Chapters 9.1, 9.2, and 10.1 from Try!N3, reviewing for a test.
(っ˘̩╭╮˘̩)っ
～てからでなければ…・～てからでないと…
This is when [~] cannot be done until […] is done. […] is usually a negative expression, like 難しい・できない. [~] uses the て verb form.
A rather literal translation is “because if you don’t do this thing, you cannot [B]”.
この会社では、3か月の研修を受けてからでなければ正社員になれません。
At this company, until you complete 3 months of training, you cannot become a full-time employee.
大切なことは、両親に相談してからでなければ決められない。
More literal: As for important matters, until you consult your parents, (you) shouldn’t decide.
Clearer English: Important matters cannot be decided without first consulting (your) parents.
A: これ食べてもいい？
B: まだだめ。もう少し焼いてからでないと…。
NOTE: see how here B doesn’t actually complete the sentence – it could probably be たべられない (can’t eat), but since we’re already talking about eating, there’s no need to repeat that.
～かのよう（に）
Use this when you want to say that something looks or seems a certain way that isn’t literal. For example “the snow glistened like diamonds” – the snow isn’t actually made of diamonds.
4月なのにまるで冬に戻ったかのような寒い日が続いている。
Although it’s April, (almost) as if winter has returned (or “as if returning to winter”), the cold days/weather continue.
山本さんは子犬をまるで自分の子どもであるかのようにかわいがっている。
Yamamoto loves (dotes on) the puppy as if it were his own child.
Note that you put the “figurative” clause before the かのよう(に) part, with the description/action at the end. A more literal English structure would be “The snow, like diamonds, glistened”.
～うちに
Previously, we looked at the “while something continues” meaning of this structure. Today we’re looking at the “before something changes” meaning.
This meaning is basically “before a change occurs, do something”.
We always use the plain form of the verb, ナ adjectives include な, and nouns have の after them (子どものうちに).
アイスクリームが溶けないうちに食べよう。
While the ice cream is not melted, let’s eat.
OR: before the ice cream melts, let’s eat.
Notice how we’re using the negative form to say we should eat while the ice cream is NOT melted.
銀行が開いているうちに振り込みに行かなければならない。
While the bank is open, I must go and make a deposit.
Notice here how we’re NOT using the negative form of a verb to say “bank is (still) open” (since we’re using the continuous verb format ている).
NOTE: Try!N3 lists this as a separate meaning (#81, VS the other meaning explained in item #68), but really it’s the same thing – while something is (not) in a particular state, do something. Hence the translations in the above examples.
～向け(に)
This is when something is for a specific person or group, as in “this book was written for children”.
Also used to talk about something’s inherent characteristics, as in “his personality is suited to being a game show host”.
これは子ども向けの映画だが、大人にも人気がある。
This movie is for children, but it’s also popular with adults.
最近の若い女性向けの雑誌はファッションやグルメの記事が多い。
lately, magazines for young ladies have many articles about fashion and grooming.
当社では輸出向けに左ハンドルの車を生産しています。
We produce left-hand-drive cars for export.
Inherent Characteristics
彼女はアニメの声優向きの声をしている。
She has a voice suited to being an anime voice actress.
この服はかっこいいけれど仕事向きじゃないから買わないことにした。
Even though these clothes are cool, because they’re not suited to/for work, I decided not to buy them.
～によって・～による(N)
This means that “depending on [~], something differs.
いろいろな人がいるのだから、人によって好みや考え方が違うのは当然だ。
Because there are different kinds of people, depending on the person, tastes and ways of thinking are different, naturally.
OR: Because there are different kinds of people, it’s natural that people have different tastes and ways of thinking.
The structure is roughly [A]によって,[B] where [A] is what/who is the source of the differences and [B] is what is different.
この調査結果を見ると、世代によるインターネットの利用目的の違いかわかります。
Looking at the survey results, depending on the generation, (we) understand/see the purpose for using the internet is different.
OR: The survey results reveal differences in the purpose of internet use between (different) generations.
Specific Situation Arising in a Certain Case
This structure can also be used to express that a specific situation will arise in a certain case.
場所によっては電話がつながらないところもある。
In some places, the phone line is not connected.
この薬は人によっては副作用が出ることがあります。
This medicine might cause side effects in some people.
～最中
Essentially means “during [~], […] happened”, with the implication that […] is something unexpected and bothersome.
引っ越しの最中に飼っている犬が逃げ出して、大騒ぎになった。
While moving, our dog ran away and caused a commotion.
データを入力している最中に、コンピューターがフリーズしてしまった。
While entering data, the computer unfortunately froze.
この扉の向こうでは、連続殺人事件の裁判が行われている最中です。
Behind (on the other side of) this door, the trial of a serial killer is underway/going on.
Note that we use either a noun followed by の or a verb in the continuous present (ている) conjugation.
～かけ
Vます stem + かけだ・かけの + N. You have started something, but are not yet finished with it.
弟の部屋には作りかけのプラモデルがいくつもある。
In my brother’s rumor there are several unfinished plastic models.
図書館で借りた本、まだ読みかけだったのに返却日になってしまった。
I borrowed a book from the library, but despite not being finished reading the due date came.
