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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ きっかけに (kikkakeni) ]

きっかけに (kikkakeni) - Since; Take the opportunity afforded by 〜
to 〜

--- Notes ---
see [simultaneous-actions-group] for comparisons

used when a major event created an opportunity for something else at the
same time.
'on moving to paris, i decided to learn french'.
and other phrases are a more casual 'at the same time as A, I did B'.

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.)


since he was out, she took the opportunity to hide it.

--- Examples ---
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.


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

この事件をきっかけに
with this case as a start

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

--- Comments ---
implies cause and effect. since A happened, I did B (contributor: dc)

but the causeeffect is not as related as with say ので (contributor: dc)

shouldn't this entry be listed under 'wokikkakeni' not 'okikkakeni' ?
(Likewise for 'okeikini') (contributor: PaulO)

yep! done. (contributor: dc)

also added - this entry could do with a more conclusive explanation...
(contributor: 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 (contributor:
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' (contributor: bamboo4)

In ex.#5718, 'Since I am in Japan' should be corrcted to read: 'With my
being in Japan as a start..' (contributor: bamboo4)

#5718 I think 日本に住んでいるのをきっけかに is better as
natural Japanese. (contributor: Sleepy)

#5718 sorry I meant 日本に住んでいるのをきっかけに.
(contributor: Sleepy)

I think this is identical to so one of these should be deleted...
(contributor: dc)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=kikkakeni

文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ きっかけ (kikkake) ]

きっかけ (kikkake) - trigger


--- Examples ---
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.

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.

事のきっかけとなったのは誰だ。
Who has pulled the trigger?

事のきっかけを作ったのは誰だ。
Who has pulled her son to his feet.

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.

彼等は彼に逃げるきっかけを与えた。
They gave him a handle for escaping.

開発のきっかけ
trigger for the development of ~

恋人募集広告がきっかけで(人)と出会う
meet someone through a personal ad

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?

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?

`がきっかけで起こった激しい論争
intense debate stirred up by

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.

仕事がきっかけで知り合いになる
be connected through one's business

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

ほんのちょっとしたきっかけで変わる
change with the slightest of opportunities

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?

(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

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

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

人種問題がきっかけとなった俣ョ
racially-triggered violence

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.

--- Comments ---
ex.5401正しい訳しですか。 (contributor: 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。 (contributor:
Paul)

人種問題がきっかけとなった文字化け… (contributor: petra)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=kikkake

文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ がち (gachi) ]

がち (gachi) - tend to

--- 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

--- Examples ---
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 .

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.

曇りがち
mainly cloudy


遠慮がち
tends to be reserved

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.

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.

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.

果物はすぐに腐りがちである。
Fruits tend to decay soon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

私は子供の頃、病気がちだった。
I tended to get sick when I was a child.

--- Comments ---
The most common use of 'gachi' I found was ... 便秘がち ^^;
(contributor: Amatuka)

waver vi 心が揺らぐ、迷う (contributor: Miki)

Formed from verb -masu base + gachi

Vm = Verb -masu base (contributor: Amatuka)

amatuka > formation instructions can go in the 'notes' section at the top,
rather than buried in the comments... (contributor: 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?
(contributor: 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

(contributor: 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.
(contributor: angelitosh2004)

kekke (contributor: quytd)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=gachi


文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ からといって (karatoitte) ]

からといって (karatoitte) - just because


--- Examples ---
子供だからといって許せない。
just because he is a child, I cannot forgive him.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

あまり才狽ェないからといってがっかりしてはいけない。
on't be discouraged because you are not very talented.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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。
You don't fall in love with somebody because he's prefect.

だからといって異議があるわけではない。
Not that I have any objection.

まちがえたからといって彼の事を笑うな。
on't laugh at him for making a mistake.

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.

--- 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.
(contributor: Amatuka)

lit. 'because-however' (contributor: 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) (contributor: LittleFish)

littlefish - if you put a # before your ex number then it will create a
link. like #4789 (contributor: dc)

I think karaoke is a great way to learn jpnz! (contributor: dc)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=karatoitte


文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ からして (karashite) ]

からして (karashite) - (1)Even; (2)Given, (Judging) From/By

--- 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!

--- Examples ---
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

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.)

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

態度からしてけしからん
Even his attitude is nasty.

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.

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.

--- Comments ---
this often gives one example, but implies more. (contributor: dc)

see also sae as in the they dont -even- have food. (contributor: 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! (contributor: 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.' (contributor: 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'. (contributor: 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.
(contributor: 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. (contributor: rubyhatchet)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=karashite


文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ かねない (kanenai) ]

かねない (kanenai) - Vm, capable of (a bad thing)


--- Examples ---
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).

