいぞん, にいそん
expE: depending on, relying on
noteE: depending on the maker
JLPT: 2

Front: nagaramo
ながらも
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ながらも
Meaning: Notwithstanding, even while, even though, as she was
Example: child as she was
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p29 - no.31
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar p199
— contributed by: LR
- VERB {ます stem} 　/　{ない}　+　ながらも
いadj.{い} 　　　　　　　　　 +　ながらも
なadj. 　　　　　　　　　　 　+　ながらも
名{+であり}　　　　　　　　 +　ながらも
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 少し悪いと思いながらも、彼は笑うのを抑えることはできなかった。
He could not refrain from smiling, though with a slight sense of guilt.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は、結婚するためにイランに帰るかもしれないと言いながらも、日本から帰った後の彼の計画は依然としてめどが立っていない。
Although he says he might return to Iran to marry, his plans after Japan are up in the air.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は少ないながらも持ち合わせていた金を全部私にくれた。
He gave me what little money he had about him.
— contributed by: dc
- トムは元気を取り戻した。そして、やっぱり、大晦日にはびっこを引きながらもパーティーに参加できた。
Tom took heart and, sure enough, on New Year's Eve he was able to hobble along to a party.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼は少ないながらも彼の持ち物すべてを私にくれた。
Notwithstanding the small amount he did have, he gave me all that he had
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は女ながらも勇敢に戦った。
Woman as she was, she fought bravely.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は少ないながらも持っていた全ての硬貨をそのものもらいに与えました。
She gave what few coins she has to the beggar.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は不本意ながらもそうした。
She did it against her will.
— contributed by: dbx
- 幼いながらも、その子供は勇敢だった。
Child as he was , he was brave.
— contributed by: dbx
- その職人は古い伝説を守りながらも、新しい工夫を重ねている
Although that craftsman preserves the old traditions, he is also building up new methods.
— contributed by: LR
- 田中君は若いながらも古い習慣をよく知っている。
Even though Tanaka is young, he knows quite a bit about old customs.
— contributed by: hillsonn
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User Comments
- How did we end up with many duplicate examples?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I put in the same ones twice, oops.
— contributed by: dc
- ex #3777 "He gave me what little money he had on him."
ex #3783 "Even though he didn't have much he gave me all that he had" or"Even though he didn't have much he gave it all to me"
ex #3784 "Even though a woman she fought bravely" or "Even though she was only a woman she fought bravely"
ex #3787 "Even though he was only a child he was brave" or "He was brave even though only a child."
These sound more natural to me.
— contributed by: Kanemiya
- [#3783] Please correct the English translation or remove this example. Kanemiya's translation is good. Currently, I have no idea what the current translation means.
— contributed by: seanohagan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nagaramo
tagJ: ながらも
expE: Notwithstanding, even while, even though, as she was
noteE: child as she was
JLPT: 1

Front: dashita
だした
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
だした
Meaning: Began/Begun, Started
Example: The traffic started moving
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 車が(動き)出した - kurumaga(ugoki = movement)dashita = the car started moving - verb + dashita = started to
— contributed by: sutiibu
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 車が動き出した
The car started moving
— contributed by: Amatuka
- １マイル歩くか歩かないうちに雷が鳴りだした。
I had hardly walked a mile when it began to thunder.
— contributed by: dbx
- ２人の友人は深い友情のきずなをつくりだした。
The two friends have formed a deep bond of friendship.
— contributed by: dbx
- いったんはやりだしたら、リーバイスのジーンズは決してすたれなかった。
Once they came in, Levi's never went out of fashion.
— contributed by: dbx
- お金を全部使ってしまい、私たちは仕事を探しだした。
All the money spent, we started looking for work.
— contributed by: dbx
- さらに悪いことに雨がふりだした。
To make matter worse, it began to rain.
— contributed by: dbx
- しばらくして彼らは歩きだした。
They began to walk after a while.
— contributed by: dbx
- そのときジョーンズさんが何かいいだした。
Mr Jones started to say something then.
— contributed by: dbx
- その少女はわっと泣きだした。
The young girl burst into tears.
— contributed by: dbx
- その話を聞いたら父のことを思いだした。
The story reminded me of my father.
— contributed by: dbx
- それは彼の身に応えだした。
It is beginning to tell on him.
— contributed by: dbx
- ゆっくりと彼は状況が分かりだした。
Only slowly did he begin to understand the situation.
— contributed by: dbx
- サーカスを見にみんなくりだした。
Everyone turned out for the circus.
— contributed by: dbx
- ホイッスルの音を聞くやいなや、彼らは全速力で走りだした。
On hearing the whistle, they started at full speed.
— contributed by: dbx
- 一人ぼっちにされたので、その小さな女の子は泣きだした。
Left alone, the little girl began to cry.
— contributed by: dbx
- 雨が降りだしたとき何をしていましたか。
What were you doing when it began to rain?
— contributed by: dbx
- 雨が降り出すと洗濯物をとりこみだした。
She took in the washing when it started to rain.
— contributed by: dbx
- 家に帰り着くとすぐ雨が降りだした。
As soon as I got home it began to rain.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は私を見て、急に笑いだした。
She burst into laughter when she saw me.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は非常に喜んだので踊りだした。
Such was so delighted that she began to dance.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女は夫との口論の際、とても興奮して突然泣きだした。
She got so carried away when arguing with her husband that she burst into tears.
— contributed by: dbx
- 彼女はマンガを読んでいて、笑いだした。
She (suddenly) laughed while reading Manga.
— contributed by: infinite_trial
- 弟とお姉ちゃんが笑い出した。
My younger brother and older sister began to laugh.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
- 彼女が話しだした。
She suddenly started to talk.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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- kaketa
- -hajimeru
User Comments
- #4528
"Mr Jones said something then" should be: Mr Jones started to say something then.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- fixed.
— contributed by: dc
- dashita is more of a sudden reaction or stituation
— contributed by: infinite_trial
- verb+dashita,hajimeta,owatta,tsuzukeru are jlpt level 3 grammar points
— contributed by: ramu
- what is the difference beetween dashita and hajimatta??Pls help me
— contributed by: holland
- There's a discussion of the difference between verb+出す (dasu) and verb+始める (hajimeru) over in the comments on [-hajimeru]. The consensus is that verb+出す is more of a sudden or explosive starting (like busrting into tears), while verb+始める is just simply starting.
Note also that this use of 出す is NOT the same as the standalone verb 出す, which means to take something from a more enclosed/private place or situation and put it in a more open/public one. 出す only means "start to do" when it's tacked onto another verb stem... and even then it may still have the above meaning:
取り出す - take (an object) out (of a container)
追い出す - chase (someone) out
— contributed by: KWhazit
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dashita
tagJ: だした
expE: Began/Begun, Started
expJ: だす
noteE: The traffic started moving
JLPT: 4

Front: nomi
のみ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
のみ
Meaning: only
Example: only guys can work there
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 家族のみが来た
Only my family came
— contributed by: ninja_k
- めぐの家のみに行ってもいいですよ！
You can only go to Megu's house!
— contributed by: ninja_k
- この規則は、大人のみに適用されます。
This rule is applied to adults only.
— contributed by: Miki
- この種の植物は熱帯地方にのみ育ちます。
This kind of plant grows only in the tropical regions.
— contributed by: Miki
- この切符は、購入後2日間のみ有効である。
This ticket holds good only for two days after purchase.
— contributed by: Miki
- ただ結果を待つのみだ。
We can but wait for the results.
— contributed by: Miki
- 知識は学習によってのみ習得することができる。
Knowledge can only be obtained by study.
— contributed by: Miki
- 私が大好きな人は、貴方のみだ。
The girl I love, is you only.
— contributed by: phananhvu
- 要点のみを話してください。
Please tell me just the main point.　
— contributed by: erekose200
- 月は反射によってのみ輝く。
The moon shines only by reflection.
— contributed by: karekano
- 老兵は死なず。ただ消え去るのみ。
"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away".
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼がだれなのか神のみぞ知る。
Lord knows who he is.
— contributed by: karekano
- 勇者のみが尊敬に値する。
None but the brave deserve our respect.
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- nominarazu (an extension of the basic form... )
- nuki ([nomi]= only / [nuki]=without)
User Comments
- it is written ni totte in the title
— contributed by: lucien
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nomi
tagJ: のみ
expE: only
noteE: only guys can work there
JLPT: 2

Front: butting in
邪魔する (じゃまする (jamasuru))
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
邪魔する (じゃまする (jamasuru))
Meaning: hey, do you have a sec?
Example: I hope I'm not disturbing you.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I often wonder how to interrupt people to ask them a question at work...
----
すみません、少しよろしいですか？ might be short and polite enough.
One way to sound polite or reserved is try not to finish your sentence.
It might sound weird but a half-finished sense can hand over the baton to your partner.
For instance, ”すみません、質問があるんですが、、、。”
It lets the partner take over the conversation, he may say, "何ですか？”then you can proceed saying, "質問があるんですけど”.
Your sentence ”すみません、質問ありますので、少し時間いただけますか？"has no problem but it can be a too long sentence depending on the scene.
In other words you might end up with holding your partner from speaking for too long.
Your sentence might be better to finish halfway such as ”すみません、質問があるんですけど…” or finish it by combining all the elements, ”すみません、質問してもよろしいですか？”
— contributed by: dc
- I have found that in working situations 失礼しますが is always a good way to interupt someone while they are in the middle of something.
if someone is eating you can always say　すみません食事中のに　よろしいですか。
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼のいびきが一晩中邪魔になった
His snoring disturbed me all night.
— contributed by: ラブレス
- あの子はいつも付きまとって邪魔だ
That child is always underfoot.
— contributed by: ラブレス
- それが彼の成功の邪魔になる
It will be an obstacle to his success.
— contributed by: ラブレス
- 明日お邪魔してもよろしいですか。
May I come to sse you tomorrow?
— contributed by: karekano
- おじゃまします。
May I come in?
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- I think a simple ちょっといいですか (chotto ii desu ka), or XX さん、今、時間大丈夫ですか (XX-san, ima, jikan daijoubu desu ka?) is fine for many situations. In general, the workplace is an informal situation when dealing with colleagues. Superiors are a different matter, and would call for honorifics and other bells and whistles.
— contributed by: Eric
- I think that this entry should be categorized "social" instead of "grammar".
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I think it would be a good idea to add the hiragana(じゃま) or romanji(jama) of this kanji to the explanation.
Most people who get as far as this page would know the pronounciation but.....
— contributed by: brewski
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: butting in
tagJ: 邪魔する
tagH: じゃまする (jamasuru)
expE: hey, do you have a sec?
noteE: I hope I'm not disturbing you.
JLPT: 2

Front: de, ni, mae
で・に・前 (で・に・ まえ (de - ni -mae))
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
で・に・前 (で・に・ まえ (de - ni -mae))
Meaning: time and place prepositions at in on
Example: On Friday at 3pm
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- に [ni] is a placement particle locating a point in time or space, で [de] indicates the domain in which the totality of an event takes place.
— contributed by: dc
- The particle に requires something physical, such as 東京に本店があります,whereas, で requires some activity, such as 東京で会合があります.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 駅前でお会いします
IN FRONT OF the station
— contributed by: dc
- カフェー内で
IN the cafe (= inside)
— contributed by: dc
- カフェで
AT the cafe (at that place, could be in or outside)
— contributed by: dc
- 駅で
AT the station
— contributed by: dc
- 駅長室で
IN the station masters office
— contributed by: dc
- 金曜日の夜にお会い、、
ON friday night
— contributed by: dc
- 時間に間に合います
I will be ON time
— contributed by: dc
- バーで
AT the bar
— contributed by: dc
- いつもの時間と場所で or いつもの時間にいつもの場所で
AT the regular time and place
— contributed by: dc
- 七時に
AT 7pm
— contributed by: dc
- 七時までに到着できます。（行けます。）
I will be there BY 7pm (before 7pm)
— contributed by: dc
- 金曜日の午後に待ち合わせしましょうか？
why dont we meet ON friday afternoon?
— contributed by: dc
- 金曜日の３時に待ち合わせしましょうか？
why dont we meet AT 3 on friday?
— contributed by: dc
- 一人で　映画を　見に　行く。
I will go alone to watch the movie.
— contributed by: nihon
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User Comments
- Is this correct?
timeでplaceに
明日の朝で私が東京に打合せがありますので
— contributed by: dc
- 明日の朝に 私が 東京で　打ち合わせがありますので...
— contributed by: Miki
- The particle に requires something physical, such as 東京に本店があります,whereas, で requires some activity, such as 東京で会合があります.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- But I'm almost sure you can say 東京に会合があります as well.
に is a placement particle locating a point in time or space, で indicates the domain in which the totality of an event takes place.
— contributed by: PaulO
- tx paul, added as a note above.
— contributed by: dc
- I wouldn't say 東京に会合があります。 But I'd say 東京にて会合があります。
— contributed by: Miki
- Miki, but basically にて and で are the same, right? Or is there a difference?
— contributed by: mhykx
- In the case of 東京で会合があります、basically にて and で are the same.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: de, ni, mae
tagJ: で・に・前
tagH: で・に・ まえ (de - ni -mae)
expE: time and place prepositions at in on
noteE: On Friday at 3pm
JLPT: 3

Front: Group 1 Verb Exceptions
五段動詞ー特例 (ごだんどうしーとくれい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
五段動詞ー特例 (ごだんどうしーとくれい)
Meaning: A list of -eru and -iru verbs that conjugate as Group 1
Example: The verb ’はいる’ (to enter) conjugates as a Group 1 verb - as はいった、はいって etc., rather than a Group 2 verb.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- As a general rule, conjugating Group 1 and Group 2 verbs in Japanese isn't complicated once you've determined what verb group they belong to.
Group 1 (Consonant-stem verbs or godan-doushi) end with "~u" (i.e. 〜う、く、す、つ、ぬ、む、る).
Group 2 (Vowel-stem verbs or ichidan-doushi) end with either "~ iru" or "~ eru".
You have to be careful, however, as there are many exceptions (though some are very rare) to this simple dichotomy: while Group 2 verbs all end in -iru or -eru, it's not true that all verbs ending in -iru or -eru are Group 2 verbs.
A rule of thumb (with thanks to Jim Breen): if ~eru and ~iru words have more than one syllable before the -ru, and you can find out how they are written with kanji, if the ~e/~i syllable is written in kana, it's a Group 2 verb. If the -ru ending comes after the kanji, it's a Group 1 verb.
Of course, this doesn't help for one-syllable roots such as "he-ru" (Group 1) or "mi-ru" (Group 2). Also, there are several verbs ("bibi-ru" and "nome-ru" for example) that are written without kanji.
The few exceptions I've found to this rule are あぶらぎる and まじる. Also, ふせる, which can be either group 1 or 2 depending on the nuance in meaning.
In the list below, * indicates that a comparatively rare kanji (included only in the JIS X 0212 character set) is used for that word.
— contributed by: srobertson
- Here's a list compiled with thanks to similar efforts by Jim Breen, Colin McCulley and Bart Mathias.
嘲る (あざける) to scoff, (to ridicule)
焦る (あせる) to be in a hurry; to be impatient
脂ぎる (あぶらぎる) to be glistening with grease
熱る・* (いきる) to become sultry
弄る (いじる) to fiddle with, to touch; to tamper with
いびる (いびる) to torment, to roast, to tease
煎る・炒る・熬る (いる) to parch; to fry; to fire; to broil; to roast; to boil down (in oil)
入る (いる) to get in; to go in; to come in; to flow into; to set; to set in
〜入る (〜いる)
要る (いる) to need
* (うせる) to root with the nose
うねる (うねる) to undulate
彫る (える) to carve
選る (える) to choose
* (える) to ridicule （あざわらう）
陥る・落ち入る (おちいる) to fall; to trap; to cave in; to collapse?
阿る (おもねる) to flatter
還る (かえる) to send back; to return
帰る (かえる) to go back; to go home; to come home; to return
孵る (かえる) to be hatched, to hatch out
返る (かえる) to return; to come back; to go back
反る (かえる) to change; to turn over; to turn upside down
限る (かぎる) to restrict; to limit; to confine
翔る (かける) to soar, to fly
陰る (かげる) to become cloudy, to darken; to get dark; to be clouded; to be obscured
呪る (かしる) to curse
齧る・噛る (かじる) to chew; to bite (at); to gnaw; to nibble; to munch; to crunch; to have a smattering of? (knowledge)
軋る・轢る (きしる) to squeak, creak, rasp, scrape,
切る (きる) to cut; (to chop; to hash; to carve; to saw; to clip; to shear; to slice; to strip; to fell; to cut down; to punch; to sever (connections); to pause; to break off; to disconnect; to turn off; to hang up; to cross (a street); to discount; to sell below cost; to shake (water) off; to finish; to be through; to complete)
〜切る
剪る (きる) to cut
斬る (きる) to behead, to murder
霧る (きる) to become misty
抉る (くじる) to gouge, to scoop
愚痴る (ぐちる) to grumble
覆る (くつがえる) to topple over; to be overturned; to capsize
くねる (くねる) to be crooked (as a road)
縊る (くびる) to grip, to strangle
蹴る (ける) to kick
抉る (こじる) to gouge, to wrench
遮る (さえぎる) to interrupt
湿気る (しける) to be damp, to be moist
茂る (しげる) to grow thick; to luxuriate; to be luxurious
湿る (しめる) to be wet; to become wet; to be damp
喋る (しゃべる) to talk, to chat
知る (しる) to know; to understand; to be acquainted with; to feel
捩る (すじる) to wriggle
滑る (すべる) to glide; to slide (e.g. on skis); to slip
* (せせる) to pick on, to play with
せびる (せびる) to demand money; to pester; to extort
競る (せる) to compete; to bid; to sell at auction
謗る・譏る・誹る (そしる) to slander; to libel; to criticize
そべる (そべる) to lie sprawled
滾る (たぎる) to boil; to seethe
猛る (たける) (1) to rage; to be fierce; (2) to be excited　(to act violently)
駄弁る (だべる) to jabber; to chatter; to chat with
魂消る (たまぎる) to be frightened
契る (ちぎる) to pledge; to promise; to swear
散る (ちる) to fall; to scatter (e.g. blossoms, leaves)
抓る (つねる・つめる) to pinch
照る (てる) to shine
どじる (どじる) to screw up, to blunder
とちる (とちる) to fumble, muff lines (in a play)
迸る (とばしる) same as ほとばしる
詰る (なじる) to rebuke
滑る (なめる) similar to すべる (same kanji in fact)
握る (にぎる) to grasp; to seize; to mould sushi
躙る (にじる) to edge forward (にじりぐち - a small door which leads into a tea ceremony hut)
滑る (ぬめる) to be slippery; to be slimy; to behave charmingly; to walk merrily
捩じる・捻じる (ねじる) (1) to screw; to twist; (2) to distort; (3) to torture; to wrest
練る・錬る・煉る・粘る (ねる) to knead; to work over; to polish up
罵る (ののしる) to speak ill of; to abuse verbally
のめる (のめる) to fall forward
入る (はいる) to enter
走る (はしる) to run
侍る (はべる) to wait upon, to serve
捻る (ひねる) to turn (a switch) on or off; to twist; to puzzle over;
びびる (びびる) to become nervous, to quail (at, before), to be daunted (by)
翻る (ひるがえる) to turn over; to wave; to flutter
耽る (ふける) to indulge in; to give oneself up to; to be obsessed by; to be engrossed in; to be lost in; to be absorbed in
臥せる (ふせる) to lie down; to retire; to go to bed, to be sick in bed
減る (へる) to decrease (in size or number); to diminish; to abate
謙る (へる) to deprecate oneself and praise the listener; to abase oneself　
穿る (ほじる) to pick, to dig out, to dig up; to peck at
火照る・熱る (ほてる) to feel hot; to flush; to burn
迸る (ほとばしる) to surge; to well up; to gush out
参る (まいる) to come, to go (humble)
交じる・混じる・雑じる (まじる) to be mixed; to be blended with; to associate with; to mingle with; to interest; to join
見縊る (みくびる) to underrate; to belittle; to look down on; to despise
漲る (みなぎる) to swell up; to rise; to be (brim) full of; to pervade
毟る (むしる) to pluck, to pick, to tear
滅入る (めいる) to feel depressed
減る (める) to decrease　
* (もぎる) to wrench (s.t.)
捩る (もじる) to parody; to wrench; to twist
野次る・弥次る (やじる) to jeer (at); to hoot; to boo; to catcall; to heckle
よぎる (よぎる) to pass through, to drop in
捩る (よじる) to twist
蘇る・甦る (よみがえる) to be resurrected; to be revived; to be resuscitated; to be rehabilitated
— contributed by: srobertson
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 嘲る (あざける)
to scoff, (to ridicule)
— contributed by: dc
- 焦る (あせる)
to be in a hurry; to be impatient
— contributed by: dc
- 脂ぎる (あぶらぎる)
to be greasy
— contributed by: dc
- 熱る (いきる)
to become sultry
— contributed by: dc
- 弄る (いじる)
to fiddle with, to touch; to tamper with
— contributed by: dc
- いびる (いびる)
to torment, to roast, to tease
— contributed by: dc
- 煎る・炒る・熬る (いる)
to parch; to fry; to fire; to broil; to roast; to boil down (in oil)
— contributed by: dc
- 入る (いる)
to get in; to go in; to come in; to flow into; to set; to set in
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- This list may not be complete. It came partially from an entry on the <A HREF="http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/afaq/godan.html">WWWJDIC site</A>, and I've checked it and improved where I could. There are several words in the list that don't appear in my 和英 dictionaries, but I did find them in the <A href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4000801112/249-9636973-2441117">広辞苑</A> Japanese dictionary. Some of these words are pretty rare (in fact, some of the kanji for the word can be found only in the JIS X 0212 character set), but I thought they were interesting anyway.
— contributed by: srobertson
- DC, is there any way to (easily) format this list in a HTML table, or does the db only handle simple HTML tags?
— contributed by: srobertson
- hi sandy - thanks for the contribution. if you provide it as a simple html page i have a way of linking it, but it would not be editable.
I guess you could enter them as examples using the "add example" form, but EN/JP on different lines, and then a table would be created when displayed.
— contributed by: dc
- BTW sometimes spaces in the grammar entry names were causing problems - was this OK?
— contributed by: dc
- could you add a slightly better explanation note please?
— contributed by: dc
- sandy - i added a few as examples so you can see what they look like.. not sure if these really qualify as examples though... more of a list.
— contributed by: dc
- stephen - sorry got your name confused. had a co-worker sandy R, too ingrained.
1) fixed garble font issue pls check
2) required grammar. discussing with colleague. maybe better to leave this content in the notes field.
Also: could you add another note which is a better explanation? still dont get this fully.
— contributed by: dc
- Hi dc, sorry it took me so long to add the notes to this. No problems with the characters getting garbled this time around. Should we delete the examples if we leave the list as a note?
— contributed by: srobertson
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Group 1 Verb Exceptions
tagJ: 五段動詞ー特例
tagH: ごだんどうしーとくれい
expE: A list of -eru and -iru verbs that conjugate as Group 1
noteE: The verb ’はいる’ (to enter) conjugates as a Group 1 verb - as はいった、はいって etc., rather than a Group 2 verb.
JLPT: 0

Front: should do/better to/ought to/have to
するべき・ほうが良い・しなければならない (するべき・ほうがよい・しなければならない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
するべき・ほうが良い・しなければならない (するべき・ほうがよい・しなければならない)
Meaning: you should
Example: you should do this
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- There are various levels of suggesting/asking/telling/ordering someone to do something in japanese, just like in english.
In general order of the strength of the suggestion:
[hougaii] = better if/ought to
it would be better if you do this
これをした方がよい
it would be better to do it this way
こいう風にした方がよい
you should exercise more
もっと運動したほうがいい
[beki] = should
You should do this
あなたはこれをするべきです。
(it sounds stronger in Japanese, I guess.)
[nakerebanaranai] = must/have to
You must do this
あなたはこれをしなければなりません
[hitsuyou] = neccessary
it is neccessary that you do this
これをする必要があります
[gimu] = obligation
you are obliged
あなたは。。。する義務があります
[zaruwoenai] = required to (formal) eg by law
it is required to do this (eg by law)
これをせざるを得ない
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
There are currently no examples for this grammar entry.
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User Comments
- I see "Ai subeki" a lot. I was wondering if that is the same thing, since it looks like it should be "ai suru beki" Or is it even the same thing?
— contributed by: Ayumi
- yea, すべき is するべき
— contributed by: Chris
- I was wondering if 〜ないとis a shortened version of
〜なければなりません. Does anyone one know?
— contributed by: 悪循環
- I think nakereba narimasen no short form is nakya.
— contributed by: jayati
- correct me if i misunderstood.. i think 〜ないと alone is incomplete (unless its 〜ないと。。。in which the obvious is omitted), しないといけない　＝　しなければならない。
— contributed by: zigboy
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: should do/better to/ought to/have to
tagJ: するべき・ほうが良い・しなければならない
tagH: するべき・ほうがよい・しなければならない
expE: you should
expJ: これをした方よい
noteE: you should do this
JLPT: 3

Front: teshimau
て形+しまう (て仕舞う・て終う・て了う) (てしまう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
て形+しまう (て仕舞う・て終う・て了う) (てしまう)
Meaning: wind up ____ing, end up ___ing, finish ____ing
Example: I wound up laughing.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb(て)　＋　しまう。
— contributed by: root1984
- It may be worth mentioning that sometimes
Vて　しまいました is sometimes shortened to
Vちゃった.
— contributed by: agnestan
- Literally, しまう means "to finish." Do not be surprised to find this word used only in this meaning sometimes, with no "undesired"-connotation.
— contributed by: blutorange
- -てしまう - sometimes contracted to ちゃう
— contributed by: lajka
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その映画を見て泣いてしまった。
Watching that movie, I ended up crying.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 宿題はもうやってしまいました。
I've finished my homework.
— contributed by: eastmael
- いつも本を読んでいるうちに眠ってしまう。
I always read myself to sleep.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は稼ぐ金をすべて本に使ってしまう。
What money he earns he spends on books.
— contributed by: Miki
- そういった話をしていると議論になってしまう。
That kind of talk leads to an argument.
— contributed by: Miki
- それをやってしまうまで、ここを出てはなりません。
Don't leave here until you have done it.
— contributed by: Miki
- 「あら、ごめんなさい。どうやら間違え電話をしてしまったようだね。」
"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I (ended up) have the wrong number."
— contributed by: Miki
- ２日後に食べ物がなくなってしまった。
After two days our food gave out.
— contributed by: Miki
- ５分と走らないうちに息切れしてしまった。
I had not run five minutes when I got out of breath.
— contributed by: Miki
- 前から欲しかった本がやっと手に入ったものだから、早速徹夜して終わりまで読んでしまった。
Because I finally came into possession of a book I was looking after for a long time, at once in a sleepless night I finished reading it until the end.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 遅れてしまいました、すみません。
Sorry I'm late.
— contributed by: agnestan
- 遅れちゃった、すみません。
Sorry I'm late.
— contributed by: agnestan
- 春名は出来ないとドンドン振り付け変えちゃうからわけ分かんなくなちゃう.
Whenever you can't do the moves, you change the choreography more and more, and it's making me totally lost! .
— contributed by: lajka
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Related Grammar
- kiru
- shimau
User Comments
- The title should be "shimau" instead of "teshimau." "te" is a particle and does not form the root of "shimau."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Wouldn't this fall under the other category of しまう？「その映画を見て泣いてしまった」にはほかの翻訳あると思いますが。。。 Watching that movie, I cried (not that I wanted to, or expected to cry). Perhaps because this would be a case where there isn't regret?
— contributed by: ninja_k
- I think 〜てしまう can imply two meanings:
1) completed
2) to my regret
I'm really not sure how one can distinguish which one a person is trying to imply.. I guess it's based on the context of what one is saying?
— contributed by: eastmael
- I agree with eastmael. Here is some explanation from text :
〜てしまう
１．全部終わる
E.g. : 作文をかいてしまったら、公園に行きましょう
２．失敗する・残念だと思う
E.g.: 1.大切な結婚指輪を無くしてしまいました。
　　　2.大好きな猫が既に死んでしまったんだ。
I think if something bad happened unwillingly, 〜しまう goes to the 2nd meaning.Otherwise, if it is something done without any special adverse effects or just a plain task or action, it goes to the 1st meaning.
— contributed by: 誠
- I don`t know about everyone else, but I have never heard しまう used to mean "I finished Ving"
It always seems to have a negative meaning attached to it.
— contributed by: tigert
- Tigertさん, I added example #6786 caught from JPLT2 in this level 3 entry exactly for the note you wrote.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I'd like to offer a more natural translation of the sentence beginning with 前から欲しかった本。。。
I got a book I had craved for a long time, so I immediately began reading, and read all night long until I finally finished it.
— contributed by: kaligal
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: teshimau
tagJ: て形+しまう (て仕舞う・て終う・て了う)
tagH: てしまう
expE: wind up ____ing, end up ___ing, finish ____ing
expJ: その動作・作用が完了して、もとへ戻らない意を表す。特に、取り返しがつかない意を表す。
noteE: I wound up laughing.
JLPT: 3

Front: sousuruto
そうすると
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
そうすると
Meaning: That means, If that's the case, etc
Example: That means that there is no time to drink beer!
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ９時に彼女らと会うのか？　そうするとビールを飲む時間はないんだよ！ くそ！
We're meeting the girls at 9? That means there's no time to drink beer! Damnit!
— contributed by: ninja_k
- そうするといやが上にも美しく見える。
That makes you much more attractive still.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- doesnt this mean more like "_if_ that's true, then..." - ie based on preceding item.
so your ex #4748 would be:
If thats true, then we dont have time for a drink.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女らを should be 彼女らと. Also, "to drink a beer" should be "to drink beer."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- dc - I defer to native speakers on that one... in the book I got, the meaning was: Based on the preceding information, a new topic is brought forth. Which leads into the english of that means... cleaned things up a bit / fixed #4748...
— contributed by: ninja_k
- a slightly different sense than dc's example,
"if you follow those directions, then you will see it on your right"
— contributed by: jmadsen
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sousuruto
tagJ: そうすると
expE: That means, If that's the case, etc
noteE: That means that there is no time to drink beer!
JLPT: 0

Front: nikui
にくい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にくい
Meaning: Is diffcult to do
Example: He's difficult to understand, isn't he?
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- formed with Vm + （難い) にくい, making it an i adjective.
— contributed by: ninja_k
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は分かりにくいでしょうかなぁ？
He's difficult to understand,isn't he?
— contributed by: ninja_k
- 食べにくい食べ物がきらいだ。
I don't like difficult to eat foods.
— contributed by: ninja_k
- このめずらしい切手は手にはいりにくいんだよ。
This rare stamp is hard to come by.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- タイガーティの説明はとてもわかりにくいですね｡
tigert`s explanation is very difficult to understand.
— contributed by: tigert
- 英語での本を読みにくいです。
It's hard to read the book in English.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
- 多くの外人にとって、納豆を食べにくいんだ。
For many foreigners, natto is hard to eat.
— contributed by: Raitakun501
- 凍った食べ物が食べにくいだ。
Frozen food is hard to eat.
— contributed by: Raitakun501
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Related Grammar
- yasui (易い) (This is symmetrical to 'yasui' (易い)m "easy to do".)
- easyhard
User Comments
- As for the comment in Notes, t should be にくい, not いくい. typo?
In kanji 'にくい' is in 難い or 悪い
'verb conjugation + にくい'.
— contributed by: Miki
- fixed, thanks!
— contributed by: ninja_k
- What's the difference between むずかしい and にくい?
— contributed by: crbennett
- The different is that 難い is added to a verb stem to change it to an adjective, whereas 難しい is an existing adjective meaning 'difficult', and thus can't be conjugated to a verb stem.
For example:
That word is difficult to remember (lit. That word's remembering is difficult.)
その言葉が思い出し難いな。
as compared to:
Remembering that word is difficult (lit. That word's remembering is difficult).
その言葉は思い出すことが難しいだ。
EDIT 10/15/07: You're right; thanks tiger!
— contributed by: Groove
- Hey groove in your second example. I don`t think you need the する.
思い出す　is a verb already. other than that I like your explaination very clear I added a vocabulary note for yasui
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikui
tagJ: にくい
expE: Is diffcult to do
expJ: 出来るごとが難しいです。
noteE: He's difficult to understand, isn't he?
JLPT: 3

Front: ryuu
龒・龍・竜 (りゅう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
龒・龍・竜 (りゅう)
Meaning: dragon
Example: nobody knows if the dragons have ever existed.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
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User Comments
- this site is for grammar not kanji/dictionary stuff... entry scheduled for deletion.
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ryuu
tagJ: 龒・龍・竜
tagH: りゅう
expE: dragon
expJ: つめを持ち、火を吐く伝説上の怪
noteE: nobody knows if the dragons have ever existed.
JLPT: 0

Front: suru hitsuyou ga
する必要が　( するひつようが )
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
する必要が　( するひつようが )
Meaning: Things that must be done (or not)
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: suru hitsuyou ga
tagJ: する必要が　( するひつようが )
expE: Things that must be done (or not)
noteE: -
JLPT: 0

Front: favor, favour
授受 (じゅじゅ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
授受 (じゅじゅ)
Meaning: Giving and Receiving　（あげる、やる、くれる、もらう）
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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User Comments
- Tutorial:
Outline
1. Japanese people like gifts
2. When to use 「あげる」
3. Using 「あげる」and 「くれる」 for the third person
4. When to use 「もらう」
5. Asking favors with 「くれる」 or 「もらえる」
Japanese people like gifts
One thing about Japanese culture is that they're big on giving gifts. There are many different customs involving giving and receiving gifts (お歳暮、お中元、etc.) and when Japanese people go traveling, you can be sure that they're going to be picking up souvenirs to take back as gifts. Even when attending marriages or funerals, people are expected to give a certain amount of money as a gift to help fund the ceremony. You can see why properly learning how to express the giving and receiving of favors and items is a very important and useful skill. For some reason, the proper use of 「あげる」、「くれる」、and 「もらう」 has always haunted people studying Japanese as being horribly complex and intractable. I hope to prove in this section that it is conceptually quite straightforward and simple.
When to use 「あげる」
「あげる」 is the Japanese word for "to give" seen from the speaker's point of view. You must use this verb when you are giving something or doing something for someone else.
Examples
（１）　私が友達にプレゼントをあげた。
- I gave present to friend.
（２）　これは先生にあげる。
- I'll give this to teacher.
In order to express the giving of a favor (verb) you must use the ever useful te-form and then attach 「あげる」. This applies to all the other sections in this lesson as well.
（１）　車を買ってあげるよ。
- I'll give you the favor of buying a car.
（２）　代わりに行ってあげる。
- I'll give you the favor of going in your place.
For third-person, this verb is used when the speaker is looking at it from the giver's point of view. We'll see the significance of this when we examine the verb 「くれる」 next.
（１）　学生がこれを先生にあげる。
- The student give this to teacher. (looking at it from the student's point of view)
（２）　友達が父にいいことを教えてあげた。
- Friend gave the favor of teaching something good to my dad. (looking at it from the friend's point of view)
Using 「やる」 to mean 「あげる」
Usually used for pets, animals, and such, you can substitute 「やる」, which normally means "to do", for 「あげる」. This is never used for people unless you want to directly insult someone. I only include this so that you won't be confused by sentences like the following:
（１）　犬に餌をやった？ - Did you give the dog food?
Here, 「やる」 does not mean "to do" but "to give". You can tell because "doing food to dog" doesn't make any sense.
When to use 「くれる」
「くれる」 is also a verb meaning "to give" but unlike 「あげる」, it is from the receiver's point of view. You must use this verb when someone else is giving something or doing something for you (effectively the opposite of 「あげる」).
Examples
（１）　友達が私にプレゼントをくれた。
- Friend gave present to me.
（２）　これは、先生がくれた。
- Teacher gave this to me.
（３）　車を買ってくれるの？
- You'll give me the favor of buying a car for me?
（４）　代わりに行ってくれる？
- Will you give me the favor of going in my place?
Similarly, when used in the third-person, the speaker is speaking from the receiver's point of view and not the giver.
（１）　先生がこれを学生にくれる。
- The teacher give this to student. (looking at it from the student's point of view)
（２）　友達が父にいいことを教えてくれた。
- Friend gave favor of teaching something good to my dad. (looking at it from the dad's point of view)
The following diagram illustrates the direction of giving from the point of view of the speaker.
Favor Diagram
From the speaker's point of view, all the giving done to others "go up" to everybody else while the giving done by everybody else "goes down" to the speaker. This is probably related to the fact that there is an identical verb 「上げる」 meaning "to raise" that contains the character for "above" （上） and that the honorific version of 「くれる」 is 「下さる」 with the character for down （下）. This restriction allows us to make certain deductions from vague sentences like the following:
（１）　先生が教えてあげるんですか。
- Teacher, will you be the one to give favor of teaching to... [anybody other than the speaker]?
Because all giving done to the speaker must always use 「くれる」, we know that the teacher must be doing it for someone else and not the speaker. The speaker is also looking at it from the teacher's point of view as doing a favor for someone else.
（２）　先生が教えてくれるんですか。
- Teacher, will you be the one to give favor of teaching to... [anybody including the speaker]?
Because the giver is not the speaker, the teacher is either giving to the speaker or anyone else. The speaker is viewing it from the receiver's point of view as receiving a favor done by the teacher.
Let's see some mistakes to watch out for.
（誤）　私が全部食べてくれました。- 「くれる」 is being used as giving done by the speaker. (Wrong)
（正）　私が全部食べてあげました。- I gave favor of eating it all. (Correct)
（誤）　友達がプレゼントを私にあげた。- 「あげる」 is being used as giving to the speaker. (Wrong)
（正）　友達がプレゼントを私にくれた。- Friend gave present to me. (Correct)
When to use 「もらう」
「もらう」 meaning, "to receive" has only one version unlike 「あげる／くれる」 so there's very little to explain. One thing to point out is that since you receive from someone, 「から」 is also appropriate in addition to the 「に」 target particle.
Examples
（１）　私が友達にプレゼントをもらった。
- I received present from friend.
（２）　友達からプレゼントをもらった。
- I received present from friend.
（３）　これは友達に買ってもらった。
- About this, received the favor of buying it from friend.
（４）　宿題をチェックしてもらいたかったけど、時間がなくて無理だった。
- I wanted to receive the favor of checking homework but there was no time and it was impossible.
「もらう」 is seen from the perspective of the receiver, so in the case of first-person, others usually don't receive things from you. However, you might want to use 「私からもらう」 when you want to emphasive that fact that the other person received it from you. For instance, if you wanted to say, "Hey, I gave you that!" you would use 「あげる」. However, you would use 「もらう」 if you wanted to say, "Hey, you got that from me!"
（５）　その時計は私からもらったのよ。
- [He] received that watch from me.
Asking favors with 「くれる」 or 「もらえる」
You can make requests by using 「くれる」 and the potential form of 「もらう」 (can I receive the favor of...). We've already seen an example of this in example （４） of the 「くれる」 section. Because requests are favors done for the speaker, you cannot use 「あげる」 in this situation.
Examples
（１）　千円を貸してくれる？
- Will you give me the favor of lending 1000 yen?
（２）　千円を貸してもらえる？
- Can I receive the favor of you lending 1000 yen?
Notice that the two sentences essentially mean the same thing. This is because the giver and receiver has been omitted because it is obvious from the context. If we were to write out the full sentence, it would look like this:
（１）　あなたが、私に千円を貸してくれる？
- Will you give me the favor of lending 1000 yen?
（２）　私が、あなたに千円を貸してもらえる？
- Can I receive the favor of you lending 1000 yen?
It is not normal to explicitly include the subject and target like this when directly addressing someone but is provided here to illustrate the change of subject and target depending on the verb 「くれる」 and 「もらえる」.
You can use the negative to make the request a little softer. You'll see that this is true in many other types of grammar.
（１）　ちょっと静かにしてくれない？
- Won't you be a little quieter?
（２）　漢字を書いてもらえませんか。
- Can you write this in kanji for me?
Asking someone to not do something
In order to request that someone not do something, you simply attach 「で」 to the negative form of the verb and proceed as before.
（１）　全部食べないでくれますか。
- Can you not eat it all?
（２）　高い物を買わないでくれる？
- Can you not buy expensive thing(s)?
← Previous (To try things) Table of Contents
— contributed by: snowy150
- In addition...
さしあげる and やる are used in the same pattern as あげる.
くださる is used in the same pattern as くれる.
いただく is used in the same pattern as もらう.
さしあげる is used when the receiver is superior to the giver.
あげる is used when the receiver is equal to the giver.
やる is used when the receiver is inferior to the giver.
くださる is used when the giver is superior to the receiver.
くれる is used when the giver is equal or inferior to the receiver.
いただく is used when the giver is superior to the receiver.
もらう is used when the giver is equal or inferior to the receiver.
— contributed by: starsandsea
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: favor, favour
tagJ: 授受
tagH: じゅじゅ
expE: Giving and Receiving　（あげる、やる、くれる、もらう）
noteE: -
JLPT: 0

Front: Jaki
邪気 (じゃき)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
邪気 (じゃき)
Meaning: Malice, bad feeling
Example: Have a bad feeling getting up sick.　（Formal)
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I'm not familiar with the word, but it says it's read as "Jiyaki" yet the kana clearly says "Hyaki" or "Hiyaki"...(I cannot tell if the "ya" is small or regular...)
— contributed by: PowerlineTegami
- Should be Jaki 邪気
Def:【名】
?　病気などを引き起こす悪い気。悪気。
?　拗けた気持ち。悪意。わるぎ。
English Def Malice, bad feeling (such as when you get up when your sick etc.
— contributed by: IMABI
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User Comments
- I think this is spelled wronggg...
— contributed by: starysparkle
- I hope people will like my explanation of Jaki. I've come across it only in deep literature but I felt it was too basic to be put with JLPT 2 or 1. I also teach Japanese at www.freewebs.com/kanjiwebs/
— contributed by: IMABI
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Jaki
tagJ: 邪気
tagH: じゃき
expE: Malice, bad feeling
expJ: 悪い気、悪気、悪意
noteE: Have a bad feeling getting up sick.　（Formal)
JLPT: 3

Front: dekirudake
できるだけ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
できるだけ
Meaning: as soon/early as possible
Example: I'd like to meet as soon as possible
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- dekirudake + adverb means "as much as (adverb)".
its used as an almost set phrase with 'hayaku':early/fast.
dekirudake hayaku: as quickly/soon/early as possible.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- できるだけ早く参ります。
I'll come as soon as I can.
— contributed by: Miki
- この本はできるだけ早く返してくれ。
Return this book as soon as you can.
— contributed by: Miki
- できるだけ早く起きなさい。
Get up as early as you can.
— contributed by: Miki
- できるだけ速く走ったので、友人に追いつけた。
Running as fast as I could, I was able to catch up with my friend.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼はできるだけ長く生きたいと思っている。
He wants to live as long as he can.
— contributed by: Miki
- 好きなだけ、食べてください。
Please eat as much as you like.
— contributed by: blabby
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User Comments
- is this used with the leading verb being a potential?
会えるだけ早く
meet as soon as possible
作れるだけ早く
make as soon as possible
食べられるだけ早く
eat as quickly as possible
— contributed by: dc
- can it be used with negatives?
できるだけ遅く
as slowly/late as possible?
— contributed by: dc
- If you use the verb twice like this, it is possible. 会えるだけ早く会う。
— contributed by: Miki
- With negative, you can use it.　
できるだけ遅く、来てください。
Please come as late as possible.
— contributed by: Miki
- dc, Why don't you change the entry to "できるだけ" only?
There are more できるだけ。速く、静かに、長く、…。
— contributed by: Miki
- Miki-san's comment: 会えるだけ早く会うis incorrect. It would have to be できるだけ早く会う.
I agree with Miki-san's comment that the entry should be changed to できるだけ.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- tx, entry changed.. btw are you both able to edit grammar entries? you should be admin so please feel free to edit...
— contributed by: dc
- Maybe this should be listed as "だけ-2" - "As much as 〜"?
できるだけ - "As much as you can do"
好きなだけ - "As much as you like"
ほしいだけを取り下さい - "Please take as much as you want"
寝たいだけ寝ることができない - "I can't sleep as much as I want to."
— contributed by: blabby
- bladdyさん、should be 「ほしいだけお取り下さい」.
— contributed by: 誠
- dcさん、should be (without 早く) ：
会えるだけ会う（何度も）
作れるだけ作る、
食べれるだけ食べる
if you want to say " ... as soon as possible/as sson as one can" use 出来るだけ:
出来るだけ早く会う
出来るだけ早く作る
出来るだけ早く食べる
— contributed by: 誠
- This grammar should be changed, as this sense of だけ does not appear with just 出来るin front of it.
— contributed by: claytonian
- dekirukake can also mean to the extent possible.
そなのことはできるだけしないで下さい
To the extent that it is possible, please do not do that sort of thing.
— contributed by: tigert
- できるだけ手紙を書くようにしています。
— contributed by: UmiLi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dekirudake
tagJ: できるだけ
expE: as soon/early as possible
noteE: I'd like to meet as soon as possible
JLPT: 0