セーターを編みかけて、途中であきらめたことが何度もある。
There have been many times I started to knit a sweater but gave up before finishing/while it was unfinished.
途中・とちゅう means “in the middle of; midway; halfway” and is a great compliment to this grammar structure.
～ずにはいられない
V-ない stem (remove the ない) + ずにはいられない. Means despite your best efforts, you ended up doing [~]. It often expresses strong feelings, reactions, or habits that are hard to resist.
Means the same thing as ～ないではいられない
あのケーキを見ると、食べずにはいられない。
When I see that cake, I can’t help eating it.
ストレスがたまると、甘いものを買わずにはいられない。
When I get stressed, I can’t help buying sweets.
彼の努力を見ると、応援せずにはいられない。
When I see his effort, I can’t help but cheer for him (support him)
その花を香りをかぐと、くしゃみをせずにはいられない。
When I smell that flower(‘s aroma/scent), I can’t help but sneeze.
～てしまう While there are similarities, the key difference is that てしまう expresses an accidental or regrettable action but isn’t necessarily emotional. ～ずにはいられない expresses more of an emotional or instinctive inability to resist doing something.
～わけがない・～ないわけがない
This states something that is absolute – either “absolutely unthinkable” or “must be true”.
Means the same thing as ～はずがない
ALSO means the same as ～っこない, but see below for differences.
相手は世界でトップのチームだし、頑張ったって、勝てるわけがない。
Our opponent is the world’s top team, we can try our best, but there’s no way we can win.
ちゃんと準備したんだから、プレゼン、うまく行かないわけがないよ。もっと自信を持たなきゃ。
Because I prepared well, as for my presentation, there’s no way it won’t go well. I need to be more confident.
～しかない
“It can’t be helped” or “[~] is the only approach” (given the current situation).
Remember: しか means “just”/”only” like だけ, but with the added implication of “no more than” or “nothing but” when used with a negative verb or adjective.
Means the same as ～ほか（は）ない
入学試験まであと1週間。とにかくがんばるしかありません。
The college entrance exam is in one week. All I can do is try my best.
台風で飛行機は結構だし、お金もないし、空港で1泊するしかない。
Flights were canceled because of the hurricane, and I have no money, so I my only option was to stay at the airport.
全員が集まれるのは、金曜の午後しかありませんね。
As for getting together, the only time is Friday afternoon.
～からこそ
Basically the same as から but emphasizing that the reason is important or special.
大変なときだからこそ、協力することが大切なんです。
Especially because times are difficult, it’s important to work together.
いろいろな国の人たちと交流できたのは留学したからこそだと思います。
I think I was able to meet people from various contries especially because I studied abroad.
～なんか
Attaches to something you don’t think is very important. No direct translation, so this one is a little difficult.
Means the same thing as ～なんて
テレビなんかなくても、パソコンがあれば困らない。
A TV isn’t important, if you have a computer you won’t be troubled.
私は仕事が恋人だから結婚なんかしない。
Because work is my lover, marriage isn’t important.
N3なんか、ちゃんと準備すれば簡単だよ。
N3 is easy if you prepare properly. (implication is that you don’t need to worry about N3, it’ll be easy as long as you prepare well).
お宅のワンちゃん、いい子ですね。うちの犬なんて、ぜんぜん私のいうことを聞かないんですよ。
Your dog is a good boy. My dog (who is unimportant) never listens to what I say.
～っこない
Means the same as ～わけがない, but is stronger, more casual, and implies impossibility based on skill/ability or practical reality. It’s almost always used for actions or abilities (verbs).
By contrast, ～わけがない is more general, and implies a logical impossibility. It can be used with verbs, nouns, adjectives, and entire clauses.
30年後、自分がどこで何をしているかはだれにもわかりっこない。
In 30 year’s time, where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing is impossible to know.
課長、今からがんばっても明日の納品には合いっこないですよ。
Manager, even if you work hard now, you won’t be able to make tomorrow’s delivery.
いくらおすしが好きでも、50皿も一度に食べられっこないよ。
No matter how much I like sushi, I can’t possibly eat 50 plates at once (at one time).
～からといって
This is basically saying “just because [~] doesn’t mean doing […] is good/a good idea”. Often used when giving criticism, advice, a warning, etc. Also “Don’t do […] just because [~]”
買い物は計画的に。安いからと言って、買いすぎないようにしましょう。
Plan your shopping accordingly. Just because something is cheap, don’t buy too much.
便利だからと言って、インターネットに頼ってばかりいると、困ることがあるよ。
Just because it’s convenient, just relying on the internet will be troublesome/difficult (can lead to problems).
運動は必要ですが、だからといって、やりすぎてはいけません。
Exercise is necessary, but even so (even though that’s the case), don’t over do it.
～とは限らない
When saying that the general impression may not apply.
最近、バレンタインデーに贈るもののはチョコレートとはかぎらないそうです。
These days, it seems that Valentine’s Day gifts are (surprisingly) not just chocolate.
駅の近くなら通勤に便利だとは限りません。急行が止まらない駅は以外に不便ですよ。
Living near a train station is (surprisingly) not always convenient for commuting. Stations where express trains don’t stop can be inconvenient.