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.

あの男は裏切りもしかねない。
He is capable of treachery.

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.

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.

その少年は盗みをしかねない。
The boy is capable of robbery.

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.

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.

スキャンダルは嘘を魔ォかねない。
Scandal could expose the lie.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

奴はうそもつきかねない男だ。
The man is quite capable of telling lies.

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.

彼ならそれくらいの事はいいかねない。
He can say such things.

彼はそんなことをやりかねない。
He is capable of doing such a thing.

彼はどんな悪事でもやりかねない。
He's capable of wickedness of any kind.

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.

--- Comments ---
kaneru=hesitate to, find it hard to | kanenai = doesn't think twice about /
will happily do (a bad thing) (contributor: 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 (contributor: 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. (contributor: 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. (contributor: 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.)
(contributor: 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、…。
(contributor: 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? (contributor: Rukawa)

Can someone double check #4228? Thank you (contributor: ^_^)

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. (contributor: bamboo4)

When I read this the words 'cannot help, unable to help (something),' maybe
'(sometimes) cannot help but' come to mind to describe this. (contributor:
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.
(contributor: anna.kendall)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=kanenai


文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ おかげで (okagede) ]

おかげで (okagede) - thanks to


--- Examples ---
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.

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.

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.

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.

--- Comments ---
See also 'okagesamade' (contributor: Amatuka)

hither and thither あちらこちらに
(contributor: Miki)

The second example is to show that this expression can be used in a reverse
situation. (contributor: 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. (contributor: 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.
(contributor: 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. (contributor: 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.
(contributor: 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. (contributor:
tigert)

Did anyone notice the examples use 2 different kanji? Which one is the
right one? 陰  or 蔭 ? (contributor: tenkamuteki82)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=okagede


文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ うちに (uchini-2) ]

うちに (uchini-2) - before ... (something bad happens); while ... still
(being OK), while (state still continue) and before the state is finished

--- Notes ---
Verb (Dictionary form/nai form) + uchini

i-adjectives (い) + uchini

na-adjectives + な + uchini

Noun + の + uchini

--- Examples ---
暗くならないうちに帰ってきなさい。
Come home before it gets dark.

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.)


電車は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.

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.

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.

--- 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. (contributor: 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? (contributor:
Rukawa)

But it is one grammar concept in japanese - The division should be based on
japanese grammar, and not the english one, no? (contributor: 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 ! (contributor: 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.' (contributor: tigert)

I moved Ex #6903 for because it was very close of #5237. (contributor:
赤毛)

The British still use 'whilst' quite regularly.
It's not archaic. It's just not common in American English. (contributor:
petra)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ うちに (uchini) ]

うちに (uchini) - while; during; as

--- Notes ---
うち (内) means inside. so this is 'inside the time' or while.

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.


--- Examples ---
若いうちに本をたくさん読みなさい。
While you are young, read many books.

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.

暗黙のうちに承諾する。
Accept implicitly.

みるみるうちに太った。
He gained weight just while I was watching him.

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

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 .

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.

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.

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.

--- 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? (contributor: zio)

Yes it certainly sounds pretty weird in English. I think zio's translation
is probably the most natural sounding translation of that sentence.
(contributor: 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. (contributor: Miki)

#6183 Please change from これど to これで. (contributor: Miki)

Whoops! Bad typo. Thanks for alerting me to it. (contributor: minutiae)

isnt ex #6184 an example for the other 'UCHI NI' meaning 'before it stops'?
(contributor: 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 .
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 .
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. (contributor: 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. 
(contributor: tigert)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜際 (sai) ]

〜際 (sai) - when

--- 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.

--- Examples ---
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.

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.

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.

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.

お礼を垂オ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.

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.

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.

入会の垂オ込みをする際、何が必要でしょうか。
When applying for admission, what are the requirements?

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.

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.

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.

受験の際に、写真が必要です。
A photo is required when you come to take the examination.

垂オ込んだ際、住所を間違って書いてしまった。
I wrote the wrong address when I applied.

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.

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.

--- Comments ---
Generally 際に. (contributor: Amatuka)

Has the meaning of ~時 or ~場合. 際は also used. (contributor: halx)

is this used mainly in writing or something? I can't say I see it too
often.. (contributor: 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. (contributor: 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'. (contributor: Pan)

際 also has the connotation of 'at the juncture of ....' (contributor:
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... (contributor: 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? (contributor: 赤毛)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜次第で (shidaide) ]

〜次第で (shidaide) - depending on


--- Examples ---
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.