Front: nihitoshii
に等しい (にひとしい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に等しい (にひとしい)
Meaning: equivalent to
Example: coins are equivalent to cash
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 火星は地球とよく似ているだけにひとしお興味をひく。
Mars is all the more interesting for its close resemblance to our earth.
— contributed by: dc
- ３角形のすべての角の和は１８０度に等しい。
All the angles in a triangle are equal to 180 degrees.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたの返答はほとんど脅迫に等しい。
Your answer almost amounts to a threat.
— contributed by: dc
- あの会社との契約はあってなきに等しいものです。
A contract with that company is worth next to nothing.
— contributed by: dc
- この条件では拒絶に等しい。
These conditions amount to refusal.
— contributed by: dc
- この地域の失業はほぼないに等しい。
Unemployment in this part of the country is virtually nonexistent.
— contributed by: dc
- 滑り出しが好調なら事は半ば成就したのに等しい。
Well begun is half done.[Proverb]
— contributed by: dc
- 君の言葉はほとんど屈辱に等しい。
Your remark amounts almost to insult.
— contributed by: dc
- 真実と科学者の関係は言葉と詩人の関係に等しいとしばしば言われてきた。
It has often been said that facts are to the scientist what words are to the poet.
— contributed by: dc
- 水と魚の関係は、空気と人間の関係に等しい。
Water is to fish what air is to man.
— contributed by: dc
- 読書と精神の関係は、食物と肉体の関係に等しい。
Reading is to the mind what food is to the body.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼を雇うことは誰も雇わないことに等しい。
Employing him amount to employing nobody.
— contributed by: dc
- 本の心に対する関係は、食糧の体に対する関係に等しい。
Books are to the mind what food is to the body.
— contributed by: dc
- 葉と植物との関係は、肺と動物との関係に等しい。
Leaves are to the plant what lungs are to the animal.
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- ex #4903 にひとし is a combination of に + part of ひとしお.
— contributed by: Miki
- にひとし should be にひとしい = に等しい
— contributed by: Miki
- thanks miki, wondered why i couldnt find any examples...
— contributed by: dc
- How does this grammar point differ from に当たる？
— contributed by: ezekial01
- is に等しい basically the same thing as と同じ ?
— contributed by: chamcham
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nihitoshii
tagJ: に等しい
tagH: にひとしい
expE: equivalent to
noteE: coins are equivalent to cash
JLPT: 2

Front: Vaguely
なんとなく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なんとなく
Meaning: Vaguely, somehow
Example: Vaguely; somehow
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あの人はなんとなく母を想いださせる。
She vaguely resembles my mother.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- なんとなく京都に行きたくなった。
Somehow I wanted to go to Kyoto.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- なんとなく and どことなく can be used interchangely in many cases. However, なんとなく refers to something that is vague and not capable of pinpointing when it deals with something more or less abstract, whereas どことなく refers to vagueness that deals more or less with physical subject matter.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- A Japanese friend once told me that you could use なんとなく by itself as a reply to a question you don't feel like answering or don't know how to answer specifically. Any native speakers care to agree/disagree with this?
— contributed by: yookoso
- one of my students used this as a reply in just such a context - when they didn't want to commit to any answer in particular and so I think this usage is generally accepted
— contributed by: kateinnakajima
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Vaguely
tagJ: なんとなく
expE: Vaguely, somehow
expJ: どことなくに通じる
noteE: Vaguely; somehow
JLPT: 0

Front: In some manner
Dokotonaku (どことなく)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
Dokotonaku (どことなく)
Meaning: Vaguely; in some manner
Example: Vaguely, in some manner
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あの人の面影はどことなく母に似ている。
Her countenance vaguely resembles that of my mother.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 飛騨の高山はどことなく京都に似ている。
The city of Takayama in Hida vaguely resembles Kyoto.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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- Vaguely
User Comments
- See comments to なんとなく.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: In some manner
tagJ: Dokotonaku
tagH: どことなく
expE: Vaguely; in some manner
expJ: なんとなくに類似 - Dokotonaku
noteE: Vaguely, in some manner
JLPT: 0

Front: dochirakatoieba
どちらかといえば
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
どちらかといえば
Meaning: If I had my druthers
Example: on balance
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- どちらかと言えば海に行きたい。
If I had my druthers, I would like to go to the sea.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どちらかといえば泳ぎはうまい方でした。
He was, if anything, a good swimmer.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どちらかといえば今日はあの人に会いたくない。
I would rather not see him(her) today.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- You can also use どちらかというと interchangeably.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Bamboo4, please excuse my ignorance - I'm a brit and I only found out the meaning of "druthers" in the The American Heritage Dictionary as a slang term for "would rather" from the 1800s.
Can anyone suggest a less esoteric translation for どちらかと言えば - "If it's all the same" or "above all else" ????
— contributed by: PaulO
- I suppose you could say, "If I had to say (one way or the other)" or "If I were to say..."
As in, one way or the other.
どちらかと言えば、彼女が作ったケーキはちょっと・・・
If I say which way is, she-made cake is a little...
"If I had to say one way or the other, the cake she made is a little..."
I think we use this sort of construction in English, too. We say, "If I had to say..." and then state an opinion or observation.
In the case of stating one's desire (If I had my druthers, I'd like to go to the beach) maybe we would say "If I may say..." or something of this nature.
Just my two cents.
— contributed by: ドニー
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dochirakatoieba
tagJ: どちらかといえば
expE: If I had my druthers
noteE: on balance
JLPT: 0

Front: sukoshimo.....nai
少しも〜ない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
少しも〜ない
Meaning: not at all
Example: I can't swim at all.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あなたはたくさんお金をもっているが、私は少しも（お金を）持ってない。
You have a lot of money, and I have none.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは少しも幸せではない。
You are not in the least happy.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたは少しも眠れないことがある。
Sometimes you can't sleep at all.
— contributed by: Miki
- いいえ、少しも（ありません）。
Not at all.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sukoshimo.....nai
tagJ: 少しも〜ない
expE: not at all
expJ: 私は少しも泳げない。
noteE: I can't swim at all.
JLPT: 0

Front: hanmen
〜反面 (〜はんめん)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜反面 (〜はんめん)
Meaning: on the other hand
Example: the reverse
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 反面教師 （はんめんきょうし） means "a person who serves as an example of how not to behave"
— contributed by: PaulO
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その反面
on the other hand
— contributed by: PaulO
- 普通兄は優しい反面、卑しいところもある。
My older brother is usually kind, but on the other hand he can be mean.
— contributed by: PaulO
- その仕事は十分にお金になるが、その反面１日に１２時間働かなくてはならない。
The job pays well, but on the other hand I have to work twelve hours a day.
— contributed by: PaulO
- この布は水に強い反面,熱には弱い.
This cloth is strong in water on the other hand, is vulnerable to heat.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- インターネットは子供にとって役に立つ学習ツールだが、反面、しっかりその使い方を指導しない子供がポルノや沫ﾍシーンの画像に簡単に接してしまうことになりかねない。
The internet is a useful learning tool for children. On the other hand, it can expose them to pornographic or violent images if they are allowed to use it unsupervised.
— contributed by: karekano
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- ippou
- ippoudeha
User Comments
- #4967 For me, the words after　その仕事は look garbled.
— contributed by: Miki
- Thanks Miki-san. It should be okay now.
— contributed by: PaulO
- Yes. It looks ok now.
— contributed by: Miki
- So what would be the difference between this and 一方で? I noticed that the latter is used in writing a lot, can this be used in conversation?
— contributed by: Grant
- 反面 is used in situations where you talk about one attribute and then another that's most likely be an opposite of the first mentioned attribute. #4966 is a good example of that.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- you mention this grammar point to be related to peoples attributes but can #4967 be used with 一方で(いっぽうで)？ Or is 反面　not used just for attributes?
— contributed by: timmy43
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hanmen
tagJ: 〜反面
tagH: 〜はんめん
expE: on the other hand
noteE: the reverse
JLPT: 2

Front: よてい
予定 (よてい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
予定 (よてい)
Meaning: be planning to do~
Example: i am planning to go back to my country at the end of june
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- これはあくまでも予定以外のなにものでもない。
This is only a plan and nothing more than that.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 明日この宿題を終わる予定です。
I plan to finish this assignment tomorrow.
— contributed by: eastmael
- 来週帰国する嵐です。
I plan to go back to my home country next month.
— contributed by: ママ
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- tsumori
User Comments
- 予定 is a vocab and not a grammar entry. Although I provided an example, this item should be deleted.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- i guess you're right, although つもり often comes up as a grammar item. the usage is different too.
行くつもりがあります
行く予定です。
合ってる？
— contributed by: dc
- I also have come across つもり and 予定 during class studies. If I recall correctly, つもり can only be used to discuss yourself whereas 予定 can be used to discuss yourself or others.
— contributed by: yookoso
- Yes, dc, you are correct. yookoo is also correct in that つもり is essentuially used to express one's intentions, but you have to say that is not necessarily absolute. When you ask a question like あなたは行くつもりですか？ "tumori" in that context is not your own but somebody else's so that it is esentially equivalent to あなたは行く予定ですか？.
The example I gave for 予定,however, cannot be replaced by つもり.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I have given examples of つもり included in "See Also."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Tsumori can also be used to describe the state of mind...
美味しい煎餅を食べたつもりです。 in the state of mind like I ate a delicious cookie.
— contributed by: Campbell
- 来週帰国する嵐閧ﾅす。 [ex #7026]
I plan to go back to my home country next month.
The kanji "next week" is used here. ^^;
— contributed by: mireille
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: よてい
tagJ: 予定
expE: be planning to do~
noteE: i am planning to go back to my country at the end of june
JLPT: 3

Front: tsumori
つもり (積もり・積り)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
つもり (積もり・積り)
Meaning: One's intention; conviction; belief
Example: I intend to do that; I am convinced that ...
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Two ways to inform the interlocutor of the wishes of the speaker
(different in Japanese from the way to tell about the wishes of a third person):
1) Verb in volitional form (意向形) + と + 思う:
jp: 一万円ほど父に都合してもらおうと思う。
en: I think I will ask my father to lend me 10000 yen.
2) Verb in plain form + noun to mark intention + だ or です or である
The noun can be 考え（かんがえ）,予定（よてい）, or 積もり（つもり）which is the more common.
This last way is easier, for example to say you don't want to do something. The negative form of つもりだ is つもりはない (and not つもりではない).
Be careful, the use of つもり after た形 have a different meaning
(see entry [tatsumoride] and [tsumoridatta]).
— contributed by: 赤毛
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 会議には出ないつもりです
I do not intend to attend the meeting
— contributed by: bamboo4
- そのつもりは全然ありません
I do not ever intend to do that.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 1時間後に出発するつもりだ。
We will leave in hour.
— contributed by: Miki
- 3月末に私たちは結婚するつもりです。
At the end of March we will marry.
— contributed by: Miki
- 明日は家に居るつもりだ。
I will stay at home tomorrow.
— contributed by: Miki
- あす（明日）一番にそれをするつもりです。
I am going to do it first thing tomorrow.
— contributed by: Miki
- あなたに結果を言うつもりはありません。
I have no intention of telling you the result.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は日曜に農場を訪れるつもりだ。
He intends to visit the farm on Sunday.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女は、30才（歳）になるまで子供は生まないつもりだと言っている。
She says she has no intention of having a baby until she's in her thirties.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女は銀行から貯金を全部おろすつもりだった。
She intended to withdraw all her savings from the bank.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼女は彼とけんかをするつもりはなかった。
She had no intention to quarrel with him.
— contributed by: Miki
- お前指揮者にでもなるつもりか？
Do you have the intention of becoming a conductor or something?
— contributed by: pingpongpaddle
- わたしはいしゃになるつもりです。
I wish to be a doctor.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 出かけないつもりです。
My plan is not to leave.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 子供に財産をわけてやるつもりはない。
I do not have intention to bequeath my fortune to my children.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- [Related expression]今度ともなお一層の努力を続けて行く所存でございますので、何卒宜しくご指導下さいますようお願い申し上げます。
As I plan to continue even more my efforts, I would kindly request to you to give me some advise.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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User Comments
- Does anybody advise which level this entry would be?
— contributed by: Miki
- つもり does not really mean intention. American textbooks and instructors simply explain it as such because it is simpler. つもり really describes a state of mind. 行くつもりだ it is the state of mind to go = I intend to go. what about: 行ったつもりだ? in english it doesn't make sense to say: I intend to went... it is I am in the frame of mind as if I had gone... if that makes any sense...
よく読んだつもりです。I am convinced I read it carefully.
一所懸命やったつもりで。　I believe I did my best.
(Examples provided from Making Sense of Japanese: What the Textbooks don't tell you by Jay Rubin)
— contributed by: Campbell
- ex #5069 I think has a mistake (Incorrect Kanji for Sai) It should be:才
彼女は、30(才)になるまで子供は生まないつもりだと言っている。
— contributed by: tenkamuteki82
- The thing about つもり is that using it gives the listener the impression that you won`t complete the action you intend on doing. From the people that I have talked with there are levels of commitment in the japanese language. the first level is negative statement. which is avoided at all cost.
EX No, I won`t go.
then comes passive nagative statement.
EX I would like to go, but ....(I`m not going)
then comes probablility related statements. which have their own level.
行くかも知らない I don`t know if I`ll go,(but I probably won`t)
行くつもり　I intend to go (but I won`t go because well you know how it is)
多分行く　I think I will go ( unless something comes up.)
and the final stage is the affirmative statement.
行く　I　will go.
— contributed by: tigert
- Mikiさん: Plain form +つもりです is common in past JPLT4.
So I put it in level 4 rather than in level 0.
I fixed ex #5069 for what Tenkamuteki82さん have made an alert.
I just studied た形+つもりで and つもりだった so I made the corresponding entries for JPLT2.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Tenkamuteki82: You are right. If "she" is under 30s, she would say 30才になるまでは.
赤毛san: I don't know about JPLT level well. Please fix the level to what you think is correct. Thanks
— contributed by: Miki
- The polite form of つもりだ is 所存でございます. See ex #6834.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I'd like to explain this completely differently, if I can risk it.
つもり should be better described as an adverb of certainty, being VERY CERTAIN.
An example you won't often see, but that illustrates this could be:
彼女はきれいなつもりだ
She is really good looking, isn't she (or, "She's hot!")
so,
会議には出ないつもりです
= The meeting - to attend - not - is certain.
— contributed by: jmadsen
- If I were to believe the JDIC entry, it can mean both to intend to do something or to be very certain of something. Perhaps it should be edited accordingly.
intention; plan; (2) conviction; belief
— contributed by: Forveya
- Campbell said: "行ったつもりだ? in english it doesn't make sense to say: I intend to went"
You're right, you wouldn't say "I intend to went". But that's hardly an honest attempt - it's just a deliberately poor attempt at translation.
How about "I intended to go" or "it was my intention to have gone"
— contributed by: spurrymoses
- Campbell is right. 行ったつもりだ does NOT mean "I intended to go". That would be 行くつもりだった.
行ったつもりだ means "I'm sure I went" or "I'm convinced I went".
— contributed by: Armadillomon
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tsumori
tagJ: つもり (積もり・積り)
tagH: つもり
expE: One's intention; conviction; belief
expJ: その意志
noteE: I intend to do that; I am convinced that ...
JLPT: 4

Front: denakuteha
でなくては
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
でなくては
Meaning: if not.. then noone
Example: noone but him can do this
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- でなくては is used in negative sentences.
(thing that must be)でなくては(what can't or won't be done without first part).
— contributed by: sarruby
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- こんなおいしい料理は母親でなくては作れない。
Noone but mother could make this delicious food
— contributed by: dc
- そうでなくては話にならない。
There is no point in discussing it unless that would be the case.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- どんなにお金があっても健康でなくては人間は幸福に暮らせない。
No matter how rich one may be, one cannot live happily without health.
— contributed by: dc
- 栗は少なくとも１５分は茹でなくてはいけない。
Chestnuts have to be boiled for at least fifteen minutes.
— contributed by: dc
- 君たち学生は勤勉でなくてはならない。
You students are supposed to be diligent.
— contributed by: dc
- 食物は生きるうえでなくてはならない。
Food is essential to life.
— contributed by: dc
- 約束には忠実でなくてはいけない。
You must be faithful to your word.
— contributed by: dc
- 君でなくてはこの本は書けない。
Nobody except you can write this book.
— contributed by: bamboo4
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User Comments
- でなくては書けない＝だけが書ける＝以外には書けない＝をおいて他には書けない can be used for #5459, and with appropriate modification for #5017,but note that they are not ready replacements for other examples.
You may want to think why.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- what's up with no one being misspelled twice?
— contributed by: Claytonain
- its waiting for you to edit + correct claytonian. feel free to improve the content...
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: denakuteha
tagJ: でなくては
expE: if not.. then noone
noteE: noone but him can do this
JLPT: 1

Front: ばかり
ばかり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ばかり
Meaning: just (just recently) / nothing but
Example: I just bought it / you do nothing but play around
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ta form + bakari
— contributed by: han-na_bae
- bakari is a "completed fullness", for instance that's all you got because with that you didn't need any more.
dake means that's all you got, but more would be better/ok/possible/,,,
— contributed by: duncane
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その本を買ったばかりだ。
I just bought that book
— contributed by: dc
- 昨日アメリカから帰ってきたばかりなんです。
I just got back from America yesterday.
— contributed by: dc
- ５０００円ばかりもっている。
I have just 5,000 yen.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたはいつも私のあら捜しばかりしている。
You do nothing but find fault with me.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたは何度も同じ誤りばかりしている。
You're just making the same mistake time after time.
— contributed by: dc
- あの人は自分の分担の仕事をしないことにいつもいいわけばかりしている。
That person do nothing but make excuses for not doing his share of the work.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたばかりでなく私もまちがっている。
Not only you but also I am wrong.
— contributed by: dc
- うちの息子は遊んでばかりいる。
My son does nothing but play around
— contributed by: dc
- お母さんはいつも私の不平ばかり言っている。
My mother does nothing but complain about me.
— contributed by: dc
- かれはさくやここに到着したばかりです。
He arrived here just last night.
— contributed by: dc
- かわいそうにその少女は一日中泣いてばかりだ。
The poor little girl did nothing but sob all day.
— contributed by: dc
- このポンコツ車はえんこばかりしている。
This old car breaks down all the time.
— contributed by: dc
- この子は泣いてばかりいる。
This child does nothing but cry.
— contributed by: dc
- この車は近ごろ故障ばかりしている。
This car does nothing but break down lately.
— contributed by: dc
- この組織は幹部ばかり名を連ねているのではたして決定を下せるのかあやしいものだ。
Since in this organization they're all chiefs and no Indians, it's a wonder any decisions get made.
— contributed by: dc
- この本はあの本に比べて、ためになるばかりでなくおもしろい。
This book is not only more instructive but more interesting than that book.
— contributed by: dc
- この本は出版されたばかりだ。
This book is hot off from the press.
— contributed by: dc
- ご兄弟のことはカンザス州から問い合わせを受けたばかりです。
We have just received an inquiry from Kansas concerning your brother.
— contributed by: dc
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- bakarini
User Comments
- How is this different from 'dake' or 'tada'?
— contributed by: Jarret
- #5018
その本を買ったばかりです。
#5019
昨日アメリカから帰ってきたばかりです。
I just got back from the US yesterday.
#5027 Use kanji.
彼は昨夜ここに到着したばかりです。
#5028
かわいそうにその少女は一日中泣いてばかりいました。
#5029
この古い車はいつも壊れてばかりです。
#5032
Put "、" right after "〜いるので."
— contributed by: Nick
- I think this needs to be split into two separate entries.
ばかり (after a past-tense verb) in [#5018], [#5027], [#5034], and others, means that something has only just happened
ばかり (after a noun, -te form verb, etc.) in many of the other examples ([#5021], [#5028], [#5031], etc.) is more of a "nothing but", "all it ever does is", or "all that's there is" feeling.
— contributed by: KWhazit
- １．正しいことばかり選べないそれくらいわかってる。
Meaning something like I can't make but the wrong choice.
~ばかり
~てばかり
２．着いたばかり。
I just arrived.
~たばかり
— contributed by: UmiLi
- I second KWhazit's comment: there are most definitely two separate entries here.
Also need to beware: depending on meaning ("just happened"/"nothing but"), placement is different:
食べたばかり -> I just ate (moments ago).
ばかり食べた -> All I/we/etc did was eating (and nothing else).
Furthermore, I believe pronunciation/spelling: ばっかり is also valid (very often heard in speech).
— contributed by: drdave
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ばかり
expE: just (just recently) / nothing but
noteE: I just bought it / you do nothing but play around
JLPT: 3

Front: sorede
それで
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
それで
Meaning: and then, after that; Due to that
Example: Then, what happened? /Due to a early frost, the apple harvest will be small this year.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- それでis quite different from それでいて but relates well with それでも、それでこそ、それでは、and それでなくても.
— contributed by: pan
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 朝寝坊した、それで仕事に遅れたんだ。
I overslept and, due to that, was late for work.
— contributed by: pan
- ３時のバスで行こうよ。それでいいかい？
I say we catch the 3 o'clock bus. Is that alright with you?
— contributed by: pan
- それで,どうなりましたか？
And then what happened?
— contributed by: pan
- それでこのカードに記入してください。
Then you just have to fill out this card.
— contributed by: dc
- それでこれ以上の義務を負わなくてよくなる。
That absolves me from further responsibility.
— contributed by: dc
- それでしたら今日いらしてください。
In that case, I think you should come in today.
— contributed by: dc
- それでそのうわさが本当である。
It proved the truth of the rumor.
— contributed by: dc
- それでだいぶ手間が省ける。
That will save me a lot of trouble.
— contributed by: dc
- それでは、あなたは来ないということですか。
Does that mean you won't come?
— contributed by: dc
- それでは、またの機会ということに。
Well, let's make it some other time.
— contributed by: dc
- それでは、失礼いたします。
Uh, will you excuse me?
— contributed by: dc
- それでは、習慣は人間生活の偉大な道しるべである。
Custom, then, is the great guide of human life.
— contributed by: dc
- 「それではおまえにねこを一匹とってきてあげよう」と、おじいさんはいいました。
"I will get you a cat, my dear," said the very old man.
— contributed by: dc
- それではそろそろ失礼します。
Well, I must be going.
— contributed by: dc
- それではまるで話がちがう。
That's quite another thing.
— contributed by: dc
- それではテキストの１０ページを開いて下さい。
And open your textbook to page 10.
— contributed by: dc
- それでは音楽をお楽しみください。
Now let me entertain you with music.
— contributed by: dc
- それでは何も起こらないよ。
It will get you nowhere.
— contributed by: dc
- 病気の母が泣いて止めたけれど、それでも留学したい気持ちは変わらなかった。
My ill mother stopped crying but even after that my desire for studying overseas didn't change.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 「それで彼方は６時にこの部屋にいましたね」　「そうです」
"And you were in this room at six, weren`t you?”　”Yes".
— contributed by: karekano
- それで彼は私のうちへ来たのね。
So he came over to my place, you know.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は寝過ごした、それで列車に乗り遅れたんだ。
She overslept, so that she missed the train.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- ｢それでいて｣と｢それで｣の違いはなんだろう。
— contributed by: nazonatte69
- Since when did おまえ translate to my dear????? ex 5052
— contributed by: tigert
- Tigertさん, I think that in ex #5052, my dear is some expression of irony. The general meaning seems to be that the old man was victim of a trap and is now promising another one to his adversary.
In ex#5038 I suppose the japanese text ends in "か？" and not in "かい？".
(Thanks for your explanation here below. )
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 赤毛　I think the かい　used in [#5038] is right. か　and かい have the same function where か　is a general purpose form and [かい] is used to speak to indivduals that are lower than you on the social ladder.
— contributed by: tigert
- 6954: haha is my mother, so the English sentence should be changed.
— contributed by: amenya
- Thanks for your alert. Do you think the English sentence is correct now?
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sorede
tagJ: それで
expE: and then, after that; Due to that
expJ: そして、その後；それだから、そういうわけで
noteE: Then, what happened? /Due to a early frost, the apple harvest will be small this year.
JLPT: 2

Front: Sorekkiri
それっきり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
それっきり
Meaning: Since, since then
Example: Since then, I haven't seen Spike.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- それきり is the same as それっきり。
— contributed by: pan
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 僕はそれっきりスパイクと会っていない
Since then, I haven't seen Spike.
— contributed by: pan
- 店はたたれたまま、それっきりだった。
The store closed down for good.
— contributed by: dc
- 去年１１月プネに移りました。それっきり先生と連絡しなかったです。
I shiefted to pune in november last year. After that I have not communicated with my teacher.
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
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User Comments
- ex #5042の英訳はちょっと違う気がしている。
The shop remained as it was since when it was established.のようなやくするとどうですかと思う。
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Sorekkiri
tagJ: それっきり
expE: Since, since then
expJ: それ以来ずっと、それ以来
noteE: Since then, I haven't seen Spike.
JLPT: 1

Front: sorega
其れが (それが)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
其れが (それが)
Meaning: Despite that
Example: We had heavy rains this morning due to the typhoon. Despite that, it suddenly started getting sunny this afternoon and now it's perfectly lovely outside.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- それが is very similar in meaning and usage to それなのに and にもかからわず。
— contributed by: pan
- sore ga can also be used to indicate to your conversation partner that the answer to his/her question has a different/unexpected result.
— contributed by: devking64
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 朝は台風の影響で大雨でした。それが、昼前から急に晴れてきて、今はすっかり快晴だ。
We had heavy rains this morning due to the typhoon. Despite that, it suddenly started getting sunny this afternoon and now it's perfectly lovely outside.
— contributed by: pan
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User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sorega
tagJ: 其れが
tagH: それが
expE: Despite that
expJ: それなのに
noteE: We had heavy rains this morning due to the typhoon. Despite that, it suddenly started getting sunny this afternoon and now it's perfectly lovely outside.
JLPT: 2

Front: nokotodakara
のことだから
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
のことだから
Meaning: as usual for
Example: Hiroko as usual, will be late.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 〜のことだから　：〜という特徴のある．．．だから．．．（〜と予想される）
Since it's (someone who...), therefore it is natural to have (someone)....
〜ことから　：　〜という理由で
Since ....
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 弘子のことだから、遅れるでしょう.
Hiroko as usual will be late.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたのことだから上々でしょう。
I know you did great!
— contributed by: dc
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- kotodakara
- kotokara (Similar grammar but different nuance.)
User Comments
- so wait, is this like の then こと and then （だ）から？ like the thing of the subject and then dakara? Is that what this is like but contains a meaning of 'as usual'?
— contributed by: k-dogg
- My grammar book, 500 Essential Japanese Expressions: A Guide to Correct Usage of Key Sentence Patterns, has [のことだから], [ことだから], and [ことだ] meaning the same thing: [なのだから].
— contributed by: Paul
- When I took JLPT 2級 they tested the difference between [ことから] and [ことだから]. It is quite easy to mix them up.
— contributed by: blabby
- This came up several times in something I was translating. I translated "a-san no kotodesukara..." as "It's a-san so...". It seems more natural than saying "A-san as usual...". For example in the example sentence above saying "It's Hiroko so she'll be late" or "Since it's Hiroko she'll be late" might be more natural.
— contributed by: kryptolus
- This entry should be combined with the entry of " kotodakara" since it is the same.
— contributed by: 誠
- I agree with kryptolusさん。
" Since it's Hiroko (who always late), therefore it is natural to have her late (this time around)."
— contributed by: 誠
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nokotodakara
tagJ: のことだから
expE: as usual for
noteE: Hiroko as usual, will be late.
JLPT: 2

Front: meku
めく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
めく
Meaning: like / ish
Example: his sarcastic-ish way of speaking
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- means "-ish" or "steeped in". hard to translate!
— contributed by: dc
- これはうまくいくだろうと確信めいたものを感じていた。
I felt sure that this would work out.
— contributed by: loull
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 社長の皮肉めいた言い方を、社員は不快に感じている
because of the President's sarcastic like way of speech, the employees felt uncomfortable.
— contributed by: dc
- きらめく太陽に青い海、考えだけでも胸がときめくわ。
The glisten ing sun on the blue sea...Ahhh, just thinking about it makes my heart beat fast.
— contributed by: blabby
- 俺たちは十年来の友人じゃないか、そんな他人めいた言い方をするなよ。
Hey, we've been friends for many years right? Don't use such a strangerish/stranger- like style of speaking with me!
— contributed by: blabby
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User Comments
- what does this mean? example:　
山は春めく
— contributed by: dc
- This grammar is quite difficult because it is hard to translate into English. The best translation I can come up with is
* to become ~like (山は春めく - "The mountain became spring-like")
* to show signs of (show signs of spring)
* ~ish (他人めく - "strangerish")？
* ~ly (冗談めく - Jokingly/皮肉めく - sarcastically)
* ~ing (謎めく - Puzzling)
— contributed by: blabby
- Another interesting thing about this grammar is its use with 擬音語/擬態語
きらきらする = きらめく To glitter
ひらひらする = ひらめく To flash/flutter
どきどきする? = ときめく To pulpitate
If anyone can correct this or has more information, I would love to hear it.
— contributed by: blabby
- きらめく、ときめく　are totally different animals from 皮肉めいた、他人めいた。
— contributed by: dc
- 名詞や副詞、形容詞や形容動詞の語幹base＋めく means like something or being in a condtion of something.
— contributed by: Miki
- I thought that きらめく/ときめく was different to 皮肉めく/他人めく too. But in my old grammar dictionary and here:
http://ws.31rsm.ne.jp/~toolware/dictionary/412.html
they are treated as the same grammar point. Can anyone clarify this?
— contributed by: blabby
- Natsumeku/Natsumeita/Natsumeite
I think they all mean "summer-like".
— contributed by: Suitto
- That's just the transformation of natsumeku 夏めく. Yes, all means "summer-like" すっかり夏めいてまいりました。皆様いかがお過ごしでしょうか。 Natsumeku here is used as compliments of the season for June in a letter.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: meku
tagJ: めく
expE: like / ish
expJ: ish
noteE: his sarcastic-ish way of speaking
JLPT: 1

Front: wo oite
〜をおいて (を措いて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜をおいて (を措いて)
Meaning: apart from/leaving aside
Example: apart from you
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あなたをおいて、この会社の社長の適任者はいない
Apart from you, there is noone suitable for this company's President.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本のミサから:「主よ、あなたは神の子キリスト、永遠の命の糧。あなたをおいて誰のところに行きましょう。」
From the Japanese Mass: "Lord, you are Christ, the Son of God, Bread of eternal life. Without you, to whom should we go?"
— contributed by: cac73
- The personal computer is used at not only the office but also home recently.
最近は職場だけでなく家庭においてもパャRンが使われている.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
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- nioite
User Comments
- を措いて wo oite followed by 〜ない or negative
— contributed by: Miki
- How is this different from 以外 【いがい】?
— contributed by: yookoso
- 昨日の事を措いて、今日はどうやて帰るの？
I'm wondering if this is grammatically correct?
— contributed by: ozonitabetai
- ozonitabetai, I don't know if I can say that your sentence is grammatically incorrect, but I can say that I have a real tough time figuring out what it is supposed to be saying^^: "Except for what happened yesterday, how are (you, we...) going home today?" is how it reads to me. So, I'd have to say that for my two yen, it's probably not an ideal application of the grammar point.
— contributed by: Lorenz
- Can we get some non-religious examples that can be used for normal communication? Should this really be a place to advertise religions?
— contributed by: seanohagan
- It is just an example in the use of this grammar entry. Relax and get a life.
— contributed by: Joeypete
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wo oite
tagJ: 〜をおいて (を措いて)
tagH: 〜をおいて
expE: apart from/leaving aside
expJ: 〜を除いて。〜をさしおいて。
noteE: apart from you
JLPT: 1

Front: womotte1
〜をもって (を以て)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜をもって (を以て)
Meaning: at (time / moment)
Example: today's business will close at 7
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [名]＋をもって
— contributed by: deltafour
- This is a formal expression.
— contributed by: deltafour
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p7 - no.11
— contributed by: LR
- On the difference between [womotte1] and [womotte2]
[womotte1] is a Time phrase
meaning "at" - marks beginnings, ends, or borders between times.
It is often used as a greeting to お客 with the extended form をもちまして.
[womotte2] is the method by which you do something - victory achieved via effort, announcement made via a blackboard.
Both are formal, both are NOUN + をもって
be careful.
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 本日の営業は午後7時をもって終了いたします。
The store will close today at seven o'clock.
— contributed by: deltafour
- これをもちまして本日の披露宴をめでたくお開きとあさせていただきます。
At this point I would like to open this auspicious wedding reception.
— contributed by: Dom
- 店内改装のため、今月末をもって一時閉店することになりました。
Due to redecoration of the store, we will be closed at the end of this month.
— contributed by: inakaluke
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User Comments
- 本日の営業は午後7時をもって終了いたします。
— contributed by: rad
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: womotte1
tagJ: 〜をもって (を以て)
tagH: 〜をもって
expE: at (time / moment)
expJ: 期限を浮ｷ。〜で。
noteE: today's business will close at 7
JLPT: 1

Front: nanoni
〜なのに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜なのに
Meaning: but, although (contrast, surprising)
Example: It's summer but it's cold.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- このコンピューター１年前に買ったばかりなのに、もうすっかり時代遅れだわ。
I bought this computer one year ago and it's already a dinosaur. [F]
— contributed by: dc
- この情報は当然最新であるべきなのに、実際はそうでない。
This information is not as up-to-date as it should be.
— contributed by: dc
- これは新しい靴なのにもう修理する必要がある。
These new shoes already want mending.
— contributed by: dc
- ずっと歩いて来たとは、あなたは足が丈夫なのにちがいない。
You must be a good walker to have walked all the way.
— contributed by: dc
- ジムは目覚めると、自分が部屋に１人なのに気がついた。
Jim awoke and found himself alone in the room.
— contributed by: dc
- ビルはただモニカを慰めたかっただけなのに、彼女は彼が自分に気があるのだと判明した。
Bill just wanted to comfort Monica, but she interpreted it as romantic interest.
— contributed by: dc
- ベンチに腰かけたとたんに、ペンキが塗りたてなのに気づいた。
I had hardly sat down on the bench when I found it had just been painted.
— contributed by: dc
- 一日風邪で休んだだけなのに、机の上に書類が山積みになっている。
I only missed one day of work because of a cold and my desk is piled high with papers.
— contributed by: dc
- 兄は全く不器用なのに、彼は優秀な外科医だ。
His brother is all thumbs, but he is a skillful surgeon.
— contributed by: dc
- 残念だわ。昼食の後でケーキを食べるつもりなのに。
That's too bad. We're going to have cake after lunch. [F]
— contributed by: dc
- 彼って長野に住んでいるはずなのに、なんで東京駅にいる？
He's supposed to be living in Nagano. What's he doing at Tokyo station?
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は、そこにいたら幸せなのに、と言った。
He says that if he were there he would be happy.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は３８歳なのに両親に頼りきりです。
Though 38, he is still dependent on his parents.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はそれを知っている、なのに少しも気にしていない。
He knows it, and he doesn't care a bit.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はもうここに着いているはずなのに。
He ought to have arrived here.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は金持ちなのに、幸福ではない。
With all his wealth, he is not happy.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は若い、それなのに分別がある。
He is young, and yet he is prudent.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼を見るのさえ嫌なのに、デートするなんてとんでもないことです。
I don't want to see him, let alone go out with him.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女の利口なのには舌を巻く。
I'm astonished by her cleverness.
— contributed by: dc
- 不景気なのに依然物価は高い。
In spite of the depression, the prices of commodities are still high.
— contributed by: dc
- 僕はその少年の利発なのに驚いた。
I was amazed at the boy's intelligence. [M]
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- Isn't this the same as the [noni] entry but with na replacing a copula da which isn't needed for verbs or i-adjectives?
— contributed by: yookoso
- I always thought a better translation for "... na no ni" would be "even though ...". Does that make sense?
— contributed by: razortm
- From the examples I see, it could either be "even though" or "despite"...
— contributed by: Saralynne
- I'm having difficulty understanding where the 『なのに』should be placed within the sentence. Should it always be placed at the end? Should it be placed after a specific clause?
— contributed by: imlan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nanoni
tagJ: 〜なのに
expE: but, although (contrast, surprising)
expJ: 夏なのに、寒い。
noteE: It's summer but it's cold.
JLPT: 3

Front: dakarakoso
だからこそ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
だからこそ
Meaning: (just) because of
Example: only because he was a scholar, he could understand
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [dakara] is a connector meaning because. [koso] adds emphasis.
科学者だから、分かりました
He is a scholar, so he understood
科学者だからこそ、分かりました
(only because) he is a scholar, he was able to understand
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- だからこそ気になるものだ
precisely what is so worrisome
— contributed by: dc
- だからこそ私は本当に〜したい。
and that's exactly why I would really like to...
— contributed by: dc
- だからこそ注意しないといけないんだよ。
All the more reason to be careful.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたが来いと言ったからこそ私は来たんです。
I came especially because you said to.
— contributed by: blabby
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- arebakoso
- koso
User Comments
- I think the english explanation for this grammar point should be "especially because of..." to avoid confusion with [arebakoso], which has a stronger sense of highlighting an exclusive reason.
— contributed by: srobertson
- Note that [dakarakoso] is not usually (cannot be?) used to give a negative emphasis. You would not say that you *didn't* do something especially because of a particular reason.
(X) 勉強しなかったからこそ、試験に落ちたんだよ。
— contributed by: srobertson
- One other thing - I think this entry should be changed to "karakoso", since the "da" copula is used only connect karakoso with a noun or noun adjective (or to refer back to a previous sentence, as in examples [5147], [5148] and [5149]). You can use karakoso after verbs and い adjectives as well.
— contributed by: srobertson
- I think the important thing is that it's a direct form, whether perfective or imperfective (and whether positive or negative, as I recall) plus から. As opposed to a gerund form which gives the meaning of a sequence of events (AてからB, " after A, B (happened)") instead of giving causality.
As for the こそ part, doesn't that have it's own page yet? Seems like it'd make sense to separate that from the rest of the pattern, or just make a note about "if using こそ it follows the から"
— contributed by: winterkoninkje
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dakarakoso
tagJ: だからこそ
expE: (just) because of
noteE: only because he was a scholar, he could understand
JLPT: 0

Front: nokiwami
の極み (のきわみ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
の極み (のきわみ)
Meaning: the utmost ,ngu phap 1 kyuu
Example: height of luxury
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 遺憾の極みである
be most regrettable
— contributed by: dc
- 光栄の極みである
be extremely honored
— contributed by: dc
- 混乱の極みである
feel quite confused
— contributed by: dc
- 混乱の極みにある理由を説明する
explain why is feeling so churned up
— contributed by: dc
- 興奮の極みに
at the height of excitement
— contributed by: dc
- ぜいたくの極み
height of luxury
— contributed by: dc
- 混乱の極み
state of extreme disorder
— contributed by: dc
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- noitari
User Comments
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nokiwami
tagJ: の極み
tagH: のきわみ
expE: the utmost ,ngu phap 1 kyuu
noteE: height of luxury
JLPT: 1

Front: tomonaku;tomonashini
〜ともなく,〜ともななしに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ともなく,〜ともななしに
Meaning: Without really planning to, ~ A phrase indicating that the subject does s.t. without paying much attention or that when, where, to whom, etc. s.t. took place is unclear.
Example: Without really planning to, I spent all day playing computer games.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 「〜と(も)なく／〜と(も)なしに」は疑問詞（疑問詞＋助詞）につくときは、「＜いつ・どこで・誰が・何を＞かよくわからないが、〜」という不確かさを表します。また、感覚・知覚・思惟などを表す動詞を反復し、「見るともなく見る／聞くともなく聞く」のように「〜しようというつもりはなく、ただ、なんとなく〜する」という無意識で行われた動作を表します。日本語の不作為・無意識の行為を表す代表がこの「〜ともなく／〜ともなしに」だと言えるでしょう。
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- When 「〜と(も)なく／〜と(も)なしに」is attached to a question word (or question word and particle), it expresses uncertainty (about when, where, who, what). Alternatively, when used on either end of verbs expressing sensation, perception or speculation, as in「見るともなく見る／聞くともなく聞く」, it indicates that the action happens unintentionally or without conscious effort. This model can be said to be representative of Japanese phrases expressing involuntary/unconscious actions.
— contributed by: srobertson
- )「…となく…となく」の形で慣用的に用いる。
「夜≠ﾈく昼≠ﾈく」
— contributed by: kanoko
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p63 - no.57
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p648
— contributed by: LR
- VERB1-non-past + ともなく + VERB2 (where V1=V2) OR
Wh-word + 助詞 + ともなく
— contributed by: LR
- When a verb precedes ともなく that verb is usually repeated,however this is not always the case
— contributed by: LR
- ともなしに is equivalent to ともなく and the two can be used interchangeably.
— contributed by: LR
- Related toとなくbut となく is for only limited words such as どことなく、何となく、誰かれとなく、それとなく
この文章はどことなく変だ。
This passage is strange somewhere (but I cannot tell where)
哲也のことが何となくきになる
I'm concerned about Tetsuya somehow
由里はだれかれとなくよく人の面倒をみる。
Yuri gives a lot of help to anyone (without discriminating)
それとなく飯田に聞いてみたらどう。
Why don't you ask Iida about it indirectly (lit. without making the intention obvious)
— contributed by: LR
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ゴロゴロしながら見るともなく外を見ると、アンパンマンがいました！
Without really planning, I looked ouside and saw anpanman!
— contributed by: blabby
- どこからともなく
Out of thin air...
— contributed by: blabby
- 待つこともなく彼女が現れた。
I had not waited long before she turned up.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女はどこからともなくひょっこりやってきた。
She came up from goodness knows where.
— contributed by: dc
- 見るともなくぼんやり外を見ていたら、不意に大きなカラスが飛んできた。
I was gazing absentmindedly out of the window, when suddenly a large crow flew towards me.
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- 見るともなくぼんやり外を見ていたら、不意に大きなカラスが飛んで来た
I was looking around outside absent-mindedly, and suddenly a huge crow came flying at me
— contributed by: LR
- 散歩をしているうちにくるともなく駅まで来てしまった。
While I was taking a walk, I came as far as the station without intending to.
— contributed by: LR
- 我が家ではいつからともなしに正月にスキーに行く習慣が始まった。
We do not know when, but my family started a tradtion of going skiing on New Year's Day.
— contributed by: LR
- 目撃者の話を聞くともなく後ろで聞いていたが、突然その話の中に事件解決のための重要な情報が含まれていることに気がついた。
I was listening to the witness's story from behind without paying much attention, when all of a sudden, I realized that it contained an important piece of information for solving the case.
— contributed by: LR
- いつも母がその歌をロシア語で歌うのを聞いていたのでなるともなく自然に覚えてしまった。
Because I always heard my mother singing that song in Russian, I learned it without even trying.
— contributed by: LR
- どこからともなくいい匂いが漂ってきた
I couldn't tell from where, but a good smell wafted from somewhere
— contributed by: LR
- 誰ともなく地震の被災者のためにボランティア活動をしようと言い始めた。
Without knowing who they were in particular, he started to talk of volunteering to help earthquake victims.
— contributed by: LR
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User Comments
- You can also say 〜ともなしに
— contributed by: blabby
- I think example #5181 is different grammar. 待つこと、もなく、〜
— contributed by: blabby
- Correct! ex #5181 does not belong here.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- #5986 could be translated as:
I just happened to glance outside, when suddenly a large crow flew towards me.
— contributed by: montydrei
- 見るともなくぼんやり外を見ていたら can be translated as "I was looking outside absent-mindedly without really seeing anything....."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- isn't #8008 something more like, "directed at no one in particular, he started railing about volunteer work to help the earthquake victims."?
...or am i missing something?
— contributed by: ams5661
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tomonaku;tomonashini
tagJ: 〜ともなく,〜ともななしに
expE: Without really planning to, ~ A phrase indicating that the subject does s.t. without paying much attention or that when, where, to whom, etc. s.t. took place is unclear.
expJ: 特に〜しようと思うのではなく
noteE: Without really planning to, I spent all day playing computer games.
JLPT: 1

Front: hitotsutottemo
ひとつとっても
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ひとつとっても
Meaning: One example being, for example
Example: There are many troubles when we live in a foreign country, one example being sickness
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本のソフトクリームとは、ラベンダーひとつとっても様々な珍しい味が楽しめる商品だ。
Japanese soft-serve ice cream is a product you can enjoy in a variety of exotic flavors, such as Lavender.
— contributed by: Sion
- 部屋探しひとつとっても外国人として日本に生活を始めるのが難しいと言われる。
It is said that it is hard to start living in Japan as a foreigner; take the search for an apartment as an example.
— contributed by: Sion
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hitotsutottemo
tagJ: ひとつとっても
expE: One example being, for example
expJ: 旅行ひとつとっても、楽しい思い出がたくさんある。
noteE: There are many troubles when we live in a foreign country, one example being sickness
JLPT: 0