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.

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.

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).

--- 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
(contributor: Miki)

I don't think its 高飛車. I edited it, but post your comment if you
don't like it. (contributor: 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 (contributor: 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. (contributor: bamboo4)

Also in the form 次第だ, but a meaning similar to わけだ.
(contributor: halx)

Also in the form 次第だ, but a meaning similar to わけだ.
(contributor: halx)

Also in the form 次第だ, but a meaning similar to わけだ.
(contributor: halx)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜ものがある (monogaaru) ]

〜ものがある (monogaaru) - there is such a thing (essence), feels
like


--- Examples ---
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

彼女には何か磁力のようなものがある。
She has something of a magnetic force.

物には限界というものがある。
Everything has its limit.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

--- Comments ---
My textbook says this is for things with deep feeling or emotions.
(contributor: blabby)

which textbook is that? Are the explanations in japanese or english?
(contributor: dc)

意味:
〜と言う感じがある
〜ように感じられる (contributor: halx)

彼の話にはどこか納得できないものがある
what does it means? (contributor: 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.' (contributor:
jaceryl)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜もかまわず (mokamawazu) ]

〜もかまわず (mokamawazu) - dont mind, dont care about


--- Examples ---
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.,

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 in the train with least
attention that they bother others.

--- 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.
(contributor: 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.
(contributor: 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.
(contributor: boytokyo)

why is mo used before writing kamawazu? (contributor: andre)

Maybe it's used for emphasis? (contributor: 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
(contributor: ninja_k)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜まい (mai-2) ]

〜まい (mai-2) - probably won't

--- 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.

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)

--- Examples ---
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.

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.

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.


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.

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.

この牛乳は明日までもつまい。
This milk won't keep till tomorrow.

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.

それは君の役には立つまい。
That won't help you.

そんな噂は誰も信じまい。
Nobody will believe that rumor.

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.

今度は罪をまぬがれまい。
We'll get in this time.

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.

彼はもう英語は教えまい。
He probably won't teach English any more.

彼女はそんなことはすまい。
She probably won't do such a thing.

こんな機会は二度とこまい。
Such an opportunity probably won't come again.

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.


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.

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.

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.

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.

私は負け(る)まいと頑張った。
I hung in there, trying not to lose (the game).

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.

--- Comments ---
This usage is now generally replaced by ないだろう (contributor:
Amatuka)

Commonly used with あるまい (contributor: Amatuka)

Hmm, my example might be 'mai-3' : expression of a negative that is natural
or appropriate. (contributor: 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。 (contributor: Miki)

in #4703 what does まぬがれまい mean? (contributor: 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.
(contributor: Miki)

Is this similar to あるわけない? (contributor: nazonatte69)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜ばほど (bahodo) ]

〜ばほど (bahodo) - V+ the more , the more

--- 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

--- Examples ---
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.

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

やればやるほど悪くなる
The more you do it, the worse it gets.

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

「急げば急ぐほど遅くなる」は逆説である。
More haste, less speed is a paradox.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 did it seem to
become.

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.

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.

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.

飲めば飲むほど注意力が鈍る。
The more you drink, the less careful you will be.

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.

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.

ハンサムならばハンサムほど恋人を探しやすいです。
ならばほど
The more hansome the esier you find lover The more the esier

多ければ多いほどよい。
The more the better.


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
way.


プレゼンテーションに準備すれば準備ほど当時に安心でしょう。


--- Comments ---
See also standard '-ba' conditional verb form. (contributor: 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 (contributor: 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
(contributor: 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. (contributor: bamboo4)

thanks, noted, and now an example. (contributor: 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.
(contributor: 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 (contributor: dc)

That is correct, dc. (contributor: bamboo4)

ex#58 You also can use 勉強すればするほど (contributor: 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 (contributor: 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. (contributor: tw)

It would be 奇麗なら(ば)奇麗_な_ほど. Those pesky noun-like
adjectives and their なs... (contributor: 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。 (contributor:
ミサ坊)

Here you are (contributor: myawr)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜に沿って (nisotte) ]

〜に沿って (nisotte) - go along with; in line with

--- Notes ---
see [basis-of-action-group] for similar items and comparisons.

--- Examples ---
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.

彼の計画に沿って物事を進めた
we went along with his plans

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.

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.

通りに沿って桜が植えられている。
Cherry trees are planted along the street.