Front: haiumademonaku
は言うまでもなく (はいうまでもなく)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
は言うまでもなく (はいうまでもなく)
Meaning: goes without saying/not to mention
Example: he speaks vulcan, not to mention geek.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- * iu made mo naku is used only in the midle of the phase.
* iu made mo nai or "iu mo oroka" is used in the end of the phase.
— contributed by: kanoko
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- いつものカクテルは言うまでもなく、フランス製のシャンペンも出された。
We were served French champagne, not to mention the usual cocktails.
— contributed by: dc
- ここには、結果の不正確さは言うまでもなく、方法論上の問題が数多く存在している。
There are a number of methodological problems here, not to mention the inaccuracy of some of the results.
— contributed by: dc
- その先生は、英語は言うまでもなく、立派なフランス語を話す。
The teacher speaks good French, not to mention English.
— contributed by: dc
- ジェーンはギターは言うまでもなく、バイオリンもひける。
Jane can play the violin, not to mention the guitar.
— contributed by: dc
- ボストンは私には寒すぎるが、シカゴは言うまでもなくもっと寒い。
Boston is too cold for me, let alone Chicago.
— contributed by: dc
- 英語は言うまでもなく、彼はドイツ語も話せる。
He speaks German, not to mention English.
— contributed by: dc
- 核兵器は言うまでもなく、原子力発電も危険である。
Nuclear power plants are dangerous, not to mention nuclear weapons.
— contributed by: dc
- 核兵器は言うまでもなく、原子力発電所も危険である。
Nuclear power plants are dangerous, not to mention nuclear weapons.
— contributed by: dc
- 私たちにとって彼の勇気は言うまでもなく、彼の知恵にも感嘆した。
We admired his wisdom, not to mention his courage.
— contributed by: dc
- 私達は彼の勇気は言うまでもなく、彼の知恵にも感嘆した。
We admired his wisdom, not to mention his courage.
— contributed by: dc
- 人を嫌うのは言うまでもなく、人を信頼できないことが、人間の苦しみの根源だ。
istrust of people, not to mention hate, is the root of human suffering.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の妻は今や彼らの２人の子供は言うまでもなく、彼の祖父も面倒を見なければならなかった。
His wife now had to take care of his grandfather, not to mention their two children.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はスペインは言うまでもなく、ポルトガルへも行ったことがある。
He has been to Portugal, not to mention Spain.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はフランス語は言うまでもなく、英語も話せない。
He doesn't speak English, not to mention French.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は英語とフランス語は言うまでもなく、ドイツ語も話せる。
He can speak German, not to mention English and French.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は英語は言うまでもなくフランス語とドイツ語を話せる。
He can speak French and German, not to mention English.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は英語は言うまでもなくフランス語も話せる。
He can speak French, not to mention English.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は化学は言うまでもなく数学もほとんど知らない。
He knows little of mathematics, to say nothing of chemistry (which he knows even less of).
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は和書は言うまでもなく洋書も読んでいる。
He reads foreign books, not to mention Japanese ones.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は贅沢品は言うまでもなく、日用品を買うのにも事欠く。
He cannot afford the common comforts of life, not to mention luxuries.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は英語は言うまでもなく、フランス語とドイツ語も話せる。
She speaks French and German, not to mention English.
— contributed by: dc
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Acknowledgments
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: haiumademonaku
tagJ: は言うまでもなく
tagH: はいうまでもなく
expE: goes without saying/not to mention
noteE: he speaks vulcan, not to mention geek.
JLPT: 1

Front: shi
し
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
し
Meaning: and
Example: we went shopping, and ate lunch
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Shi is different from a mere "and" because it carries a connotation of "not only".
This is why you often see constructions utilizing both 'shi' and 'sore ni' together, in the following format: "---- shi, sore ni ------"
Technically, this is a way of saying 'and', but it also emphasizes that the first quality listed is not the extent of it.
In English, think of the difference between "The restaurant is cheap and has delicious food", and "Not only is the restaurant cheap, it also has delicious food."
Same meaning conveyed, slightly different connotation.
"Sore ni" in this context roughly translates to "besides that..." and there's no hard and fast rule that says you have to use it or not, but it's generally more seen in situations where the second quality is not something one would directly expect from hearing the first. For instance, "Not only is he good at math, besides that he's also a marathon runner".
— contributed by: Televangelist
Examples
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- ここでの討論はおもしろいものでしたし、困惑させたり、ときにはぞっとする内容のものもありました。
The debate has been interesting, (and) confusing, and sometimes horrifying.
— contributed by: Miki
- ロッククライミングも、海で深く潜ることもしたし、インドネシアの熱帯雨林で眠ったこともある。
I've done rock climbing and deep-sea diving and slept in rain forests in the jungle of Indonesia.
— contributed by: Miki
- 開拓者達は辛い生活をしたし、彼らの子供もそうだった。
Pioneer men and women had a hard life, and so did their children.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は幸福だ。1つには、昇進したし、それに結婚したばかりだから。
He is happy. For onething, he's got a promotion and for another he has just got married.
— contributed by: Miki
- 母はその知らせを喜んでいたし、私もそうでした。
My mother was happy about the news, and so was I.
— contributed by: Miki
- 洋子はジョンを完全に無視したし、ジョンのほうも彼女を同じように無視をした。
Yoko igonored John completely, and he did the same to her.
— contributed by: Miki
- 1つには私は忙しいし、もう1つには興味もない。
For one thing, I'm busy; (and) for another, I'm not interested.
— contributed by: Miki
- あの絵も美しいし、この絵もまた美しい。
That painting is beautiful, and so is this one.
— contributed by: Miki
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- to と (and. used for listing nouns. )
User Comments
- ex #5244 and ex #5245 are incorrect.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Finally corrected. Are they good enough?
— contributed by: Miki
- Is there a rule or principle about when to use だ　in a し、、し、、construction? It seems to overlap with な adjectives. For example:
このカメラは軽いし、使い方も簡単だし、それに安いです。
... but also with temporal nouns as in:
すずき先生は、はじめだし、熱心な先生です。
Thoughts about a principle?
— contributed by: adamstudio
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: shi
tagJ: し
expE: and
noteE: we went shopping, and ate lunch
JLPT: 3

Front: dearou
であろう
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
であろう
Meaning: I guess, wonder, probably, isn't it?
Example: I guess he will never come back the place.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- だろう spoken language
であろう。 is ofen used in articlel with colloquial flavour.
でありましょう。 polite form of であろう。
— contributed by: Miki
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あなたの助けがなかったら、我々は仕事を間に合わせられなかったであろう。
But for your help, we should not have finished in time.
— contributed by: Miki
- おそらくそれは嘘であろう。
I dare say it is a lie.
— contributed by: Miki
- きっと彼女の病気はすぐによくなるであろう。
That she will get over her illness soon is certain.
— contributed by: Miki
- それはナンセンスだ。誰もそれを信じないであろう。
That's nonsense. Nobody would believe it.
— contributed by: Miki
- 現在の私たちにとって、もっとも重要なのは、地球の環境を守ることであろう。自分と関係がないと考えずに、自分の問題として、この問題を考えることが求められている。
I fear the more essential fact nowdays is the planet invironnement. If you don't think this have no relation whith you, you are part of the problem, and you will be asked to think about this problem.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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- だろう (speaking)
- dearou to
User Comments
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dearou
tagJ: であろう
expE: I guess, wonder, probably, isn't it?
noteE: I guess he will never come back the place.
JLPT: 3

Front: bakari
ばかり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ばかり
Meaning: have just done something; have just finished doing something’
Example: When I was a newcomer to Japan, I had trouble understanding Japanese.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本へ行ったばかりのころは、日本語がわからなくて困りました。
When I was a newcomer to Japan, I had trouble understanding Japanese.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- 食べたばかりだから、ちょっと待ってください。
I just ate so please wait a bit.
— contributed by: viljami
- 働き始めたばかりのとき、僕も間違えたよ。
When I had just begun working, I made some mistakes too.
— contributed by: viljami
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: bakari
tagJ: ばかり
expE: have just done something; have just finished doing something’
expJ: 日本へ行ったばかりのころは、日本語がわからなくて困りました。
noteE: When I was a newcomer to Japan, I had trouble understanding Japanese.
JLPT: 0

Front: ano
あの
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
あの
Meaning: that
Example: あの人
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Both あの and その can be used with the meaning ‘that ~’ when an item you are referring to is not in sight. あの is used when both the speaker and the hearer are (or are assumed to be) familiar with a person or thing in question.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- ex: ano kanojou no namae wa yumi da.
trans: that girl's name is yumi.
— contributed by: jeina419
- あの (ano) and その (sono) are similar. However, ano is used for objects- people, places...and same with sono.
Ano however is for a thing far away from both the speaker and listener.
Meanwhile, sono is for something close to the listener but not close to the speaker.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- Sorosoro ano densha ga demasu.
The train over there is almost leaving.
— contributed by: Djordjije
- Watashi wa ano kuruma ga suki desu.
I like that car over there.
— contributed by: Djordjije
- Ano hito wa watashi no otousan desu.
That person over there is my father.
— contributed by: Djordjije
- あの林檎は緑。あのりんごはみどり。
That apple over there is green. Ano ringo ha midori.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
- あの本は長いです。
That book is long.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
- あの男の子と女の子はとても小さいです。
Those boys and girls are really small.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
- あの古い学校は私の学校です。
That school is my school.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
- あの若い女の子はカナダに行くらしいです。
That young girl is apparently going to Canada.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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User Comments
- In note contributed by jeina419, kanojou should be kanojo かのじょ　彼女
— contributed by: Miki
- Is this JLPT level 3? I guess this is level 4.
— contributed by: Miki
- I thought that kanojou should be kanojyo in "normal" romanji?
— contributed by: walter
- ex 6194: Wouldn't the use of お父さん mean that　わたしの is redundant?
— contributed by: walter
- In response to walter's questions:
-There are several ways of Romanizing Japanese. Depending on the system you use, かのじょ could be either 'kanojo' or 'kanojyo'. Miki's point is that it's not 'kanojou' because there's no う on the end.
-As for the second question...
...first off, you can use お父さん to talk about other people's fathers:
みちこのお父さんは親切です。 - Michiko's father is kind.
...and secondly, if you're being formal (which the example seems to be), you'd normally us 父 (ちち) to refer to your own father. But that's not stopping anyone in more casual speech, though I think there's a tendency to drop the お in that case:
父さんに部屋を掃除させられちゃった…
I got forced to clean my room by my dad...
— contributed by: KWhazit
- I think this is more vocabulary than Grammar and its definatly level 4
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ano
tagJ: あの
expE: that
expJ: Both あの and その can be used with the meaning ‘that ~’ when an item you are referring to is not in sight. あの is used when both the speaker and the hearer are (or are assumed to be) familiar with a person or thing in question.
noteE: あの人
JLPT: 4

Front: youninaru
ようになる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ようになる
Meaning: Indicates a change which has taken place or will take place.
Example: I came to have an interest in Japan after I went to Japan
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- V(可能形）＋ようになる　=> new ability
V(辞書形）＋ようになる　=> new habit
— contributed by: agnestan
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は日本に住んでいたくせに、日本語を話せるようにならなかったよ。
Although he lived in Japan he didn't learn (become able) to speak Japanese!
— contributed by: viljami
- 子供は, 自分で部屋を片付けるようになりました。
(My) child has reached the point where she cleans up her room herself.
— contributed by: Naino
- 赤ちゃんは, もうすぐ笑うようになる。
The baby will soon reach the point where he will smile.
— contributed by: Naino
- 日本に来たから、豆腐を食べるようになりました。
Since I came to Japan, I've gotten used to eating tofu. (I didn't use to eat tofu.)
— contributed by: agnestan
- レンズさんは日本語が話せるようになった。
Mr. Renz had reached the point where he can speak Japanese.
— contributed by: lenzras
- パットは私と話さないようになった。
Pat doesn't talk with me anymore.
— contributed by: lenzras
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User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youninaru
tagJ: ようになる
expE: Indicates a change which has taken place or will take place.
noteE: I came to have an interest in Japan after I went to Japan
JLPT: 3

Front: become, became, becoming
youninaru (ようになる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
youninaru (ようになる)
Meaning: indicates a change which has taken place or will take place
Example: I came to have an interest in Japan after I went to Japan
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- I came to have an interest in Japan after I went to Japan
日本へ行ってから、日本に興味(きょうみ)を持つようになりました。
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Unless you study kanji, you won’t become able to read Japanese newspapers.
漢字を勉強しなければ、日本語の新聞(しんぶん)が読めるようにはなりません。
— contributed by: Rushyne
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User Comments
- rushyne - thanks for the entry, but we already have this page: [youni-2] - can you add these examples there instead?
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: become, became, becoming
tagJ: youninaru
tagH: ようになる
expE: indicates a change which has taken place or will take place
noteE: I came to have an interest in Japan after I went to Japan
JLPT: 0

Front: toutei
到底 (とうてい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
到底 (とうてい)
Meaning: (can't) possibly / very much
Example: I can't possibly do that.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 到底(toutei) itself means "possibly", but grammatically it is usually used with a negative:
　到底そうとは思えない。
　I really doubt it.
this is a little similar to [shika]'s way of use
　英語しか話せない
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼女は彼氏を到底殺すことはできない。
She can't possibly kill her own boyfriend.
— contributed by: blabby
- Blabbyは賢いとは到底言えない。
You can't possibly say that Blabby is smart.
— contributed by: blabby
- 到底そうとは思えない。
I really doubt it.
— contributed by: blabby
- あなたの話は到底真実だとおもえない。
I think that your story is far from the truth.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼に会う事などは到底思いもよらない。
I am hopeless of ever meeting him.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の部屋はこぎれいだとは到底言えない。
His room is far from neat.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は大事な犬を到底手放すことはできなかった。
He couldn't possibly part with his dear dog.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はバッハには到底かなわない。
He just can`t compare with Bach.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Can anyone come up with a better translation? Ive seen lots of translations such as "after all", "possibly" and "とても".
— contributed by: blabby
- how about "far from"? seems a little similar to [dokoroka]
— contributed by: dc
- 到底 is similar to どんなにしても, どうしても. Used with a negative.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toutei
tagJ: 到底
tagH: とうてい
expE: (can't) possibly / very much
expJ: とても
noteE: I can't possibly do that.
JLPT: 2

Front: (de)sura
〜（で）すら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜（で）すら
Meaning: just / even if
Example: if you just take your vitamins
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- この天才の私ですらわからなかった
a genius such as myself even didn't understand
— contributed by: dc
- 私は緊張しすぎて、ちらっと見ることすら出来ませんでした
I was so nervous that I couldn't even take a quick peek
— contributed by: dc
- 「人」の漢字すら知らない生徒は、いないでしょ！
There are no students that don't even know the 「人」 kanji!
— contributed by: dc
- この大学の学生の中には教師に対する口の聞き方すら知らないものがいる。
Some student in this university don't even know how to talk to teachers.
— contributed by: dc
- これらの言葉ですらいつか消えてしまいます。
Even these words will someday disappear.
— contributed by: dc
- こんなケーブル線ですら、６０００円もした。
Even this cable cost me 6000 yen.
— contributed by: dc
- しっと深い人は、友達についてすら、いじわるをして、満足感をうる。
A jealous person gets a feeling of contentment by behaving like a dog in the manger even with his friends.
— contributed by: dc
- その生徒は先生に返事すらしませんでした。
The student did not so much as answer the teacher.
— contributed by: dc
- もちろん品も、そして郵送料すらも返ってこなかった。
Of course, even neither goods nor the mailing fee returned.
— contributed by: dc
- 海外で育つ日本人の子供の場合、日本語が完璧にできる場合ですら、帰国後日本の学校に適応するのに大変苦労することが時々ある。
Japanese children brought up overseas sometimes face great difficulty in adjusting themselves to Japanese schools after returning, even though they have a perfect command of Japanese.
— contributed by: dc
- 最も強大な帝国ですら崩壊する。
Even the mightiest of empires comes to an end.
— contributed by: dc
- 社長は我々の給料を少しあげることすら惜しんだ。
Our boss begrudged us even a small raise in pay.
— contributed by: dc
- 想像すらできない。
I couldn't even guess.
— contributed by: dc
- 中には月を訪れたことのあるものすらいる。
Some people have even visited the moon.
— contributed by: dc
- 虫ですら向かってくるものだ。
Even a worm will turn.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼ですらそれが上手にできるなら、我々ならなおさらだ。
If he can do it well, so much more can we.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼には日常必需品すらない、まして贅沢品はあるわけがない。
He has no daily necessities, much less luxuries.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の息子は自分の名前を書くことすらできない。
His son cannot so much as write his own name.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は、オペラはもちろんのこと、童謡すら歌えない。
He cannot even sing children's songs, let alone opera.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は自分の家族すら取りしきれないのに、まして一国を治めるなんて！
He can't run his own family, let alone a nation!
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女はフランス語は言うに及ばず母国語すらろくに話せない。
She doesn't even speak her own language well, let alone French.
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- This seems to be similar to 'demo', which might be a good way to remember it.
— contributed by: Ben
- #536O There are no students? I can't read u人」as 「人」. mojibake!
— contributed by: Miki
- is this identical to [sae] ?
見るさえできない
見るすらできない
- cannot even see
— contributed by: dc
- Can you use 〜すら to say something like "if you so much as touch this, there'll be trouble"?
— contributed by: xabre24
- For those wondering the difference between 〜さえ and 〜（で）すら, here's a good site from Tae Kim.
http://guidetojapanese.org/even.html#part3
— contributed by: Atsuke
- I can't add examples or notes because the system says that there is no "desura" entry. Can someone help me?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: (de)sura
tagJ: 〜（で）すら
expE: just / even if
expJ: 〜さえ
noteE: if you just take your vitamins
JLPT: 1

Front: kurabemononinaranai
比べものにならない (くらべものにならない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
比べものにならない (くらべものにならない)
Meaning: there is no point comparing....
Example: When we talk about speed, there is no point comparing a plane and a ship.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 速さという点では飛行機は船とは比べものにならない。
When we talk about speed, there is no point to compare a plane and a ship.
— contributed by: sir_sky
- 食べる量という点では馬は鳥とは比べものにならない。
What a horse eats and what a chicken eats just cannot be compared.
— contributed by: sir_sky
- このほうが比べものにならないほど優れている。
This is superior beyond comparison.
— contributed by: dc
- 私の業績はあなたの業績とは比べものにならない。
Your achievements cannot be compared with mine.
— contributed by: dc
- 私の料理などお母さんのとは比べものにならない。
My cooking cannot hold a candle to Mother's.
— contributed by: dc
- バッハの作品は他のバロック音楽とは比べものにならない。
There is no comparison between Bach's compositions and other baroque music.
— contributed by: karekano
- 芸術的才狽ﾌ点では、　彼女は私とは比べものにならないほど優れている。
In terms of artistic talent, I really can`t hold a candle to her.
— contributed by: karekano
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- nikurabete (other use of 比べる【くらべる】(v1) (1) to compare, (2) to calibrate)
User Comments
- is this really JLPT 2? i havent seen it before...
— contributed by: dc
- I first saw it in the grammar section of a Japanese language textbook for intermediate level, and it is a very good textbook. Deosn't it seem to be a JLPT 2 grammar?...
— contributed by: sir_sky
- #5375 "plane"
— contributed by: ness
- I think in JLPT2, there's Noun+にくらべて
It's to compare between different level
e.g. 兄に比べて、弟はよく勉強する。
Compare to the older brother, the younger brother is more hard working.
— contributed by: yuenannie
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kurabemononinaranai
tagJ: 比べものにならない
tagH: くらべものにならない
expE: there is no point comparing....
noteE: When we talk about speed, there is no point comparing a plane and a ship.
JLPT: 3

Front: kikkake
きっかけ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
きっかけ
Meaning: trigger
Example: what triggered you to quit?
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- イタリアンルネッサンスを開花させるきっかけを作ったのはジョットの功績だ。
Giotto is credited with sowing the seeds of the Italian Renaissance.
— contributed by: dc
- 私の意見がそのグループでの議論のきっかけになった。
My comment sparked off an argument in the group.
— contributed by: dc
- 事のきっかけとなったのは誰だ。
Who has pulled the trigger?
— contributed by: dc
- 事のきっかけを作ったのは誰だ。
Who has pulled her son to his feet.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女と付き合うきっかけになったのは、なんとなくフィーリングが合ったからだ。
I got together with her mainly because we seemed to share the same feelings about things.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼等は彼に逃げるきっかけを与えた。
They gave him a handle for escaping.
— contributed by: dc
- 開発のきっかけ
trigger for the development of ~
— contributed by: mika
- 恋人募集広告がきっかけで（人）と出会う
meet someone through a personal ad
— contributed by: mika
- どういうきっかけでそんな考えを思い付いたの？
How did you come up with an idea like that?
— contributed by: mika
- 何がきっかけでギターを始められたのですか？
What motivated you to take up the guitar?
— contributed by: mika
- `がきっかけで起こった激しい論争
intense debate stirred up by
— contributed by: mika
- 彼の支持率は金融不祥事がきっかけで急に落ちている
His standing in polls slips in the wake of financial scandal.
— contributed by: mika
- 仕事がきっかけで知り合いになる
be connected through one's business
— contributed by: mika
- スキャンダルがきっかけで浮かび上がる
gain new urgency in the revelation of scandals
— contributed by: mika
- ほんのちょっとしたきっかけで変わる
change with the slightest of opportunities
— contributed by: mika
- どのようなきっかけで野球に興味を持ったのですか？
What got you interested at first in baseball?
— contributed by: mika
- （人）が＿年以上勤務した会社を（主語）がきっかけで離れることになる
prompt someone to leave after more than __ years of service
— contributed by: mika
- キャリアの成功へのきっかけとしてプログラムを活用する
use a program as a jump-start on a successful career
— contributed by: mika
- ジャズにのめり込むきっかけとなったアルバム
album that made one fall in love with jazz
— contributed by: mika
- 人種問題がきっかけとなった暴動。
racially-triggered violence
— contributed by: mika
- 近ごろ国際交流がますますさかんになっている。外国文化の情報が増える一方だが、それは自分の国のことについて考えるきっかけにもなっている。
Recently international cultural exchange had became more and more popular. Informations on foreign culture is only growing up and with this as a start people began to think about that in their own country.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- インフレが失業を生むきっかけとなった。
Inflation triggered uemployment.
— contributed by: karekano
- 何がきっかけだったが忘れたが。。。
I don`t remember what prompted it, but...
— contributed by: karekano
- 英会話を始めたきっかけは何ですか
What started you on English conversation?
— contributed by: karekano
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- kikkake (duplicate?)
- simultaneous-actions-group
- kikkakeni (perhaps entries kikkake and kikkakeni should merge.)
User Comments
- ex.5401正しい訳しですか。
— contributed by: Perches
- ex.5401 の訳は正しくないです。
Who prompted this? とかがいいかもしれません。
— contributed by: Paul
- 人種問題がきっかけとなった文字化け…
— contributed by: petra
- #5417 Edited to 暴動。
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kikkake
tagJ: きっかけ
expE: trigger
noteE: what triggered you to quit?
JLPT: 2

Front: Seme ni (or Noun-Zeme ni)
攻めに (せめに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
攻めに (せめに)
Meaning: Overwhelmingly
Example: He was overwhelmed with questions.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 広告攻めにされた。
I was overwhelmed with advertisments.
— contributed by: blabby
- 質問攻めにする。
To bombard someone with questions.
— contributed by: blabby
- 毎日Ｅメール攻めに遭っている。
Every day I am overwhelmed by an amazing amount of emails.
— contributed by: blabby
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User Comments
- Should the pronunciation be せめ rather than ぜめ？
— contributed by: godfrey
- Godfrey, I'm guessing that the ze is a result of being combined with the noun. So like a ka would become ga (te+ kakari= tegakari) the se of seme becomes ze
— contributed by: abhishekpandit
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Seme ni (or Noun-Zeme ni)
tagJ: 攻めに
tagH: せめに
expE: Overwhelmingly
noteE: He was overwhelmed with questions.
JLPT: 1

Front: gotoki,gotoku,gotoshi
ごとき, ごとく, ごとし
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ごとき, ごとく, ごとし
Meaning: Like, As if; resembelence, analogy, similarity
Example: I want to fly like a bird.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Noun + (の) + ごとき + Noun
Noun + ごとく + Adjective/Verb
— contributed by: blabby
- Not to be confused with <b>ことごとく</b>, which is an unrelated word meaning 'entirely':
　ことごとく信じる。
　Believe something totally.
— contributed by: mochabean
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p62 - no.53
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p103
— contributed by: LR
- Written, Formal
— contributed by: LR
- ごとし indicates similarity. It changes form depending on where it is in a sentence, it's nuance/grammatical function, and whether it is attached to a verb or a noun.
— contributed by: LR
- One of the functions of ごとし / ごとき / ごとく is to mark a simile.
— contributed by: LR
- When か is inserted, it adds the nuance of doubt on the part of the speaker.
— contributed by: LR
- Used almost exclusively in written language.
— contributed by: LR
- Set Phrases
上述のごとく
As stated above
当然のごとく
As if it were a matter of course
— contributed by: LR
- {NOUN} + のごとし | [魚のごとし - s.o. is like a fish]
{VERBnon-past} + (が/かの) + ごとし | [夢見るがかのごとし - as if s.o. were dreaming]
{NOUN} + (か) + のごとく | [魚かのごとく泳ぐ s.o. swims as if they were a fish]
{NOUN} + (か) + ごとき + {NOUN} | [夢のごとき人生 life like a dream]
{NOUN である / VERBnon-past} + (が/かの) ごとき + {NOUN} | [山に登る (が/かの) ごとき人生 life like climbing a mountain]
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 烈火のごとき非難。
Criticism like fire.
— contributed by: blabby
- 私のごとき初心者にとって、。。。
For a beginner like me, ...
— contributed by: blabby
- ジェット機のごとく空を飛ぶ。
Fly through the sky like a jet.
— contributed by: blabby
- 以上のごとく
As stated above...
— contributed by: blabby
- 常のごとく
As usual.
— contributed by: blabby
- 生けるごとく
As if it is alive.
— contributed by: blabby
- 鳥のごとく空を飛ぶこと、これは人間の夢である。
To fly through the sky like a bird; that is the dream of man.
— contributed by: blabby
- ライオンのごとく勇敢な人だ。
That person is as brave as a lion.
— contributed by: blabby
- その少年は飛ぶがごとき勢いで、駆け去った
that boy ran away as if he was flying.
— contributed by: LR
- その少女はのごとき乙女であった。
That girl was like a white lily.
— contributed by: LR
- 前述したごとく、会議の日程が変更になりましたので、ご注意ください。
As I mentioned before, the schedule for the meeting has changed so please take care.
— contributed by: LR
- あの社長は世の中の全てが自分の物であるかのごとくふるまっている。
That company boss behaves as if all the world belongs to him.
— contributed by: LR
- 人生は航海のごとし。
Life is like a voyage
— contributed by: LR
- 東京人は万人走っているかのごとし。
Tokyoites all look as if they are always running
— contributed by: LR
- 彼女は女王のごとく芸能界に君臨している。
She dominates the showbusiness world as if she were a queen.
— contributed by: LR
- 夢のごとき新婚生活の後に悲劇が訪れた。
Their dream -like , newly-wedded bliss was followed by tragedy.
— contributed by: LR
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- kanogotoku
- you
User Comments
- Very formal written grammar.
— contributed by: blabby
- #5428 私ごとき is ok, too.
#5432 生けるがごとく
#5433 This is different. kotogotoku is written as 悉くor 尽く in kanji but I don't use them in kanji. hehe
— contributed by: Miki
- Miki, thanks for your valuable advice.
In #5428, I understand that the の is optional but is #5432 incorrect? Or are 生けるがごとく and 生けるごとく both acceptable?　Google gives me 79 results to 31 respectively.
Rather than delete #5433, I marked it as "question" so other readers can see that it is different.
— contributed by: blabby
- ごとく or 如く is literal diction and not normally used (sounds pedantic) in conversational speech. ような or ように can usually replace ごとく.
As between 生けるがごとく and 生けるごとく, the former is the conventional usage, but the latter is more or less acceptable (with emphasis on "less").
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 「ごとく、ごとき」は「ように、ような」の古い言葉で、名詞の前に付かれて、改まった場所での会話や、硬い文章に使われます。
— contributed by: 誠
- 生けるかのごとく
— contributed by: 誠
- To be consistent, #5433 should be deleted - not just marking it like blabby suggests.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I've overwritten #5433 with an example which contains the grammar point and moved the previous example up into notes.
That way, those people giving the page a thorough read can be alerted to the difference, while those just scrolling down to get examples of the actual grammar point won't be confused by unrelated sentences.
Does this keep everyone happy?
— contributed by: mochabean
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: gotoki,gotoku,gotoshi
tagJ: ごとき, ごとく, ごとし
expE: Like, As if; resembelence, analogy, similarity
expJ: 実際はそうではないが、まるで〜のような／に (文語体)
noteE: I want to fly like a bird.
JLPT: 1

Front: shimatsuda
始末だ (しまつだ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
始末だ (しまつだ)
Meaning: Unfortunately, (it has become ~)
Example: Unfortunately, it came to the point where he had to borrow money.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb(辞書形) + しまつだ。
The result is always something bad.
— contributed by: blabby
- Meaning: Finally, on top of that. Used to describe when something bad becomes worse.
— contributed by: khongbietboi
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あの二人は犬猿の仲で、ちょっとしたことでも、すぐ口論になる始末だ。
Those two don't get along very well. Unfortunately , at the drop of a hat, they start arguing.
— contributed by: blabby
- 友達に借金までするしまつだ。
Unfortunately, it has got to the point where he has to borrow money from friends.
— contributed by: blabby
- この始末は、今まで述べたとおりです。
Just as I said, it turned out like this!
— contributed by: blabby
- 離婚したうえに、首にまでなるしまつだ。
On top of getting divorced, I got fired from my job
— contributed by: khongbietboi
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- shimau
- teshimau
User Comments
- I think this is similar to "〜してしまった" or "〜ということになっちゃった".
In my grammar book, there is no kanji but if you do a google search, 始末だ comes up often.
I'm not very confident about example #5437...
— contributed by: blabby
- #5437 Do you mean 結末 ketsumatus instead of 始末?
— contributed by: Miki
- #5437 is copied exactly as I found it. I'm not quite sure about it because it is not at the end of the sentence as all the other examples are. 結末 and probably even 結果 sound like they would be good in context.
— contributed by: blabby
- In #5437,始末 means "from the beginning to the end" whereas in all other examples, 始末 is used to mean "situation" or "circumstances."
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: shimatsuda
tagJ: 始末だ
tagH: しまつだ
expE: Unfortunately, (it has become ~)
noteE: Unfortunately, it came to the point where he had to borrow money.
JLPT: 1

Front: zukume
〜尽くめ (〜ずくめ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜尽くめ (〜ずくめ)
Meaning: Full of / A lot of
Example: The meeting was full of good ideas.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Noun + ずくめだ。
Noun + ずくめ + の + Noun
— contributed by: blabby
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p62 - no.54
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その学校は規則ずくめだ。
That school is full of rules.
— contributed by: blabby
- 幸せずくめに見えた彼女にも人知れぬ悩みがあったんだね。
The girl that seemed full of happiness even had hidden worries.
— contributed by: blabby
- 彼は全身黒ずくめだった。
He was wearing all black.
— contributed by: blabby
- 日本語能力試験の一級も無事合格したし、今年はいいことずくめだった。
I managed to pass JLPT level 1 with no problems, this year was full of so many good things.
— contributed by: blabby
- 結構ずくめめな話である
Everything about it sounds fine. / That's [That sounds] perfect.
— contributed by: LR
- 彼女は赤ずくめの服装だった
She was dressed entirely in red.
— contributed by: LR
- 小言ずくめでうんざりした
[I was fed up with / I got sick and tired of] her endless nagging.
— contributed by: LR
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- darake
- mamire
User Comments
- Similar in some ways to "だらけ" and "まみれ" and it seems to have the same meaning as "全て〜ばかり" or "〜ばかりたくさんある".
It often has the form of Adjective+こと+ずくめ
— contributed by: blabby
- ずくめ also written 尽くめ added to a noun means 100% so.But there are a lot of nouns and noun phrases which to do accept ずくめ.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: zukume
tagJ: 〜尽くめ
tagH: 〜ずくめ
expE: Full of / A lot of
expJ: ばかり, 全部、全体がそればかりの状態であることを表す。
noteE: The meeting was full of good ideas.
JLPT: 1

Front: taritomo
たりとも
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
たりとも
Meaning: Even only / Even merely / Even just
Example: Don't waste even just one cent!
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Small amount + たりとも。
Often the small amount starts with a 1. １円, １分, １セント, etc.
— contributed by: blabby
- 〜たりとも．．．ない　　：　（1円／一日／．．．）
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　であっても〜ない
often with negative potential form, できない、許されない
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ご飯の一粒たりとも無駄にするな！
Don't you dare waste even one grain of rice!
— contributed by: blabby
- こんなテレビゲームをやる時、一瞬たりとも気を抜くことが出来ない。
With this type of video game, you can't afford to lose your concentration for even just a second.
— contributed by: blabby
- １センチたりとも進まない。
Not progress even a centimeter.
— contributed by: blabby
- 一分たりとも無駄に出来ないぞ。
(We) don't have a minute to waste!
— contributed by: Lorenz
- 試合の最中は、一瞬たりとも油断はできない。
We can't afford even a moment of carelessness during the game.
— contributed by: inakaluke
- 何人たりともここに入ることは許されない。
Not one person can be allowed to enter.
— contributed by: inakaluke
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User Comments
- #5444 is awkward. You just use も in that case and say:
1センチも進まない or 1センチも進むことができない.
たりとも in such cases is used to prevent or deter the progress. E.g., 1センチたりとも進ませない.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- agree with bamboo on #5444
— contributed by: 誠
- Besides which "Not progress" is bad English.
— contributed by: Paul
- Agree with bamboo
— contributed by: サリル
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: taritomo
tagJ: たりとも
expE: Even only / Even merely / Even just
noteE: Don't waste even just one cent!
JLPT: 1

Front: ppanashi
〜っぱなし (〜っ放し)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜っぱなし (〜っ放し)
Meaning: Keep ~ing / To leave ~
Example: I kept standing for 5 hours.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb(ます形) + っぱなし
— contributed by: blabby
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p62 - no.55
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar p333
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 新幹線の中では、東京から青森まで３時間立ちっぱなしだった。足が痛くなっちゃった！
On the shinkansen from Toukyou to Aomori I kept standing up for 3 hours. My feet hurt!
— contributed by: blabby
- ここに置きっぱなしにしちゃダメでしょ。
Hey, you can't leave your things here.
— contributed by: blabby
- ゴミを散らかしっぱなしにしないでね。
Don't drop your rubbish about, ok.
— contributed by: blabby
- 友達のビデオが借りっぱなしだ。早く返さなくちゃ。
I borrowed my friends video and didn't return it. I'd better return it soon.
— contributed by: blabby
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User Comments
- This is a rare case of 一級 grammar that I hear in every day conversation. I learnt this when I was still a beginner. I think it has a similar meaning to "〜たまま".
— contributed by: blabby
- It is a colloqual form of 放し, meaning doing something and leave it at that.It has a lot more emphasis than ...たままにする.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- How can I know how must I read the kanji, if in on yomi or kunyomi.
For example: in nﾂｰ 5446 is:
koko ni "TE" ki ppanachi
or
koko ni "OKU" ki ppanachi?
It is very difficult for people who donﾂｴt know japanese very well.
— contributed by: Futaro
- It's not that difficult.
The fact that there's a hiragana 'ki' after it tells you that it should be 'oki'. This has nothing to do with this grammar though...
— contributed by: kryptolus
- It's common practice that in compounds you'll be using onyomi.
— contributed by: Cacawate
- For Futaro - this link gives a good description of what is going on with the on'yumi/kun'yumi issue. http://www.tofugu.com/2010/03/23/the-types-of-kanji-in-japanese-onyomi-vs-kunyomi/
— contributed by: Dogbreathsan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ppanashi
tagJ: 〜っぱなし (〜っ放し)
tagH: 〜っぱなし
expE: Keep ~ing / To leave ~
noteE: I kept standing for 5 hours.
JLPT: 1

Front: tte ba
ってば
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ってば
Meaning: emphasize speakers emotion/desire/will
Example: I said I would go
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- It is used to emphasize speakers emotion/desire/will, and is not used in formal speeches but in casual conversations. Something like よ(yo) but far stronger.
It follows the +tte (って）short cut for と言う
— contributed by: cup
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 本当にいくの? 行くってば！
Will you really go there? I said I would go!
— contributed by: cup
- 新しいぺんでってば！
I thought it was a new pen!
— contributed by: cup
- 何だってば！
I say what’s that!
— contributed by: cup
- マールでいいってば！
I'm telling you , Marle's fine!
— contributed by: KWhazit
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User Comments
- Using ってば tends to mean that the speaker is fairly annoyed. Taking the example I added from Chrono Trigger (#6485), the character (whose actual name is マールディア) HATES formality and is SICK of being called by her full name and title. ってば should be used sparingly, unless you're Naruto, who tacks ってばよ！ onto every other sentence for no apparent reason.
I also have to call #5470 and #5471 into question... the first looks like it's missing a だって思った or something similar, and the second just doesn't make any sense to me.
— contributed by: KWhazit
- One of my Japanese mentors says that ってば actually sounds sort of feminine, I forget why exactly, though. Adding よ to the end of ってば, as in what Naruto says, is probably just a way to make ってば sound more masculine.
— contributed by: cone
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tte ba
tagJ: ってば
expE: emphasize speakers emotion/desire/will
noteE: I said I would go
JLPT: 0

Front: naka, ue, shita, etc.
〜中に、〜上に、〜下に、など (〜なかに、〜うえに、〜したに、など)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜中に、〜上に、〜下に、など (〜なかに、〜うえに、〜したに、など)
Meaning: Talking about relative location of an object
Example: My hat is in your car
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Location is specified with the combination of a location noun and/or relative place word (上、下、中、外、後ろ、前、横、そば）and the location marker に､and one of the two existance verbs ある or いる
ある　is used when talking about inanimate objects or states of being. while いる　is used for animate objects.
My dog is in your car
わたしの犬はあなたの車にいます｡
My hat is in your car
わたしのぼうしはあなたの車にあります｡
If you want to specify a relative location IE in something, next to something, on something. you combine the　location noun with the relative location word using the posessive particle　の
On the desk
つくえの上
In the bag
かばんの中
by the tv
テレビの横
behind the car
車の後ろ
infront of the computer
パャRンの前
becareful to include the location particle に at the end of the relative location statement.
で can also be used for location, but not in combination with the いる　and ある verbs.
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 箱の中に、なにがあるの？
— contributed by: karekora
- スポーツの中に、どちらが一番好き？
out of all the sports, which do you like best?
— contributed by: karekora
- その建物に銀行がありますか｡
Is there a bank in that building?
— contributed by: tigert
- ドアの近いにあるかばんは誰のですか｡
whos bag is that by the door.
— contributed by: tigert
- 車が家の左に止まっておいたよ｡
I parked the car on the left side of the house.
— contributed by: tigert
- チキンは冷凍庫の中です｡
The chicken is in the freezer.
— contributed by: tigert
- 郵便局はまっすぐに行って､右側にあります｡
The post office is straight down and on the right.
— contributed by: tigert
- 授業は２階にあります｡
the class is on the second floor.
— contributed by: tigert
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User Comments
- Is this a grammar entry?
ex#5902 J is strange. I guess you ment スポーツでは、どれが／何が 一番好き（ですか）？　What sport do you like best?
— contributed by: Miki
- I think the example ex#5902 is right. I read already a sentence like this:
kudamono no nakani, dochiraga ichibansukidesuka.
— contributed by: Cleber
- According to my Japanese friend they never use "の中に" when you are picking items out of a list (like picking your favorite). They say, "スポーツの中で、どちらが一番好き？　I think that "の中に" translates more to "within" and "の中で”is "in or out of". So the sentence 箱の中に、なにがあるの？ is correct because it can be translated as "What is there within the box?"
— contributed by: dbartlett95
- As what i get from the book it should be "スポーツの中で、どちらが一番好きですか" . As what Cleber's example, it should be "果物の中で、どちらが一番好きですか" in English "Among the fruits what(which one) is your favourite". Please correct me if i am wrong どうぞ宜しくお願いします.
— contributed by: bsloh
- の中に is to indicate object location, for example スパートの中に本屋があります。(Bookshop is in the supermarket.)
の中で is exlpain as "among the category", for example 果物の中で、どちらが一番すきですか。(Among the fruits,what is your favourite?)
— contributed by: bsloh
- ex #5902 の中に should be changed to 中で(なかで）. Also "out of" should be "among".
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I hope you don`t mind but I added some grammar to your grammar note. As for に and で they are used in much the same way, but they are not interchangable. に　is used for static states of being, while で is used for dynamic states or action. if your verb is いる､ある　use に　if its anything else で would be a good bet.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naka, ue, shita, etc.
tagJ: 〜中に、〜上に、〜下に、など
tagH: 〜なかに、〜うえに、〜したに、など
expE: Talking about relative location of an object
expJ: ある物について立地を説明するために
noteE: My hat is in your car
JLPT: 3

Front: ya ina ya
や否や (やいなや)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
や否や (やいなや)
Meaning: As soon as, had hardly... when
Example: As soon as he opened the door, the cat ran out
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 学校に到着するやいなや
As soon as you arrive at the school
— contributed by: Rukawa
- ドアを開けるやいなやその猫は飛び出していった
As soon as he opened the door, the cat ran out
— contributed by: Rukawa
- 撮影されるやいなやデジタル化され、インターネットに載せられました
Filming had hardly ended before it had been digitized and put on the internet
— contributed by: Rukawa
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User Comments
- Rukawa, there is already the same entry. [yainaya]
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ya ina ya
tagJ: や否や
tagH: やいなや
expE: As soon as, had hardly... when
noteE: As soon as he opened the door, the cat ran out
JLPT: 0

Front: seneba naranai
せねばならない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
せねばならない
Meaning: Have to, feel obliged to
Example: Those involved must tell the truth.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 関係者は真実を明らかにせねばならない
Those involved must tell the truth
— contributed by: Rukawa
- これらの製品の新たなる販路を開拓せねばならない。
We have to find a new market for these products.
— contributed by: Rukawa
- 是非とも目標を達成せねばならない。
I have to attain my purpose at all costs.
— contributed by: Rukawa
- 老人を尊敬せねばならない。
You have to respect the old.
— contributed by: Rukawa
- 私は彼に遅れをとらないように一生懸命勉強せねばならない。
I must study hard in order to keep up of him.
— contributed by: Rukawa
- 女性は結婚したら会社をやめねばならぬという考えはもう時代遅れだ。
The idea that women feel they ought to quit work after getting married is a thing of the past.
— contributed by: leviathon
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User Comments
- せねばならない?　I have never heard this. I have heard しなければならない　Or　しなければいけない　which both mean "must" or "have to"
Is the せねば　part of a regional accent? If so what region?
— contributed by: tigert
- It looks to me that instead of an appendage to a verb like 食べなくてければなりません, せねばならない　becomes the verb. It appears all the exp. sentances have a suru verb minus suru with せねばならない added? So does this only work with suru verbs?
— contributed by: Auxabois
- It's a verb stem. I'll add some examples from a text I'm using. If you do a search on twitter it barely registers. Best as input rather than output.
— contributed by: leviathon
- here you go how this is used:
1- verb in the negative form drop the ない and add ねばならない
ex: 行かない drop ない and attach ねばならない to いか, so it becomes いかねばならない which means must go.
2-for せねばならない is added to しない which means do not do by changing し==>せ and dropping ない
ex: 勉強せねばならない which means must study.
— contributed by: expandover
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: seneba naranai
tagJ: せねばならない
expE: Have to, feel obliged to
noteE: Those involved must tell the truth.
JLPT: 0

Front: mashite ya
ましてや
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ましてや
Meaning: Let alone, still, much less
Example: How do you explain it to others, let alone to yourself?
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- それを自分に対して、ましてや他人に対して認めるのは、とても難しいことだ。
It's very hard to admit that to yourself let alone to other people.
— contributed by: Rukawa
- 私はギターを弾くことはできない。ましてやバイオリンは弾けない。
I can't play the guitar, much less the violin.
— contributed by: Rukawa
- 私は誰にもこの時計を貸すつもりはありません。ましてや手放すつもりなど毛頭ありません。
I have no intention of lending this watch to anyone, much less parting with it.
— contributed by: Rukawa
- 私は中古車を買う余裕などなく、ましてや新車などはもってのほかだ。
I can't afford to buy a used car, much less a new car.
— contributed by: Rukawa
- 彼は、フランス語を話せる、ましてや英語も話せる。
He can speak French, still more English.
— contributed by: Rukawa
- 僕には自転車を買う余裕がなかった。ましてや車なんて。
I could not afford to buy a bicycle, much less a car.
— contributed by: Rukawa
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- nimomashite
User Comments
- ましてや 'mashiteya' is a emphasized form of まして 'mashite'.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mashite ya
tagJ: ましてや
expE: Let alone, still, much less
noteE: How do you explain it to others, let alone to yourself?
JLPT: 0

Front: somaru
染まる (そまる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
染まる (そまる)
Meaning: to dye
Example: he just dyed his hair blonde
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- かれはかれのかみをブロンド染まった！
He dyed his hair blonde!
— contributed by: Xephyer
- ハンカチは血で染まっていた
The handkerchief was stained with blood
— contributed by: Dom
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User Comments
- this is vocab, scheduled for deletion.
— contributed by: dc
- かれは(かれの)かみをブロンド染めた！ is correct, by the way.
— contributed by: osekkai
- ex #5490 かれはかれのかみをブロンド染まった is weird. 彼は髪をブロンドに染めた is acceptable. 染まる is intransitive verb. 彼の髪はブロンドに染まった would be okay.
かれはかれの is simply redundant for Japanese.
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: somaru
tagJ: 染まる
tagH: そまる
expE: to dye
noteE: he just dyed his hair blonde
JLPT: 0

Front: toomou
意向形と思う (（しよう）とおもう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
意向形と思う (（しよう）とおもう)
Meaning: I think I will (do)
Example: 今から銀行へ行こうと思います。/ I think I will go to the bank right now.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb in volitional form (意向形)+と+思う is used to inform the interlocutor of the speaker's intention.
思う/思います is used to express this intention in the moment the speaker is speaking.
思っている/思っています is used to express that the decision of the speaker have been taken sometimes ago, but is still valid now.
と思っている may be use to express the intention of a third person.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今から銀行へ行こうと思います。
I think I will go to the bank right now.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 週末は海に行こうと思っています。
I intend to go to the sea this week-end.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼は外国で働こうと思っています。
He plan to work in foreign countries.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 将来自分で会社を作ろうと思っています。
In the future I plan to make my own company.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 「レポートはもうできましたか。」「いいえ、まだ書いていません。金曜日までにまとめようと思っています。」
"Did you finished the report yet?" "No I didn't yet. I plan to put it in order for Friday without lack."
— contributed by: 赤毛
- わたしは手紙のへんじをまだ書いていません。いますぐ書こうと思います。
I didn't write yet the letter answer. I think I will write it right now.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- わたしは弟に読ませようと思って、この本を買いました。
I bought this book because I plan to make my little brother read.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- こんばんはこの本をよもうと思っています。
I intend to read this book this evening.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- お礼を言おうと思いながら、かなり時間がたってしまいました。
I kept wanting to say thank you but unfortunately a long period of time passed.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- がんばろうと思いつつ、怠けてしまうんですよ。
I planned to work hard but in spite of myself, I just ended up being lazy.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- tsumori (other way to express the speaker's intention)
User Comments
- xephyer - thanks for your enthusiasm in adding stuff, but this is not grammar, this is vocabulary. please review the difference!
— contributed by: dc
- This entry should be deleted.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I intend to give a second life to this entry 平ら (たいら) [taira] changing it completely.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toomou
tagJ: 意向形と思う
tagH: （しよう）とおもう
expE: I think I will (do)
noteE: 今から銀行へ行こうと思います。/ I think I will go to the bank right now.
JLPT: 3

Front: monowo
ものを
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ものを
Meaning: But...! / But If (you) had just... / But (I) could have...
Example: But if you had just asked, I would have given it to you.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb(普通形) + ものを
This grammar is almost always in the form of 〜ば〜ものを。
Sometimes it becomes "もんを" in casual speech.
— contributed by: blabby
- 〜ものを：　（．．．だったら）〜のに　（実際は〜でなくて残念だという気持ち）
If only ... had.... , then....would..
— contributed by: 誠
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p29 - no.32
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p279
— contributed by: LR
- Expressing the meaning of "although" with the speaker's strong feeling of discontent, regret, blame.
Similar usage to のに [noni]
— contributed by: LR
- doesn't have to be 「~ば」before 「ものの」but does have to be a conditional clause 「~たら」is ok too.
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 知ってるのであれば、教えてくれてもいいものを。
If you knew, why didn't you tell me!?
— contributed by: blabby
- 人手が足りなかったんですって？ちょっと連絡してくれれば、手伝ってあげたものを。
You didn't have enough people? If you had just called me, I would have helped you.
— contributed by: blabby
- インターネットで予約すれば簡単にすむものを、彼女は国際電話をかけたんだって。
If she had just used the internet, she could have easily made the reservation, but she made an international call.
— contributed by: blabby
- 本当のことを言えばいいものを、彼は嘘をついて信用を失ってしまった。
He should have told the truth, but he lied and lost their trust.
— contributed by: blabby
- すぐ医者に診（み）てもらったら簡単に治っていた​ものを。手遅れになってしまった。
If I'd only gone to the doctor right away, I would have gotten better without any trouble. I acted too late.
— contributed by: LR
- 父が後１年生きていたくれたら私の結婚式に出てもらえた​ものを、私がぐずぐずしていたばかりに、父に私の晴れ姿を見てももらえず、とても残念です。
Had my father live one year longer, he could have attended my wedding ceremony, but just because I was indecisive for so long, I couldn't give him the chance to see me in my wedding dress. I feel so sorry!
— contributed by: LR
- 彼は日本語を続けて勉強すればいいものを１年間やっただけでやめてしまった。
It would have been better if he'd continued his Japanese studies, but he quit after only one year.
— contributed by: LR
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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- noni
User Comments
- This can often be replaced with 〜のに
早く言えばよかったのに。
早く言えばよかったものを。
This is used to express the speakers moderate disappointment or regret.
— contributed by: blabby
- Isn't ものを　always used with 〜た形?
Because, ものを is "but..." where something regrettable happened , and couldn't/almost impossible to be recovered from.
— contributed by: 誠
- So, i feel ex#5494 is better to be :
本当のことを言えばよかったものを、彼は嘘をついて信用を失ってしまった。or
彼は嘘をついて信用が失われてしまった。本当のことを言えばよかったものを。
— contributed by: 誠
- ex#5493　は同じです。
インタ−ネットで予約すれば簡単に済んだものを、彼女は国際電話をかけたんだって。or
彼女は国際電話をかけたんだって。インタ−ネットで予約すれば簡単に済んだものを。
— contributed by: 誠
- ex#5491 知ってるのであれば、教えてくれてもよかったものを。"If you had known, it would be OK even you told me."(But now it means not OK to the speaker since before this , the listener DIDN'T KNOW about that particular thing and told the speaker about it already.) Sounds strange to me, unless the speaker wanted it to be known to him at that particular time , in that case :
あの時知れば、教えてくれてもよかったものを。
Is better to say :
知ってるのであれば、教えてくれてよかったものを。or
(君が）知っていて教えてくれればよかったものを。"It would be nice if you had known and told me."
I think if you wanted to say :
" If you have known, why didn't you tell me?" (Of agony) : 知ってるのであれば、どうして教えてくれなかったのよ．．
"If you have known, isn't it ok to tell me?" : 知ってるのであれば、教えてくれてもいいんじゃない（か）。
— contributed by: 誠
- You have to keep in mind that ものを is not a conversational phrase, and it is predominantly literal diction.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I don't thinsk it always used with 〜た形。blabby's exmples are all natural to me.
— contributed by: Miki
- Miki and blabby are right. It doesn't have to be 〜た形.
— contributed by: tmkain
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: monowo
tagJ: ものを
expE: But...! / But If (you) had just... / But (I) could have...
expJ: 〜のに！
noteE: But if you had just asked, I would have given it to you.
JLPT: 1

Front: woyosoni
〜をよそに (を余所に)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜をよそに (を余所に)
Meaning: Without consideration for... / Despite... / Without thinking...
Example: Without considering his parents expectations, he dropped out of university.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Noun + をよそに
Aは　Bをよそに Cする。- "Despite B, A did C."
— contributed by: blabby
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p41 - no. 39
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p531
— contributed by: LR
- Indifferent to ~; contrary to ~; ignoring ~; despite
Compound particle exprsses s.o.'s indifference to warnings, criticism, advice, accusations, opposition, anxiety, wishes, eagerness, provocative actions, etc.
— contributed by: LR
- {NOUN / のNominalized NOUN PHRASE} + {をよそに}
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は大学入試をよそに、毎日パソコンに興じてる。
Despite having university entrance exams soon, he's wasting his time on the computer every day.
— contributed by: blabby
- 親の心配をよそに遊んでばかりいる。
Without considering that his parents might be worried, he always slacks off.
— contributed by: blabby
- 中国人の反対の声をよそに、小泉総理は靖国神社に参拝してしまいました。
Indifferent to the protests from China, Mr Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine.
— contributed by: blabby
- 首相は国民の批判をよそにイラク戦争支持を楓ｾした。
​ Ignoring the people's criticism, the prime minister declared his support for the Iraq War.
— contributed by: LR
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User Comments
- I think this grammar might be related to 他所/よそ/"A different place". For example "他所の人" - "Stranger".
I know this kanji is not used often, but is this relationship correct?
— contributed by: blabby
- I think so.
#5495 Looks 文字化け. 毎日???に興じてる。
— contributed by: Miki
- Thanks for pointing that out Miki. For some reason sometimes just one or two Kanji become 文字化け. Im not sure if its this site or my computer...
— contributed by: blabby
- blabby - what browser and OS are you using? it might be because your browser is not sending pages in the right encoding. sometimes multi-byte items can get chewed up.
— contributed by: dc
- よそに or 余所に means "treating as if it is somehwere unrelated."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Hi DC, I'm using Windows XP SP2 English version with microsoft IME 2002 version 8.1. I am using firefox v1.0.6. If nobody else has problems then it is probably just my computer. Its not a big problem, Ill just have to check my examples a lot.
— contributed by: blabby
- should the note read "Despite B, A did C"?
— contributed by: yookoso
- Whoops, thanks yookoso. I mixed up A and B. Fixed!
— contributed by: blabby
- よそに=ものともせず？？
— contributed by: サリル
- よそに and ものともせず is not equal.
よそに implys neglecting/(despite) B, A did C.
ものともせず implyes overcome obstacles and do something. in defiance of [~womonotomosezuni]
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: woyosoni
tagJ: 〜をよそに (を余所に)
tagH: 〜をよそに
expE: Without consideration for... / Despite... / Without thinking...
expJ: 〜を考えず・〜と関わりなく・〜を無視して
noteE: Without considering his parents expectations, he dropped out of university.
JLPT: 1

Front: nari
なり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なり
Meaning: As soon as
Example: As soon as the door opened, 8 people burst out of the car.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb(辞書形) + なり
[AなりB] - B is often an unexpected or unusual thing.
— contributed by: blabby
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は帰ってくるなり食事もせずに寝てしまいました。
As soon as he got home, he went to bed without eating.
— contributed by: blabby
- 彼はドアを開けるなり、靴をはいたまま部屋に入ってきた。
As soon as he opened the door, he walked in still wearing his shoes.
— contributed by: blabby
- パーティー会場に入るなり、サムは食べ物めがけて突進した。
As soon as he got to the party, Sam made a bee line for the food.
— contributed by: Miki
- ファンは、有名人と出くわすなり、彼にサインを求めた。
On encountering the celebrity, the fans asked for his autogaph.
— contributed by: Miki
- 教室に入るなり、先生は突然怒ったような口調で話しはじめた。
On entering the classroom, our teacher burst into angry speech.
— contributed by: Miki
- 入ってくるなり、彼は倒れた。
The instant he came in, he fell down.
— contributed by: Miki
Help jGram by picking and editing examples
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Related Grammar
- yainaya
- narini ([nari]=as soon as [narini]=in ones own way. sound very similar but the 'ni' changes the meaning completely.)
- kadoukanouchini
- totan(ni)
User Comments
- My book says that this is for a strange or unexpected event.
X スイッチを入れるなり電気がついた。
O スイッチを入れると電気がついた。
O スイッチを入れるなり爆発が起きた。
However, my book says it is only used for Verb(辞書形)+なり, but I have sometimes seen cases of Verb(た形)+なり from other sources. Does anyone know which is correct?
— contributed by: blabby
- Verb(た形)+なり is used in a different way. It implies one movement is continuing. 〜したまま。
会社を出たなり、いつまでも帰らない。He left the office and hasn't come back.
彼女を見つめたなり、しばらくの間微動だにしなかった。He stared at her and didn't move an inch for a while.
You can find better translations.
— contributed by: Miki
- that sounds like a totally different nari, so i created a new page for it: [nari2]
— contributed by: dc
- What about a (noun)+なり？
Example: きりとて、二つが相容れることもまた不可能なり。
The nari is after　不可能 which is a noun or na-adj.
Any idea what nari means here?
— contributed by: b4mb4mb4m
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nari
tagJ: なり
expE: As soon as
noteE: As soon as the door opened, 8 people burst out of the car.
JLPT: 1

Front: marude-2
まるで
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
まるで
Meaning: completely, entirely
Example: I have forgotten about it completely
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- まるで眠れやしない。
I can't sleep at all!
— contributed by: dc
- フレッドには忍耐心というものがまるでないから、彼のカンシャク玉を破裂させるのはわけもない。
Fred has very little patience, and it doesn't take to make much for him fly off the handle.
— contributed by: dc
- フレデイはこの一ヶ月というものずっと夜勤だったため、正常な時間に働いている友人達に会う機会がまるでなかった。
Freddy's been working the graveyard shift the past month, so he hasn't been able [at all] to see any of his friends who work normal hours.
— contributed by: dc
- 寒くて手の感じがまるでない。
My hands are [completely] numb from the cold.
— contributed by: dc
- 君の考えと僕のとまるで違うね。
Your idea differs entirely from mine. [M]
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女はまるで徹夜をしたかのような顔をしていました。
Her face looks as if she spent the whole night awake.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼女はまるで彼に信じている。
She entirely believes him
— contributed by: amenya
- 彼には紳士らしいところがまるでない。
He is not anything of a gentleman.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女がどんな人なのかまるで見当がつかない。
I haven`t the faintest idea of what she looks like.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- marude
User Comments
- まるで plus negative would have the meaning of "entirely" or "totally," but if you use まるで in its original sense, it means "as if" or "just like" or "as it were." これはまるで戦争だ.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Can anyone explain the phrase "呼応の副詞" (of which I believe "まるで" is one example)?
— contributed by: SNC
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: marude-2
tagJ: まるで
expE: completely, entirely
noteE: I have forgotten about it completely
JLPT: 2

Front: tatokorode
た形ところで (たところで)
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た形ところで (たところで)
Meaning: even if you do... it will not result to..
Example: Nothing will change even if I asked advice from my friend.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 友人に相談したところで、同じだろう。
Nothing will change even if I asked advice from my friend.
— contributed by: eastmael
- 喧嘩したところでどうにもならないだろ。
Fighting won't do any good. ( Even if you fight...)
— contributed by: blabby
- 癌(がん)が肺まで広がっている。手術したところで、助からない。
The cancer has spread to the lungs. Even if we operate now, there is no hope.
— contributed by: blabby
- タクシーで行ったところで、もう間に合わない.
Even if I take a taxi, I don't make it.
— contributed by: Alfredo
- 君がいくら話をしたところで私を納得させることはできないよ。
You can talk until you're blue in the face, but you'll never convince me.
— contributed by: Paul
- いくら話し合ったところで、この問題を解決することはできません。
Despite having discussed it many times, I cannot solve this problem.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- もともと勉強する気がないのなら、大学を受けてみたところで何の意味があるのか。
If by nature you don't have interest in studying, even if you intended to take the university entry exam, does it make sense?
— contributed by: 赤毛
- どんなに一生懸命働いたところで、生活は楽にならないだろうと思う。
Even if I worked with utmost effort, I think that the daily existence wouldn't become easier.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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- tatoe-temo
- imasara-tatokorode
User Comments
- #5505 has redundant kana?
I have heard this grammar used a lot right at the point where the speaker gives up in a hopeless situation. Simlar to saying "Even if ... it's too late."
The sentence usually ends in 〜ない or words such as 無理だ or 無駄だ。
— contributed by: blabby
- updated. tnx. :)
— contributed by: eastmael
- ところで also means "by the way" which you use in trying to change the subject. ところで、あの件はどうなったの？
— contributed by: bamboo4
- The 'た' can be from any past tense verb so it could equally be だ from 読んだ and such.
— contributed by: Paul
- What's the difference between this grammar and ~ても (~te mo)?
— contributed by: yookoso
- This is listed as JLPT L2. However, it wasn't included in my L2 test book. I first saw it in my N1 grammar book.
— contributed by: TnT
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tatokorode
tagJ: た形ところで
tagH: たところで
expE: even if you do... it will not result to..
expJ: 〜してもよい結果にはならない; 期待できない
noteE: Nothing will change even if I asked advice from my friend.
JLPT: 2

Front: sanagara
さながら
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さながら
Meaning: Just like
Example: Just like the real thing.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 夜のトイレを恐れる駄々っ子さながらの、言い訳にもならないセリフでお茶を濁した。
Just like a spoiled, selfish child, I avoided the main issue.
— contributed by: blabby
- さまざまなトラブルを想定した本番さながらの訓練
The training session included a variety of mock situations and emergencies.
— contributed by: blabby
- 本場ニューヨークさながらのジャズナイト
A jazz night just like a genuine New York one.
— contributed by: blabby
- 石器時代さながらの着火方法
How to light a fire just like they did it in the stone age.
— contributed by: blabby
- NYさながらのStylishな雰囲気
A stylish atmosphere like New York
— contributed by: blabby
- TOEICテストさながらの出題形式
Questions just like the real ones that appear in the TOEIC test.
— contributed by: blabby
- 本番さながらのシミュレーション
A simulation just like the real thing.
— contributed by: blabby
- 実際の試験さながらの模擬テスト
A practice exam, just like the real one.
— contributed by: blabby
- 強盗団は近くの家から１１０メートルに及ぶトンネルを掘って侵入した。映画さながらの強盗だ。
The group of robbers dug a 110m tunnel from a nearby house and entered the premises. It's just like a movie.
— contributed by: blabby
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- kanoyouda
- you
User Comments
- There is Kanji for this grammar (宛ら), but it is usually written in hiragana.
For #5509, "Avoiding the main issue" is the only translation I can come up with for お茶を濁す that doesn't sound awkward. Any better ideas?
— contributed by: blabby
- Something like "muddle along" may be?
— contributed by: bamboo4
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sanagara
tagJ: さながら
expE: Just like
noteE: Just like the real thing.
JLPT: 1

Front: ppoi
っぽい
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っぽい
Meaning: -like
Example: It is a child-like expression.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- The following is a subject of debate among native speakers: っぽい (っぽ) can only be used for comparisons to what the speaker considers commonly accepted knowledge. Young people hold no such restrictions, but the older generation does (>_
— contributed by: ninja_k
- ＊How to use this grammar as an adjective or adverb (works just like an い adjective): 「〜っぽい + Ｎ」 or 「〜っぽく + Ｖ」.
Example: 子供っぽい人 [a childish person]
子供っぽく見える [look childish]
FORMATION:
Ｖ(minus ます) + っぽい
いＡ(minus い) + っぽい
Ｎ + っぽい
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 子どもっぽい表現だという印象があります
The expression has a childish ring to it
— contributed by: bi-ru
- かわいいっぽい上原さん。
Ms. Uehara, how cute-ish you look.
— contributed by: cdo4
- なにっぽいって！
What do you mean, -ish!
— contributed by: cdo4
- ローラちゃんは色っぽいよ。
Laura is sexy!
— contributed by: Tantei
- あの黒っぽい服を着た人はだれですか。
Who is that person in blackish clothes?
— contributed by: Meghana
- ジョンは怒りっぽい。
John gets angry easily.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼女は、飽きっぽい性格で、今までに職場を何回か変えている。
With an easily bored personality, she has changed jobs countless times up to now.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 怒りっぽい人は、友達が少ない。
An easily angered person has few friends.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- あの子供は、大人っぽい。
That child acts very adult-like.
— contributed by: hana
- 年を取ると、忘れっぽくなる。
As you get older, you start to become forgetful.
— contributed by: hana
- 熱っぽい状態で
In a feverish condiction
— contributed by: karekano
- 君の欠点は忘れっぽいことだ。
The trouble with you is that you are forgetful
— contributed by: karekano
- いたずらっぽい微笑
A wicked smile
— contributed by: karekano
- あの話は嘘っぽい。
That story sounds incredible.
— contributed by: karekano
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- gimi
User Comments
- #5729 and #5730 are a dialogue taken from the TV show "London Hearts." The host calls one of the girls "cute-ish" and she snaps back at him with #5730.
— contributed by: cdo4
- その話しは、うそっぽい The story is too goo to be true.
愚痴っぽい、飽きっぽい、熱っぽい、忘れっぽい、理屈っぽい　いかにも＊＊＊＊という感じ
かわいいっぽい might be created recently.
— contributed by: Miki
- I never really knew why people say 風邪気味 and 熱っぽい.　I used to always make the mistake of saying "風邪っぽい".
— contributed by: blabby
- "風邪っぽい" might be wrong but people including me use the expression.
— contributed by: Miki
- This is in my JLPT 2-kyuu grammar book but it is not listed as 2-kyuu grammar on this site.
— contributed by: The General
- Isn't かわいいっぽい (ex #5729) wrong? From the notes at the top of this page: "いＡ(minus い) + っぽい". So it should be かわいっぽい, right?
— contributed by: Nihonjin
- Somebody knows the meaning of あぶらっぽい?
— contributed by: sky
- あぶら is fat or oil... っぽい is an -ish kind of meaning... so あぶらっぽい is fatty or greasy (often used to describe food)
— contributed by: KWhazit
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ppoi
tagJ: っぽい
expE: -like
noteE: It is a child-like expression.
JLPT: 2

Front: is, am, are
da / desu
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
da / desu
Meaning: is, am, are
Example: (NA-adjective) + da / desu
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I-adjective is a Japanese adjective that ends with i in the dictionary form. An NA-adjective is a Japanese adjective that does not end with i. This is a sentence formula of [(I-adjective) + desu]. An I-adjective doesn't use "da" as a sentence ending. An NA-adjective is any Japanese adjective that doesn't end with i. And the sentence formula of [(NA-adjective) + da/desu]. NA-adjective sentence ends in "da" the plain form and "desu" the polite form.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- desu, how "to be" came "to be"
Pronounced as "deehs" with the "u" being whispered, or near slient.
There are two theories of how "Desu" came to be.
In both instances, [desu] is a contraction of a verb.
Theory #1
Some believe desu is a contraction of the verb "De arimasu".
As of today
"De arimasu" is still used in the military.
"De arimasu" originally came from a dialect of Choshu (now called Yamaguchi).
Choshu was one of the driving forces of Meiji Restoration. When ground troops were established, "De arimasu" became part of army speak.
"De arimasu" was not only reserved for the military. People used the expression, because retired veterans used it in their home-towns at the time.
As of today, "de arimasu" is still used in formal writing.
Theory #2
[desu] is the contraction of "de gozaimasu". "de gozaimasu" is very polite and used today in certain phrases, and formal writing. It's considered samurai speak now.
In both cases, after the caste system from the Edo period fell, everyone was made equal. Everyone also went to school, regardless to whether they were a poor merchants daughter, or of a higher class.
At this time, it is said that it was mostly the merchants daughters who started the contraction of the verb because the polite forms were too confusing to remember. Most merchants were very poor, and could not afford special education before this time. This is highly plausible.
In modern Japan, most children speak in plain speech, until they are taught polite Japanese in Elementary school. The tradition of polite Japanese being taught in school still exists.
Much to educators dismay at the time, the [desu] tend did catch on, and it is now used today.
Other variations of [desu]
Japanese is a continually changing language. Even desu is changing.
っす ssu is used in colloquial speech.
The copula is subject to dialectal variation throughout Japan, resulting in forms such as や ya (in Kansai) and じゃ ja (in Hiroshima).
ス su is used by the Yakuza as a shorter form of desu. This is typically used to sound a little more polite when speaking with authorities, but not going all out and using desu.
— contributed by: Rinji_HalfElf
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- shizuka da. (plain) shizuka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
(is, am, are) quiet
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi wa shizuka da. (plain)Watashi wa shizuka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
I am quiet.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata wa shizuka da. (plain)Anata wa shizuka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are quiet.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo wa shizuka da. (plain)Kanojo wa shizuka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
She is quiet.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi tachi wa shizuka da. (plain)Watashi tachi wa shizuka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
We are quiet.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata tachi wa shizuka da. (plain)Anata tachi wa shizuka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are quiet.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojora shizuka da. (plain)Kanojora shizuka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are quiet.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo tachi wa shizuka da. (plain)Kanojo tachi wa shizuka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are quiet.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Karera wa shizuka da. (plain)Karera wa shizuka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are quiet.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kare tachi wa shizuka da. (plain)Kare tachi wa shizuka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are quiet.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- myabyaka da. (plain) myabyaka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
(is, am, are) elegant
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi wa myabyaka da. (plain) Watashi wa myabyaka desu. (polite)
I am elegant.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata wa myabyaka da. (plain) Anata wa myabyaka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are elegant.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo wa myabyaka da. (plain) Kanojo wa myabyaka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
She is elegant.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi tachi wa myabyaka da. (plain) Watashi tachi wa myabyaka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
We are elegant. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata tachi wa myabyaka da. (plain) Anata tachi wa myabyaka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are elegant.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojora wa myabyaka da. (plain)Kanojora wa myabyaka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are elegant. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo tachi wa myabyaka da. (plain) Kanojo tachi wa myabyaka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are elegant. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Karera wa myabyaka da. (plain) Karera wa myabyaka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are elegant. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kare tachi wa myabyaka da. (plain)Kare tachi wa myabyaka desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are elegant. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- chikara da. (plain) chikara desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
(is, am, are) powerful. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi wa chikara da. (plain) Watashi wa chikara desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
I am powerful. am powerful. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata wa chikara da. (plain) Anata wa chikara desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are powerful. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo wa chikara da. (plain) Kanojo wa chikara desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
She is powerful. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi tachi wa chikara da. (plain) Watashi tachi wa chikara desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
We are powerful. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata tachi wa chikara da. (plain) Anata tachi wa chikara desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are powerful. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojora chikara da. (plain) Kanojora chikara desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are powerful. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo tachi wa chikara da. (plain) Kanojo tachi wa chikara desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are powerful. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Karera wa chikara da. (plain) Karera wa chikara desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are powerful. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kare tachi wa chikara da. (plain) Kare tachi wa chikara desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are powerful. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- makoto da. (plain) makoto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
(is, am, are) real (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi wa makoto da. (plain) Watashi wa makoto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
I am real. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata wa makoto da. (plain) Anata wa makotodesu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are real. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo wa makoto da. (plain) Kanojo wa makoto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
She is real. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi tachi wa makoto da. (plain) Watashi wa makoto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
We are real. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata tachi wa makoto da. (plain) Anata tachi wa makoto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are real. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojora wa makoto da. (plain) Kanojora wa makoto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are real. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo tachi wa makoto da. (plain) Kanojo tachi wa makoto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are real. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Karera wa makoto da. (plain) Karera wa makoto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are real. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kare tachi wa makoto da. (plain) Kare tachi wa makoto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are real. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- moto da. (plain) moto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
(is, am, are) source (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi wa moto da. (plain)Watashi wa moto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
I am the source. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata wa moto da. (plain)Anata wa moto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are the source. are the source. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo wa moto da. (plain)Konojo wa moto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
She is the source. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi tachi wa moto da. (plain)Watashi tachi wa moto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
Wa are the source. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata tachi wa moto da. (plain)Anata tachi wa moto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are the source. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojora moto da. (plain)Kanojora moto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are the source. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo tachi wa moto da. (plain)Kanojo tachi wa moto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are the source. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Karera wa moto da. (plain)Karera wa moto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are the source. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kare tachi wa moto da. (plain)Kare tachi wa moto desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are the source. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- shita da. (plain)shita desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
(is, am, are) under (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi wa shita da. (plain)Watashi wa shita desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
I am under. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata wa shita da. (plain)Anata wa shita desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are under. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo wa shita da. (plain)Kanojo wa shita desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
She is under. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi tachi wa shita da. (plain)Watashi tachi wa shita desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
We are under. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata tachi wa shita da. (plain)Anata tachi wa shita desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are under. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojora shita da. (plain)Kanojora shita desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are the source. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo tachi wa shita da. (plain)Kanojo tachi wa shita desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are under. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Karera wa shita da. (plain)Karera wa shita desu. (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are under. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kare tachi wa shita da. (plain)Kare tachi wa shita desu (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are under. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- ooyake da. (plain)ooyake desu (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
(is, am, are) fair (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi wa ooyake da. (plain)Watashi wa ooyake desu (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
I am fair. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata wa ooyake da. (plain)Anata wa ooyake desu (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are fair. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo wa ooyake da. (plain)Kanojo wa ooyake desu (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
She is fair. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi tachi wa ooyake da. (plain)Watashi tachi wa ooyake desu (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
We are fair. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata tachi wa ooyake da. (plain)Anata tachi wa ooyake desu (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
You are fair. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojora ooyake da. (plain)Kanojora ooyake desu (polite)(NA-adjective) + da/desu
They are fair. (NA-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- ookii.(plain)ookiidesu. (polite)(i-adjective) + da/desu
(is, am, are) big (i-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Atara-shi (dictionary spelling)atarakii. (plain)atarakii desu. (polite)(i-adjective) + desu
(is, am, are) new. (i-adjective) + (coupula)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- (is, am, are) near.
chikai. (plain) chikai desu. (polite)(I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
— contributed by: Rushyne
- I am near.
Watashi wa chikai.(plain) Watashi wa chikai desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
— contributed by: Rushyne
- You are near.
Anata wa chikai.(plain) Anata wa chikai desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
— contributed by: Rushyne
- She is near.
Kanojo wa chikai.(plain) Kanojo wa chikai desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
— contributed by: Rushyne
- We are near.
Watashi tachi wa chikai.(plain) Watashi tachi wa chikai desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
— contributed by: Rushyne
- You are near.
Anata tachi wa chikai.(plain) Anata tachi wa chikai desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
— contributed by: Rushyne
- They are near.
Kanojora chikai.(plain) Kanojora chikai desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
— contributed by: Rushyne
- They are near.
Kanojo tachi wa chikai.(plain) Kanojo tachi wa chikai desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
— contributed by: Rushyne
- They are near.
Karera wa chikai.(plain) Karera wa chikai.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
— contributed by: Rushyne
- They are near.
Kare tachi wa chikai.(plain) Kare tachi wa chikai desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
— contributed by: Rushyne
- akarui. (plain) akarui desu. (polite)(I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
(is, am, are) bright.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi wa akarui.(plain) Watashi wa akarui desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
I am bright.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata wa akarui.(plain) Anata wa akarui desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
You are bright.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo wa akarui.(plain) Kanojo wa akarui desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
She is bright.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Watashi tachi wa akarui.(plain) Watashi tachi wa akarui desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
We are bright.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Anata tachi wa akarui.(plain) Anata tachi wa akarui desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
You are bright.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojora akarui.(plain) Kanojora akarui desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
They are bright.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kanojo tachi wa akarui.(plain) Kanojo tachi wa akarui desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
They are bright.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Karera wa akarui.(plain) Karera wa akarui.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
They are bright.
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Kare tachi wa akarui.(plain) Kare tachi wa akarui desu.(polite) (I-adjective) + (plain)/desu
They are bright.
— contributed by: Rushyne
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- da
User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: is, am, are
tagJ: da / desu
noteE: (NA-adjective) + da / desu
JLPT: 0

Front: is, am, are (polite, NA-adjective)
desu
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
desu
Meaning: is, am, are
Example: (NA-adjective) + (stem) + desu
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- desu comes at the end of the sentence
— contributed by: pingpongpaddle
- If conversing with friends, family, etc, desu is not necessary.
これは私のペン。
desu is only necessary when talking to adults, teachers, etc...
— contributed by: pingpongpaddle
- Desu is placed at the end of the sentence after:
1) Nouns
2) Adjectives (I-adj remain the same whereas there is no 'na' after na-adj)
Note: It is not usually placed after verbs as they are usually in the 'masu' form unless there is a change to the verb. E.g. the '-tai' (want to...) form; the verb is put into polite negative past form - '-masendeshita'.
When translated to english, it can mean, 'is' or 'am' etc.
To change to past tense, 'desu' becomes 'deshita'.
Note: Adjectives do not have 'deshita' to imply past tense. You would change the adjectives themselves into past tense and then add 'desu'.
Examples
I am a Japanese person. (noun)
日本人です。
It is a melon. (noun)
メロンです。
It was a melon. (past, noun)
メロンでした。
I'm Talon. (noun)
私はタロンです。
It's cute. (I-adj)
かわいいです。
It's famous. (Na-adj)
有名です。
— contributed by: talon_tearine
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
There are currently no examples for this grammar entry.
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Related Grammar
- da/desu (basically the same thing as this page)
User Comments
- reuben - can you add some examples here?
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: is, am, are (polite, NA-adjective)
tagJ: desu
expE: is, am, are
noteE: (NA-adjective) + (stem) + desu
JLPT: 0

Front: i-adjectives
大きい (おおきい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
大きい (おおきい)
Meaning: using adjectives
Example: (I-adjective) + (coupula)
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Another way to say "big" in Japanese is "dekkai," as in "dekkai yatsu datta (he was huge)"
— contributed by: jeep
- The na adjective version of ookii can only be used with abstract concepts.
i.e. ookina mondai (a big problem).
— contributed by: deviruchi
- Adjectives are seperated into 3 groups, much the same way that verbs are. these groups are
い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives, and irregular Adjectives.
いーadjectives are the easiest to spot because the end with い
examples
おいし<font color=blue>い</font>
大き<font color=blue>い</font>
小さ<font color=blue>い</font>
な-adjectives are all adjectives that don`t end with い, they are called な- adjectives because when you attach them to nouns you insert a な　at the end of the adjective.
example
親切<font color=red size=1>な</font>ひと
at the moment I can@t think of any other examples but trust me there are more than a few な　adjectives. if you see two kanji together then chances are it is a な adjective.
the final group is the Irregulare adjectives. As I`m sure you have guessed they get their name because they don`t follow the rules of the other two groups. Irregulare adjectives are adjectives that end in い　but when attached to a noun follow the rules of the な　adjectives.
The best example of this is
きれ<font color=blue>い</font><font color=red>な</font>女
irregulare adjectives are the least common the the three groups.
Using な with い-Adjectives
it is true that you can treat most いadjectives as な adjectives by replacing the final い　with な
大きな問題
小さな間違い
but as far as I know this can only be used with abstract concepts. I have heard it used to discribe objects, but only when the object was a wish or desire
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- Ookii.(plain non-past)
is big. (plain neg. non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Ookii desu. (polite non-past)
is big. (plain neg. non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Ookiku nai. (plain neg. non-past)
isn't big. (plain neg. non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Ookiku arimasen. (polite neg. non-past)
isn't big. (polite neg. non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Ookikatta. (plain past)
was big. (plain past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Ookikatta desu. (polite past)
was big. (polite past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Ookiku nakatta. (plain neg. past)
wasn't big. (plain neg. past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
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User Comments
- Should this even be on the site?
— contributed by: Perches
- This is sometimes used as a 'na' adjective isn't it?
— contributed by: dcarter
- Perches: Probably not, as it's vocabulary, not grammar.
dcarter: Yes, as 大きな (ooki na).
— contributed by: KWhazit
- this is not a grammar point
— contributed by: gandal
- Of course it's a grammer point. It's providing information on certain adjectives along with their different forms.
— contributed by: captcouch
- ゅうめい (famous) is an example of an "irregular" verb. I wouldn't really consider them "irregular" because the い in those cases are just an extension of the "e" sound.
— contributed by: mirax
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: i-adjectives
tagJ: 大きい
tagH: おおきい
expE: using adjectives
expJ: 形容詞の使い方
noteE: (I-adjective) + (coupula)
JLPT: 4

Front: I-adjective Conjugation
い形容詞変化 (いけいようしへんか)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
い形容詞変化 (いけいようしへんか)
Meaning: How to conjugate regular adjectives ending in "i".
Example: (I-adjective) + (copula)
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This is the conjugation of an I-adjective with Plain and Polite form and timing tenses (present and past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- The plain form of an I-adjective does not use the da coupula it leaves it blank.
— contributed by: Rushyne
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- chikai. (plain non-past)
is near. is near. (plain non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Chikai desu.(polite non-past)
is near. (polite non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Chikakunai. (plain neg. non-past)
isn't near. (plain neg. non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Chikaku arimasen. (polite neg. non-past)
isn't near. (polite neg. non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Chikakatta. (plain past)
was near. (plain past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Chikakatta desu. (polite past)
was near. (polite past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Chika kunakatta.(plain neg. past)
wasn't near. (plain neg. past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Chikaku arimasen deshita.(polite neg. past)
wasn't near. (polite neg. past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
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User Comments
- I changed the information about this entry, because it is not just about the adjective "chikai", but rather about the method of conjugating i-adjectives as a whole. I also fixed a typo.
The spacing of the romanized words need to be fixed in the example sentences -- the current formatting muddies the logic behind the grammar. Instead of "chika kunakatta", it should be "chikaku nakatta", because the grammatical construct behind the form is the adverbial form of "chikai" ("chikaku") plus the plain negative past form of "aru" ("nakatta").
Of course, I believe it is better to have no space, favoring
chikai, chikakunai, chikakatta, chikakunakatta
chikai desu, chikakunai desu (or chikaku arimasen), chikakatta desu, chikakunakatta desu (or chikaku arimasen deshita). However, if you feel the need to put spaces, they more logically should be as follows:
chikai, chikaku nai, chikakatta, chikaku nakatta
chikai desu, chikaku nai desu (or chikaku arimasen), chikakatta desu, chikaku nakatta desu (or chikaku arimasen deshita).
Edit: Well, I tried to make a full-fledged entry, but this site doesn't allow freaking tables. Screw that, then.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- my name is radha and i have been studying 4 th level of japanese language. ur site is very usuful for me but i find it very difficult in some sentences where only kanji is given which i cannot read at this juncture. it will very helpful to give in brackets the english version so that we can read the sentence and understand the meaning.thanking you always
— contributed by: radhagop
- @radhagop... it takes a while to get used to but maybe you should start referencing to a dictionary. knowing kanji is a must to fully use the language.
— contributed by: jomni
- We were taught by a native speaker in Japan Society that the polite forms are as follows:
chikai desu
chikakunai desu
chikakatta desu
chikakunakatta desu
...while desu would only be conjugated for -na adjectives (kirei desu, kirei de wa arimasen, kirei deshita, kirei de wa arimasen deshita).
— contributed by: Celesta
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: I-adjective Conjugation
tagJ: い形容詞変化
tagH: いけいようしへんか
expE: How to conjugate regular adjectives ending in "i".
expJ: い形容詞の変化し方
noteE: (I-adjective) + (copula)
JLPT: 4

Front: bright
あかるい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
あかるい
Meaning: bright
Example: (I-adjective)
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- Akarui. (plain non-past)
is bright. (plain non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Akarui desu.(polite non-past)
is bright. (polite non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Akarukunai. (plain neg. non-past)
isn't bright. (plain neg. non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Akaruku arimasen. (polite neg. non-past)
isn't bright. (polite neg. non-past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Akarukatta. (plain past)
was bright. (plain past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Akarukatta desu. (polite past)
was bright. (polite past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Akaru kunakatta.(plain neg. past)
wasn't bright. (plain neg. past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- Akaruku arimasen deshita.(polite neg. past)
wasn't bright. (polite neg. past)
— contributed by: Rushyne
- 太郎君、もっと明るいところで読みなさい。
Taro, read somewhere brighter [with better light].
— contributed by: jeep
- the colour of her dress was bright.
— contributed by: waribashi
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User Comments
- How is this grammar? I think it should be deleted.
— contributed by: mankind
- It's grammar because is conjugations, hence...grammar!
— contributed by: bbwest
- I think mankind is right. It doesnt make sense to dedicate an entry for a specific I-adj. If someone thinks that akarui is a good example for i-adj they should add examples that are based on akarui in the section about i-adj. if we keep adding a specific entry for each non-specialized word we will end up with an unsearchable polluted database. the point of this website is to highlight grammatical rules by listing an entry for each rule. this way the users of this website can directly look-up grammar points instead of wasting hteir time sifting through entries the content of which can be deduced in a single mental step once one knows the underlying rule. I dont think that akarui has such a status as to be listed in a separate entry.
— contributed by: gandal
- and that page is here: [adjectives] so.. should we delete this? i'll wait for a couple more comments, but this page seems unfocused to me.
— contributed by: dc
- tho on re-reading, its a nice list of conjugations. be better if those could be merged onto the adjectives page...
— contributed by: dc
- akarui is not really helpful as a grammar in JLPT 4, it appears in the vocab section rather than the grammar section
— contributed by: elfindo
- I think single word listings like this should be removed. Or atleast have a seprate section entitled vocabulary that we could group them in. I mean there are words out there that aren`t found in dictionaries, so group contributions should be encouraged, but not in the grammar section of this site.
— contributed by: tigert
- if deleting this page depends of how many people vote for it, i'd like to vote too :-). i'm strongly for moving conjugations to i-adj page and deleting this one. "Akarui" isn't a separate grammar issue, anyone knows that.
— contributed by: saruwatari
- I think this should be moved. Either my computer is messing up or #6058 doesn't have any Japanese.
— contributed by: petra
- I second the vote to move this. Yes it contains grammar, but then you may as well have one dedicated to every adjective, verb, etc. They can all contain grammar some how.
— contributed by: calltometal
- I kinda agree with tigert... Either a new vocabulary section should be created, or all similar single word items should be deleted.
— contributed by: seifip
- Should we have a grammar entry for every i-adjective in the Japanese language? - of course not. Entries like this really hurt the credibility of this website and so should be removed.
— contributed by: epeen
- I wouldn't go so far as to say this kind of page hurts jgram but this definitely doesn't need to be its own page. Or if it is its own page, it should be renamed to "I-adjective conjugations" or something similar.
— contributed by: ahlec
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: bright
tagJ: あかるい
noteE: (I-adjective)
JLPT: 4

Front: sugiru
すぎる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
すぎる
Meaning: too; too much; excessively
Example: This problem is too difficult for me
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- added to Verbs: Conjunctive form of Verb
(行く-->行き；食べる-->食べ) + すぎる
add to Adjectives: Root of Adjective
(むずかしい-->むすかし；大きい-->大き）+　すぎる
This construction can mean "too much," as in,
むずかしすぎる (too hard); 大きすぎる (too big) or it can mean "excessively," as in, 行きすぎる (to go too much); 食べすぎる (to eat too much).
— contributed by: Ness
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- その人はちょっと食べすぎましたね。
That person ate a little too much.
— contributed by: Ness
- このりんごは甘すぎて、食べられない。
This apple is too sweet to eat.
— contributed by: Ness
- あそこは少し高すぎると思います。
I'm afraid that place is a little too expensive.
— contributed by: Miki
- あの男はおしゃべりすぎる。
He talks too much.
— contributed by: Miki
- いまからでは遅すぎる。
It's too late now.
— contributed by: Miki
- このイスは私には低すぎる。
This chair is too low for me.
— contributed by: Miki
- このウイスキーは強すぎる。
This whisky is too strong.
— contributed by: Miki
- このカレーはからすぎる。
This curry is too hot.
— contributed by: Miki
- このズボンはわたしには派手すぎる。
These pants are too fancy for me.
— contributed by: Miki
- この問題は単純すぎる。
This problem is too simple.
— contributed by: Miki
- 彼は飴を食べすぎます。
He eats too much candy.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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User Comments
- With the examples here it would seem that
tabesugiru = eat too much
hanashisugiru = talk too much.
Could anyone explain why 'hanashisugiru' means 'talk too much' but 'hayaku hanashisugiru' means 'speak too quickly'?
From my understanding, I would have said that 'ano hito ha hayaku hanashisugimasu' translates as 'That person quickly speaks too much'.
— contributed by: bi-ru
- To me, "that person quickly speaks too much" doesn't make much sense. hayaku hanashisugiru means "speak too quickly" because hayaku is an adverb. Thus, it becomes hayakuhanasu + sugiru (speaks quickly + too much) = speaks too quickly
— contributed by: Ness
- Ah thanks Ness, it does make sense. I guess I'm thinking too much in English where it is speak [too quickly] rather than quickly speak [too much]. So I kept thinking I had to write something like hayasugite hanasu...
— contributed by: bi-ru
- ex #5711 in Japanese means "He talks too much."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Corrected. Thank you bamboo4
— contributed by: Miki
- hayaku hanashisugiru could also be "to speak too soon" although I doubt it has the same colloquial meaning as in english.
— contributed by: Matt
- sugiru is level 3 grammar point.its not in level 4
— contributed by: ramu
- what if it is a na adjective? how do you add the sugiru then?
— contributed by: Burcksan
- ^ Yeah, I'd like to know this, too!
— contributed by: Himiko
- na adjective is きれいな、元気な、ひまな correct? We don't say like きれいな過ぎる.
きれい過ぎる　 too beautiful 元気すぎる　　暇すぎる ... sounds negative
とてもきれいな very beautiful　とても元気な　とても暇
— contributed by: Miki
- One would not normally say "hanashisugiru" but would say "shaberisugiru" (しゃべり過ぎる）as in the example.
— contributed by: bambo4
- It should be noted that you don't use the kanji for 〜すぎる because it is an auxiliary verb in this construct, and one should not use kanji for auxiliary verbs. Similarly, one does not say 食べて来た nor 読んで行った, but rather 食べてきた and 読んでいった.
— contributed by: TheoMurpse
- Also, directed at Burcksan, 派手 is a na-adjective, so just look at ex #5716 for the answer.
— contributed by: TheoMurpse
- I've been thinking about the "sugiru" issue for quite some time. And, talking to some native speakers, I was told that when expressing something like "to talk too fast", constructions like "早すぎて話す"　are not quite possible and I was also told that things like あの人は早く話しぎる do mean “That person quickly speaks too much”, like bi-ru just said. So, to express the idea of talking too fast, the best construction would be something like 話すのが早すぎる. I would like to see some replies to this, thanks. 　　　
— contributed by: phbotelho
- phbotelho: I think you're right.
While "早すぎて話す" is a bit odd and "早く話しすぎる" technically permissable, I think "話すのが早すぎる" feels the most natural. I'm not a native speaker though, so any native input on this?
At any rate, Google seems to back this up with the three phrases giving me 0, 32, and 2500 hits respectively, the latter being a roughly comparable number to the hits for the English "speaks too quickly".
— contributed by: mochabean
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sugiru
tagJ: すぎる
expE: too; too much; excessively
noteE: This problem is too difficult for me
JLPT: 3