通りに沿って店が並んでいる。
There are stores along the street.

彼は川に沿って歩いた。
He walked along the river.

彼は通りに沿って車を運転していた。
He was driving a car along the street.

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.

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.

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

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.


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.

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.

--- Comments ---
Also used for literal / physical 'going along with' (as in first example).
(contributor: Amatuka)

could imply in parallel with (contributor: dc)

not as strong as にしたがって (contributor: dc)

My class is studying about Japan, and i am proud to know this site and
recommend it to all my classmates! AWESOME! (contributor: Cindy)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜にたえる (nitaeru) ]

〜にたえる (nitaeru) - has value; it is worth doing

--- Notes ---
耐える = to put up with, be able bear.

--- Examples ---
十分読むにたえる作品だ。
That book is worth reading

--- 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. (contributor: olivier)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜にしたら (nishitara) ]

〜にしたら (nishitara) - if (one had) 〜's perspective


--- Examples ---
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.

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, English warm real ale is beter than cold american beer.


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.

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.

--- Comments ---
Hmm, I think I'd have 'If I was my brother I'd be unable to bear a fussy
elder sister like me.' (contributor: Amatuka)

You normally would say 弟からしたら, while 弟にしたら is more or
less awkward.
(contributor: bamboo4)

what is the difference between karamiru to and nishitara?
(contributor: g12)

(contributor: Miki)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜だい (dai) ]

〜だい (dai) - ? (for casual questions)


--- Examples ---
誰だい。
Who is it ?

何をこそこそしているんだい。
What are you doing sneaking around ?

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!

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?

--- 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 plain form with か is quite abrupt and rough. (contributor: Amatuka)

Need better example ^^v (contributor: 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。
(contributor: Miki)

I'm not sure about 'いつまで起きているんだい 。'
Would that be more like
'When do you think you're staying up till?'
? (contributor: Amatuka)

dai is used at the end of a sentence (well it is a sentence ending particle
;-)

S = Sentence (contributor: 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. (contributor: Miki)

Is だい only used when there's a negative nuance (i.e. when someone is
being scolded?) (contributor: 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. (contributor: 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.
(contributor: 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。
(contributor: 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. (contributor:
bamboo4)

I don't think だい as a suffix particle belong to Level 1. (contributor:
bamboo4)

changed it to level2. tho to be honest i havent heard this much..
(contributor: dc)

is 'dai' is masculine? (contributor: 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. (contributor: childsnake)

I've usually heard old women and men use 'dai' more than anyone.
(contributor: 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.
(contributor: 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? (contributor: 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.
(contributor: wuerges)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜しかない (shikanai) ]

〜しかない (shikanai) - no alternative, no option but to...

--- 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.

V(dictionary form) + しかない
N + しかない

--- Examples ---
やるしかないじゃん!
Ya gotta do it!

彼女と結婚するしかなかった。
I had no choice but to marry her.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

--- Comments ---
the first example #336 might also be used as
suru yori hokanai (contributor: dc)

やるっきゃない is another folksy way of saing #336. (contributor:
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. (contributor: rubyhatchet)

#1219 か is missing. 卒業できなかったから ...
I think both wasy are acceptable. (contributor: 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
(contributor: 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。 (contributor: Miki)

ex #3681 does not use the grammar pattern. (contributor: マリ)

I fixed ex #1219 according to the alert of Mikiさん.
I need some help for the translation of #6892. (contributor: 赤毛)

#6890: there's difference between the two sentences, the Japanese and the
English (contributor: amenya)

I fixed the translation of #6892. Is it ok? (contributor: amenya)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜こなす (-konasu) ]

〜こなす (-konasu) - have the knack to deal with something; completely

--- Notes ---
this is similar to verb+

読みきって = i finished reading it
読みこなして = I read it thoroughly

That is not entirely correct.

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。




--- Examples ---
このシャンプーは使い
こなして
I used up the shampoo completely

この本を読みこなします
I'll read the book from cover to cover

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.

彼にはその仕事をきちんとこなす迫ヘがない。
He doesn't have the ability to do the work properly.

彼にはその仕事をこなす迫ヘがある。
He has the ability to do the work.

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.

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.

彼は英語をうまく使いこなす。
He has a good command of English.

日本語ちゃんと使いこなせてるんですね!!
you speak japanese perfectly!

彼がそのゲームをやりこなしました
He masterfully played that game.

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.

(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 indiviual, nor what what one would call refined
and elegant clothing.