Front: verb stem + tai
〜たい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜たい
Meaning: I want to (verb)
Example: netai: I want to sleep
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- It is considered impolite to ask someone else if the "want" to do something. Instead, use the negative form of the verb in a question.
— contributed by: eriustobin
- Very important: "tai" can only be used for the I person, like "i want".
If you want to say that someone else wants, you use "tagaru".
Ex:かれは牛乳を飲みたがっています。
This is because Japanese never imply they know what someone else wishes, and "garu" means: "i think that", "i heard that", etc.
— contributed by: kuro_hannah
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本に行きたいです。
(I) want to go to Japan.
— contributed by: ceruleanjen
- 君のところへ行きたいよ。
(I) want to go to where you are.
— contributed by: bsdlite
- 日本で英語をおしえたいです。
I want to teach English in Japan.
— contributed by: eriustobin
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User Comments
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Acknowledgments
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: verb stem + tai
tagJ: 〜たい
expE: I want to (verb)
noteE: netai: I want to sleep
JLPT: 4

Front: younakigasuru
ような気がする (ようなきがする)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ような気がする (ようなきがする)
Meaning: It's like it could be...
Example: It's like we can make it a Curry and Rice Night
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 名詞のような気がする
名詞だったような気がする
い形容詞辞書形ような気がする
な形容詞辞書形なような気がする
動詞辞書形ような気がする
（動詞・名詞・形容詞）ない刑ような気がする
（動詞・名詞・形容詞）普通体過去ような気がする
— contributed by: ninja_k
Examples
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- もう他に方法はないような気がする。
It's like there is no other way.
— contributed by: tipographo
- 明日雨が降るような気がする。
It looks like it may rain tomorrow.
— contributed by: nickm758
- その話は本当のような気がする。
Something tells me that story is true.
— contributed by: brewski
- あれはまだ終わってなかったっけ。もう終わったような気がする。
Wasn't that over! I thought it's already done.
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
- 新しい仕事ではうまくいくような気がする。
I have the feeling that I'm getting along in my new job.
— contributed by: karekano
- 心臓が張り裂けるような気がする。
I feel as if my heart were bursting.
— contributed by: karekano
- 自分がこの世で最も幸せな者のような気がする。
I feel like the happiest man in the world.
— contributed by: karekano
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- youda (ようだ is a more affirmative form of ような気がする.
)
User Comments
- Here's another way to describe the connection:
noun-modifier form (名詞修飾型）
V （辞書・た・ない・なかった) + ような気がする
い形（い・くない・かった・くなかった）+ ような気がする
な形（な・ではない・だった・ではなかった）+ ような気がする
N （の・ではない・だった・ではなかった） + ような気がする
— contributed by: srobertson
- these types of explanations seem too hard to really read and understand, tho they may be scientifically accurate. examples are needed. eg:
noun+のような＋気がする
　悪い人のような気がする
tho examples dont really make the point. hmm, perhaps we need some kind of table layout to make it clear
— contributed by: dc
- btw we already have this gram item under [kigasuru]
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: younakigasuru
tagJ: ような気がする
tagH: ようなきがする
expE: It's like it could be...
expJ: 予感・予測・不確かな記憶・予兆を表現する方法としてもっとも幅広く用いられる言い方っす。
noteE: It's like we can make it a Curry and Rice Night
JLPT: 2

Front: karakoso-2
〜からこそ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜からこそ
Meaning: especially because (non-intuitive nuance)
Example: When it snows, I really miss my mother.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 雪だからこそ、うちにいたくない。雪の日にうちにいるのは寂しすぎる。
I don't want to stay at home, especially since it's snowing. On snowy days, being at home is too lonely.
— contributed by: srobertson
- 頭がいいと思っているからこそ、厳しくしつけるのです。
It's precisely because I think you've got brains that I'm bringing you up so strictly.
— contributed by: srobertson
- 実は、知らない人ばかりだったからこそ、言いにくいことも言うことができたのだ。
Actually, it was especially_because they were all people I didn't know that I was able to say things I usually find difficult to say.
— contributed by: srobertson
- 手伝ってくれたからこそ、仕事が早く出来ましたよ。
I was able to do this work quickly, (especially) because of all your help.
— contributed by: aoiaki
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- dakarakoso
- koso
User Comments
- We have entries for [koso], [arebakoso], [dakarakoso], and [karakoso-2] (though not karakoso). Maybe someone more knowledgeable should go through these and decide if they are all necessary.
— contributed by: yookoso
- #5723
言いにくいも should be corrected to 言いにくいことも.
— contributed by: bambo4
- Corrected #5728 according to bambo4さん proposition. Is 言いにくいもの言う OK too?
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: karakoso-2
tagJ: 〜からこそ
expE: especially because (non-intuitive nuance)
expJ: 常識に反する理由だが、その理由を特に言いたい時に使う表現
noteE: When it snows, I really miss my mother.
JLPT: 2

Front: kiraigaaru
きらいがある
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きらいがある
Meaning: there is a tendency for ~ to happen (and it is somewhat bad and/or a cause for concern)
Example: that person tends to talk more than act
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- きらいがある is used for tendencies or characteristics that people have, usually unfavorable ones.
— contributed by: troy3
- This is a formal grammar structure.
— contributed by: claytonian
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 人は自分の聞きたくないことは耳に入れないというきらいがあるのではないか。
It seems people have a tendency not to listen to things they dont want to hear, right?
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女は優しいですが、知らずに人を傷付けることを言うきらいがある。
She is a nice person; however, she tends to say hurtful things unintentionally.
— contributed by: omoshima
- 人間は年をとると、ほかの人の話しを聞かなくなるきらいがある。
As humans get on in years, they tend to not listen to what others say.
— contributed by: claytonian
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There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kiraigaaru
tagJ: きらいがある
expE: there is a tendency for ~ to happen (and it is somewhat bad and/or a cause for concern)
noteE: that person tends to talk more than act
JLPT: 1

Front: sobireru
〜そびれる
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〜そびれる
Meaning: Fail to ~
Example: I failed to return the money on time.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb(〜ますform) + そびれる。
— contributed by: blabby
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 借りたお金を返しそびれた。
I failed to return the money I borrowed.
— contributed by: blabby
- 飲みすぎて終電に乗りそびれた。
I drank too much and failed to catch the last train.
— contributed by: blabby
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User Comments
- This grammar is the same as 〜損なう。
返し損なう - Fail to return (it).
やり損なう - Mess up.
— contributed by: blabby
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sobireru
tagJ: 〜そびれる
expE: Fail to ~
expJ: ある活動のすることを失敗する
noteE: I failed to return the money on time.
JLPT: 1

Front: nari2
なり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なり
Meaning: expresses continuing state
Example: he kept staring at her
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Verb(た形)+なり implies one movement is continuing. 〜したまま。
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 会社を出たなり、いつまでも帰らない。
He left the office and hasn't come back.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女を見つめたなり、しばらくの間微動だにしなかった。
He stared at her and didn't move an inch for a while.
— contributed by: dc
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- nari (there are a few nari forms which have very different meanings.)
User Comments
- is this identical to -kiri
行ったきり
行ったなり
he went ... (and hasnt been seen since)
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nari2
tagJ: なり
expE: expresses continuing state
noteE: he kept staring at her
JLPT: 1

Front: mosarukotonagara
もさることながら (も然る事乍ら)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
もさることながら (も然る事乍ら)
Meaning: is (such) but (____) is also
Example: of course talent is important but practice cannot be neglected
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Not only~
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p48 - no.46
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p283
— contributed by: LR
- A phrase used to mention something more significant
— contributed by: LR
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 路上駐車の問題解決には、自治体の対応もさることながら、地域住民の態度も大切な要素となる。
In solving the problem of street-parking of cars the response of the council is obviously important but the attitude of the local residents is also a significant factor.
— contributed by: Paul
- アメリカではバスケもさることながらアメフトも人気だ
In America, Basketball is clearly popular but so is Football.
— contributed by: danie115
- 両親の意向もさることながら、子供自身が有名校にあこがれている。
Not only intention of the parents, the child himself has yearned to the famous school.
— contributed by: khongbietboi
- この図書館は蔵書の多さもさることながらサービスが実にすばらしい。
This library's large collection of books is one thing, but the services they provide are really wonderful.
— contributed by: LR
- 高齢化が進むにつれ、認知症老人の介護が問題になっているが、これかれは、介護のこともさることながらぼけをいかに予防するかがさらに重要だ。
As the population has aged, the care of senile seniors has become a problem. It is true that from now on care will be an important issue, but the question of how to prevent people from becoming senile is more important.
— contributed by: LR
- 歌のうまさもさることながら彼女はピアノの名手なんです。
She is of course a skilled singer, but more significantly she is a master pianist.
— contributed by: LR
- 会話の練習では、話すこともさることながら、確実に聞き取ることが重要です。
When it comes to practicing conversation, speaking is obviously important, but moreover making sure you follow what is being said is essential.
— contributed by: LR
- この合作映画は、作品の完成度の高さもさることながら、文化の異なるにこくが協力して一つの映画を完成させたという事実が非常に意義深い。
This jointluy produced movie is highly polished, but more importantly, the fact that two countries worked together and completed a film is in and of itself quite significant
— contributed by: LR
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- nagaramo
User Comments
- See daijirin entry on 然ること
http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/search.php?MT=%A4%B5%A4%EB%A4%B3%A4%C8&kind=jn
— contributed by: Paul
- See entry "mo saru koto nagara"
http://www.geocities.com/easykanji/jlptgrammar.html
— contributed by: Paul
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mosarukotonagara
tagJ: もさることながら (も然る事乍ら)
tagH: もさることながら
expE: is (such) but (____) is also
expJ: 〜もそうだが、そればかりでなく。前のことも勿論だが、後のことの方がもっと度合いが強いということを表す。
noteE: of course talent is important but practice cannot be neglected
JLPT: 1

Front: konasu
〜こなす, こなす
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜こなす, こなす
Meaning: have the knack to deal with something; completely
Example: I dealt with it expertly
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- this is similar to verb+[kiru]
読みきって　= i finished reading it
読みこなして = I read it thoroughly
— contributed by: dc
- That is not entirely correct.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Yahoo辞書に下記の解説を書いてあります：
動詞の連用形に付いて、自分の思いのままにする意を浮ｷ。うまく…する。完全に…する。「使い―・す」「乗り―・す」「読み―・す」
だから、[使いこなす]とは、deal with expertly, skilled.
だが、「こなす」は単独に使う時、complete；finishの意味をあります。
その仕事をこなす。
— contributed by: williamking
- Is both a verb suffix and a verb in its own right.
In the affirmative, has the connotation of doing something effectively.
— contributed by: american57
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- このシャンプーは使いこなした。
I used up the shampoo completely
— contributed by: dc
- この本を読みこなします。
I'll read the book from cover to cover .
— contributed by: dc
- 一日でこの仕事を全部こなすのは難しいと思います。
I find it difficult to do all this work in a day.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼にはその仕事をきちんとこなす能力がない。
He doesn't have the ability to do the work properly.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼にはその仕事をこなす能力がある。
He has the ability to do the work.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の英語を使いこなす力は私とほぼ等しい。
His command 　 of English is on a par with mine.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼はフランス語を自由に使いこなすことにかけてはだれにも劣らない。
He is second to none in her command of French.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼は英語をうまく使いこなす。
He has a good command of English.
— contributed by: dc
- 日本語ちゃんと使いこなせてるんですね!！
you speak Japanese perfectly!
— contributed by: dc
- 彼がそのゲームをやりこなしました
He masterfully played that game.
— contributed by: hgtedo
- このシステムは、ほとんどすべての仕事をこなす
This system has the ability to accomplish virtually any task.
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- （服装は）個性的でもないし、洗練された着こなしというのでもない。
(His clothing) was neither individual, nor what what one would call refined and elegant clothing.
— contributed by: adnim
- 彼は新しいパャRンを使いこなせなかった。
He couldn't manage his new personal computer.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は主人役を見事にこなした。
He played the host perfectly.
— contributed by: karekano
- 自分の番になると彼女はうまくこなした。
When her turn came, she rose to the occasion.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- can a native speaker comment on this? a friend used the phrase 使いこなす to mean "exhaustively use" but the above examples dont quite have this nuance.
— contributed by: dc
- I don't see 'exhaustively use' as a nuance seen in the 大辞林 entry
http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/search.php?MT=%BB%C8%A4%A4%A4%B3%A4%CA%A4%B9&kind=jn
— contributed by: Paul
- 使いつくす "might mean exhaustively use". ex 食べつくす eat up
こなす implys somebody enough do something to make the best of.
読みこなす measn read and understand the content.
— contributed by: Miki
- #5765 the Japanese look odd if the shampoo needs special technic to use. If not, このシャンプーを使いきった。or 使いつくした。
#5766 E would be "I'll read and understand it." or J might change to この本を読みきります。
#5768, #5769 the こなす is different from others. Only こなす means to deal with .
#5769 even I use Firefox, the letter after こなす looks 文字化け！ It may be 能力 nouryoku
— contributed by: Miki
- こなす means to digest or pulverize something. Hence, 使いこなす has the connotation of knowing all the ropes of using something. Similarly, 読みこなす does not merely mean "finish reading" but it means "to read and thoroughly digest the contents of."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- [Hey everyone!I would like to know, for example if you could use "konasu" to say: you really eat well with your choptsicks] ==> anata ha ohashi de tabekonasu ndesu ne.
thank you very much
— contributed by: のぶた
- のぶたさん、Your J example is not good enough. (Anata ha) ohashi wo (yoku) tsukai konashite imasune. Someone praise you for being handling chopsticks skillfully. Anataha ohashide nandemo tabekonasundesune. (with a surprise) you can eat anything with your chopstick (such food as difficult to eat with chopstciks.)
— contributed by: Miki
- bamboo4's explanation makes the most sense. In example 6401, "このシステムは、ほとんどすべての仕事をこなす", it's like saying "the system gobbled up and finished all the work".
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- Example 5770 is not correct. I had a native speaker look at it and she told me that it should be:
彼の英語を使いこなす力は私とほぼ等しい。Also, like Miki, she also agreed that examples 5769 and 5769 might be 文字化け, because the word 迫ﾍ makes absolutely no sense in that sentence and should probably be 迫ﾍ, if these can possibly be fixed.
— contributed by: violagirl
- For 5768 to ~69, I believe 迫ﾍがない should be corrected to ことがない。
— contributed by: maikeru
- msikrtu, ことがない does not make sense in thses sentences.
— contributed by: Miki
- do tell us why it doesnt make sense. 教えてくださいね。:-)
— contributed by: maikerug
- I got it, "仕事をこなす" means to do the work thoroughly, "迫ﾍ"，being a 文字化け, should be replace by a word that means 'ability', like "能力". I guess the one who entered it should correct it.
— contributed by: maikerug
- I quite agree with maikerug...the word ”迫ﾍ”　Should be repleced by another worｄ...Like "能力”。。Or other words with the clear meaning..
— contributed by: gahoangdai
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: konasu
tagJ: 〜こなす, こなす
tagH: 〜こなす
expE: have the knack to deal with something; completely
noteE: I dealt with it expertly
JLPT: 2

Front: tamonoda
たものだ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
たものだ
Meaning: used to
Example: I used to play by the river a lot when I was a kid.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Form: Plain past verb + monoda
— contributed by: Leslie
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 子供のとき、よく川で遊んだものだ。
I used to play by the river a lot when I was a kid.
— contributed by: leslie
- かつてはここからあの教会が見えたものだ。
It used to be able to see the the church form here.
— contributed by: bingowings
- かつては私は毎朝ジョギングしていたものだ。
At one time I used to go jogging every morning.
— contributed by: bingowings
- 日曜日にはいつも釣りに行ったものだ。
I used to go fishing every Sunday.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tamonoda
tagJ: たものだ
expE: used to
expJ: 子供のとき、よく川で遊んだものだ。
noteE: I used to play by the river a lot when I was a kid.
JLPT: 2

Front: naraizashirazu
ならいざ知らず (ならいざしらず)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ならいざ知らず (ならいざしらず)
Meaning: I'm not sure if it is [possible/so] but...
Example: It's possible that an expert could do this but there I no way I can do it.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 名詞句 + ならいざ知らず, B
— contributed by: blabby
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 辞書があるならいざ知らず、何もなくてはこの文章はとても読めるものではない。
Maybe it's possible if I had a dictionary but with nothing, it is by no means easy to read.
— contributed by: blabby
- 専門家ならいざ知らず、素人ではこの化学品を作ることができない。
Maybe it's possible for an expert, but a beginner can't make this chemical.
— contributed by: blabby
- 他の人ならいざしらず、私はそんなことができない。
Maybe it's possible for someone, but I can't do that
— contributed by: amenya
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User Comments
- You can also say ならともかく which has the same meaning.
— contributed by: blabby
- ex#5780 ものではない　means : " shouldn't". So,I feel that it may be わけがない　(impossible, by no means) or ことができない
— contributed by: 誠
- >誠
Thanks for your great contributions to this site!
Yes you are correct that わけがない and ことができない are good translations for "by no means"/"impossible".
However, this example uses "読める" which is like saying "できるものではない" rather than just "ものではない". Therefore I stand by my translation.
— contributed by: blabby
- You can also put 「は」 or 「だったら」 before 「いざしらず」, not only 「なら」.
— contributed by: otenba
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naraizashirazu
tagJ: ならいざ知らず
tagH: ならいざしらず
expE: I'm not sure if it is [possible/so] but...
noteE: It's possible that an expert could do this but there I no way I can do it.
JLPT: 1

Front: nichigainai
に違いない (にちがいない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に違いない (にちがいない)
Meaning: no mistake...definitely
Example: I've not got my keys, I definitely (lit. make no mistake) I dropped them somewhere
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Noun + に違いない
ダイヤに違いない
Verb-plain + に違いない
殺したに違いない
— contributed by: dc
- ex-かぎガないどこかに落としたに違いない
— contributed by: ved
- Similar to the usage of に決まっている、に違いない is simply translated most of the time as "definitely" or "absolutely". One problem with this is that the usage of both can be a little bit ambiguous and can leave a serious student up in the air of which to use.
A less spoken concept regarding any grammar involves the context and "feeling" that is generally understood by native Japanese, but may be difficult for foreign learners to grasp.
に決まっている has the connotation of narrowness of options such that whatever precedes this is an absolute.
例文）　地球は平らではないに決まっている。　
The earth is *absolutely* not flat.
In contrast, usage of 違いない　supposedly has a feeling of slight openness in terms of speculation or conditions.
例文）　死体に丸い傷があるので、拳銃でやられちゃったに違いない。
　　　　Since the corpse has circular wounds, he must have been done in by a handgun.
— contributed by: Tetsuzan
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あのシチューが当たったに違いない。
The stew must have disagreed with me.
— contributed by: dc
- あの煙を見なさい。あそこの建物が燃えているに違いない。
Look at that smoke. That building must be on fire.
— contributed by: dc
- あの狐がめん鳥を殺したに違いない。
That fox must have killed the hen.
— contributed by: dc
- あんなに短時間で１マイル走ったなんて、君はすぐれた運動選手に違いない。
You must be a good athlete to have run a mile in such a short time.
— contributed by: dc
- あんなふうに話すとは彼はばかに違いない。
He must be a fool to talk like that.
— contributed by: dc
- あんな風に振る舞うなんて彼は気が狂ってるに違いない。
He must be crazy to behave like that.
— contributed by: dc
- お百姓さんはそれを聞いて喜ぶに違いない。
The farmers must be happy to hear that.
— contributed by: dc
- きっと無罪になるだけの決定的切り札を隠し持っているに違いない。
I'm sure he has something up his sleeve.
— contributed by: dc
- ここに彼の書き置きがある。かれはここに来たに違いない。
Here is a note by him. He must have come here.
— contributed by: dc
- この急流で泳ぐのは危険に違いない。
It must be dangerous to swim in this rapid stream.
— contributed by: dc
- この作文の英語はうますぎる。それを彼女が書いていないのに違いない。
The English of composition is too good. She can't have written it herself.
— contributed by: dc
- この事の根本には何かあるに違いない。
There must be something at the bottom of all this.
— contributed by: dc
- この車は乱暴使い方をされてきたに違いない。
This car must have had tough usage.
— contributed by: dc
- これは本物のダイヤに違いない。
This must be a real diamond.
— contributed by: dc
- こんなことを信じるなんて彼はよほどの間抜けに違いない。
He must be stupid to believe such a thing.
— contributed by: dc
- こんなにかわいい人形をあなたに送ってくれるとは、彼女は心が優しいに違いない。
She must be kind-hearted to send you such a pretty doll.
— contributed by: dc
- こんなに長い距離を歩いたなんて彼は健脚家に違いない。
He must be a good walker to have walked such a long distance.
— contributed by: dc
- そこでおそらくこれは久しぶりに戻ってきた古代の神に違いないと考えた。
So perhaps this was their ancient god returning after his long absence.
— contributed by: dc
- そのことはお金に関係があったに違いない。
It must have something to do with money.
— contributed by: dc
- かぎがどこかに落ちたに違いない。
I've not got my keys, I definitely dropped them somewhere.
— contributed by: ved
- これは、若いときの彼女の写真に違いない。
This is definitely a picture of her as a child.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- まじめなあの人のことだから、時間どおりにくるに違いない。
Because this guy is serious, no doubt that he will come just on time.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼女は３０歳ぐらいに違いない。
She must be thirty or so.
— contributed by: karekano
- この事件の裏には何かがあるに違いない。
There must be something behind this matter.
— contributed by: karekano
- ジェーンはとても顔色が悪い。病気に違いない。
Jane looks very pale. She must be sick.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は２０分前に家を出たので、もう会社に着いているに違いない。
He left home twenty minutes ago. He must have arrived at the office by now.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼の計画は失敗に違いない。
His plain is bound to fail.
— contributed by: karekano
- 君は冗談を言っているに違いない。
You must be joking.
— contributed by: karekano
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- nisouinai
User Comments
- hi alexeiS - I added some examples.
— contributed by: dc
- I believe that example #5794 says 'She must have written it herself'...I would be interested to know if there is a way to say 'She must not have written it herself' using this grammar form...
— contributed by: frewmanchu
- The translations of the examples do not seem to match the meaning given above, it seems to me. The meaning of "no mistake" or "definitely" is much different from the meaning of "must have" or "must be". I'm wondering which meaning is correct.
— contributed by: Cone
- #5792 Looks typo. Japanese should be　かれはここに来たに違いない。
— contributed by: Miki
- In #5794, この作文の英語はうますぎる。彼女がそれを書いたに違いない has wrong English translation.It should be:
The English of composition is too good. She must have written it herself.
If the reverse was intended, then the Japanese text is wrong. It shold read: この作文の英語はうますぎる。それを彼女が書いていないのに違いない。
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I intended to fix ex #5792 and #5794 following the above alerts.
乱魔ﾈ in ex #5796 seems to be 文字化け so I turned it suspicious.
I don't understand 彼はよはどの間抜け in ex #5798.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- i think in #5798 it should be yohodo instead of yohado:
こんなことを信じるなんて彼はよほどの間抜けに違いない。
— contributed by: nuka
- In ex #5796, I`ve changed 乱魔ﾈ to 乱暴. But I`m note sure if it is right...
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nichigainai
tagJ: に違いない
tagH: にちがいない
expE: no mistake...definitely
expJ: 確かに　と　おもう
noteE: I've not got my keys, I definitely (lit. make no mistake) I dropped them somewhere
JLPT: 2

Front: youmonai
ようもない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ようもない
Meaning: there's no way
Example: There's no way I can answer the question
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- アイスクリームを食べようとして、スプーンがないことに気がついた。これでは食べようがない。どうしよう。
Just as I was about to eat, I noticed I had no spoon. So I can't eat...What should I do...
— contributed by: Ludi
- ひどい虫歯ですね。治しようがありません。もう抜くしかありません。
What a horrible bad tooth! You can't cure it. There's nothing to do except extracting it.
— contributed by: Ludi
- コンピュータのデータがすっかり消えてしまった。どうしようもない。困った。
My computer's datas have disappeared. I can't do anything...I'm in trouble.
— contributed by: Ludi
- お礼の垂ｵ上げようもない。
I cannot thank you enough.
— contributed by: dc
- そのニュースが彼女に大きなショックを与えた事は否定しようもない。
It is not to be denied but that the news was a great shock to her.
— contributed by: dc
- どこに行ってもどうしようもないという感じになっていますね。
There is an air of resignation everywhere.
— contributed by: dc
- 君って本当にどうしようもないね。
You really are hopeless.
— contributed by: dc
- 君はそれをもっと早くやるべきだったのに。今となってはどうしようもない。
You should have done it earlier. It cannot be helped now.
— contributed by: dc
- 私としてはどうしようもない。
I can't help it.
— contributed by: dc
- 親がいないとどうしようもないほど悪さをする子供たちもいるものだ。
Some children are as bad as they can be while their parents are gone.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼が怠け者なのは私にはどうしようもない。
I cannot help his being lazy.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の作品はたとえようもないほど素晴らしい。
His work is beyond comparison.
— contributed by: dc
- 彼女の美しさはたとえようもない。
Her beauty is incomparable.
— contributed by: dc
- 分かってるんだけど、どうしようもないのよ。
I know but I can't help it. [F]
— contributed by: dc
- 万事休すだ。もうどうしようもない。
It is all over with me. It can't be helped.
— contributed by: dc
- ゴミがこれほど散らかっていたら、一人で全部集めようもない。
If the garbage is so much scattered, there is no way to collect it all alone.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 潰れたら熱く語ろうもない。
If you are smashed you can't tell it just after the strike.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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User Comments
- どうしようが(も)ない＝できない // する方法がない
— contributed by: Ludi
- I dont understand 垂ｵ (could be 申し) in ex #6464.
I wonder if this grammar is about
Verb in ます form (without ます)+ ようもない like in ex #5917, or
Verb in volutive form (意向形)+もない like ex #6720.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youmonai
tagJ: ようもない
expE: there's no way
noteE: There's no way I can answer the question
JLPT: 2

Front: naratomokaku
ならともかく
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ならともかく
Meaning: I'm not sure if it is [possible/so] but...
Example: It's possible that an expert could do this, but I can't.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 名詞句 + ならともかく, B
— contributed by: blabby
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 君ならともかく、俺はそんなことをしない。
Maybe you can do it, but I don't do such a thing.
— contributed by: blabby
- 外人ならともかく、日本人はそんなことは絶対にしない。
Maybe it's possible for a foreigner, but Japanese people would never do that.
— contributed by: blabby
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- naraizashirazu
User Comments
There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naratomokaku
tagJ: ならともかく
expE: I'm not sure if it is [possible/so] but...
noteE: It's possible that an expert could do this, but I can't.
JLPT: 1

Front: wakeniha ikanai
わけには　いかない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
わけには　いかない
Meaning: cannot; have no other choice but
Example: Because my boss said so, I have no other choice but to go on this business trip.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊Be very careful as to when you replace one of these phrases with another.
Ｖ + しかない : used in a situation where one has no choice but to do something.
Ｖneg + ざるを得ない : used in a situation where one has no choice but to do something.
Ｖneg + なければならない : used in a situation where one has to do something because s/he has an obligation to do it OR where one has no choice but to do something.
Ｖneg + わけに(は)いかない : used in a situation where one has to do something because s/he has an obligation to do it OR where one has no choice but to do something. It also expresses the unwillingness of the speaker to do Ｖ.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 一人でやるのはたいへんですが、みんな忙しそうなので手伝ってもらうわけにはいきません。
It is difficult to do alone but since all seem to be busy, I cannot ask them for help.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 普通のアメリカのパーティーで日本語を話すわけにはいきません。
We can't very well speak Japanese at a normal American Party. (The speaker has the ability to speak Japanese, but cannot do it even if he/she wants to because it his inappropriate to speak Japanese in this particular situation.
— contributed by: samesong
- これは先生の本だから、あなたに貸すわけにはいきません。
Since this is my teacher's book, I can't very well lend it to you
— contributed by: samesong
- 会を欠席するわけにはいきません。（理由があって、できない）
You cannot be absent for the meeting (for unstated reasons).
— contributed by: 赤毛
- あなたにおごってもらうわけにはいきません。（しなければならない）
I cannot allow myself to be treated to this meal by you. (I have to pay).
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 我々は、彼のした無責任な行動を見逃すわけにはいかないのである。
It is because we cannot overlook his behavior of irresponsibility anymore.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- もう９時を過ぎているが、この仕事を終えるまでは帰るわけにはいかない。
It is more than 9PM, but until I can finish that work, I cannot get back home.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- あしたはほかの仕事をしなければならないのだから、この仕事をやりかけのまま、帰るわけにはいかない。
As I have to do another work tomorrow, and this one is unfinished as it is, I cannot get back home.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 多くの人が台風に家をとられたので、腕組で見るわけにはいかない。
Because of storm, many people lost their houses, so I can't ignore
— contributed by: amenya
- 彼の垂ｵ出を簡単に断るわけにはいかない。
I can`t very well decline her offer.
— contributed by: karekano
- 君のことを心配しないわけにはいかない。
I can`t help feeling anxious about you.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- I think 手伝ってもらうわけにもいきません means "I cannot ask them for help" rather than "I cant get help". No big difference in English?
— contributed by: Miki
- I changed ex #5816 according to the alert of Mikiさん.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- i don't understand... if I have to use "Vneg+ wakenihaikanai" why in the examples you use the Verb in POSITIVE form? the meaning change? the rule can change?
— contributed by: yukito90
- It looks like this grammar is used for moral obligations and not physical impossibilities. Therefore, I would translate it as "Mustn´t"
— contributed by: DrJones
- Just take the double negative as "I must do" and the others as "I connot do"
— contributed by: masakitenchi
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wakeniha ikanai
tagJ: わけには　いかない
expE: cannot; have no other choice but
expJ: しなければならないことについて
noteE: Because my boss said so, I have no other choice but to go on this business trip.
JLPT: 2

Front: wakeganai, wakehanai
わけがない、わけはない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
わけがない、わけはない
Meaning: There is no reason (as to) why 〜; It is impossible (for) 〜; cannot
Example: There's no reason why you can't do such an easy job.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This pattern is generally used with noun and any form of verb.
— contributed by: Meghana
- ＊This grammar is meant to express strong negative judgement.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + わけがない
いＡ + わけがない
なＡ + わけがない
Ｎ + の・である + わけがない
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あんな下手な絵が売れるわけがない。
It's impossible to sell such a poorly done painting.
— contributed by: Meghana
- あんなやせた人が相撲とりのわけがない。
There is no reason why such a slim person will be a sumo wrestler.
— contributed by: Meghana
- こんな難しい問題、私にできるわけがない。
There is no way I can (solve) this problem.
— contributed by: vitorhadad
- こんなにかたい肉、おいしいわけがない。
There is no way for this hard meat to be delicious.
— contributed by: vitorhadad
- うちの会社は人手が足りないから、ひまなわけがない。
Since my company has unsufficient workers, there's no way I can have free time.
— contributed by: vitorhadad
- こんなやさしい仕事が君にできないわけがない。
There's no reason why you can't do such an easy job.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 日本語そんなに速くマスターできるわけがない。
It's impossible to be able to master Japanese that quickly.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- チャンさんは中国人だから漢字が書けないわけがありません。
Because Chan is from China, there is no reason for him to be unable to write kanji.
— contributed by: mithila
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User Comments
- ex#5912 うちの会社は人手がたりないから, without た, is correct.
— contributed by: Miki
- ex #5817 ex #5819
The english translation is a bit misleading. Rather than use "there is no reason", it would be better to use "there is no way"."there is no reason" needs a negative afterwards to make sense.
— contributed by: PACMAN
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wakeganai, wakehanai
tagJ: わけがない、わけはない
expE: There is no reason (as to) why 〜; It is impossible (for) 〜; cannot
noteE: There's no reason why you can't do such an easy job.
JLPT: 2

Front: masakano
まさかの〜
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
まさかの〜
Meaning: If unexpectedly there is anything , 〜
Example: If there is anything unexpected, please call here.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Always come with 「まさかの場合、〜」、「まさかの時、〜」
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- まさかの場合、ここに電話してください。
If there is anything unexpected/For the unexpected , please contact to this place.
— contributed by: 誠
- まさかの時、すぐお知らせ下さい。
If there is anything(unexpected) ,please let me know at once.
— contributed by: 誠
- まさかのときには貯蓄に頼ればよい。
In an emergency you can fall back on your savings.
— contributed by: dc
- まさかのときに備えて貯蓄せよ。
Keep something for a rainy day.
— contributed by: dc
- まさかのときの友こそ真の友。
Friend in need is a friend indeed.
— contributed by: dc
- まさかの時にはあなたを助けてやろう。
I'll stand by you in time of need.
— contributed by: dc
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- masaka
User Comments
- In #5842, まさかの場合 should preferably be まさかの時は and in #5843, まさかの時 should be まさかの時は　
— contributed by: bamboo4
- There are 19 まさかの時 examples in WWWJDIC
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/cgi-bin/wwwjdic.cgi?1Q%A4%DE%A4%B5%A4%AB%A4%CE%BB%FE_0__
which can be "borrowed" as necessary. In WWWJDIC examples the Japanese is usually good, but the English is sometimes dodgy.
— contributed by: Paul Blay
- a lot of those examples are duplicates, but i added the best. FYI the link on this page to "Search big database for more examples of まさかの〜" searches the same WWJDIC example database.
— contributed by: dc
- Wouldn't example [#5843] be more succinctly translated as, "If there is anything unexpected, please call."? It's not really necessary to include the "to this place" (or better - "here").
— contributed by: lonesoullost
- ｢まさかの時｣を「何か在ったら」と同じ意味で把握しても良いですか。
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: masakano
tagJ: まさかの〜
expE: If unexpectedly there is anything , 〜
noteE: If there is anything unexpected, please call here.
JLPT: 1

Front: mashite ~ hazuganai
まして〜はずがない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
まして〜はずがない
Meaning: it is even more unlikely that 〜
Example: even adults also being eluded of this matter,there is no way/it is even more unlikely that children knows such a thing
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 大人でさえ知らない事は、 まして子供は知っているはずがない。
It is even more unlikely/it is impossible for children to know things that even adults don't know.
— contributed by: 誠
- 大人でさえ知らないし、まして子供は知っているはずがない。
Even adutls also have no idea about it, it is even more unlikely for/it is impossible for/let alone of children to know about it.
— contributed by: 誠
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User Comments
- In #5844, 大人でさえ知らない事は should be changed to read: 大人でさえ知らないし
— contributed by: bamboo4
- The English is wonky. How about "It is impossible for children to know about this matter that even adults don't know."? For bamboo4's suggestion: "Even adults don't know about this thing, so it's impossible that children would know it."
— contributed by: nanashi
- ありがとう,
bamboo さん　and nanashi さん. I just noticed the awkwardness of the English translation.
bamboo is correct if it follows the English translation precisely. So is nanashi .
" It is even more unlikely for children to know about this matter that even adults don't know"
— contributed by: 誠
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mashite ~ hazuganai
tagJ: まして〜はずがない
expE: it is even more unlikely that 〜
noteE: even adults also being eluded of this matter,there is no way/it is even more unlikely that children knows such a thing
JLPT: 1

Front: temiru
て形+みる (て見る) (てみる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
て形+みる (て見る) (てみる)
Meaning: to try (out)
Example: try to read
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 見る (miru) as a verb means to see, but used with another verb it means "try to do something".
theres a similar phrase in english: "try it and see"
— contributed by: dc
- used with the -te form of the previous verb
書いてみる　- try and write it
食べてみる　- try and eat it (taste a bit of it to see what its like)
— contributed by: dc
- miru itself can be converted to a -te form to keep the sentence flowing... like
食べてみたけど、、、
I tried to eat it, but...
(-ta is past of -te)
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 着てみてもいい？
Is it ok if i try it on to see?
— contributed by: karekora
- あなたは自分で行って見るべきです。
You should go and see for yourself.
— contributed by: dc
- 老いた故郷の両親のことを考えて見るべきだ。
You must think of your old parents at home.
— contributed by: dc
- やって見ようか？
Shall we have a go?
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- ５９０６の例はちょっと違うわ〜
「どんな魚が好きの」　　＝X
「どんな魚が好きなの」　＝０
ね＾＾
— contributed by: フリザ
- this is a good grammar point to have added, but some of the examples are not relevant:
映画館にいってみるか？
is 見る as in "go to see a movie" not "see about doing something"
— contributed by: dc
- Success and Failure:
According to the book Basic Connections by Kakuko Shoji, 〜てみた indicates that the subject actually tried and achieved the result. When the speaker tried or intended to do something but failed, 〜うとした (volitional verb form + toshita) is used.
example: 一所懸命、納豆を食べようとしたのですが、やっぱりだめでした。
(Isshoukenmei, nattou o tabeyou to shita no desu ga, yappari dame deshita)
— contributed by: yookoso
- this entry is currently marked level 0 (unknown) - my guess is Level 3 - anybody else agree?
— contributed by: yookoso
- When I learnt this grammar for the first time, my teacher said not to think of it in terms of 見る/see. I have never seen the kanji 見 used for this grammar.
Checking google
行ってみる - 3,400,000 results.
行って見る - 179,000 results. Howerver many results were out of this context.
yookoso, thanks for that explanation. That textbook sounds very helpful. I think it is about level 3 too.
— contributed by: blabby
- I am still reading the Basic Connections book, but I can already say it is excellent. It was written "to provide helpful information about Japanese expressions and usages that facilitate the flow of ideas and thought in written and spoken Japanese...The book focuses on those grammatical items, idiomatic expressions, and set phrases that have proven to be most problematic to students." It is an inexpensive, small paperback that I highly recommend.
Ref: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4770028601/
— contributed by: yookoso
- Yeah that book is really awesome, Basic Connection - Making your Japanese Flow, by Kabuko Shoji. Give it a try
— contributed by: Horntachi
- Yeh I'm pritty sure my teacher was adamant that you never use the kanji when using て みる
— contributed by: xander
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: temiru
tagJ: て形+みる (て見る)
tagH: てみる
expE: to try (out)
noteE: try to read
JLPT: 3

Front: tehairarenai / tebakarihairarenai
〜てはいられない・〜てばかりはいられない
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〜てはいられない・〜てばかりはいられない
Meaning: can't / can't afford 〜(doing something)
Example: we can't be relaxing like this drinking tea
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 「〜ていることができない」という可能表現ですが、そこから「〜状態を続けられない」という意味が現れます。
「〜てばかりはいられない」という形は、過度であることを強調する時によく使われます。
one can't afford doing or continue doing a certain action because of nervousnes or to meet the demands of that particular situation or moment. 「〜てばかりはいられない」is almost the same as 「〜てはいられない」, only the ばかり emphasizes of " only just doing .... (action that one should not be doing that moment)".
— contributed by: 誠
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- もうすぐ試験なので、遊んでばかりはいられないのです。
Because exam is just around the corner, I can't (afford to) be fooling around.
— contributed by: 誠
- お客様がそろそろお着きになって大変なので、のんびりお茶など飲んではいられない
Since the customers will be coming in no time and it will be a hard time, we can't just relaxing around drinking tea.
— contributed by: 誠
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User Comments
- In #5856, "Since the customers will be coming in no time and it will be a hard time" is awkward. Should read: "Since customers will be arriving in no time and we will have more than our fill..."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Sorry if this is too simplistic, but am wondering if I can use this with the negative form as well?
For example, can I say "___ しなくてはいられない" (Can't afford not to do __)
— contributed by: wribbit
- hey wribbit,
If you want to say you cant afford not to do, you should probably use I must do or have to grammar forms. English and Japanese don`t have the same idiomes, so trying to translate your thoughts exactly will end up in strange Japanese. when you want to say Can`t afford not to do try
しなくではいけない (I must)　or しなくではならない (I have to)
also if you want to add a hypothetical if to it
しなければいけない　or しなければならない
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tehairarenai / tebakarihairarenai
tagJ: 〜てはいられない・〜てばかりはいられない
expE: can't / can't afford 〜(doing something)
noteE: we can't be relaxing like this drinking tea
JLPT: 1

Front: zuni
ずに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ずに
Meaning: without
Example: i went without eating
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Equivalent to [naide] and is often used in writing.
— contributed by: sw
- formation: take the negative root (ない形）and replace the final ~ない　with ~ず
例）
　　書く　-> 書か「ない」 -> 書かず（に）
　　見る　->　 見「ない」 -> 見ず
　　来る　-> 来ず　（読み方：こず）
　　する　-> せず　　
Compared to the "naide" form, this one is used with a more negative connection to the thing you didn't do (as you would regret that you didn't do something).
例）
昨日学校へ行かず、ゲームセンターで遊んでしまった。
— contributed by: maki
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 朝ごはんを食べずに学校へ来ました。
I came to school without eating breakfast.
— contributed by: Meghana
- 勉強せずにテストを受けた。
I took the test without having studied.
— contributed by: Sion
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User Comments
- Seems to be more official than plain ~[なくて] form. AFAIK, it's quite often used in writing.
— contributed by: mathrick
- [Vn-zu] seems to be the same article, except with more examples and so on, and placed in the level 2 entries...
— contributed by: Shadowstar
- you can also shorten 〜ずに into 〜ず.
— contributed by: 誠
- 聞き返すことも忘れずに！
Don't forget to ask in return. (Example: "How are you?" "Fine, thanks. And you?")
This is from a Japanese English teacher's lesson.
— contributed by: Watari
- 〜ずに is the shortened form of 〜ないで
— contributed by: K
- Isnt 〜ずに　A more formal form, not a contraction?
— contributed by: shiho-chan
- I think ず is a classical form of ない that still comes up, as in 知らず. 〜ずに means 〜ないで, and is used mostly in writting, although I heard it spoken sometimes.
— contributed by: sw
- It may of interest to note that in some dialect, 行かず would mean 行こう(let's go).
— contributed by: bamboo4
- 行かず maybe 行きませんか　so sw are right,ず　〜＝　ない
— contributed by: ngonhan2k7
- how do you say the negative version of 食べず　is it 食べずじゃない? just for the purpose of saying something like, i didn't come to school without eating. 学校に食べずじゃないで来た．or would you just neg kuru? like, 学校を食べずに来なかった．
— contributed by: nellyaudrey
- To nellyaudrey
You can' t do a negative of a negative form in Japanese. You'll only be mishunderstood. The Japanese are more simple minded. The negative of a negative is positive, so say it positive! 朝ご飯食べて学校に来ました。I came to school having eaten breakfast.
Anyway, if you want to say your negative-negative sentence at any cost the closer sentence you can use is a negation of the all positive sentence. 朝ご飯食べずに学校に来ましたと違います.It's not true that I came to school without eating breakfast.
— contributed by: RBY
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: zuni
tagJ: ずに
expE: without
noteE: i went without eating
JLPT: 3

Front: mono
〜もの
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜もの
Meaning: because, should, like to
Example: i cant go because it is raining
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- だって。。。。もの。it is used by girl.
— contributed by: jenifer3634816
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 電話はあしたにしたほうがいいんじゃない、もう遅いもの。
It's not good to make call tommorow because it is already late.
— contributed by: Meghana
- しょうがないよ。子供なんだもん。
It can't be helped. He's just a kid.
— contributed by: hana
- どうして食べないの？　だって、まずいもの。
Why don't you eat it? Because it doesn't taste good.
— contributed by: hana
- 警察はあの人を抑えたよ！。毀れるもん。
Police have arrested the man!. for corruption.
— contributed by: belajar
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User Comments
- doesn't もの　here simply refers to the 'thing' that is `already late', more than marks it as a `reason' ? Or would that be only with こと ?
— contributed by: David
- I thought the translation was, "Wouldn't it be better to call tomorrow, because it's already late (as far as today goes)?"
— contributed by: diana
- wouldn't that be :
電話はあしたにしたらいいんじゃない？もう遅いもの。
I have the feeling the translation of te current example is correct, however the importance of `もの’is a bit misplaced...
— contributed by: David
- diana your right!
The meaning is backwards.
— contributed by: wynnej2
- Would you please add more uses of "mono" to this topic. I'm newbie to Japanese, and find it quite difficult if the uses of one word are not fully listed.
— contributed by: ashita
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mono
tagJ: 〜もの
expE: because, should, like to
noteE: i cant go because it is raining
JLPT: 2

Front: seinisuru
せいにする
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せいにする
Meaning: Put blame on
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ナチスは、この世の全ての悪をユダヤ人のせいにした。
The Nazis blamed all the evil in this world on the Jewish people.
— contributed by: mahoujin
- 他の人のせいにしないでくれない？
Would you stop blaming other people?
— contributed by: nickm758
- 彼は貧乏なのを不運のせいにする。
He ascribes his poverty to bad luck.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は失敗を私のせいにした。
She put her failure to my carelessness.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Are the kanjis for せいに these ones?:
所為【せい】(n) (uk) cause, reason, fault, (P)
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Yes. Although they are not used (never saw them before, except in dictionaries).
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: seinisuru
tagJ: せいにする
expE: Put blame on
noteE: -
JLPT: 2

Front: youtosuru
〜ようとする
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ようとする
Meaning: Try to do something, but the nuance is that it was unsuccessful.
Example: I tried to kiss her, but she said no.　
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 過去記事を紹介しようとする気持ちだ
— contributed by: nagoya1wan
- uses the conjectural/hortatory form of the verb
— contributed by: claytonian
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- このコンピューターを使おうとしたが、ダメだった。
I tried to use this computer, but I couldn't.
— contributed by: nickm758
- 電車に乗ろうとしたら、ドアが閉まってしまいました。
I was about to get on the train when the door closed on me.
— contributed by: hua
- 彼が彼女にキスしようとした時、,お母さんが 部屋に入って来た（のでキスできなかった）。
He was trying to kiss his girlfriend when his mom walked in the room. (so I did not get to kiss her)
— contributed by: hua
- 私は彼に真実な気持ちを言おうとしたが、彼の携帯電話が鳴ってしまいました。言おうとした
I tried to tell him how I felt,but his phone rang. Tried
— contributed by: mousee09
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User Comments
- I'm not sure if this is warranted... but I think so. I'll try to clean it up once I get home tonight :)
— contributed by: ninja_k
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youtosuru
tagJ: 〜ようとする
expE: Try to do something, but the nuance is that it was unsuccessful.
expJ: 試してみるだけで結果がともなわないニュアンスがある。
noteE: I tried to kiss her, but she said no.
JLPT: 3

Front: rashite
〜からして
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜からして
Meaning: starting from
Example: villages are different even starting from weather
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 田舎は天気からして違う。
Villages are different even starting from weather
— contributed by: Meghana
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User Comments
- Is this enry is the same as [karashite]?
— contributed by: Miki
- I would say so
— contributed by: skottt
- I suggest we merge or something, but I'm not sure how to do that myself.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: rashite
tagJ: 〜からして
expE: starting from
noteE: villages are different even starting from weather
JLPT: 2

Front: Kansai Dialect
関西弁 (かんさいべん)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
関西弁 (かんさいべん)
Meaning: Kansai Dialect
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Nagoya is not a part of Kansai. It is the main city of 中部地方 (Chuubu Chihou).
— contributed by: ichien
- Kobe is one of the larger cities in Kansai. Nagoya is not.
— contributed by: brooks
- This is 90% wrong.
— contributed by: ojanne
- This is mostly wrong and incomplete. It also fails to note that there are differences in 関西弁 within the region. The dialect in Northern Osaka is different than Southern Osaka. Kobe and Osaka dialects differ, and Kyoto is very unique and distinct.
— contributed by: dgraham
Examples
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There are currently no examples for this grammar entry.
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User Comments
- This Kansai page seems to be mixed with the まい page. All of the in-page examples are messed up. For example:
Using Negative Verbs in 関西弁
* For non-past, replace 「ない」 with 「へん」
例）　見る → 見るまい
例）　行く → 行くまい
* For past tense, replace 「なかった」 with 「へんかった」
例）　する → しまい
例）　認める → 認めまい
* This conjugation must always come last. For masu-form, attach 「まい」 to the masu-form verb.
例）　なる → なり → なります → なりますまい
— contributed by: Kori
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Kansai Dialect
tagJ: 関西弁
tagH: かんさいべん
noteE: -
JLPT: 1

Front: seide
せいで
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
せいで
Meaning: because of, due to (indicates only negative meaning)
Example: Due to lack of sleep, I have a headache today
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- せいで;のせいだ;せいで;せいか
— contributed by: ziaz
- 所為　(せい)(n) cause/ reason/ fault (from WWWJDIC) Using the Kanji in this grammatical construction is likely very rare, however.
— contributed by: leslie
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 寝不足のせいで、今日は頭がぼんやりしている
Due to lack of sleep, today I'm absent minded.
— contributed by: ziaz
- あいつのせいで、先生に叱られた。
Because of him, I was scolded by my teacher.
— contributed by: motodrift
- 気のせいか、彼は今日は何となく元気がなく感じられた。
Is it my impression? He seems to be not feeling well.
— contributed by: hadv
- 私は失敗したのは、彼のせいだ。
Because of him, I failed.
— contributed by: hadv
- 電車が遅れたせいで、遅刻した。
I was late because the train was late.
— contributed by: hadv
- 暑いせいか、食欲がない。
Since it's hot, I have no appetite.
— contributed by: hadv
- 台風のせいで、旅行にいけなかったんです。
We did not go on the trip because of the typhoon.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 天気のせいか、気分が悪い。
It's the weather's fault that I don't feel good.
— contributed by: Izumi19
- 学生が上手にならないのは、教え方が下手なせいかもしれない。
Maybe the student is not becoming good because of the poor way of teaching.
— contributed by: Izumi19
- 熱があるせいで何を食べてもおいしくない。
Those food all not taste to me because of i feel fever.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼女がパーティーに来なかったのは病気のせいだ。
It was because she was ill that she didn't come to the party.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私が失敗したのは怠惰のせいだ。
My failure is due to the fact that I was lazy.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼らの到着が遅れたのは雨のせいだった。
Their late arrival was owing to the rain.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女の美貌は年のせいで衰えた。
Her beauty withered with age.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- okagede
- bakarini
User Comments
- What happened to the English verisons of ex #6428,ex #6429,ex #6430 and ex #6431?
— contributed by: bamboo4
- About the Ex 6430．。。The Translation should be...Because of the late train,So I came late!
— contributed by: gahoangdai
- Ex 6429 The translation should be..Because of him,I failed.
— contributed by: gahoangdai
- What's with the か after せい、and how do you know when to use か、で, or nothing at all after the せい？
— contributed by: Izumi19
- Ex. 6430 should be translated as "I was late because the train was late (or delayed).
— contributed by: lucinda lohmanoota
- I came to hear, that せいか can also have positive results. Can someone approve of that?
— contributed by: Cyrus
- @Cyrus: Yes seika is used whether the result is desirable/undesirable
Ex: Jp:Kanojo ga iru seika shigoto ga yoku dekiru.
Eng:I think it is because she is here that i can do a lot of work.
— contributed by: ichigo_venky
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: seide
tagJ: せいで
expE: because of, due to (indicates only negative meaning)
expJ: he died because~, he lost his fortune because~,...
noteE: Due to lack of sleep, I have a headache today
JLPT: 2

Front: nikanshite
に関して (にかんして)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に関して (にかんして)
Meaning: concerning; with regard to; about; on
Example: with regard to taxes, most people think they are too high
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Also related to [nikansuru]
— contributed by: ziaz
- ＊について can replace に関して. It is less formal, though.
＊The polite form に関しまして can appear in formal speech.
＊に関する is the prenominal version of に関して and can be used to modify the noun which follows.
FORMATION:
Ｎ + に関して
Ｎ1 + に関する + Ｎ2
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Note: As previously stated above, though this is interchangeable with について, there is a particular feeling and depth of conversational topics that に関して　is used for. This is usually reserved for serious discussion topics, assignments, or "grown-up" levels of discussion, where as について has a more general usage.
最近、株に関する本がたくさん出版されています。
Recently, many books about stocks are being published.
昨日のレモネードの味に関して、砂糖を入れすぎたと思います。
Regarding yesterday's lemonade, I think I put in too much sugar.
In the above sentences, the first one would be seen as a more proper usage of に関して given the overall tone and "adult-ness" of the conversation. In contrast, the second sentence would benefit more from について as the depth of topics simply don't match well with the tone usually associated with に関して. To make things a bit more pictorial, imagine a 6 year old speaking with a PhD's vocabulary and vernacular, something just wouldn't seem correct about it.
— contributed by: Tetsuzan
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 最近テロに関してニュースがよく新聞に出ています
Recently, newspapers are frequently publishing stories about terrorism.
— contributed by: ziaz
- あの件に関しては、画竜点睛を欠いてしまった。
That plan still needed some finishing touches.
— contributed by: dc
- このことに関してまた君に電話するよ。
I'll get in touch with you again about this matter.
— contributed by: dc
- この議事録に関して、訂正、追加がありましたらお願いします。
I welcome any corrections or additions to these minutes.
— contributed by: dc
- この件に関して、あまりお役に立てなくてすみません。
I apologize that I'm not able to give a better reference to this work.
— contributed by: dc
- この件に関してはまったく知らない。
I am really in the dark on this case.
— contributed by: dc
- この件に関しては彼らに賛成できない。
I can't agree with them on this matter.
— contributed by: dc
- この件に関して何か言うことはありますか。
o you have anything to say with regard to this matter?
— contributed by: dc
- この研究の最初の部分では、大衆統制の心理に関してすでに行われている研究について言及する。
In the early part of my study, I allude to work that had already been done on the psychology of crowd-control.
— contributed by: dc
- この現象に関してはまだ物理的な説明がなされていない。
There is not a physical explanation for this phenomenon yet.
— contributed by: dc
- この事に関してはあなたの意見に賛成です。
In this regard I agree with you.
— contributed by: dc
- この問題に関して、３つの問題がある。
With respect to this question, there are three problems.
— contributed by: dc
- 大気汚染に関する報告書が委員会に提出された。
A report concerning environmental problems was submitted to the committee.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 先週、東京で超伝導に関する学会が開かれた。
Last week, a conference on superconductivity was held in Tokyo.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- インターネットの利用に関するアンケートを行なう。
To run a survey on the use of the internet.
— contributed by: Kenny
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User Comments
- I changed the title from 二関して to に関して, because it's not the kanji for "2" that is needed. The particle "ni" is needed.
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
- In ex #5978, I think perhaps you meant
この質問に関して、３つの問題がある。
— contributed by: KyleGoetz
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikanshite
tagJ: に関して
tagH: にかんして
expE: concerning; with regard to; about; on
noteE: with regard to taxes, most people think they are too high
JLPT: 2

Front: imadeha
今では (いまでは)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
今では (いまでは)
Meaning: "(by) now"; "nowadays"
Example: Expresses surprise at how different a state is now from the past.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 昔は新婚旅行といえばハワイだったが、今ではトルコやエジプトも珍しくない。
Long ago, if mentioning honeymoon travel, you would think of Hawaii, but now Turkey and Egypt are also not unusual.
— contributed by: blueices
- おじは今では安楽に暮らしている。
My uncle now lives in comfort.
— contributed by: Miki
- この型のカメラは今では流行遅れである。
This type of camera is now out of fashion.
— contributed by: Miki
- この言葉は今では用いられない。
This word has gone out of use.
— contributed by: Miki
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User Comments
- あれ is this grammer entry?
— contributed by: Miki
- what is level 0?
— contributed by: claytonian
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: imadeha
tagJ: 今では
tagH: いまでは
expE: "(by) now"; "nowadays"
expJ: 「今や」
noteE: Expresses surprise at how different a state is now from the past.
JLPT: 0

Front: yatto
やっと
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
やっと
Meaning: finally
Example: finally we meet
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- つい [tsui]
you may need to be a little careful to use つい as it means that you did something without thinking too much.
But sometimes it is used in a good way to express what one says is a gut feeling.
Surely つい結婚した　is not good.
結局 [kekkyoku]
often implies that a negative thing follows afterwards.
やっと [yatto]
is not always used with positive feelings.
Sometimes it is used to show an innuendo.
Like, やっと来た　= you are way too late.
— contributed by: dc
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼はやっと試験を合格できた。
He finally passed the exam. (after failing it in the past)
— contributed by: colinp123
- 数学の問題はやっと分かったか。
Did you finally understand the mathemathical problem?
— contributed by: Fio
- じかんがかかりましたが、やっとおわりました。
It took time, but finally it is finished.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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Related Grammar
- youyaku (Both yatto and youyaku indicate eventual completion of something positive; The difference is that youyaku sounds more formal and is usually written.)
User Comments
- I changed this entry to level 3 of JPLT because it is an adverb required for this level.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- so you would not say 結局、彼女が結婚しました。You'd say やっと、彼女が結婚しました。？？？
— contributed by: anna.kendall
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yatto
tagJ: やっと
expE: finally
noteE: finally we meet
JLPT: 3

Front: motoi
もとい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
もとい
Meaning: is wrong, rather
Example: So I was there at the pub ... no, the disco when ...
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This is used in spoken Japanese to correct yourself.
— contributed by: paulblay
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ２人っきりでデート・・もとい、ＯＦＦ会だと思ったけど、そこまで甘くもないよな。
So I thought my date er rather offline-meeting was going to be just me and her but I things aren't that easy.
— contributed by: paulblay
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User Comments
- I don't know what kanji (if any) apply to this or what the grammatical basis is for this usage. Please add details if you know them.
— contributed by: paulblay
- The listing for 元い (もとい) in my electronic dictionary is a link to 元へ (もとへ), so 元い is probably a corrupted/alternate form of 元へ, which literally means "back to the beginning". It's probably best to think of this phrase as meaning "take back", as in "Wednesday... no, I take it back -- Thursday".
— contributed by: potaro
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: motoi
tagJ: もとい
expE: is wrong, rather
noteE: So I was there at the pub ... no, the disco when ...
JLPT: 0

Front: detamaranai/tetamaranai
〜でたまらない・〜てたまらない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜でたまらない・〜てたまらない
Meaning: so...that one can`t stand it; unbearably;extremely
Example: adj (i) stem kute tamaranai; adj (na) stem de tamaranai
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 子供のことが心配でたまらない。
I am so worried about my children.
— contributed by: chohongsieudieu
- 良い表現が見つかりませんけど、おいしくて、おいしくて たまらないです。 紅茶ありがとうございました。
Thank you for the tea. I can`t quite find the right words to say, but it was so good that I couldn`t stand it!
— contributed by: jaystarkey
- 彼女は金が欲しくてたまらない。
She has an itch for money.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私たちは行きたくて堪らない。
We are eager to go.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は名声欲しくて堪らない。
He's avid (of) for fame.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私は一杯飲みたくて堪らない。
I have a terrible (an insatiable) thirst.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- それは何と言うかどうかわかりませんけど、ちょっと英訳してみようと思ったんですので　がんばってる！！！！！
自分さえ良ければ　＝　If it is ok with One`s self
他はどうなってもいい　＝　a good way to be come something else
It doesn`t make much sense as it is, but if you change it a little.
自分さえ良くなければ　他はどうになってもいい？
and you get.
If your not okay with who you are, how can you become something else.
interesting
僕のアドバイスは　もし自分があまり好きじゃなかったら、どうなようなことが好きだと考えて、そなのことになってみた方がいいだと思います.
— contributed by: tigert
- That's nice... But what does that have to do with 〜てたまらない？
— contributed by: petra
- ホームシックになって、家に帰りたくて帰りたくてたまらなくらった。
— contributed by: UmiLi
- To UmiLi　たまらなくらった。→ たまらなくなった。
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: detamaranai/tetamaranai
tagJ: 〜でたまらない・〜てたまらない
expE: so...that one can`t stand it; unbearably;extremely
expJ: Vは状態を表すもの
noteE: adj (i) stem kute tamaranai; adj (na) stem de tamaranai
JLPT: 2

Front: nakucha
なくちゃ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なくちゃ
Meaning: Must;Have to
Example: I have to buy a shirt
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- シャツを買わなくちゃ。
I have to buy a shirt.
— contributed by: ziaz
- 検査して貰うため病院に行かなくちゃ。
I have to go to the hospital for a check up.
— contributed by: julz
- 明日試合があるから、早く寝なくちゃ
There is a compeition tomorrow, therefore I must sleep early
— contributed by: tsengpw0606
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User Comments
- 〜なくちゃ is the casual term of 〜なくてはいけません.　〜なきゃmeans the same
— contributed by: tsengpw0606
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nakucha
tagJ: なくちゃ
expE: Must;Have to
noteE: I have to buy a shirt
JLPT: 2

Front: tamaranai
たまらない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
たまらない
Meaning: (1) intolerable, unbearable, unendurable, (2) cannot help (doing), cannot but do, anxious to do, (3) tremendous, out of this world, irresistible.
Example: It's unbearably hot today
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 今日は暑くてたまらない.
Today is unbearably hot.
— contributed by: ziaz
- 「ほじくられてはたまりません」と柿のたねは言いました。
"I can't stand to be dug out," said the persimmon seed.
— contributed by: bombush
- このにおいはたまらなく嫌だ。
This smell disgusts me.
— contributed by: bombush
- あのカメラがほしくてたまりません。
I'm dying for that camera.
— contributed by: bombush
- あまりの暑さに一休みしたくてたまらない。
I'm dying for a break in this heat.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女は車が欲しくてたまらなかった。
She itched for a car.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私たちは行きたくてたまらないのだ。
We are eager to go.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- in ex #6069 there is no grammar entry. I suggest to modify it this way:
jp:今日は休みで家にいたが、暑くてたまらない。
en:Today was my free day, but I couldn't stay at home because it's too hot.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tamaranai
tagJ: たまらない
expE: (1) intolerable, unbearable, unendurable, (2) cannot help (doing), cannot but do, anxious to do, (3) tremendous, out of this world, irresistible.
noteE: It's unbearably hot today
JLPT: 2

Front: wo/wa nuki ni shite
〜をぬきにして・はぬきにして
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜をぬきにして・はぬきにして
Meaning: without, leaving out
Example: Without a strong will, it's not possible for this work to be finished.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [wo nuki ni shite/wa nuki ni shite] can have two generally the same usages. It can be used to show that something is without, or left out. Wa does not have to follow after shite but it does give extra emphasis as [wa] is frequently called the highlighting particle. [nuki] itself can be used to follow a noun directly to mean "without" especially when listing ingredients or talking about doing something "without". [Ni shite] itself gives meaning to nuki showing that it is "for" whatever [nuki] is excluding that causes/does such and such. So [nuki ni shite wa]could be looked at as meaning for without...
I would also like to mention that a lot of people need to watch their Romanization on this site as somethings are just wrong. This page should be wo nuki ni shite/ wa naku ni shite not ha, wa is just a spelling rule since the Heian period to be written with the Kana character for ha.
— contributed by: IMABI
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 強い意志を抜きにしては、この仕事を完成させることはできない。
Without a strong will, it's not possible for this work to be finished.
— contributed by: ziaz
- 料理の上手な山田さんをぬきにしては、パーティーは開けません。
Without Mr Yamada, who is a really good cook, we can't have a party.
— contributed by: sugarpain
- 皆さん、仕事の話は抜きにして楽しく飲みましょう。
Everyone, without talking about work and let's enjoy drinking.
— contributed by: expandover
- 皆さん、仕事の話は抜きにして楽しく飲みましょう。
Everyone, without talking about work and let's enjoy drinking.
— contributed by: expandover
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User Comments
- 一級の模擬試験でも出題されています。
— contributed by: royroyroy59
- I think you don't need the ending "は", the actual grammar part seems to be 'nukinishite', which means 'leave off or leave out.'
— contributed by: EvilKyra
- EvilKyra presented the fact that "nukinishite" means "leave off or leave out" how does that affect the English translations?
— contributed by: timmy43
- #8080/1 are better translated as: Everyone, let's enjoy drinking without talking about (or, discussing) work.
More natural sentence: Can we not enjoy drinking without talking about (or, discussing) work?
— contributed by: audvix@yahoo.com
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wo/wa nuki ni shite
tagJ: 〜をぬきにして・はぬきにして
expE: without, leaving out
expJ: ふつうはふくまれるもの、当然あるものを加えずに
noteE: Without a strong will, it's not possible for this work to be finished.
JLPT: 2

Front: yorimosarani
よりもさらに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
よりもさらに
Meaning: more than that; more than
Example: The road to the summit must be steeper than it has been so far.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- ここから頂上までの道は今までよりもさらに険しいに違いない。
The road to the summit must be steeper than it has been so far.
— contributed by: ziaz
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User Comments
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yorimosarani
tagJ: よりもさらに
expE: more than that; more than
noteE: The road to the summit must be steeper than it has been so far.
JLPT: 2

Front: noni-3
のに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
のに
Meaning: wish
Example: I wish today's weather was as nice as yesterday's
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I believe this use of noni is interchangeable with のだけれでも
— contributed by: ziaz
Examples
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- 今日の天気が昨日のような天気だったら良かった。のに
I wish today's weather had been as nice as yesterday's. のに
— contributed by: ziaz
- 雨さえやめばいいのになあ。
If only it would stop raining!
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- ziaz, re text, if you say that, it is だけれども instead of だけれでも.
— contributed by: Miki
- I feel like this should be listed as ればいいのに or at least いいのに. I would say that のに within the construction, by itself, is actually functioning within its "in spite of" sense.
— contributed by: james2c19v
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: noni-3
tagJ: のに
expE: wish
noteE: I wish today's weather was as nice as yesterday's
JLPT: 0

Front: yara-yara
〜やら〜やら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜やら〜やら
Meaning: particle denoting uncertainty or a listing used for both words and clauses
Example: such as...and (?)
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Examples
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- 帰国する前は飛行機のよやくをするやらおみやげを買うやらで忙しい。
What with booking an airline and buying presents for everyone, I've been really busy before going home.
— contributed by: sagittarius
- 宿題やらレポートやらで、のんびりする暇もない。
With all the homework and reports, I don't have a free leisure time.
— contributed by: iritkav
- 彼女には、宝石やらバックやら、たくさんのプレゼントを買いましたよ。
I bought lots of gifts for my girlfriend such as jewelry and bags.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- ポケットにはハンカチやらガムやらが入っている。
In the pocket, there are handkerchief, chewing gum, among other things.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 料理やら洗濯やら掃除で彼女の母は大変忙しかった。
Between cooking, washing and cleaning, her mother was very busy.
— contributed by: karekano
- 暑いやらむしむしするやらで熟睡出来なかった
Because of heat , humidity ... I could not sleep well.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- I'm confused. What is the difference between using 「やら、やら」　and 「や、　など」?
— contributed by: Nabeshin
- I think it expresses feeling and a bit of a sense of that's bad/unfortunate?
— contributed by: Aes
- I disagree, やら　やら　seems to translate into English as 'Things like...' or 'Do things like...' while や、や、など translates more accurately as 'and, and, etc.'
など　states explicitely that there are further things in the category, やら　やら　only implies it.
— contributed by: lou1sb
- Is this a dialect? I have never heard it used in hokkaido or the tohoku area.
— contributed by: tigert
- Apparently, 'やら' is similar to using 'や' or 'とか' but indicates less certainty, and also has other uses as well. For example:
"彼のクローゼットには、帽子やスカーフはありました。"
"In his closet, there were things like caps and scarves."
as opposed to:
"彼のクローゼットには、帽子やらスカーフはありました。"
"In his closet, (I'm fairly certain... I think) there were things like caps and scarves (or something like that)."
Although it apparently (according to The Handbook of Japanese Grammar by Harold G. Henderson) has other usages, in this case this is how it would be used. I heard it used in the sentence:
「試してみるのか？お前が言う光とやらの力を？」
I take this to mean:
"Are you trying this? The power of this(uncertain of meaning)light you speak of?"
Apparently とやら is the same as やら. I'm not really sure, there doesn't seem to be much info on this anywhere.
***EDIT: とやら actually means "and the like" and works similarly to "nado" but once again, with less certainty and more of that "something-like-that" nuance. So the previous sentence actually should translate to:
"The power of this 'light' (and such/and the like/ and stuff like that) that you speak of."
To be honest, it sounds like "and stuff like that" would be the closest definition. The words you are listing are said with partial certainty, and like the previous commenter said, や and とか can often be translated to "and."
— contributed by: Socky
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yara-yara
tagJ: 〜やら〜やら
expE: particle denoting uncertainty or a listing used for both words and clauses
noteE: such as...and (?)
JLPT: 2

Front: kurai, gurai
くらい、ぐらい (位)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
くらい、ぐらい (位)
Meaning: to the extent that; so ~ that ~ almost ~; at least; the only ~; rather than ~
Example: It's so warm this evening that we (almost) don't need a heater.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This grammar does exist on another page, but I believe the old page did not include enough of the other possible meanings in English, and I did not want to heavily edit the old grammar page.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- [kurai / くらい] with a negative predicate indicates a superlative. (Mr. Yamada is the most forgetful.)
It also expresses the idea of "at least." ?くらい in this use implies that the degree of a state is such that one cannot expect much more than X from that state.
Ｓのは?くらいのものだ expresses the idea that the speaker cannot think of anyone or anything else but ? that meets the description in Ｓ. In other words, ? meets the description in Ｓ to the highest degree among those the speaker can think of.
Ｖ1くらいならＶ2ほうがましだ expresses the idea the one would rather Ｖ2 than Ｖ1.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- A related is expression is [hodo]. This can replace くらい *sometimes,* such as in examples #6081, #6082, and #6083.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
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- 今晩は暖かいので、ストーブが要らないくらいだ。
It's so warm this evening that we (almost) don't need a heater.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 私たちは一歩も歩けないくらい疲れていた。
We were so tired that we couldn't take a single step.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 山田さんくらい物を忘れる人はいない。
There's no one as forgetful as Yamada (who forgets things as much as Yamada).
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 私は料理は下手ですが、ご飯くらい(は)炊けます。
I'm a poor cook, but I can at least cook rice.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 今この仕事が出来るのは彼くらいのものだ。
He's the only person who can do this job now. (The person who's capable enough to do this job is he.)
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- そんなことをするくらいなら、死んだほうがましだ。
I would rather die than do such a thing.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 合格の知らせを受け取ったときは、うれしくて、踊りあがったくらいだ。
When I received the notice that I had passed, I was so happy that I almost leaped for joy.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
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- hodo
User Comments
- does matter which one you use, or are くらい and ぐらい interchangable?
— contributed by: pupurun
- pupurun, it doesn't matter. Both mean the exact same thing. It just depends on your preference.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- how is it different to hodo? is it that literally, kurai='this little' and hodo='this much'??
— contributed by: karekora
- I think this grammar point is a little misleading, くらい､ぐらい　means approximately, about, almost. it is used to state unspacific amounts of what comes before it. it does not carry a meaning of minimal amount, rather than, so〜that,the least or the only.
I think that you need to look at other sections of each of the examples to understand their true meaning.
#6085 does not translate to he is the only one. if you wanted to say he is the only or no one else could do the job, you would say.
今彼しかこの仕事ができません。or
今この仕事ができるのは　彼だけです。　
because you use ぐらい　your saying that if it wasn`t someone that has about as much (unidentified ablility) as he does they couldn`t do the job.
The next example #6086
the real operator in the sentence is the last part. ”ほうがました”　and くらい　is not nessasary to hold the meaning I would rather die than do such a thing. そんなことするなら　already has the meaning.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kurai, gurai
tagJ: くらい、ぐらい (位)
tagH: くらい、ぐらい
expE: to the extent that; so ~ that ~ almost ~; at least; the only ~; rather than ~
noteE: It's so warm this evening that we (almost) don't need a heater.
JLPT: 3

Front: kureru
くれる (呉れる)
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くれる (呉れる)
Meaning: to give me, to do for me, I was given
Example: The teacher gave me a book to help me in my studies. // Would you please write this in Kanji for me?
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 彼女は、「これを　洗って　くれないか　い」と　いった。
She said, "Please wash this for me."
— contributed by: Gren
- 私の先生は　私に　本を読むためにを　くれました。　　
My teacher gave me a book to read tonight.
— contributed by: Gren
- The word Kuru has 2 options ( depends on the politeness level I'd like to use: Kudasaru which is the high and Kuru which is the "low"). examples:
— contributed by: eitanbol
- 先生は私に教えてくださいました。
The teacher gave me some help (helped me):
— contributed by: eitanbol
- 友達は私に本を買ってくれました。
My friend baught (and) gave me a book.
— contributed by: eitanbol
- If I wanted to say the same sentences but the other way around I would say:
— contributed by: eitanbol
- 私は先生に教えていただきました。
— contributed by: eitanbol
- 私は友達に本を買ってもらいました。
— contributed by: eitanbol
- Eitan
Hope it helped you all...
— contributed by: eitanbol
- 今日、来てくれてありがとうございます。
Thankyou for coming today. (more formal)
— contributed by: bunbun
- 今日、来てくれてありがとう！
Thanks for coming today! (less formal)
— contributed by: bunbun
- 手伝ってくれてありがとうございます。
Thankyou for helping me.
— contributed by: bunbun
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User Comments
- Hi! If anyone can correct these, I`d appreciate it. I ran into example #6140`s 「くれないか　い」form and wondered what in the heck the い　is. No one seems to know, however, I do know that it is only used in spoken Japanese.
— contributed by: Gren
- This entry [kai] may help you.
— contributed by: Miki
- This grammar point not correct. くれる means to be given. It cannot mean to give. because くれる　is only used for things you are given or your inner family　(うち) are given. if you wanted to say someone gave someone other than your うち something you would use あげる.
my teacher taught my friend english.
僕の先生が僕の友達に英語を教えてあげました.
I gave my neighbor a gift.
僕は　となりの人にギフトをあげました.
Jim loaned me $50.(did the favor of loaning)
ジムさんは　僕に　五十ドルを貸してくれました.
Jim loaned lee $50. (Jim did lee the favor of　loaning)
ジムさんはリーさんに五十ドルを貸してあげました.
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kureru
tagJ: くれる (呉れる)
tagH: くれる
expE: to give me, to do for me, I was given
noteE: The teacher gave me a book to help me in my studies. // Would you please write this in Kanji for me?
JLPT: 3

Front: toshite2
として
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として
Meaning: try to
Example: Try to do two things at a time
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 2つのことを一度にしようとしてはいけません。
on't try to do two things at a time.
— contributed by: ziaz
- このような（子供の）態度は、自分たちがある程度独立していることを示そうとしての結果なのである。
This is because they are trying to prove they are somewhat independent.
— contributed by: ziaz
- アイスクリームを食べようとして、スプーンがないことに気が付いた。これでは食べようがない。どうしよう。
When they were trying to eat ice cream, they noticed they didn't have a spoon. There's no way to eat. What should we do?
— contributed by: ziaz
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- toshite (Some of the entries in toshite are not appropriate for the grammar "as for". This is a separate grammatical meaning. Or at least so it seemed to me. )
User Comments
- I think this grammar point corresponds to another one: This is a derivated form from -you to suru, in this case 'suru' is in the -te form.
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
- 意固形+ として is more like decided to do.
Example from my textbook after stating that the train wagon is crowded.
中のほうはすいていました。それで、中のほうへ行こうとしましたが、いけませんでした。
シャワーを浴びようとしたが、水が出なかった
— contributed by: dabodab
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toshite2
tagJ: として
expE: try to
noteE: Try to do two things at a time
JLPT: 0

Front: totsutaeteitadakemasenka
と伝えていただけませんか (につたえていたでけませんか)
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と伝えていただけませんか (につたえていたでけませんか)
Meaning: Politely asking someone to convey a message.
Example: Could you please tell Anthony that i will phone him later.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Formation:
(Person)に(message plain form)と伝えていただけませんか。
例えば：すみませんが、渡辺さんに明日のパーティーは６時からだと伝えていただけませんか。
英語：Excuse me but, could you tell Watanabe that the party tomorrow will start from 6.
— contributed by: Overfiend
Examples
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- 彼におめでとうと伝えていただけませんか。
Please tell him congratulations from me.
— contributed by: julz
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User Comments
- 彼にがんばってねと伝えてくれませんかなぁ？
Could you please tell him "Please work hard" from me?
— contributed by: ヒカエル
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: totsutaeteitadakemasenka
tagJ: と伝えていただけませんか
tagH: につたえていたでけませんか
expE: Politely asking someone to convey a message.
noteE: Could you please tell Anthony that i will phone him later.
JLPT: 0

Front: toiumonodehanai; toiumonodemonai
というものではない; というものでもない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
というものではない; というものでもない
Meaning: Doesn't mean that; It's not (true) that; Not necessarily
Example: It's not true that you can solve anything with money.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This grammar is meant to negate expressions of opinion or ways of thinking. For example: "If you put forth great effort, you'll surely succeed." (努力すれば必ず成功する。) To negate this opinion, use this grammar: "It's not true that if you put forth great effort, you'll surely succeed." (努力すれば必ず成功するというものではない。)
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + というものでは(も)ない
いＡ + というものでは(も)ない
なＡ・Ｎ + (だ)というものでは(も)ない
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- どんなこともお金で解決できる、というものではありません。
It's not true that you can solve anything with money.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 学歴が高いからといって、その人が有能というものでもない。
Just because someone has an impressive academic background doesn't meant that they are competent.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 商品は安ければいいというものでもない。｢安物買いの銭失い」と言う諺もある。
It's not necessarily true that cheap products are good. There's also the proverb, "pennywise and pound foolish."
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 着ている服だけが、人間の個性を表すというものではありません。
It cannot be said that our clothes alone express our individuality.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 失敗は成功じゃないというものではない。
the failure is not to say no success.
— contributed by: belajar
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User Comments
- In ex #6237 "有狽ｾ" sounds 文字化け for me. Is it 適格? I marked it suspicious instead of checked.
In ex #6238 ｢安物買いの銭失い」 is more "cheap things bought equals pennies lost." than "penny wise and pound foolish." from my point of view.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- In ex {#6237}"有狽ｾ" be 有 no?
— contributed by: hoshinobike
- Ex [#6237] is from the JLPT book. It should be 有能
— contributed by: PurpleMoose
- I've changed 有狽ｾ. Is it wrong to change the entries? I mean, if you know that the right word is X (based on the translation and the first kanji)?
— contributed by: karekano
- ex #6238 the translation doesn't make sense. it should say: It isn't true that if you buy cheap goods is good - in that you will save money. 'buying cheap goods you will lose money.' (so, yes, 'pennywise and pound foolish' is acceptable and makes sense now with the more clear explanation.
— contributed by: nancy
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toiumonodehanai; toiumonodemonai
tagJ: というものではない; というものでもない
expE: Doesn't mean that; It's not (true) that; Not necessarily
noteE: It's not true that you can solve anything with money.
JLPT: 2

Front: madashimo
まだしも
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
まだしも
Meaning: would be much better, would be acceptable
Example: If it was next month that would be better, but it isn't going to happen until next year.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 一度ならまだしもここまで六回その言葉を間違えって書いた。
Once would be acceptable, but you've misspelled that word six times now.
— contributed by: naimononedari
- この方がまだしもあれよりよい。
This would be better than that.
— contributed by: dc
- こんなひどい目に合うよりまだしも死んだほうがよい。
I would rather die than have such a terrible experience.
— contributed by: dc
- すうじつならまだしも１０日も滞納している。
A few days would have been excusable but you are in arrears for 10 days.
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- often appears with "nara" in front, meaning "(if it were this) then that would be OK, but..."
This was a correct answer on the 1kyuu in 2005.
— contributed by: naimononedari
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: madashimo
tagJ: まだしも
expE: would be much better, would be acceptable
expJ: だったら、ほかのよりいい
noteE: If it was next month that would be better, but it isn't going to happen until next year.
JLPT: 1

Front: otya wo nigosu
お茶を濁す (おちゃをにごす)
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お茶を濁す (おちゃをにごす)
Meaning: to avoid giving a direct answer
Example: 本音を見せず、お茶を濁した。He beat around the bush and avoided showing his true feelings.//もちろん人それぞれだからと慌てて茶を濁し、話題をすり替えた。She hurriedly made up some excuse about there being all types of people and changed the subject.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I think usage is not limited to negative connatation, e.g., "ramble on about".
— contributed by: hicks
Examples
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User Comments
- Shouldn't this entry be filed under "idioms" rather than "grammar"?
— contributed by: Sumofan
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: otya wo nigosu
tagJ: お茶を濁す
tagH: おちゃをにごす
expE: to avoid giving a direct answer
expJ: 直接答えないで、曖昧に言えること
noteE: 本音を見せず、お茶を濁した。He beat around the bush and avoided showing his true feelings.//もちろん人それぞれだからと慌てて茶を濁し、話題をすり替えた。She hurriedly made up some excuse about there being all types of people and changed the subject.
JLPT: 1

Front: toka
とか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
とか
Meaning: It seems that; I heard that
Example: It seems that he's really wealthy. I envy him.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊Use this grammar for bits of news that you heard or read.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + とか
いＡ + とか
なＡ・Ｎ + とか
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- For the case of a noun with toka, you actually need だ、it`s shown in the 3rd example below
N＋だ〜とか
金持ちだとか　（I heard he was rich)
— contributed by: Mahou86
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- お嬢さんが結婚なさったとか。おめでとうございます。
I heard you got married. Congratulations.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Ｇ銀行は経営が危なくなっているとか。預けた金は大丈夫だろうか。
It seems that the management at Bank G is in trouble. I wonder if the money deposited there is safe.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼は大金持ちだとか。うらやましいなあ。
It seems that he's a wealthy man. I envy him.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 田中さんの犬がおじさんを噛んだとか。
I heard Mr. Tanaka's dog bit an old man.
— contributed by: Boomeranger
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- そう
- toiukotoda
User Comments
- The usage given in the formation section for なＡ・Ｎ does not match that of the example of ex #6262, which suggests that instead of:
なＡ・Ｎ + とか
it should instead be
なＡ・Ｎ + だ＋とか
— contributed by: khyron
- I checked and confirmed with a native speaker that when using this grammar after なA・N that the formation is indeed なA・N＋だとか.
Additionally, this is found mainly in novels, whereas a conversational equivalent would be と聞いた・と聞きました.
— contributed by: khyron
- I just know とか　with the meaning of 'like'. Or is it the same thing?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toka
tagJ: とか
expE: It seems that; I heard that
noteE: It seems that he's really wealthy. I envy him.
JLPT: 2

Front: nado; nanka; nante
など; なんか; なんて
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
など; なんか; なんて
Meaning: and so on; and the like; for example; things like 〜
Example: A lot of students from China, Korea, and so on come to this university.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊なんて and なんか are both used in conversational Japanese. Also, なんか can be seen as derogatory in some contexts. EDIT: Since this seems to be misleading, なんか can put a bit more emphasis on the derogatory tone of a negative sentence than など, but it is not rude Japanese. As the commenter said, なんて is more colloquial in that sense.
FORMATION:
Ｖ(plain form) + など・なんか
Ｎ + だ + など・なんて・なんか
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- I'd like to add this according to my JLPT study book:
Informal ------------------> Formal
Nなんか　ー＞　Nなんて　ー＞　Nなど
意外な気持ち、否定的な気持ちの強調
Emphasis of an unexpected feeling or a negative feeling.
— contributed by: hana
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 台風の日に風雨の中でテニスをするなど、考えられない。
Playing tennis and the like in the wind and rain on the day of a typhoon is unimaginable.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 20枚のレポートを1日で書いたなんて、すごいねえ。私なんか3枚のレポートも書けない。
That you wrote a 20-page report in one day is something amazing. I can't even write a 3-page report.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- 彼女、大人っぽいね。まだ15歳だなんて信じられないよ。
She's adult-like, isn't she? That she's still 15 is something I can't believe.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- お化粧なんかしてはいけません。
You must not wear makeup.
— contributed by: hana
- 納豆なんてきらいだ。
I really hate natto.
— contributed by: hana
- 日本語でスピーチなどできません。
There is no way that I can give a speech in Japanese.
— contributed by: hana
- なんてなっ! 死んだふり!
Just kidding! I was playing dead!
— contributed by: cone
- 文法なんかくそくらえだ。
Grammar be hanged.
— contributed by: karekano
- 犬なんかちっとも怖くない。
I`m not in the least afraid of dogs.
— contributed by: karekano
- 今ではもう彼女はなんか愛していない。
She is nothing to me anymore.
— contributed by: karekano
- 君がそんなことをやるなんて考えられない。
I can`t imagine you doing it.
— contributed by: karekano
- お金を持って来なかったなんておかしいよ。
It`s ridiculous that you have not brought the money.
— contributed by: karekano
- 嵐の中を出かけるなんてどうかしてういるよ。
You are mad to go out in the storm.
— contributed by: karekano
- 人生なんてそんなもんだ。
Such is life.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼がまだ生きているなどということはありえない。
It is impossible that he is still alive.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼女はテレビで野球などは見えない。
She doesn`t watch baseball games on TV at all.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- "Also, なんか can be seen as derogatory in some contexts."
- If one of those two can be 'seen as derogatory,' it is most certainly なんて. I wonder why people who obviously know rather little about the Japanese language think they should be posting grammar entries for others... (I'm not saying my Japanese is better, but I'm not the one making up false entries)
— contributed by: mankind
- From "A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar" published by the Japan Times, page 268:
"Nanka is the informal, colloquial version of nado. It is used as nado is used except that in a context conveying undesirability or contempt there is more emphasis on the derogatory meaning."
I didn't mean derogatory as in saying it was rude Japanese. I meant that it can emphasize the derogatory tone in negative sentences. Maybe you should go back to learning your native language rather than trolling.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Doesn't "nanka" also mean "rather" or "somewhat"?
as in　なんか変　(rather weird) and なんかいい車　(a rather nice car)?
— contributed by: pingpongpaddle
- なんて...this word always seemed to me to be used by itself to express or emphasize surprise at an action. That seems to be the case in the above examples. But could it be used neutrally?
— contributed by: Cone
- Can なんて be grouped in with なんか and など? I was under the impression that なんか and など mean "etc" or "and so on and so forth". i.e. 寿司や天ぷらなどが好きです (I like stuff like sushi, tempura etc etc). And my limited knowledge of なんて was that it is simply a subject or object marker, but it is used when there is a negative connotation towards the thing it's marking. E.g. 車なんていらない = I don't need a bloody car.
— contributed by: bucko
- pingpongpaddle: "なんか" seems to mean "somewhat" or "kind of" when used as an adjective/adverb like that.
I don't think なんて is necessarily always negative.
— contributed by: cone
- I`m not sure if the examples are in their right place, so I marked everything as suspicious...
— contributed by: karekano
- なんか can be a short-hand of なにか in spoken japanese.
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nado; nanka; nante
tagJ: など; なんか; なんて
expE: and so on; and the like; for example; things like 〜
noteE: A lot of students from China, Korea, and so on come to this university.
JLPT: 2

Front: buchouhou
不調法 or 無調法 (ぶちょうほう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
不調法 or 無調法 (ぶちょうほう)
Meaning: A rudeness or blunder, carelessness
Example: (1)ainiku osake ha buchouhou deshite - I must apologize but I don't drink (2) karaoke wo utatte agerareru to ii n desuga, ainiku buchouhou na mono desu.　If I could sing karaoke to you I would but sorry unfortunately I can't.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 「一杯如何？」「ごめんね。まったく不調法なの」
How about another ? sorry I cant cope with alcohol at all
— contributed by: キャプテン
- 口は不調法だが、腕は確かだ
I am not well spoken but can do a great job
— contributed by: キャプテン
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User Comments
- At least, change the heading to "buchouhou" = 無調法.
— contributed by: bamboo4
- Done. No idea why I wrote fu instead of bu perhaps it is cos I did it in a hurry.... :( Although the kanji can be 不調法 as well. According to my native Japanese friend who is also a teacher, either way of writing it is commonly acceptable.
— contributed by: kadoka66
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: buchouhou
tagJ: 不調法 or 無調法
tagH: ぶちょうほう
expE: A rudeness or blunder, carelessness
noteE: (1)ainiku osake ha buchouhou deshite - I must apologize but I don't drink (2) karaoke wo utatte agerareru to ii n desuga, ainiku buchouhou na mono desu.　If I could sing karaoke to you I would but sorry unfortunately I can't.
JLPT: 1

Front: irarenai
居られない (いられない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
居られない (いられない)
Meaning: cannot exist, not possible, can't afford to
Example: don't have the time to
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 居られない literally means "the tea drinking cannot exist." In English would be something like, cannot afford to do, is not possible, cannot be done.
— contributed by: godfrey
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- お客様がそろそろお着きになって大変なので、のんびりお茶など飲んではいられない。
Guests are arriving soon and we will be very busy, so we won't be able to have a quiet cup of tea.
— contributed by: godfrey
- 眩しいというのは目をあけていられないほど光が強い様子だ。
Dazzling is the state when light is so hard that you almost can't keep the eyes open.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 出かけたとき、外にいられないくらい風がつきささった。
When we went out, we almost couln't stand the bite of the wind.
— contributed by: 赤毛
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User Comments
- I don't understand why ないではいられない is considered level 2 and いられない is considered level 1.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: irarenai
tagJ: 居られない
tagH: いられない
expE: cannot exist, not possible, can't afford to
noteE: don't have the time to
JLPT: 1