--- 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. (contributor: 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
(contributor: 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. (contributor: 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 (contributor: 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.' (contributor: 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 (contributor: 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.) (contributor: 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'.
(contributor: 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. (contributor:
violagirl)

For 5768 to ~69, I believe 迫ヘがない should be corrected to
ことがない。 (contributor: maikeru)

msikrtu, ことがない does not make sense in thses sentences.
(contributor: Miki)

do tell us why it doesnt make sense. 教えてくださいね。:-)
(contributor: 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.
(contributor: maikerug)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 3 [ そう (sou) ]

そう (sou) - Vm, Looks like

--- 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

make sure to check [sou-2] for the difference between the two -sou
endings... i heard / it seems

= 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


--- Examples ---
雪が降りそうですね。
Looks like it's going to snow doesn't it?

美味しそうなデザートですね。
Doesn't the dessert look delicious!

「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
way.

この本は高そうです。
This book looks expensive

饂飩が美味しそう!何時食べられるの?
The udon looks delicious. When can we eat?

これは、食べられそうではありません。
This doesn't look like it's edible.

教室は静かそうだ。
The classroom seems quiet (to me).

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

--- 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!' (contributor:
your name)

Vm = Verb -masu base
降る→降ります→降り (contributor: Amatuka)

Possibly the '不機嫌そう' use in the example is another way of
distinguishing between what you can actually know (whether somebody sounds
grumpy) vs what only they know (how they feel). (contributor: Amatuka)

Appparently the 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 (contributor: dc)

来るそう = I heard he will come
きそう = it seems he will come (contributor: dc)

watch out with きそう, it sounds too close to くそ (contributor:
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? (contributor: Miki)

ex#3137 KS is too good at Kanji. Usually we use うどん.
(contributor: Miki)

In the real world, nobody would confuse between 来そう and くそ.
(contributor: 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... (contributor: yookoso)

そう followed by ではありません can be used. I added eg.
What is A1 adjective?
(contributor: 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.
(contributor: 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
(contributor: 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.
(contributor: seanolan)

--- View this entry online ---
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文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 名詞が名詞に代わって (nikawatte) ]

名詞が名詞に代わって (nikawatte) - use Nounに instead of Nounが

--- Notes ---
meishi + ni kawatte

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


--- Examples ---
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.

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.

ジムは、ベティーにかわって手紙を書いた。
Jim wrote the letter for Betty.

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.

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.

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 .

[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 .

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.

--- 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 '? (contributor: anon)

Actually i consulted a native speaker, and apparently is mainly used for
an 'on behalf of' type phrase, whereas is mostly for 'instead of'.
However, the examples we have here only seem to give the 'on behalf of'
sense... (contributor: 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.
(contributor: 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. (contributor: Fritz)

sd (contributor: tamilselvan_t)

Anon, according to my text book its the other way around. nikawatte is 'On
behalf of' as in example #6782 above, is 'instead of'. Hope that helps.
(contributor: edwinbradford)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=nikawatte

文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ せいで (seide) ]

せいで (seide) - because of, due to (indicates only negative meaning)

--- Notes ---
せいで;のせいだ;せいで;せいか

所為 (せい) (n) cause/ reason/ fault (from WWWJDIC) Using the Kanji
in this grammatical construction is likely very rare, however.

--- Examples ---
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 Due to

あいつのせいで、先生に叱られた。
Because of him, I was scolded by my teacher.


気のせいか、彼は今日は何となく元気がなく感じられた。



私は失敗したのは、彼のせいだ。


電車が遅れたせいで、遅刻した。


暑いせいか、食欲がない。

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.

--- Comments ---
What happened to the English verisons of ex #6428,ex #6429,ex #6430 and ex
#6431?

(contributor: bamboo4)

About the Ex 6430.。。The Translation should be...Because of the late
train,So I came late! (contributor: gahoangdai)

Ex 6429 The translation should be..Because of him,I failed. (contributor:
gahoangdai)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=seide



文法: Grammar a Day - Level 3 [ しまう (shimau) ]

しまう (shimau) - Vte, (Definitely, completely do V)


--- Examples ---
もう〜。また皿を壊してしまったか。
Good grief. (That) another plate (you've) gone and broken?

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.

あなたは笑われてしまうでしょう。
You will be laughted at.

--- Comments ---
Formed from Vte + shimau.

Note that shimau conjugates as a normal godan verb.