Front: yamuwoenai
やむをえない (已むを得無い)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
やむをえない (已むを得無い)
Meaning: no other way to do something　しかたがない
Example: この大雪では、試合を中止にするのもやむをえない There's no other way but to cancel the game because of the snowfall
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- やむを得ず雨天で試合が中止になる場合はある。
regretfully there may be situations where the game has to be cancelled due to bad weather.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- やむを得ず雨天で試合が中止になる場合はある。
regretfully there may be situations where the game has to be cancelled due to bad weather.
— contributed by: kadoka66
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User Comments
- The meaning I think is much stronger than しかったが無い. It expresses the fact that in certain special situations an action or event which is forthcoming is unavoidable. On the other hand although the former is used in similar situations it expresses more the idea that something always pans out in a certain way.
Coming I expect from the grammar construct 〜ざるをえない
You can also say やむにやまれず to mean the same thing.
I added my own example to show an alternative usage.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- if anyone reads the above comment, be careful. しかったが無い is incorrect; the correct phrase is 仕方が無い（しかたがない）, without the small "tsu."
— contributed by: tmkain
- Can the Japanese example and the English translation be moved to the same example rather than separate? I keep getting blank questions on the grammar quiz because of the 'missing' data.
— contributed by: mochabean
- mochabean - yes, they can. can you do the edit?
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yamuwoenai
tagJ: やむをえない (已むを得無い)
tagH: やむをえない
expE: no other way to do something　しかたがない
expJ: そうするより方法がない
noteE: この大雪では、試合を中止にするのもやむをえない There's no other way but to cancel the game because of the snowfall
JLPT: 1

Front: toittara
といったら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
といったら
Meaning: Express admiration/horror; eg, how +adjective, so+adjective
Example: My son's room is so dirty, it's dreadful.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 息子の部屋の汚いことといったら、ひどいものです。
My son's room is so dirty, it's dreadful.
— contributed by: rakki
- これを見たときの私の驚きといったら。
How astonished I was to see this.
— contributed by: rakki
- メアリーは彼に何といったら良いのか途方に暮れている。
Mary is at a loss what to say to him.
— contributed by: dc
- 私にできることといったら彼女に忠告してやるくらいのことです。
All I can do is to give her advice.
— contributed by: dc
- 私には彼に何といったら良いか分からなかった。
I didn't know what to say to him.
— contributed by: dc
- 私はなんといったらいいかわからなくてだまっていた。
Not knowing what to say, I remained silent.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は彼に何といったら良いか分からなかった。
I didn't know what to say to him.
— contributed by: dc
- 私は母に何といったらいいのか困ってしまった。
I was at a loss what to say to my mother .
— contributed by: dc
- 彼の食べ方といったら、胸が悪くなるね。
Speaking of his eating habits, they're revolting aren't they?
— contributed by: dc
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User Comments
- Im not sure if it matters but, maybe it should noted　that this is often shortened to ったら
— contributed by: shiho-chan
- Hmm to make one of the usages of this grammar item a little more understandable there is a Japanese drinking game which I often play with friends.
It goes like this:
なにものといったら、なにもの
What would you think of if I said ??
例：人A：バナナと言ったら、黄色い。
人B:黄色いと言ったら、色。
人C:色と言ったら、虹
Etc etc
It's a bit like Mallets Mallet for those of you who are familiar with the British 80's Morning show.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- [#6329]　is the strangest japanese I have every seen. これを見たときの私の驚きといったら???　say what?
私はそれを見た時、驚きといったら十分じゃないよ
When I saw that, to say I was suprised is insufficent.
— contributed by: tigert
- The example sentences are a bit confusing. The first two make sense given the meaning above "how +adj". But the rest of the examples seem to be a different usage. Am I wrong?
— contributed by: seanohagan
- No, I agree. "to ittara" is used in a "to ieba" sense in all the other examples. I know that's common for "ttara" (which is a contraction of "to ittara"), but I'm not sure myself how to distinguish these obviously two meanings properly.
Maybe a native speaker can help us out.
— contributed by: nay
- #6333 and #6337 are both the same thing, right?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toittara
tagJ: といったら
expE: Express admiration/horror; eg, how +adjective, so+adjective
noteE: My son's room is so dirty, it's dreadful.
JLPT: 2

Front: sukini
隙に (すきに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
隙に (すきに)
Meaning: While 〜 To take advantage of a moment of time to do something　(there is an element of cunning in its meaning)
Example: (1)kare ga ｙudan shiteiru suki ni kishuu shite hoshin da zo. The best thing to do is to attack him when his guard is down.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 皆さん、ジョンさんがいないすきに、サプライズパーティーを整えましょう。
Lets prepare the surprise party for John in his absence.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 皆が前を向いているすきにぎゅっと手を引いてほしいんだ。
I want you to take me by the hand while everyone else is looking the other way.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 先生が余所見をしているすきに、ラッブレターをきみが渡してくれたんだな。
While the teacher's attention was momentarily distracted you passed me a love letter didn't you.　
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 彼女は気がつかないすきに、彼女にキスした。
While she didn't pay attention, I kissed her
— contributed by: amenya
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User Comments
- Is this the same "suki" as in "sukiari", like when someone drops their guard and you grab them?
— contributed by: Tensigh
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sukini
tagJ: 隙に
tagH: すきに
expE: While 〜 To take advantage of a moment of time to do something　(there is an element of cunning in its meaning)
expJ: 時間に少し開いている隙間を最高の機会とし、そのチャンスを逃さないうちにずるかしこい行為をする。
noteE: (1)kare ga ｙudan shiteiru suki ni kishuu shite hoshin da zo. The best thing to do is to attack him when his guard is down.
JLPT: 1

Front: sama wo miro, iikimi da yo, hora!
様を見ろ、いい気味だよ、ほら！ (さまをみろ、いいきみだよ、ほら)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
様を見ろ、いい気味だよ、ほら！ (さまをみろ、いいきみだよ、ほら)
Meaning: I told you so, Serves you right, See!
Example: Person A: Something bad happened to me B: I told you so! / See!/ I warned you that might happen/Its your own fault
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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There are currently no examples for this grammar entry.
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User Comments
- attempted to add an example sentence but got the
error msg: Item does not exist.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- This is a little rough. anyone who reads this should know its something you would only say to your closest of friends.
EDIT: I asked a few friends about this and they all told me that the kind of people that use this Japanese are not the kind of people they want to be friends with. 本当に気を付けてね　危ない言葉だ
— contributed by: tigert
- I learned 様を見ろ to mean "Look who's talking". For example, if someone you know who's always late tells you off for coming late you would use this.
It's not all that nice, though.
— contributed by: nickm758
- I think this is not a grammar point. If somebody agree I will give it a second life changing it completely.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- I agree with you 赤毛さん. I think it is not a grammar point...
— contributed by: karekano
- is ほら　also rude expression?
— contributed by: kemhide
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sama wo miro, iikimi da yo, hora!
tagJ: 様を見ろ、いい気味だよ、ほら！
tagH: さまをみろ、いいきみだよ、ほら
expE: I told you so, Serves you right, See!
expJ: 意味：私が言った通りじゃ、自分のせいじゃないか　定義：失敗した様の醜さを知らせ、人の失敗を嘲っていう語。
noteE: Person A: Something bad happened to me B: I told you so! / See!/ I warned you that might happen/Its your own fault
JLPT: 2

Front: tadadesae
唯でさえ (ただでさえ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
唯でさえ (ただでさえ)
Meaning: To add to, something alone is normally enough
Example: This neighbourhood was already noisy enough but this week they started construction work
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- もうこの近所はただでさえうるさいところが、今週は近くで工事が始まったため、夜は一睡も出来なくなった。
This neighbourhood is already normally noisy enough but this week construction started nearby so now I can hardly get a wink of sleep.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- もうただでさえ迷惑をかけているのに〜
Haven't you caused enough trouble already?
— contributed by: kadoka66
- これはただでさえおいしいものが、さらに我が隠し味を入れたら美味しくてたまらなくなるよ。
This is normally really delicious anyway but if you add our special ingredient it will be irresistable.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 今日はただでさえ忙しいのに、母に買い物に行かされた
To day, I'm already busy enough but ,my mother wanted me to go shopping
— contributed by: amenya
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tadadesae
tagJ: 唯でさえ
tagH: ただでさえ
expE: To add to, something alone is normally enough
expJ: 普通の状態でも、それでなくてもいい。もうこれだけで十分だって意味
noteE: This neighbourhood was already noisy enough but this week they started construction work
JLPT: 1

Front: Gerrund form of Verb + nakade
進行形の動詞＋中で (しんこうけいのどうし＋なかで)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
進行形の動詞＋中で (しんこうけいのどうし＋なかで)
Meaning: Out of (Clause A) there is B, C, D etc etc
Example: Four people out of those dancing where wearing the wrong sort of outfit for this club.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Examples
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Gerrund form of Verb + nakade
tagJ: 進行形の動詞＋中で
tagH: しんこうけいのどうし＋なかで
expE: Out of (Clause A) there is B, C, D etc etc
expJ: ある節の中から一つ、二つなどのものを取り上げる。
noteE: Four people out of those dancing where wearing the wrong sort of outfit for this club.
JLPT: 2

Front: Gerrund form of Verb + naka de
進行形の動詞＋中で (しんこうけいのどうし＋なかで)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
進行形の動詞＋中で (しんこうけいのどうし＋なかで)
Meaning: Out of (Clause A) there is B, C, D etc etc
Example: Four people out of those dancing where wearing the wrong sort of outfit for this club.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Gerrund form of Verb + naka de
tagJ: 進行形の動詞＋中で
tagH: しんこうけいのどうし＋なかで
expE: Out of (Clause A) there is B, C, D etc etc
expJ: ある節の中から一つ、二つなどのものを取り上げる。
noteE: Four people out of those dancing where wearing the wrong sort of outfit for this club.
JLPT: 2

Front: todoujini
と同時に (とどうじに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
と同時に (とどうじに)
Meaning: and at the same time
Example: He came in, and at the same time the bell rang. / 彼が入ってきた、それと同時にベルが鳴った。
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This grammar also gives the sense that X was not sure if action A had or hadn't occurred/started/finished before the subsequent action B commenced.
— contributed by: Groove
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼は厳しいと同時に優しい。
He is at once stern and tender.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 私たちがプラットホームに着くのと同時に電車が出てしまった。
The train left just as we arrived at the platform.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 彼は科学者であると同時に音楽家出もある。
He is a scientist and musician.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 彼らは笑うと同時に泣いた。
They laughed and cried at the same time.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 駅に着くと同時に彼女は母に電話した。
The moment she arrived at the station, she phoned her mother.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 生まれると同時に死は始まる。
As soon as man is born, he begins to die.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- スポーツの逆説はスポーツが（人を）分けると同時に結びつけることだ。
The paradox of sport is that it bonds as it divides.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 知識は力であるが、それは善を行う力であるのと同時に、それと全く同じ程度に悪を行う力でもある。
Knowledge is power, but it is power for evil just as much as for good.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 自分の意見も言うと同時にほかの人の考えもよく聞くことが大切だ。
To tell his own opinion and to listen to other people thoughts are both important.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼女の長所を認めるが、それと同時に欠点も目につく。
While I admit her good points, I can see her bad.
— contributed by: karekano
- 地震と同時に火事が発生した。
A fire broke out along with the earthquake.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼らはチャイムが鳴ると同時に席を立った。
The moment the chimes rang they got up from their seats.
— contributed by: karekano
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Related Grammar
- yainaya
- totan(ni)
- kadoukanouchini
- shidai
- nari
User Comments
- This entry already exists at [kanaikanouchini]. We should move the examples to that entry and delete this one...
— contributed by: yookoso
- Done. I give a second life to this repeated entry
〜か〜ないかのうちに ([〜か〜ないかのうちに] )(ka nai ka no uchi ni)
Meaning: No sooner had, ほぼ同時に
Example: No sooner had the bell rung the students were in the classroom
JLPT Level: 2
Category: grammar
Author: kadoka66
changing it to と同時に.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Can you say past tense casual verb +と同時に or is it strictly present casual verb form + と同時に? If so does the verb at the end dictate whether the sentence is past or present? Thanks in advance!
— contributed by: Lang_learner
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: todoujini
tagJ: と同時に
tagH: とどうじに
expE: and at the same time
expJ: ほぼ同時に
noteE: He came in, and at the same time the bell rang. / 彼が入ってきた、それと同時にベルが鳴った。
JLPT: 2

Front: ni koshita koto ha nai ga
〜に越したことは無いが (〜にこしたことはないが)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜に越したことは無いが (〜にこしたことはないが)
Meaning: Normally Its better to (You can never have too much)
Example: (As used by my Tennis Club Chairman) It would be better if the weather was nice
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 用心に越したことはないんですが．．
You can never be too careful
— contributed by: kadoka66
- この仕事は経験がなくてもかまわないが、もちろんあるに越したことは無い。
This job doesn't require experience but it would probably be an advantage.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 明日、雨が降らないと言っても、傘を持つに越したことは無い。
Even though they said it won't rain tomorrow, better to have your umbrella with you just in case.
— contributed by: kadoka66
- 病気の時は寝るに越したことはない。
When you are sick, sleeping is the best thing to do.
— contributed by: brazenxvirtue
- 日本語が話せるようになりたかったら、日本へ行くに越したことはないと思うけれど、まずアメリカでちゃんと勉強してから行った方がいいと思います。
If you want to become proficient in Japanese, the best thing is to go to Japan, but I think you should first study properly [i.e. the basics] in America.
— contributed by: brazenxvirtue
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There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ni koshita koto ha nai ga
tagJ: 〜に越したことは無いが
tagH: 〜にこしたことはないが
expE: Normally Its better to (You can never have too much)
expJ: 常識から言うと〜の方がいい
noteE: (As used by my Tennis Club Chairman) It would be better if the weather was nice
JLPT: 1

Front: naide
ないで
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ないで
Meaning: without
Example: "I went to school without eating breakfast."
JLPT Level: 4
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Formation:
negV + で
— contributed by: sw
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 朝ご飯を食べないで学校へ行った。
I went to school without eating breakfast.
— contributed by: sw
- 払わないで去る
leave without paying
— contributed by: sw
- 宿題をしないで、学校へ行った。
I went to school without doing my homework.
— contributed by: 反戦
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- zuni
User Comments
- this is also a connective negative:
行かないでください - dont go, please
払わないで欲しい - i dont want you to pay
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naide
tagJ: ないで
expE: without
noteE: I went to school without eating breakfast.
JLPT: 4

Front: hododa; hodono
ほどだ; ほどの
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ほどだ; ほどの
Meaning: almost/nearly; to the point of; like that; such as that
Example: The doors almost don't close.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ＊This grammar expresses a high degree of something.
FORMATION:
Ｎ + ほど
Ｖ(plain form) + ほど
いA + ほど
Ｎ1 + ほどの + Ｎ2
Ｖ(plain form) + ほどの + Ｎ
いA + ほどの + Ｎ
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
Examples
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- 山から流れてくる川の水は冷たくて、手を入れると痛いほどだった。
The river water flowing out of the mountain is cold and when you put your hands in, it's nearly painful.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- ラッシュの電車はとても込んでいますよ。ドアが閉まらないほどです。
Rush-hour trains are really crowded. The doors almost don't shut.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- その子は大人もびっくりするほどの作品を仕上げた。
That child completed a work so surprising that it surprises even adults.
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- そのロープは長さが５メートルほどあります。
The rope is about five meters long.
— contributed by: karekano
- 旅は５時間ほどかかるでしょう。
The trip will take about five hours.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は２００万円ほども手に入れた。
He earned some two million yen.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は歩けないほど弱ってはいなかった。
He was not so weak (that) he could not walk.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- ex#6449 ドアが閉ま"ら"ないほどです。is correct.
— contributed by: Miki
- Fixed. ^_^
— contributed by: rubyhatchet
- Would "ラッシュの電車はドアが閉まらないほど込んでいますよ。"be okey?
— contributed by: bisdak
- I`m not sure if my examples are correct, sometimes it is so tough to understand the nuances... If they are wrong, please tell me and I will move them to their right place :D
— contributed by: karekano
- Karekano examples are not in the right place. They should be in the [hodo] JLPT 3 entry.
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hododa; hodono
tagJ: ほどだ; ほどの
expE: almost/nearly; to the point of; like that; such as that
expJ: くらい; くらいの
noteE: The doors almost don't close.
JLPT: 2

Front: まま
まま
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
まま
Meaning: as it is, leave as it is, (remain) unchanged
Example: I'll leave this place as it is.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Vinf+past mama
Adj(i) mama
Adj(na)stem na mama
N no mama
— contributed by: Nihonjin
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ２つの問題が未解決のままであった。
Two problems remained unsolved.
— contributed by: Nihonjin
- この家はこのままにしておきたい。
I like this house as it is.
— contributed by: Nihonjin
- この家は今のままでは売れないだろう。
This house will not sell as it stands.
— contributed by: Nihonjin
- この自転車は今月の初めからここに置かれたままだ。
This bicycle has been left here since the beginning of this month.
— contributed by: Nihonjin
- この窓は一ヶ月割れたままになっている。
This window has been broken for a month.
— contributed by: Nihonjin
- しばらくこのままお待ち下さい。
Hold on for a while, please.
— contributed by: Nihonjin
- すべて私がそこを去った時のままでした。
Everything was as it had been when I left there.
— contributed by: Nihonjin
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User Comments
- Thanks. The examples really help, showing all of the different ways まま is used.
— contributed by: Cone
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: まま
expE: as it is, leave as it is, (remain) unchanged
noteE: I'll leave this place as it is.
JLPT: 3

Front: nazenara
なぜなら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なぜなら
Meaning: because: a reason for or to do (x).
Example: （私は日本にいきまして、）なぜなら、三人の友達が日本にいたからです。I went to japan, because I had three friends living there.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Examples
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User Comments
- The example for this grammar is strange Japanese.
日本に行きました - I went to Japan
三人の友達 - Three friends
なぜなら is used to explain the reason why a certain action was talken. It is often used in speeches and lectures and almost always paired with 〜からだ。
— contributed by: blabby
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nazenara
tagJ: なぜなら
expE: because: a reason for or to do (x).
noteE: （私は日本にいきまして、）なぜなら、三人の友達が日本にいたからです。I went to japan, because I had three friends living there.
JLPT: 0

Front: imada
未だ (いまだ)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
未だ (いまだ)
Meaning: yet / as yet / so far/not yet
Example: you are STILL very young
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- あなたは未だとても若い。未だ
you are still very young still
— contributed by: marina.levanto
- 宿題を未だ終わっていない。
I still haven`t finished my homework.
— contributed by: tigert
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User Comments
- Is the last まだ　really needed?
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: imada
tagJ: 未だ
tagH: いまだ
expE: yet / as yet / so far/not yet
expJ: あなたは未だとても若い。
noteE: you are STILL very young
JLPT: 0

Front: koto ga aru
ことがある
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ことがある
Meaning: There are times when
Example: there are times when Father cooks dinner
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- made of the dictionary form of a verb plus koto ga aru
辞書形+ことがある
— contributed by: claytonian
- -ta form + koto ga aru/arimasu means "ever" or "once"
-ta form + koto ga nai/arimasen means "never" or "not once"
Affirmative:
I once studied Spanish.
スペイン語を勉強したことがある。
Negative:
I've never studied Spanish.
スペイン語を勉強したことがない。
— contributed by: illegalwaffles
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- わたしの家では父が夕食を作ることがある。
In my household, there are times when dad makes dinner.
— contributed by: claytonian
- たいてい私が犬を散歩させていた。しかし最近、妻が散歩させることがある。
I usually was the one walking the dog, but lately there are times when my wife does it.
— contributed by: claytonian
- チョコレートを食べ過ぎると、鼻血が出ることがある。
When you eat too much chocolate, there are times when you get a nosebleed.
— contributed by: chohongsieudieu
- 弟は、バイオリンのコンクールで三位になったことがある。
There was a time when my little brother came in third place at a violin contest.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 考えれば考えるほど解決方法、わからなくなることがある。
There are times when the more you think about it, the less you understand the solution.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- （教室で）ご相談したいことがあるんですが、先生の研究室にうかがってもよろしいですか。
(In the classroom) There are things I would like to consult you about, is it ok if I stop by your office?
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼女は親切な人ですが、怒ることもあります。
She is a friendly person, but there are times when she gets angry too.
— contributed by: agnestan
- 私が眠られないことがある。
There are times when I cannot sleep.
— contributed by: nathy1985
- 朝まで友達と話すことがあります。
I sometimes talk with my friend until morning.
— contributed by: starsandsea
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User Comments
- wouldn`t this translate a little better as `there are times when`, sometimes already has a word 時々
and since the grammar point uses the existance verb ある, including it in the translation makes it a little easier to remember.
I hope you don`t mind but I made some changes to the above examples.
nosebleed is a noun so it requires a preposition article
"solution way" is redundant because a solution is a way
相談する means to consult, 会話する means to conversate.
研究室 translates to research room. of course it can also mean the professor`s office, but one would never say "at your professor`s office"
— contributed by: tigert
- Tigertさん: Thank you for translating "a little better" and for "making some changes". I translated #6548 because Chohongsieudieuさん didn't. I am not a Japanese native speaker, neither an English native speaker. This is the reason why I all always put my contributions as suspicious. When you think they are OK, you may turn them to neutral.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: koto ga aru
tagJ: ことがある
expE: There are times when
expJ: 動作・状態がときどき起こるという意味
noteE: there are times when Father cooks dinner
JLPT: 2

Front: dasu dashite dashita
出す、出して、出した (だす、だして、だした)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
出す、出して、出した (だす、だして、だした)
Meaning: to pay, to place, to issue, to stick out, to put forth, to serve
Example: to pay, to place, to issue, to stick out, to put forth, to serve
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- まど　から　くび　を　だす。
Lean out the window.
— contributed by: katchup
- わたし　の　かいしゃ　は　ほん　を　出した。
My company published a book.
— contributed by: katchup
- ごみ　を　出す。
Take out the garbage.
— contributed by: katchup
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There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dasu dashite dashita
tagJ: 出す、出して、出した
tagH: だす、だして、だした
expE: to pay, to place, to issue, to stick out, to put forth, to serve
JLPT: 3

Front: あまり
あまり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
あまり
Meaning: not really
Example: 彼女はあまりきれいじゃない。　She isn't very pretty.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- noun + amari + neg adj. + [desu]
私は　あまり　つよくない　です。(watashiha amari tsuyokunai desu) I'm not that strong.
— contributed by: pingpongpaddle
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 彼女はあまりきれいじゃない。
She is not very pretty.
— contributed by: pingpongpaddle
- 彼はあまり優しくないです。(kare wa amari yasashikunai desu)
He is not very nice.
— contributed by: pingpongpaddle
- シャンハイ（上海）はあまり寒くないです。
The weather is not very cold in Shanghai.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 桜大学はあまり有名な大学じゃありません。
Sakura University is not very famous.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 「琵琶湖の水はきれいですか。」「いいえ、あまりきれいではありません。」
"Is the water of Lake Biwa clean?" "No, not very much."
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 「その辞書はいいですか。」「いいえ、あまりよくないです。」
"Is this dictionary good?" "No, not very much".
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 彼女はあまり魚を食べません。
She doesn't eat a lot of fish.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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User Comments
- このページはあまり必要ないです。 How about using the page for あまり that already exists. その上、入れた例文はあまり「あまり」を利用しないんです。。。
— contributed by: adnim
- I fixed the alert of Adnimさん here above.
Perhaps we can use [amari] for the positive sense (too much) which is for JPLT2, [amari-2] for the negative sense (not much) which is for JPLT3, except for the case of verbs, which are treated in [amari-nai]?
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: あまり
expE: not really
noteE: 彼女はあまりきれいじゃない。　She isn't very pretty.
JLPT: 3

Front: nishiro,niseyo,nishitemo-2
にしろ; にせ(も)よ; にしても
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にしろ; にせ(も)よ; にしても
Meaning: It doesn’t matter which; It doesn’t matter whether.
Example: 日本にしろ、中国にしろ、アジアの国へ行くのは面白い。
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- 'De aru' always follows a noun or a na adjective. In the case of an I adjective, the form changes to 'kare'. Usually written. After verbs, use 'ni shiro'.
— contributed by: maikeru
- 接続：
[動詞 ・ い刑 ・ な刑 ・ 名] の普通刑 + にしろ
*ただし[な刑]と[名]の「だ」はつかない。[な刑-である][名-である]も使う
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 日本、にしろ中国にしろ、アジアの国へ行くのは面白い。
It doesn’t matter whether it’s Japan or China, going to Asian countries is interesting.
— contributed by: maikeru
- 引き受けるにしろ引き受けないにしろ、なるべく早く決めたほうがいい。
It doesn't matter whether you undertake or not , but you'd better decide as quickly as possible.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Whether true or not true.
本当にしろうそにしろ。
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
- ビールにしろ、日本酒にしろビール飲んだら運転できない。
If you drank whether beer or Japanese alcohol, you cannot drive.
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
- 好きにせよ嫌いにせよ、彼女が優れた歌手であることはみんなが認めている。
Whether you like it or hate it, she is an excellent singer that everyone acknowledges.
— contributed by: leonardo.stylish
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- nishiro,niseyo,nishitemo (Perhaps one entry if for "even if" and the other for "whether or not" but the examples are mixed...)
User Comments
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nishiro,niseyo,nishitemo-2
tagJ: にしろ; にせ(も)よ; にしても
expE: It doesn’t matter which; It doesn’t matter whether.
noteE: 日本にしろ、中国にしろ、アジアの国へ行くのは面白い。
JLPT: 2

Front: kotonisuru
ことにする
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ことにする
Meaning: Decide to do something
Example: I have decided to go to Japan this year.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- formation: 辞書形　＋　ことにする
例）
アパートは狭いから、引越しすることにしました。
I decided to move because the apartment is too small.
漢字に興味があるので、日本学を勉強することにしました。
I decided to study japanese studies because I am interested in Kanji.
— contributed by: maki
- Format: Verb(plain, nonpastform) + ことにしている
Meaning: A habit or routine activity
Example:
毎朝、うんどうをしている。
I exercise every morning (routine)
— contributed by: Roxsan
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 最近ちょっと太ったから毎日ハンバーガーを食べないことにしました。
I gained a little weight recently so I've decided not to eat hamburgers every day.
— contributed by: bakabakashii
- 合格するようにもっと勉強をすることにしました。
In order to pass the exam I decided to study harder
— contributed by: Dom
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kotonisuru
tagJ: ことにする
expE: Decide to do something
expJ: 今年日本へ行くことにしました。
noteE: I have decided to go to Japan this year.
JLPT: 3

Front: amarino ~ ni
あまりの〜に
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
あまりの〜に
Meaning: Due to a condition/state being in excess, a result occurs.
Example: Because of its deliciousness, I (inadvertently) ended up overeating (the food).
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This grammar is used in conjunction with nouns only, hence the tell-tale の before the noun. The trailing に is also necessary for this grammar, to emphasize the cause-effect relationship between the two clauses it references.
— contributed by: Groove
Examples
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- あまりのおいしさに、つい食べ過ぎてしまいました。
Due to its deliciousness, I (inadvertently) ended up overeating (the food).
— contributed by: Groove
- あまりの激痛に、思わず叫び声をあげた。
Due to the intense pain, I (instinctively) yelled.
— contributed by: Groove
- １０年ぶりで兄に会った。兄のあまりの変化に言葉が出なかった。
It's been ten years since I saw my brother. I couldn't say any words because my brother had changed a lot .
— contributed by: Akhety
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User Comments
- I couldn't find this particular grammar on the internet or in my grammar dictionaries, so if this grammar item has been listed in error, please tell me so as it would greatly assist me, and probably others as well. However, I think that it's important enough to be given a reference separate from the existing あまり grammar reference, as its meaning is fairly different to its parent. Thanks.
— contributed by: Groove
- This is on page 74 of Shin Kanzen Master N2, so I've changed the JLPT level to 2 for this so it shows up on the list.
— contributed by: Akhety
- I added an example from page 75 of the Shin Kanzen Master N2 Grammar book, and after checking with a native speaker who also speaks good English, the combination of "no amari no henka ni" causes it to mean that the brother had changed a lot, which is why the speaker couldn't find the words.
This is the first example I've added, so I don't know how to make the correct parts turn red to emphasize it. [EDIT] I figured it out :)
— contributed by: Akhety
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: amarino ~ ni
tagJ: あまりの〜に
expE: Due to a condition/state being in excess, a result occurs.
expJ: 程度が高すぎて、その結果〜。
noteE: Because of its deliciousness, I (inadvertently) ended up overeating (the food).
JLPT: 2

Front: tossani
とっさに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
とっさに
Meaning: To reflexively react; an unconscious movement.
Example: とっさの機転で、災難を逃れることができた。
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- An interesting piece of grammar that showed up in my textbook that was hard to find on the web. If this grammar has been erroneously placed, please feel free to point it out to me so I may learn from it and take it down. Thanks.
— contributed by: Groove
Examples
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- とっさの機転で、災難を逃れることができた。
Due to my (instinctive) quick wits, I was able to escape the calamity.
— contributed by: Groove
- 彼の反応はとっさに出たものだ。
His response is automatic.
— contributed by: karekano
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There are currently no comments for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tossani
tagJ: とっさに
expE: To reflexively react; an unconscious movement.
expJ: 無意識に、反射的に行動する。
noteE: とっさの機転で、災難を逃れることができた。
JLPT: 0

Front: tsumoridatta
積もりだった (つもりだった)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
積もりだった (つもりだった)
Meaning: I had the intention to do (but I didn't)
Example: 僕は彼女と結婚するつもりだった。/ I had the intention to marry her (but I didn't).
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- つもりだ in past form becomes つもりだった and generally describe a decision taken in a given moment in the past but which corresponding action finally haven't been realised.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Examples
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- 僕は彼女と結婚するつもりだった。
I had the intention to marry her (but I didn't).
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 今日は誰も来ないし、私も出かけないつもりだった。
Today, nobody should have come, and I hadn't intention to leave too.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 正しく見直したつもりだったが、間違ってしまった。
I intended to review it properly, but unfortunately I made mistakes.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 自分では大人になったつもりだったが、子どもっぽい行動してしまった。
I intended to become an adult by myself, but finally I acted the childish way.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 優しく言ったつもりだったが、「それをしなさい！」と聞こえてしまった。
I intended to tell it gently, but finally I have been heard "Do it!" (in an imperative way).
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 自分では元気になったつもりだったが、またどこか痛くなってしまった。
I intended to recover my strength by myself, but finally I felt painful somewhere again.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 医者になる積もりだった。
I intended to be a doctor.
— contributed by: karekano
- これはほんの冗談の積もりだった。
This was meant as a joke.
— contributed by: karekano
- この夏ハワイへ行く積もりだった。
I was planning on going to Hawaii this summer.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- Hey chadxtiman, Thanks for contributing, but the grammar section of this site isn`t a good place to post vocabulary. If you want to contribute vocab I think Jim breens dictionary is the best place to do it. heres a link http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/wwwjdic.html
— contributed by: tigert
- I intend to give a second life to this entry changing it completly:
Meaning: fat ふとい
Example: My friend is very fat 私の友達はとても太いです。
JLPT Level: 4
Category: grammar
Author: chadxtiman
No example.
I fixed the alert of Mikiさん just below.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- #6851 またどこか痛くなってしまった。woulbe be better.
— contributed by: Miki
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tsumoridatta
tagJ: 積もりだった
tagH: つもりだった
expE: I had the intention to do (but I didn't)
noteE: 僕は彼女と結婚するつもりだった。/ I had the intention to marry her (but I didn't).
JLPT: 3

Front: yasuraka
安らか (やすらか)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
安らか (やすらか)
Meaning: peaceful, restful
Example: This inn is quiet so (I) can sleep restfully.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This entry should be deleted.
— contributed by: Bueller_007
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
There are currently no examples for this grammar entry.
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- yasui
User Comments
- this is not grammar?
— contributed by: dc
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yasuraka
tagJ: 安らか
tagH: やすらか
expE: peaceful, restful
expJ: この宿は静かで毎晩安らかに眠れる。
noteE: This inn is quiet so (I) can sleep restfully.
JLPT: 0

Front: tatsumoride
た形 積もりで (たつもりで)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
た形 積もりで (たつもりで)
Meaning: instead of (hypothetical action)
Example: 運動したつもりで、歩いて行った。/ Instead of doing exercice, I went walking.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- P1た形つもりでP2 have the meaning of an equivalence between the hypothetical clause P1 and the real clause P2 (value, time, effort).
— contributed by: 赤毛
Examples
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- ボナスは買いに使ったつもりで銀行にお金を入れた。
Instead of using the bonus pay to buy things, I saved it (in the bank).
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 運動したつもりで、歩いて行った。
Instead of doing exercise, I went walking.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 特別料金は五百円だから、コーヒーを一杯飲んだつもりで、特急電車に乗った。
Because the added charge is 500 Yen (the same value than the coffee), instead of drinking a coffee cup, I took the limited express train.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 死んだつもりで決心した。
You made the decision with the same feeling as if you were going to die.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 父親になったつもりで学生の世話をした。
I attended this student as if I were his father.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 有名な人になったつもりで、道で写真を撮らせた。
They took a picture of me on the street as if I had became famous .
— contributed by: 赤毛
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User Comments
- I intent to give a second life to that empty entry changing it completly:
独立性 [どくりつせい] (dokuritsusei)
Meaning: independence
Example: Our independece have a deeper meaning in our heart.
JLPT Level: 3
Category: flash
Author: chadxtiman
No example.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- The examples are a bit sketchy and need revising by someone with more experience.
Like:
"You made it the resolution that you will need to die" that makes no sense.
— contributed by: zellator
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tatsumoride
tagJ: た形 積もりで
tagH: たつもりで
expE: instead of (hypothetical action)
noteE: 運動したつもりで、歩いて行った。/ Instead of doing exercice, I went walking.
JLPT: 2

Front: tohaie
とはいえ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
とはいえ
Meaning: Although it is said that, even though it is said, admitting that, that being said, however, nevertheless
Example: Even admitting that Jane didn't have much time, I don't believe that she couldn't write a simple report like this
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Same as といっても but:
といっても is for spoken clauses, and
とはいえ is for written clauses.
way of use: P1 とはいえ P2.
P1 is the sentence in question, P2 is the reason why.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p28 - no.30
— contributed by: LR
- Ref # A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p665
— contributed by: LR
- とはいえ is primarily used in writing
— contributed by: LR
- とはいえcan be used at the beginning of a sentence to double back on the previous sentence
— contributed by: LR
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 相手に言い分もわかったとはいえ、心から納得したわけではない
Admitting where he's coming from, I still can't really agree with him
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 春になったとはいえ朝晩はまだ寒い。
They say that Spring has arrived but the mornings and evenings are still cold.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 幼いとは言え、その子は自分の家庭の苦しい事情を理解している。
Even though the kid is young, nevertheless he understands the difficult circumstances of his family.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 便利とはいえパソコンは高いのでなかなか買えない。
They're useful... but having said that, computers are so expensive that I can't buy one.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- ８０才の祖母は、この間階段で転んで足を痛め、歩くのが不自由になってしまった。とはいえ、全く歩けないということではないので、家事をするには問題ないとのことだ。
Recently, my 80 year old grandmother fell on the stairs and hurt her leg, and now she has trouble walking. Having said that, it's not as if she cannot walk at all, in other words she can manage to do the housework without problems.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 時間がなかったとは言え、ジェーンにこれくらいのレポートが書けないはずはない。
Even admitting that Jane didn't have much time, I don't believe that she couldn't write a simple report like this
— contributed by: 赤毛
- いかに暫定的処置とは言え、これはずさんすぎる
However much they call it "temporary measures", this is just too slipshod.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 地球温暖化を防止するための国際会議の結果、京都議定書が作成された。とはいえすべての国がその基準を守るまでには、まだ年月がかかりそうだ。
The international conference to stop climate change ended in the creation of the Kyoto Protocol. Having said that, it seems like it will take a long time before every country abides by the standards it set out.
— contributed by: LR
- 今度の学会が楽しみだ。とは言え、まだ発表準備は全然できていない。
I'm looking forward to the next academic conference. That being said, I haven't prepared for my presentation at all.
— contributed by: LR
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- toittemo
User Comments
- Delete this item!
— contributed by: bamboo4
- I agree 消してください
— contributed by: tigert
- I intended to give a second live to this entry. Is it OK now?
— contributed by: 赤毛
- any reason why you want to delete?! It's in the JLPT 1 syllabus... such as there is one.
— contributed by: LR
- I'm going through the examples someone has marked as suspicious and changing, checking or replacing them.
— contributed by: LR
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tohaie
tagJ: とはいえ
expE: Although it is said that, even though it is said, admitting that, that being said, however, nevertheless
expJ: 「A とはいえ B」は「Aは事実だが、しかし実際はB」の意味
noteE: Even admitting that Jane didn't have much time, I don't believe that she couldn't write a simple report like this
JLPT: 1

Front: soreni
それに
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
それに
Meaning: moreover, and what's more
Example: The price of food in this restaurant is cheap moreover food is delicious.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- The city that I live in is small,and moreover, it is very quiet.
住んでいる市は小さいし、それにとても静かな市です。
— contributed by: ryuumegami06
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: soreni
tagJ: それに
expE: moreover, and what's more
expJ: そのうえ
noteE: The price of food in this restaurant is cheap moreover food is delicious.
JLPT: 0

Front: naibakarika
ないばかりか
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ないばかりか
Meaning: Not only
Example: He is not only talkative in the class moreover he disburbed other students
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
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- 彼は会社へ来ても仕事をしないばかりか女性社員としゃべってばかりいる。
He is not only come for not working moreover he is talking with other ladies.
— contributed by: makara
- 彼女は歌をよく歌えないばかりかピアノもよく弾けます。
She not only sings well, but she also plays the piano well too.
— contributed by: anna.kendall
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User Comments
- Is this entry active? "Meaning" doesn't look correct. neg + neg
ex#6550 Japanese make sense.
ex#6810 Japanese does not make sense.　suggestion1: 彼女はうまく歌えないばかりかピアノもよく弾けません。
— contributed by: Miki
- Completely agree with MikiSan.
Let me give another suggestion.
彼女は歌をよく歌うにもまして、ピアノもっとよく弾けます。
MikiSan please review my suggestion.
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: naibakarika
tagJ: ないばかりか
expE: Not only
expJ: ないだけでなく
noteE: He is not only talkative in the class moreover he disburbed other students
JLPT: 2

Front: kininaru
気になる (きになる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
気になる (きになる)
Meaning: thinking about, concerned about, worried about
Example: I was worried about my father's health.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Often translated as "worried about," this verb is not always that dire and is often closer to "concerned about". For example, Inspector Sugishita of the TV program Aibou often says, "_____ koto ga ki ni natta," (I am concerned about the fact that _______.) as he tries to fit together the facts in his investigations.
— contributed by: american57
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 何かきになることがある？
Is there something you're worried about?
— contributed by: kylekun
- A:なんでその変なスタイルにしたの？Ｂ：何か、気になるよ
A:Why did you go with that weird style?B:Well, the feeling just came to me!
— contributed by: taunt
- Well, the feeling just came to me!
Ｂ：何か、気になるよ
— contributed by: taunt
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User Comments
- Oops, Ex#6676 and 6677 are supposed to be connected!
— contributed by: taunt
- When you say "feeling just came to me", it's not really feel worried about something. Does this mean that kininaru can be used to mean"on a whim" or "spontaneously". Also, is this used with verbs or nouns or is it just nankakinaru?
— contributed by: japindian
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kininaru
tagJ: 気になる
tagH: きになる
expE: thinking about, concerned about, worried about
expJ: 心配する
noteE: I was worried about my father's health.
JLPT: 3

Front: tsurete, nitsure
つれて、につれ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
つれて、につれ
Meaning: more....more
Example: Mountains are more higher temperature is more low.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 山は高くなるにつれて、気温が下がる。
As mountains get higher, the temperature gets lower.
— contributed by: makara
- だから山は高くなるにつれて、気温が下がる。
As mountains are elevated, the temperatures are lower.
— contributed by: lafcadio
- だから山は高くなるにつれて、気温が下がる。
As mountains are elevated, the temperatures are lower.
— contributed by: lafcadio
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User Comments
- #7016 and #7017 were two halves of one example seperated out into two entries, and a simple rewording of #6551. I have filled in the 'missing' halves of #7016 and #7017 so as not to cause errors in the grammar quiz, but there are now three virtually identical entries; perhaps this can be tidied up?
— contributed by: mochabean
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tsurete, nitsure
tagJ: つれて、につれ
expE: more....more
expJ: ...ば...ほど
noteE: Mountains are more higher temperature is more low.
JLPT: 2

Front: wo kagiri ni
〜を限りに (をかぎりに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜を限りに (をかぎりに)
Meaning: with 〜, some continuing activity will end (or a prohibition on an activity will start)
Example: Starting today, I've decided to stop smoking.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p6 - no.9
— contributed by: LR
Examples
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- 今日を限りに、この学校ともお別れです。
After today I'll say goodbye to this school, too.
— contributed by: deltafour
- その映画の上映は１５日を限りに打ち切られることとなった。
That film was pulled just 15 days after it was first shown.
— contributed by: LR
- 人事部の山田さんは、明日を限りに退職します。
Mr. Yamada from personnel will quit this job as of tomorrow.
— contributed by: LR
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wo kagiri ni
tagJ: 〜を限りに
tagH: をかぎりに
expE: with 〜, some continuing activity will end (or a prohibition on an activity will start)
expJ: 今まで続いていたことが今後はもう続かなくなることを浮ｷ
noteE: Starting today, I've decided to stop smoking.
JLPT: 1

Front: tatotan
たとたん
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
たとたん
Meaning: See [とたん（に）]
Example:
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- As soon as something happened/happens (something else happens/happened)
— contributed by: brewski
- 動ーた形　+とたん（に）
— contributed by: FeedMeMore
Examples
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- おもちゃを取り上げたとたん、子供は激しく泣き出した。
Just when I took the toy from him, the child burst into a violent cry. .
— contributed by: joannina
- 窓を開けたとたんに小鳥が外へ逃げてしまった。
The small bird has run away to the outside as soon as having opened the window.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 家に着いたとたん嵐になった。
I had barely got home when the storm broke
— contributed by: karekano
- 帰宅したとたん雨が降り始めた。
Even as I came home, it began to rain.
— contributed by: karekano
- 私が立ち去ったとたんにけんかが始まった。
Hardly had I left before the fight started.
— contributed by: karekano
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Acknowledgments
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tatotan
tagJ: たとたん
expE: See [とたん（に）]
expJ: ~shitara
JLPT: 2

Front: niyoreba
によれば
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
によれば
Meaning: According to
Example: According to the weather forecast, it appears tomorrow will be sunny.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Same as によると
— contributed by: nazonatte69
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- さっきの地震はテレビの速報によれば震度３だそうだ。
According to the news flash on TV, it seems the earthquake just now had a strength of 3.
— contributed by: hana
- 天気よほうによれば、明日は晴れるらしい。
According to the weather forecast, it appears tomorrow will be sunny.
— contributed by: hana
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User Comments
- is this 放言
— contributed by: tigert
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: niyoreba
tagJ: によれば
expE: According to
noteE: According to the weather forecast, it appears tomorrow will be sunny.
JLPT: 2

Front: hitoiki
一息 (ひといき)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
一息 (ひといき)
Meaning: a short period of time
Example: Don`t rest now work is almost finished.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- [hitoikide] means [with one breath] and it is used to describe a short period of time, Usually in which something will accure.
休憩しないで、後一息仕事が終わりますよ。
Don`t rest now, works almost finished.
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あと一息だ。
We're almost there.
— contributed by: tigert
- もう一息というところです。
It's getting there.
— contributed by: tigert
- もう一息努力すれば成功するだろう。 [T]
Make one more effort, and you will succeed.
— contributed by: tigert
- 一息いれようよ。 [T]
Let's take a break.
— contributed by: tigert
- 講師は一息入れてから、また話し続けた。 [T]
The speaker paused and then went on talking again.
— contributed by: tigert
- 座って、一息いれましょう。 [T]
Let's sit down and catch our breath.
— contributed by: tigert
- 彼女は新鮮な空気を一息吸いに浮ﾖ出た。 [T]
She went outside to get a breath of fresh air.
— contributed by: tigert
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hitoiki
tagJ: 一息
tagH: ひといき
expE: a short period of time
expJ: 我慢することです
noteE: Don`t rest now work is almost finished.
JLPT: 2