Vte = -te form verb (死ぬ -> 死んで) (contributor: 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 (contributor: Amatuka)

Not always used in negative nuance. (contributor: Amatuka)

this is very good (contributor: tarun rana)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=shimau


文法: Grammar a Day - Level 3 [ 〜な (na) ]

〜な (na) - (particle used by na-adjectives)


--- Examples ---
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.

彼女はきれいな足をしている。
She has beautiful legs.

静かなレストランに行きましょう。
Let's go to a quiet restaurant.

--- 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 them.
な derived from なる - and なる can still be used in some
circumstances in the same way. (contributor: 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. (contributor: Amatuka)

Note that the same word can often be used both 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 (contributor: Amatuka)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=na



文法: Grammar a Day - Level 3 [ べき (beki) ]

べき (beki) - should do Vru

--- 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 ii

V-dict + beki
読むべき - should read
するべき - should do

〜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.

--- Examples ---
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

--- Comments ---
Relevant grammar question & comments here (fifth post).
P.S. Some handling for accidental, lone ' marks inside tags might be a
good idea. ^^; (contributor: 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...) (contributor: ninja_k)

べき is basically archaic.As such, it does have the effect of emphasis
when used in ordinary conversation. (contributor: bamboo4)

My translation professor always grimaces if I use `beki` in class, he says
it`s too bookish. What are some other options? (contributor: 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。」 (contributor: 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 ' motto-hayaku-kuru beki.' -- what do you think?
(contributor: 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. (contributor:
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. (contributor: 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。
(contributor: NR)

If you want to say you should not read you say.

読まない方がいい (contributor: 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?)
(contributor: 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. (contributor: 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. (contributor: 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
-- (contributor: 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'?
(contributor: 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. (contributor: 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 (contributor: 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) (contributor: Miki)

みなさん、ありがとう (contributor: 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.
(contributor: Jinyanwa)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=beki



文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 事無く (kotonaku) ]

事無く (kotonaku) - without

--- 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...

--- Examples ---
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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.


彼女は思うことなくコーヒーショップに出て行きました。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.

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.

--- Comments ---
should be the same as -ないで (contributor: 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 (contributor: Miki)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=kotonaku


文法: Grammar a Day - Level 3 [ 〜よ (yo) ]

〜よ (yo) - ! (exclamation mark, add emphasis, denote new information
being imparted)


--- Examples ---
バスが来るよ。
The bus is coming !

それは大変なことだよ。
That's pretty serious, you realize that!

あなたが好きなんだよ
I like you, you know!

好い加減にしなさいよ。
Shape up !

--- Comments ---
Generally not to be used to 'out group' / 'superiors'. (contributor:
Amatuka)

よ is used at the end of the sentence (e.g. a sentence ending particle).

S = Sentence. (contributor: Amatuka)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=yo


文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ 〜反面 (hanmen) ]

〜反面 (hanmen) - on the other hand

--- 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'

--- Examples ---
その反面
on the other hand

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.

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.


--- Comments ---
#4967 For me, the words after その仕事は look garbled. (contributor:
Miki)

Thanks Miki-san. It should be okay now. (contributor: PaulO)

Yes. It looks ok now. (contributor: 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?
(contributor: 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.
(contributor: bamboo4)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=hanmen


文法: Grammar a Day - Level 3 [ になる (ninaru) ]

になる (ninaru) - To become

--- 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

--- Examples ---
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!

未来には先生になりたいです。
In the future, I want to become a teacher.

この薔薇の花はもっと美しくなりました。
This rose has become more beautiful.

--- Comments ---
Is there a difference between -となる and -になる?? (contributor:
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...
(contributor: 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. (contributor: Miki)

One would say 大変なことになります in stead of
大変となります.
(contributor: 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.'
(contributor: bamboo4)

直した (contributor: dc)

#5521 We usually say, 将来は、先生になりたいです。instead of
未来は. (contributor: Miki)

Agree with みきさん。 (contributor: 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? (contributor: Paty)

Maybe it should be 私の息子に先生になって欲しい。???
(contributor: 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?
(contributor: tigert)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=ninaru


文法: Grammar a Day - Level 2 [ ようもない (youmonai) ]

ようもない (youmonai) - there's no way


--- Examples ---
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...

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.

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.


お礼の垂オ上げようもない。
I cannot thank you enough.

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.

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.

君って本当にどうしようもないね。
You really are hopeless.

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.

私としてはどうしようもない。
I can't help it.

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.

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.

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.

彼女の美しさはたとえようもない。
Her beauty is incomparable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

--- Comments ---
どうしようが(も)ない=できない // する方法がない
(contributor: 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. (contributor:
赤毛)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=youmonai