Front: yasui
やすい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
やすい
Meaning: easy to V
Example: a beautiful woman is easy to fall in love with
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- this is a simple way to say something is easy to do because of some reason.
美しい女性が　好き合いやすいですね
Beatiful women are easy to love.
おいしくて安いピザが食べやすいです。
Pizza that is both deliciouse and affordable is easily eaten.
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
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- 雨がよく降ってる日が　家の中に遊びやすいです｡
Its easy to play inside on rainy days.
— contributed by: tigert
- もしかしたら日本語で毎日、読んだり、書いたりしたら、日本語が分かりやすくなると思います。
If you do things like read and write in Japanese every day, Japanese will become easy to understand.
— contributed by: tigert
- このくつはあのくつよりはきやすいです。
These shoes here are easier to put on than the ones over there.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- このガラスの人形は壊れ易いので、触らないでください。
As this glass doll break easily, please don't touch.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- かいだんがぬれています。すべりやすいので、ちゅういしてくたさい。
The stairs are wet. They are slippery (easy to slip), so please be careful.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- このもんだいはまちがえやすい。
This question is easy to err.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 東京は生活しやすいところだと思いますか。
Do you think Tokyo is a place where it is easy to live?
— contributed by: 赤毛
- このペンは書きやすいですね。
This pen is easy to write with, isn't it?
— contributed by: 赤毛
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- nikui
- easyhard
User Comments
- I would have called this entry simply [yasui], the same you did with [nikui]. For me, the level is JPLT3 rather than JPLT2. The examples I added are caught from JPLT3 list of vocabulary and grammar points which appears in past examination papers (http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/DownloadF/3-all.pdf).
— contributed by: 赤毛
- hey 赤毛　I think your rigth about the name for it. I have often said that it would be good to standardize the entry format a little better, but then I forget to follow my own advice lolol thanks.
— contributed by: tigert
- ex #6863
The translation should read...
かいだんがぬれています。
The stairs are wet.
すべりやすいのでちゅういしてくたさい。
They are slippery, so please be careful.
(They're slippery, so please use caution.)
— contributed by: nasu
- Nasuさんへ Thanks for your translation. I modified my example according to your alert. In my contribution, the Japanese sentence use to be copied from other sites or from books, but the English one is mine, and my English will be improving all time but very slowly, because I don't use English outside of this site. Feel free to modify all my English sentences and mark them "neutral" after. But keep in mind that a literally translated sentence is easier to understand in a scholar point of view. Tae Kim said it in http://www.guidetojapanese.org/start.html :
"the English translations for the examples will also be as literal as possible to convey the Japanese sense of the meaning".
— contributed by: 赤毛
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yasui
tagJ: やすい
expE: easy to V
expJ: 〜が使ってる動詞をする場合が簡単だと言う意味です
noteE: a beautiful woman is easy to fall in love with
JLPT: 3

Front: kototote
こととて
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
こととて
Meaning: because/since - explains the cause or gives a reason for
Example: Since it was early morning, there wasn't even a dog around.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Not normally used in speech. A more formal, written word for letters and whatnot. Explains the reason for something with the sense that it is precisely because of (person,thing) that( ).
昼間はにぎやかなこの道も、早朝のこととてあたりに犬一匹いなかった。
Because it was early in the morning, there wasn't even a dog around this street that is so lively during the day.
〜のことだから、〜のことなので　[kotodakara]
— contributed by: crlane
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p20 - no.19
— contributed by: LR
- Often used to give reasons for excuses or apologies.
— contributed by: LR
Examples
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- 何も知らぬこととて、間違いをしてしまいました。
Since I did not know anything, I ended up making mistake. . .
— contributed by: abhijeet
- 店が狭いこととて、お客様には窮屈な思いをさせて申し訳ございません
We deeply regret making our valued customers feel squeezed due to the narrowness of the shop.
— contributed by: LR
- 何も知らぬこととて、失礼を致しました。
I'm so sorry for my rudeness owing to my ignorance.
— contributed by: LR
- 引っ越ししてきたばかりで、辺りの様子も分からないこととて、どうぞ宜しくおねがいいたします。
We hope you can favour us since we have only just moved and we know nothing of the local conditions.
— contributed by: LR
- 今回の転勤は急なこととて、ゆっくりに挨拶にも伺えませんでした。
I could not stop by to say hello because the current change of job was so hurried.
— contributed by: LR
- 何分にも若い二人のこととて、皆様のご指導をよろしくお願い垂ｵ上げます。
I ask everyone to kindly provide them with guidance, because , after all the two of them are very young.
— contributed by: LR
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Acknowledgments
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kototote
tagJ: こととて
expE: because/since - explains the cause or gives a reason for
expJ: 他でもない〜の(ひと・こと・もの）だから
noteE: Since it was early morning, there wasn't even a dog around.
JLPT: 1

Front: totemo ~ nai
とても〜ない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
とても〜ない
Meaning: Can`t possibly
Example: There is so much (food) that I can`t possibly eat it all
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This phrase expresses a very strong sense of impossiblity. The verb is usually in the potential form.
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- たくさんあって､とても食べきれません
There is so much (food) that I can`t possible eat it all.
— contributed by: tigert
- 東京ではとても家なんか買えません。
I can`t possibly buy a house in Tokyo.
— contributed by: tigert
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User Comments
- Ex#6603...the potential form of 食べる　Is 食べられる。。。So..the example must be...たくさんあって、とても食べられません。
— contributed by: gahoangdai
- 「たくさんあって､とても食べきれません」 fits with the translation if you read it carefully...
— contributed by: nicemon
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: totemo ~ nai
tagJ: とても〜ない
expE: Can`t possibly
expJ: 無理と言う意味
noteE: There is so much (food) that I can`t possibly eat it all
JLPT: 3

Front: yori-3
より
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
より
Meaning: from
Example: a data from Mr. Tanaka
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 会社のメールに山田さんよりのレポートがあります。
There is a report from Mr. Yamada in the company's e-mail.
— contributed by: burakkuneko
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The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: yori-3
tagJ: より
expE: from
noteE: a data from Mr. Tanaka
JLPT: 0

Front: ~houdai
〜放題 (〜ほうだい)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜放題 (〜ほうだい)
Meaning: As you like
Example: Do as you like
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I`m not really sure if the translation for this is best represented above, but I know it is used in sentances that have "all you can" in them.
its constructed by taking the ます　stem of the verb and adding 放題 and then it is treated as a noun.
I have only heard it used with verbs and I have been corrected the few times I tried to use it with する　verbs.
if your using a する verb, do not remove the する
IE　勉強する
WRONG >>>　勉強放題　
RIGHT >>> 勉強し放題
also I think this is a good place to mention that Japanese don`t really use this construction, except with a few select words. Although 勉強し放題 is grammaticly correct. Its 変な日本語/Strange Japanese.
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- したい放題にする
Do as you like.
— contributed by: stratercas
- 飲み放題
all you can drink
— contributed by: tigert
- 食べ放題
all you can eat
— contributed by: tigert
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ~houdai
tagJ: 〜放題
tagH: 〜ほうだい
expE: As you like
noteE: Do as you like
JLPT: 0

Front: あっというま
あっと言う間 (あっというま)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
あっと言う間 (あっというま)
Meaning: In a flash, before one knows it, in a blink of an eye, in no time, flash by, (time) flies
Example: Time flies when you're having fun
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I`m not sure if this should be entered as grammar or as vocabulary, but it is a very important saying. Japan has a lot of set phrases and in order to sound natural its best to memorize as many as you can.
あっという間　lit. translates to
"In the middle of saying あぁ”
before you could finish your sentence time had run out
— contributed by: tigert
- #7520 Time "flew" by
— contributed by: lafcadio
- Sorry, #7250 - Time "flew" by
— contributed by: lafcadio
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- あっという間に砂嵐に襲われた。
Before we knew where we were, the dust storm was on us.
— contributed by: tigert
- あっという間に逃げてしまった。
He disappeared in an instant.
— contributed by: tigert
- クリスマスの時期にはあっという間に満席になるから早く飛行機の蘭??ｵなさい。
Book your flight early as it fills up quickly during Christmas.
— contributed by: tigert
- クレジットカードを使うとあっという間に借金をつくりやすい。
It's easy to get into debt quickly with charge cards.
— contributed by: tigert
- 鳥はあっと言う間に飛び去った。
The bird flew away in a flash.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 時間はあっと言う間に過ぎた。
Time flied by.
— contributed by: IMABI
- 年月があっと言う間に過ぎた。
The years rolled on quickly.
— contributed by: IMABI
- あっと言う間彼は宿題をしました。
He did his homework in no time.
— contributed by: Sakuratree
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User Comments
- In ex#6666:
The "と" after "使う", does it mean that the effect (i.e. getting into debt) is bound to happen if we use credit cards?
So can it be explained in this way?: (action that we take)と(effect).
Thanks in advance for any explanations given!
— contributed by: jae-
- I noticed that in all the other examples あっと言う間 is followed by に. In ex. 8641, however, it isn't. Is this an error or is the に only used in certain cases?
— contributed by: MorningCoffee
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: あっというま
tagJ: あっと言う間
expE: In a flash, before one knows it, in a blink of an eye, in no time, flash by, (time) flies
expJ: 時間が自分のと思うより早かったの意味です
noteE: Time flies when you're having fun
JLPT: 3

Front: when it comes??
かけると
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
かけると
Meaning: when it comes? (
Example: 母は料理にかけるとだれにも負けない自信がある
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: when it comes??
tagJ: かけると
expE: when it comes? (
noteE: 母は料理にかけるとだれにも負けない自信がある
JLPT: 2

Front: Amari 2
あまり〜（動詞）〜ない (あまり〜　〜ない)
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あまり〜（動詞）〜ない (あまり〜　〜ない)
Meaning: Not really
Example: あまりおいしくない　Not that tasty.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Amari 2
tagJ: あまり〜（動詞）〜ない
tagH: あまり〜　〜ない
expE: Not really
noteE: あまりおいしくない　Not that tasty.
JLPT: 2

Front: pretending
わざとらしい
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
わざとらしい
Meaning: fake, pretending
Example: it seems like he is faking his injury
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I ran into this grammar in a song I was translating.
it is a set phrase, using わざと　meaning intentionaly and らしい it appears or it seems. to imply that what ever the case may be, it is being faked.
this is the kind of Japanese that is best wispered that spoken. 使ったら気を付けってね
— contributed by: tigert
Examples
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- わざとらしい笑い。
An artificial smile.
— contributed by: tigert
- 彼のわざとらしい話し方が嫌いだ。
I don't like his affected manner of speaking.
— contributed by: tigert
- 彼のけがするのは、わざとらしいですね
It`s like he is faking his injury.
— contributed by: tigert
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User Comments
- Is this really JLPT 4??
— contributed by: seifip
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: pretending
tagJ: わざとらしい
expE: fake, pretending
noteE: it seems like he is faking his injury
JLPT: 0

Front: towakagiranai
とは限りません (とはかぎりません)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
とは限りません (とはかぎりません)
Meaning: it's not necessarily the case that, it does not mean that
Example: It's not necessarily the case that students who are studying Japanese will all be going to Japan.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: towakagiranai
tagJ: とは限りません
tagH: とはかぎりません
expE: it's not necessarily the case that, it does not mean that
noteE: It's not necessarily the case that students who are studying Japanese will all be going to Japan.
JLPT: 0

Front: amari
余り (あまり)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
余り (あまり)
Meaning: not much, too much
Example: あまり面白くない => not very interesting / あまり遅い => too late
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- とても..から　(x)　
とても...ので (x)
...しすぎるので (x)
Expresses that a lot of or too much of (something) was the reason for (x)
(Dictionary form) verb + あまり
Noun　＋の＋あまり
EG.痛さのあまり、涙が出てきた。
その会社では働きすぎたあまり、病気で倒れる社員が増えている。
— contributed by: bluntcrayon
Examples
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- この話は本当にしてはあまりにもうますぎる。
This is too good to be true.
— contributed by: Amatuka
- あなたのいらっしゃるのがあまり遅いので、今電話をするところでした。
You were so late in coming that I was just about to telephone you.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたはあまりにも素早すぎる。
You are all too quick.
— contributed by: dc
- あなたはあまり夜更かしをしない方がいい。
You had better not sit up so late at night.
— contributed by: dc
- あの人はあまり先が長くない。
He doesn't have much longer to live.
— contributed by: dc
- 英語は余り難しすぎて私には分かりません。
English is way too difficult for me to understand.
— contributed by: frankieforfingaz
- 驚きの余り声もでなかった。
It was not too a voice of the surprise.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 彼女にあまり期待をかけすぎるな。
Don`t expect too much of her.
— contributed by: karekano
- 自分を余りまじめに考えすぎてはいけない。
One must not take oneself too seriously.
— contributed by: karekano
- 「その女性は年をとっていますか」「いいえ、余り。」
”Is she old?”. ”No, not very ".
— contributed by: karekano
- 私は水泳は余りうまくない。
I`m not very good at swimming.
— contributed by: karekano
- 余り遠くなかった。
It wasn`t very far away.
— contributed by: karekano
- 余りそれは気に入らない。
I don`t like it too much.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は余り背が高くない。
He is not too tall.
— contributed by: karekano
- 彼は余り金持ちじゃない。
He isn`t (all) that rich.
— contributed by: karekano
- そこに着いたのは余り早くなかった。
We got there none too soon.
— contributed by: karekano
- 余り寒くないですよ。
It`s not quite cold.
— contributed by: karekano
- その案は余り感心しない。
The proposition is not overly exciting to me.
— contributed by: karekano
- 雨の心配は余りない。
There`s not much fear of rain.
— contributed by: karekano
- 「本はどれくらい持っていますか」「余りありません。」
”How many books do you have?" "Not many ".
— contributed by: karekano
- 僕はおばさんを訪問する機会が余りない。
I have little (not much) opportunity to visit my　aunt.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- I moved here the examples of previous [amari] entry which was mainly [noamari] and didn't fit in the [noamari] when I rename it.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- How about an explanation/example of あまりにも ?
— contributed by: nickm758
- not much?? too much?? this is kind'a confusing.
— contributed by: mhykx
- あまり just means too much. But if it's used with a negative ない, then it means not too much.
— contributed by: benky
- I think the JLPT 2 version of this has been confused with the lower forms. JLPT 2 form means "too much, in an unusual or unexpected way"
ex. 驚き　の　あまり、声も　出なかった。
His surprise was so great, he couldn't even shout out.
— contributed by: jmadsen
- Ex #7185 could be translated as: "It was so surprising that (his/her) voice couldn't come out" too?
— contributed by: karekano
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: amari
tagJ: 余り
tagH: あまり
expE: not much, too much
noteE: あまり面白くない => not very interesting / あまり遅い => too late
JLPT: 2

Front: tehaikenai
て形+はいけない (ては行け無い) (てはいけない)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
て形+はいけない (ては行け無い) (てはいけない)
Meaning: you shouldn't, one should not
Example: 美術館で写真を撮ってはいけない。/You shouldn't take picture in the museum.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Gerund form (Ｖて形) + は + いけない
Gerund form (Ｖて形) + は + いけません
Doing that, it cannot work. => You should not do that.
— contributed by: 赤毛
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- 美術館で写真を撮っては行けない。
Please refrain from taking pictures in the museum.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- どうぶつをいじめてはいけません。
One must not harass the animals.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- ここでたばこを吸うってはいけません。禁煙ですから。
You are not allowed to smoke here, because this is a no-smoke area.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 「先生、ここで遊んでもいいですか。」「いいえ、［遊んでは］いけません。」
- Teacher, is it okay to play here?- No, you cannot .
— contributed by: 赤毛
- その顧客に応対してこれ以上時間を無駄にしてはいけない。
Don't waste any more time responding to that customer.
— contributed by: dbx
- ほかの人の助けを当てにしてはいけない。
You shouldn't count on others for help.
— contributed by: dbx
- ドアを開けっ放しにしてはいけません。
Don't leave the door open.
— contributed by: dbx
- 外見はあまり当てにしてはいけない。
You must not rely too much on appearance.
— contributed by: dbx
- 緊急の場合以外は私の援助をあてにしてはいけません。
Don't look to me for any help except in case of emergency.
— contributed by: dbx
- 君は失敗を不運のせいにしてはいけない。
Don't set your failure down to bad luck.
— contributed by: dbx
- 君は物事を中途半端にしてはいけないよ。
You shouldn't do things by halves.
— contributed by: dbx
- お酒を飲んではいけません。
You are not allowed to drink alcohol.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- ここに自転車を止めてはいけない。
It is forbidden to park bicycles here.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- 「あなたは塩辛いものを食べてはいけないよ」と言ったけど、彼は食べ物にたくさんの塩を加えた。
Although I told him "You're not allowed to eat salty!" he added a lot of salt in his food.
— contributed by: kitakaze
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User Comments
- Technically 行けない is as ok as is いけない. But since it is part of a grammatical structure, the "directed walking" aspect of 行 is unpreferable, thus Hiragana-form is found more often.
— contributed by: adnim
- This entry has a typo in it. Clearly the "形" is not part of the entry (unless it is completely silent. )
I suspect that the "形" in "Gerund form (Ｖて形)" was made part of the entry by mistake.
— contributed by: Kurt Schmucker
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tehaikenai
tagJ: て形+はいけない (ては行け無い)
tagH: てはいけない
expE: you shouldn't, one should not
noteE: 美術館で写真を撮ってはいけない。/You shouldn't take picture in the museum.
JLPT: 3

Front: stem + dasu
stem + 出す (Stem +　だす)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
stem + 出す (Stem +　だす)
Meaning: Begin to ~
Example: It started to rain
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Examples
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- He became frightened and started running.
— contributed by: jbraswell
- 彼は怖くて走り出した。
— contributed by: jbraswell
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: stem + dasu
tagJ: stem + 出す
tagH: Stem +　だす
expE: Begin to ~
expJ: 何々をし始める
noteE: It started to rain
JLPT: 0

Front: kakeru 2
掛ける　２ (かける　２)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
掛ける　２ (かける　２)
Meaning: AT〜; TO〜
Example: 話しかける＝speak to/address （someone）;　笑いかける＝smile at/to
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- VBryk （ます）＋かける
- a communicative action is directed toward someone
a).　彼は彼女に話しかけた。
He addressed/ started talking to her.
b).彼女は彼に笑いかけた。
She smiled at him
— contributed by: deeana
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kakeru
tagJ: 掛ける
tagH: かける
expE: AT〜; TO〜
noteE: 話しかける＝speak to/address （someone）;　笑いかける＝smile at/to
JLPT: 2

Front: kakaru
掛かる (かかる)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
掛かる (かかる)
Meaning: BEGIN TO〜；BE ABOUT TO DO〜；ALMOST　DO〜
Example: 死にかかった= almost died
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- VBryk（ます）
→　an event is about to take place
→　the VB is usually intransitive and has to be a Non-volitional, punctual VB
→　can be replaced by KAKERU without a substantial change of meaning
　　　　死にかかった＝faced death
　　　　死に掛けた＝was half dead
(Punctual VBs:
：a Punctual VB with the auxiliary VB いる expresses a repeated action or a state after an action was taken or something took place:
知る（=>知っている）(get to know after studying)
　死ぬ（=>死んでいる）(die after living)
　忘れる（=>忘れている）(as a result of the passage of time)
　飛ぶ、乗る、起きる、結婚する、困る,... ）
(Non-volitional VBs:
：a Non-volitional VB usually does not take the voltional form, the imperative form and the potential form.
-Non-volitional VBs are classified into emotive VBs and non-emotive VBs
a) emotive VBs: 喜ぶ、悲しむ、好む、怒る、嫌う、苦しむ、…
b).non-emotive VBｓ：　出来る、要る、知る、見える、聞こえる、似合う、違う、疲れる、分かる）
— contributed by: deeana
Examples
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Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ドアが開きかかったが、また閉まってしまった。
The door begun to open but it closed again.
— contributed by: deeana
- 僕は車の事故で死に掛かった。
I almost died in a car accident.
— contributed by: deeana
- 森の上に月が出かかっていた。
The moon was about to come out over the forest.
— contributed by: deeana
- 月曜日に始めた仕事も金曜日には出来かかっていた。
The work I started on Monday was almost finished on Friday.
— contributed by: deeana
- 旅はおよそ５時間くらい掛かるでしょう。
The trip will take some five hours.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- The explanation with the VBryk, VBs and non volitional VBs are not very clear to understand.
I don't understand why 知っている means [get to know after studying].
— contributed by: luiszm
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kakaru
tagJ: 掛かる
tagH: かかる
expE: BEGIN TO〜；BE ABOUT TO DO〜；ALMOST　DO〜
noteE: 死にかかった= almost died
JLPT: 2

Front: kakaru 2
掛かる　２ (かかる　２)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
掛かる　２ (かかる　２)
Meaning: AT〜; ON〜
Example: 犬が子供に飛び掛った。A dog jumped at the child
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- VBryk (masu)+ kakaru
- a directed movement works on something/ someone
ex: 道を歩いていたら,男が僕に殴りかかってきた。When I was walking along the street, a man came to hit me.
ex: 花子は太郎の肩にもたれかかった。
Hanako leaned on Taro's shoulder
ex：壁により掛かるな。 Don't lean against the wall.
— contributed by: deeana
Examples
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- 見知らぬ人に吠え掛かるのは多くの犬に共通の習慣です。
Barking at strangers is a habit common to many dogs.
— contributed by: deeana
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: kakaru 2
tagJ: 掛かる　２
tagH: かかる　２
expE: AT〜; ON〜
noteE: 犬が子供に飛び掛った。A dog jumped at the child
JLPT: 2

Front: bonyari
ぼんやり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ぼんやり
Meaning: absent-minded(ly); blank(ly)
Example: idle one's time away
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- ? Unclearly seen/Obscurely
遠くに富士山がぼんやり見える。
Mt. Fuji can been seen dimly in the distance.
この漢字をぼんやりとしたが覚えていない。
I have but a faint recollection of this kanji.
朝ご飯食べなかったので、頭がぼんやりしているよ。
I can't think clearly because I didnt eat breakfast
? Carelessness
ぼんやりと海を眺めていた。
He was gazing vacently at the ocean.
ぼんやりするな！
Be careful! (Don't space out!)
?　Doing nothing at all
ぼんやりと暮らす
idle one's time away
? Insenstive remarks
ぼんやりした人
dimwit, blockhead, slow, thickheaded
— contributed by: aoiaki
Examples
Note: visit WWWJDIC to lookup any unknown words found in the example(s)...
Alternatively, view this page on Rikai.com
- ケンは何時も授業中ぼんやりしています。
Ken is always absent minded in the class.
— contributed by: Deva
- 海の向こうに島がぼんやり見えます
The island is dimly visible over the sea.
— contributed by: Deva
- 彼女はぼんやりと窓の外を眺めていた。
She was idly looking out of the window.
— contributed by: karekano
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User Comments
- This seems a little more like vocab than grammar.
— contributed by: tigert
- I agree.
— contributed by: mochabean
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: bonyari
tagJ: ぼんやり
expE: absent-minded(ly); blank(ly)
expJ: ぼんやりと暮らす
noteE: idle one's time away
JLPT: 2

Front: Shidaini
次第に (しだいに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
次第に (しだいに)
Meaning: Gradually, little by little
Example: After the winter solstice, the days gradually become longer.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Examples
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- 夜が次第に長くなる.
The nights are gaining on the day.
— contributed by: doma
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Shidaini
tagJ: 次第に
tagH: しだいに
expE: Gradually, little by little
noteE: After the winter solstice, the days gradually become longer.
JLPT: 0

Front: mademonai
までもない
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
までもない
Meaning: No need to
Example: お金よりも健康が大切なことを言うまでもない It goes with out saying that health is more important than money
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- あの映画は良いけど、映画館に見に行くまでもないと思う。DVDで見れは十分だよ。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　[That film is nice but, there is no need to go theater, DVD is enough for that.]
— contributed by: rajeshindojin
Examples
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- 電話ですむことですから、わざわざ行くまでもありません。
This matter can be dealt with by telephone, so there's no need to go all the way there.
— contributed by: dc
- ただの風邪ですから、薬を飲むまでもありません。
Its just a cold, so its not neccessary to take medicine
— contributed by: dc
- いろいろな意味で、正直が最善の策であることは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that honesty is the best policy in many ways.
— contributed by: Miki
- お金がすべてではないのは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that money is not everything.
— contributed by: Miki
- お金よりも健康が大切なことは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that health is above wealth.
— contributed by: Miki
- すべての人に平等の話す権利が与えられているのは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that everybody is given the equal right to speak.
— contributed by: Miki
- たばこは健康に悪いことは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that smoking is bad for the health.
— contributed by: Miki
- たゆまぬ努力が成功の鍵であることは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that diligence is the key to success.
— contributed by: Miki
- だれも私たちの間に割り込めないことは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that nobody can come between us.
— contributed by: Miki
- 疲れているならば、休みをとるべきなのは、言うまでもないことだ。
It goes without sayng, if you are tired, you should take a rest.
— contributed by: Miki
- スレ立てるまでもない話題はこちらへ
Topics that don't need their own threads should go here
— contributed by: bob
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User Comments
- ex#3305 I don't understand the Japanese, especially スレ立てる.
— contributed by: Miki
- I dont understand it either! It came up as the first google for an example:
http://www.chitora.jp/cgi-bin/readres.cgi?bo=lhaz&vi=1090515715
— contributed by: dc
- I dont understand it either! It came up as the first google for an example:
<A href=http://www.chitora.jp/cgi-bin/readres.cgi?bo=lhaz&vi=1090515715 >here</a>
— contributed by: dc
- I didn't know. スレ立てる is short for スレッドを立てる　thread It sometimes means 発言とそれに対するコメントから成る一連のメッセージ群
I'm a dinosaur. dc, you, too! (^o^)
— contributed by: Miki
- #3305 スレ立てるまでもない話題はこちらへ in English would be: "Click here for topics that do not require a new thread."
— contributed by: bamboo4
- its very hard
— contributed by: alexisyamyam
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mademonai
tagJ: までもない
expE: No need to
expJ: 〜しなくてもいい
noteE: お金よりも健康が大切なことを言うまでもない It goes with out saying that health is more important than money
JLPT: 1

Front: mune
旨 (むね)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
旨 (むね)
Meaning: concerning ... , regarding ... , that ...
Example: (phrase)する旨。。。　that (phrase)
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
There are currently no notes for this grammar entry. Feel free to add your own if they will help other learners.
Examples
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- 被疑者が検察官の、自白をすれば起訴猶予する旨のことばを信じた。
The suspect believed in the prosecutor's words THAT the prosecution would be delayed if he confessed.
— contributed by: angie
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: mune
tagJ: 旨
tagH: むね
expE: concerning ... , regarding ... , that ...
expJ: similar to こと
noteE: (phrase)する旨。。。　that (phrase)
JLPT: 0

Front: youtosuru, part II
〜おうとすると
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜おうとすると
Meaning: A voluntary action stopped just before being completed
Example: I was about to go out when the phone rang.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- The voluntary action is just stopped a moment before being completed by an unexpected external cause. The verb of the main sentence is often in the passive form.
— contributed by: geon
Examples
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- バスを降りようとすると、後ろから押された。
I was about to get off the bus, when someone pushed me from behind.
— contributed by: geon
- 出かけようとすると、父に呼ばれた。
I was just about to go out, when dad called me.
— contributed by: geon
- お風呂に入ろうとしたときに、電話が鳴りました。
The telephone rang just as I was about to get into the bath.
— contributed by: starsandsea
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: youtosuru, part II
tagJ: 〜おうとすると
expE: A voluntary action stopped just before being completed
noteE: I was about to go out when the phone rang.
JLPT: 3

Front: nakutemosumu
なくてもすむ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
なくてもすむ
Meaning: Don't have to 〜　(and are happy because of it)
Example: Above anything, employees are happy for not having to ride on overcrowded trains.
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- Also can appear as なくてすむ。
Has the nuance that the thing you don't have to do is something you don't want to do in the first place, and by being able to avoid it, you're happy because of it.
Conversational grammar
— contributed by: TMac
Examples
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- 何よりも、満員電車に乗らなくてもすむのはうれしい。
Above anything, employees are happy for not having to ride on overcrowded trains.
— contributed by: TMac
- 今度の試験は易しいから、あまり勉強しなくてもすむ。
The upcoming test should be easy, so I think I can get by without studying much.
— contributed by: TMac
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User Comments
- Taken from Book 3 (Week 9, Day 2) of the Jet Translation and Interpretation Course for 2008-2009.
— contributed by: TMac
- Remember that this can also be translated as "...and it's good that..."
See Unicom N2 Dokkai, pg 20. The reason "sumu" works this way is because the Chinese character's (original) meaning is "to relieve.".
— contributed by: Radish
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nakutemosumu
tagJ: なくてもすむ
expE: Don't have to 〜　(and are happy because of it)
expJ: なくてもいい
noteE: Above anything, employees are happy for not having to ride on overcrowded trains.
JLPT: 0

Front: dakaratoitte
だからといって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
だからといって　
Meaning: However.. / It doesn't follow that .../ But it doesn't mean that..
Example: He is young. He has little experience. But it doesn't follow from this that he cannot teach
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- often occurs in a sentences with [wakedehanai] and [kagiranai]
— contributed by: cosby kid
Examples
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- チェンさんは日本語が苦手だ。テストではいつも半分も出来ない。だからといって、頭が悪いわけではない。
Mr. Cheng is not good at Japanese. On a test he cannot even finish half of it. But it doesn't follow from this that he is not smart.　
— contributed by: cosby
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User Comments
- sorry, add more later, but...
1) this is JLPT 2
2) can be: any form + から　と　いって
3) more generally, meaning of "just because X, doesn't mean Y"
— contributed by: jmadsen
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: dakaratoitte
tagJ: だからといって
expE: However.. / It doesn't follow that .../ But it doesn't mean that..
noteE: He is young. He has little experience. But it doesn't follow from this that he cannot teach
JLPT: 0

Front: to douyou
と同様 (とどうよう)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
と同様 (とどうよう)
Meaning: the same way as, as well as
Example: 大都市と同様、地方でも交通事故が増えている
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- To douyou is used when you show a relationship between things that are essentially the same. Used in situations where in one thing happened it also did ... the same way. I myself teach Japanese at www.freewebs.com/kanjiwebs/
— contributed by: IMABI
Examples
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- 多くのアメリカ人と同様に彼は気さくだ。
Like/similar to many Americans, he is very friendly.
— contributed by: IMABI
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: to douyou
tagJ: と同様
tagH: とどうよう
expE: the same way as, as well as
expJ: 同じである事。
noteE: 大都市と同様、地方でも交通事故が増えている
JLPT: 3

Front: wo megutte
〜をめぐって
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜をめぐって
Meaning: surrounding, concerning, about [/ focusing on / in connection with]
Example: There is much debate "concerning...etc" ......X
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- I came across this in one of my study sessions
and had a hard time with a clear meaning. I took
it to mean concerning/surrounding but was'nt sure
*THANKS WWWJDIC*. I hope this helps someone!!
— contributed by: COUNTFUNKULA
- Changed the title from (o) megutte to wo megutte because I had problems adding examples.
Also, you'll probably won't ever find it without the wo particle, so might as well not put it between brackets ^^
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- 〜を中心にそれに関係あることになる〜
— contributed by: sureshnihon
Examples
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- この規則の改正をめぐって、まだ討論が続いている。
The debate about [concerning] the revision of this regulation is still continuing.
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- 土地の利用をめぐって、二つの対立した意見が見られる。
There are two conflicting opinions about [concerning] the use of this land.
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- マンション建設をめぐる争いがようやく解決に向かった。
The conflict about [concerning] the building of the mansion was finally heading towards a solution
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- 町の再開発をめぐり、住民が争っている。
The residents were quarreling over [about] the redevelopment of the town.
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- 法律改正をめぐって、議論が続けられた。
The discussion continued on the subject of judicial reform.
— contributed by: 赤毛
- この小説は、1　人の女性をめぐって、５人の男性か戦う話です。
These novels are five men or stories to fight over one woman.
— contributed by: sureshnihon
- 教室の使い方をめぐってまだ議論が続いている。
There is still a debate going on with regards as to how the class room shall be used.
— contributed by: Kenny
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User Comments
- I think [over] can be used for all the examples above fairly naturally, so it seems a simple way to understand the meaning. The other possible translations aren't this flexible.
— contributed by: leviathon
- Is this JLPT2 grammar? It looks like vocabulary or JLPT1 to me.
— contributed by: DrJones
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wo megutte
tagJ: 〜をめぐって
expE: surrounding, concerning, about [/ focusing on / in connection with]
expJ: [〜] を中心点にして、どんな議論や対立関係が起こっているかを言う時
noteE: There is much debate "concerning...etc" ......X
JLPT: 2

Front: hacchakeru
はっちゃける
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
はっちゃける
Meaning: To party, unwind and have a good time in order to forget stresses and problems
Example: let's go have a good time
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hacchakeru
tagJ: はっちゃける
expE: To party, unwind and have a good time in order to forget stresses and problems
expJ: はっちゃけるとは日常生活の嫌なことやイライラを忘れるために、思う存分にはしゃぐことである;同時にストレス発散のためにはしゃぐという行為以外に、単に「はりきる」といったニュアンスでも使われるようになる。
noteE: let's go have a good time
JLPT: 0

Front: tokitara
ときたら
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ときたら
Meaning: when it comes to~ (neg. sense)
Example: Speaking of my son, he really isn't very good at sports
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This is like [toittara], but only used in a negative, often self-deprecating sense.
— contributed by: jmadsen
- Since this is always negative, one should only use it when talking their in-group members.
— contributed by: claytonian
Examples
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- うちの息子ときたら、全然勉強しないで、ゲームばっかりしてるのよ。
Speaking of my son, he is always playing games without studying.
— contributed by: jmadsen
- 私ときたら 、料理はまったくだめなのよ。
I really can't cook at all.
— contributed by: jmadsen
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- toittara
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tokitara
tagJ: ときたら
expE: when it comes to~ (neg. sense)
noteE: Speaking of my son, he really isn't very good at sports
JLPT: 0

Front: wo tooshite
を通して (をとおして)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
を通して (をとおして)
Meaning: through, by use of, by means of
Example: through a (camera) lens
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Examples
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- レンズを通して町を眺める。
View the town through a camera lens
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- この目を通して見た現実。
Reality as seen with one's own eyes [through one's own eyes]
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- 紹介者を通して発注する。
Place an order through an intermediary
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- 通訳を通して会談する。
Hold discussions with the aid of [using the services of, through] an interpreter
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- 彼女の評判は田中さんを通して知っている。
I know of her reputation via [from] Mrs. Tanaka
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- 彼の気持ちが手紙を通して伝わっている。
His letter made his feelings clear [by use of a letter, his feelings were made clear]
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: wo tooshite
tagJ: を通して
tagH: をとおして
expE: through, by use of, by means of
expJ: 何かをする時の仲立ちや手段となる人やものごとを浮ｷ
noteE: through a (camera) lens
JLPT: 0

Front: tekoso
〜てこそ
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜てこそ
Meaning: not until, only after, of all things
Example: Only after playing a sport you'll understand the fun of it.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Examples
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- スポーツでもゲームでも自分でやってこそ、おもしろさが分かる。
You'll understand the fun of a sport or a game only after playing it.
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
- 日本の文化は、日本へ行ってこそ分かるものだ。
Only once you visit Japan will you understand Japanese culture.
— contributed by: waywren
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: tekoso
tagJ: 〜てこそ
expE: not until, only after, of all things
expJ: 「〜てはじめて」と同じ意味だ。
noteE: Only after playing a sport you'll understand the fun of it.
JLPT: 2

Front: hiitewa
〜ひいては
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
〜ひいては
Meaning: which in turn
Example: This is good for [subject], which in turn is good for [subject]
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
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- それは母体に良く、ひいてはお腹の赤ちゃんにも良い。
It is good for the mother's body, which in turn is good for her coming baby.
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
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User Comments
- probably 1kyu; I've never noted it before
— contributed by: claytonian
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hiitewa
tagJ: 〜ひいては
expE: which in turn
noteE: This is good for [subject], which in turn is good for [subject]
JLPT: 0

Front: namini
並みに (なみに)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
並みに (なみに)
Meaning: As...as, to the same degree as
Example: Wikipedia is as accurate as Britannica
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Examples
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- Wikipediaはブリタニカ並みに正確だ。
Wikipedia is as accurate as Britannica
— contributed by: ZekkDistor
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: namini
tagJ: 並みに
tagH: なみに
expE: As...as, to the same degree as
noteE: Wikipedia is as accurate as Britannica
JLPT: 0

Front: nikaketewa
にかけては
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
にかけては
Meaning: regarding, about, concerning
Example: I don't know much concerning the laws.
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- N + にかけては
— contributed by: missshapoooo
Examples
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- 卓球にかけては弟におよばない
Concerning table tennis, my skill is not as good as my little brother's.
— contributed by: va_tei
- 法律にかけては私はよくわからない
I don't know much about laws.
— contributed by: va_tei
- わが社の製品は知名度は低いものの、性狽ﾌ良さにかけては世界の最高水準だ。
Although our company's products may not get a lot of publicity, the quality of their performance meets the world's highest standards.
— contributed by: inakaluke
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User Comments
- Can someone explain what are the nuances between: にかけては・に関して・について？ Does にかけては have more of a competitive connotation? I've seen most sentences with this grammar seem to have to do with competition or comparisons.
— contributed by: Tetsuzan
- About nuances between these 3 patterns. Firstly,に関して and について are absoulutely the same (=about, concerning) except for the former is used in formal speeches, reports, TV news, on paper etc. So when we speak, search, know...ABOUT smth we use them.
Speaking about にかけては it is more like についていえば. So yes, these three patterns can have the same meaning in case when we speak about N. But also the nuanse in first to patterns and にかけては is that in case of the latter one, after pattern there goes some statement concerning N, but in case of the former ones these patterns are just a conjucture for direct object (N).
— contributed by: missshapoooo
- I'm just a student. But the closest definition of にかけては that applies for all the examples I've seen in class is "when it comes to".
— contributed by: kiraee
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: nikaketewa
tagJ: にかけては
expE: regarding, about, concerning
noteE: I don't know much concerning the laws.
JLPT: 2

Front: Nisakidatte
に先立って (にさきだって)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
に先立って (にさきだって)
Meaning: before; preceeding; prior to
Example: There will be an opening ceremony before the competition
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
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Examples
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- 試合に先立って開会式を行う
There will be an opening ceremony before the competition.
— contributed by: va_tei
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User Comments
- In sentense preceding the pattern an important work or action is indicated. Some preparation must be made before advent of that work or action.
— contributed by: missshapoooo
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: Nisakidatte
tagJ: に先立って
tagH: にさきだって
expE: before; preceeding; prior to
noteE: There will be an opening ceremony before the competition
JLPT: 2

Front: ~naosu
~直す (~なおす)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
~直す (~なおす)
Meaning: to do something again, hoping to improve it
Example: This essay is terrible! Please rewrite it (書き直す)
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
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- やりなおす。
(I) will redo it.
— contributed by: mdchachi
- 聞き直したがまだわからない。
(I) listened to it again but I still don't understand it.
— contributed by: mdchachi
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ~naosu
tagJ: ~直す
tagH: ~なおす
expE: to do something again, hoping to improve it
noteE: This essay is terrible! Please rewrite it (書き直す)
JLPT: 0

Front: buri
~ぶり
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
~ぶり
Meaning: first time in ~
Example: First time in a year (一年ぶり)
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
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- Because of the typhoon, train service was suspended; however, after 10 hours, service was finally resumed.
— contributed by: Rollocoasta
- 台風で電車が不通になっていたが、10時間ぶり運転を始めたそうだ。
— contributed by: Rollocoasta
- 久しぶりに田舎へ帰って結黒ﾏわってきたのを見にした。
After a long time I returned back to my native and found most of the things have changed.
— contributed by: ppmohapatra
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: buri
tagJ: ~ぶり
expE: first time in ~
noteE: First time in a year (一年ぶり)
JLPT: 0

Front: ~naki
~なき
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
~なき
Meaning: ~less, without
Example: This contract is meaningless
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
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- A contract with that company is worth next to nothing.
あの会社との契約はあってなきに等しいものです。
— contributed by: jmadsen
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ~naki
tagJ: ~なき
expE: ~less, without
noteE: This contract is meaningless
JLPT: 0

Front: ~nimotoduite
~に基づいて (~にもとづいて)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
~に基づいて (~にもとづいて)
Meaning: based on~
Example: Her theory is based on careful research
JLPT Level: 0
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: ~nimotoduite
tagJ: ~に基づいて
tagH: ~にもとづいて
expE: based on~
expJ: 彼女の理論は入念な調査に基づいてる。
noteE: Her theory is based on careful research
JLPT: 0

Front: teyagaru
てやがる
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
てやがる
Meaning: Emphasize a disliking of the action taken.
Example: You have some nerve coming here
JLPT Level: 2
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- The yagaru verb suffix is used to emphasize a disliking of the action taken. It attaches to the te-form of the verb or in some cases the verb stem.
— contributed by: mt69298
Examples
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- 何をかんがえやがったんだ
What the hell were you thinking about?
— contributed by: mt69298
- こぼしやがった
He's damn well spilt it.
— contributed by: mt69298
- ぼくをおいて行ってやがったんだ！
They bloody left without me!
— contributed by: mt69298
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: teyagaru
tagJ: てやがる
expE: Emphasize a disliking of the action taken.
noteE: You have some nerve coming here
JLPT: 2

Front: hotondo
ほとんど (殆・殆ど)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
ほとんど (殆・殆ど)
Meaning: most of / rarely
Example: I ate most of it. I rarely read.
JLPT Level: 3
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
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Examples
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- （私は）ほとんど読みません。
I rarely read. Lit.: (It's) almost true that (I) don't read
— contributed by: adamstudio
- （私は）ほとんど食べました。
I ate most of it.
— contributed by: adamstudio
- 日本は石油のほとんどを輸入しています。
Japan imports most of its oil.
— contributed by: アヴェタル
- ほとんどのひとはでんきをつかいます
Most people use electricity
— contributed by: janisu
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: hotondo
tagJ: ほとんど (殆・殆ど)
tagH: ほとんど
expE: most of / rarely
noteE: I ate most of it. I rarely read.
JLPT: 3

Front: sobakara
そばから, 傍から
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
そばから, 傍から
Meaning: as soon as, right after
Example: The child messes up [the room] (repeatedly) as soon as I clean so I already became wanting to give up.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- vru+soba kara
vta+soba kara
— contributed by: drjuly
Examples
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- The child messes up [the room] (repeatedly) as soon as I clean so I already became wanting to give up.
子供が掃除するそばから散らかすから、もうあきらめたくなった。
— contributed by: Sasato
- 私は聞いたそばから人の名前を忘れてしまう。
I forget the person's name as soon as I hear it.
— contributed by: nasu
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User Comments
- Can't say for sure, but examples like 言ったそばから seem to be used in an exasperated sense, sort of like "Dang it, I just told you!" or "Wouldn't you know, as soon as I said..." [Comments appreciated]
— contributed by: etihwttam
- Can't say for sure, but examples like 言ったそばから seem to be used in an exasperated sense, sort of like "Dang it, I just told you!" or "Wouldn't you know, as soon as I said..." [Comments appreciated]
— contributed by: etihwttam
Acknowledgments
The sofware code used to make this page uses David 'DC' Collier's jGram Japanese Grammar Database. Visit the jGram site to find more grammar entries or to add your own!
Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: sobakara
tagJ: そばから, 傍から
tagH: そばから
expE: as soon as, right after
expJ: とすぐに
noteE: The child messes up [the room] (repeatedly) as soon as I clean so I already became wanting to give up.
JLPT: 1

Front: toomoikiya
と思いきや (とおもいきや)
Back: Today's Grammar Entry...
と思いきや (とおもいきや)
Meaning: "thought so, but" OR, "would have thought so/imagined, but didn't"
Example: I thought this restaurant would be cheap but (surprisingly) the bill was over 5,000 yen.
JLPT Level: 1
⇒ View online at jGram.org ⇐
User-contributed Notes
- This is a grammar I learned out of a book and was surprised to actually hear it used in real life on a number of occasions. You use this grammar when you think one thing, but much to your astonishment, things actually turn out to be very different. You use it in the same way as you would express any thoughts, by using the quotation 「と」 and 「思う」. The only difference is that you use 「思いきや」 instead of 「思う」. There is no tense in 「思いきや」, or rather, since the results have already went against your expectations, the original thought is implicitely understood to be past tense. (from Taekim)
— contributed by: Sasato
- Ref # Kanzen Master Level 1 - p25 - no.28
— contributed by: LR
- き is a particle indicating past tense, and や is a particle meaning "but" "however" etc. This is a leftover from older Japanese, since both are no longer commonly used in modern Japanese except in this particular phrase.
— contributed by: Tosiaki
Examples
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- 昼間だから絶対込んでいると思いきや、一人もいなかった。
Despite having thought that it must be crowded since it was afternoon, (surprisingly) not a single person was there
— contributed by: Sasato
- このレストランは安いと思いきや、会計は5千円以上だった！
I thought this restaurant would be cheap but (surprisingly) the bill was over 5,000 yen!
— contributed by: Sasato
- 雪国で育った彼のことだから、さぞかしスキーがうまいだろうと思いきや、滑っては転び、滑っては転びの繰り返しだった
For someone brought up in a snowy country, you'd think he'd be great at skiing, but he just slips and falls, slips and falls.
— contributed by: LR
- 老後は退職金の蓄えで安泰だと思いきや、インフレで預金が目減りしてしまった。
In my remaining years I thought I could live in peace and security from the stores of my retirement savings, but to my surprise , inflation has diminished the value of my savings.
— contributed by: LR
- A チームの勝利で試合終了かと思いきや、最後に大逆転が起こった。
I thought that maybe the tournament would end with a win for team A, but surprisingly, it ended in a huge turn in the opposite direction.
— contributed by: LR
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Other fields (not shown on cards):
tagE: toomoikiya
tagJ: と思いきや
tagH: とおもいきや
expE: thought so, but OR, "would have thought so/imagined, but didn't"
expJ: 想像したろうか、いや、しなかった。思ったろうか、いや、思わなかった。
noteE: I thought this restaurant would be cheap but (surprisingly) the bill was over 5,000 yen.
JLPT: 1