Advanced Grammar — Particles & Compound Expressions
Compound particles, extent markers, listing particles, and cause/basis expressions for JLPT N2–N1 Japanese.
Particle Expressions
- Indicates a deviation from what one would normally expect
田中さんは日本人にしては背が高い。
Mr. Tanaka is tall for a Japanese person.
- Can mean both 'is both A and B' (= で)
- Can express an unusual age or length of time
ローマは一日にして成らず。
Rome was not built in a day.
- Alternate forms: にしたところで, にせよ, にしろ
山田さんにしても、あまり変わらないでしょう。
Even if Mrs. Yamada joins, the plan will be the same.
- Identifies the object of a feeling, attitude, or action
- Not used for direct physical contact; doesn't replace を
若い人は政府に対して不満を感じている。
Young people are feeling dissatisfied toward the government.
- Comparison between two different things
日本語は発音が易しいのに対して、英語は発音が難しい。
Whereas in Japanese pronunciation is easy, in English it is difficult.
- 1. Method: by means of
- 2. Direct cause/reason: because of
- 3. Basis of change: depending on
- 4. Causing entity: by (with passive form)
アンケートによって情報を集めた。
I gathered information through a questionnaire.
大きさによって値段が違う。
The price varies depending on the size.
火災によって多くの家が全焼した。
Many buildings burned down because of the fire.
日本人によって発明された技術
a technique that was invented by a Japanese person.
- Identifies an information source (topic must be a different entity)
新聞によると、最近犯罪率が下がったそうです。
According to the newspaper, the crime rate has gone down recently.
- Identifies the location or specific ending time of an event
受付は３時にて終了いたしました。
Reception closed at 3 o'clock.
- Identifies a place or time of occurrence
- Identifies a scope of judgement/relevancy
- Kanji: に於いて
この車は安全性において世界一だ。
This car is the best in the world when it comes to safety.
- Kanji: を措いて
ドイツ語が話せるのは山田さんをおいて他にいない。
Mrs. Yamada is the only one who understands German.
- Identifies who or what something carries that significance for
- Kanji: に取って
この本は私にとって人生の説明書みたいな物だ。
For me, this book is something akin to an instruction manual for life.
- Identifies something which crosses two or more spans of space/time
- Kanji: に掛けて
今日から水曜日にかけて激しい雨が降るでしょう。
Strong rain is expected to fall from today on into Wednesday.
- Indicates a field in which someone excels
暗算にかけては田中さんより早い者はいない。
When it comes to doing math in his head, there is nobody faster than Mr. Tanaka.
忙しい時に限って仕事を頼まれる。
Only when I'm busy do I get asked to do extra.
父に限ってそんなひどいことをするはずがない。
My father would never do something so terrible.
- Kanji: に関わらず
天気にかかわらず試合は行う。
The athletes will compete regardless of how the weather is.
- Action done despite contrary conditions
難しい試験だったにもかかわらず、満点を取った。
In spite of the fact that it was a difficult test, I got a perfect score.
彼が真面目なのにひきかえ、その息子は不良だ。
In contrast to him being serious, his son is a good-for-nothing.
このドラマは男女を問わず人気がある。
This drama is popular among both men and women.
この部品は輸入会社を通して買っている。
We are buying this part through an importation company.
- Kanji: を抜きにして
とりあえず、円高を抜きにして考えよう。
For now, let's consider things without taking the high yen into account.
前置きは抜きにして理由を言ってくれ。
Skip the introduction and tell me why you're here.
この車を除いて全部売り切れだ。
Except for this car, they're all sold out.
- Indicates a starting or ending time
- でもって = only ending time
この番組の放送は６月１０日をもって終了いたします。
Broadcast of this program will end as of June 10.
Extent Expressions
- Identifies an unusual and unexpected element (= も)
- Replaces は, が, を and も, follows other particles
先生でさえこの問題を解けなかった。
Even the teacher couldn't solve this problem.
お金さえあれば東京に引っ越せる。
If I only had the money, I could move to Tokyo.
- Something surprising, in addition to other (less surprising) things (= も)
- Not used with a negative
田中さんの家では風呂にまでテレビがある。
In Mr. Tanaka's house, there's a television even in the bathroom.
大阪に住んでいるが、住所までは知らない。
He lives in Osaka, but so far as his address is concerned, I don't know.
- = にとどまらず
事実を話したまだ。
I've done nothing more than speak the facts.
言うまでもない。
I don't need to say it. (everyone already knows)
- Marks a 'bare minimum' which the speaker feels is reasonable
- Kanji: 位
家族にくらい病状を話すべきだ。
You should tell at least your family about your medical condition.
１時間も遅れるくらいなら休むほうがました。
Rather than be a whole hour late, I'd be better off staying home.
Compound Expressions
彼は弁護士として才能がある。
He has great potential as a lawyer.
先週から風邪気味だ。
I've had a slight cold since last week.
買い物のついでに銀行に行く。
Since I'm going shopping, I'll also go to the bank.
- Kanji: 毎
- ごとに = once for each (see Numbers and Time section)
ビルごと立入禁止になっている。
The whole building has become a restricted area.
田中さんとともに出かけた。
They left along with Mr. Tanaka.
結婚とともに家を買った。
They bought a house when they got married.
- Rarely used as an abbreviation of と言っても or と思って
私とて知る権利があるはずだ。
I too should have a right to know.
Listing Particles
- とか: basic (incomplete) listing (= や), also だの
- やら: listing of unconnected things
- なり: lists two likely/acceptable examples or suggestions
試験に落ちるとか彼女と別れるとか、ひどい日だった。
I failed a test and broke up with my girlfriend; it's been a terrible day.
新聞なりテレビなりに広告を出すのがいいだろう。
It would be good to place an ad in the newspaper or on TV.
- Indicates a discrepancy in knowledge/belief with the listener
- Used when making suggestions (usually なんか over なんて)
- Can be used to belittle things (nuance: not worthy of something)
- なんて can replace なんか + は; cannot follow a particle
カレーなんて簡単に作れるよ。
You may not think so, but you can make curry easily.
この椅子なんかどうかな。
How about this chair?
あの人なんかとデートするの？
You're going on a date with a guy like that?
Cause & Basis
- Identifies the basis/source of the speaker's expectations
- Followed by an observation which conforms to expectations (objective)
いつも売り切れているだけあって美味しかった。
No wonder they're always sold out, they're delicious.
- Same meaning as だけあって, but can also be followed by a subjective statement (feeling, prediction)
難しい問題だけに時間がかかるだろう。
It is a difficult problem, so it will probably take time.
- Precedes an observation which counters expectations
- Always follows something of variable amount/degree
このレストランは高い割りには汚いですね。
For how expensive this restaurant is, it sure is dirty.
- Indicates a bad/unfortunate outcome
- Kanji: 所為
- For a positive outcome, switch with: お陰 (おかげ)
台風のせいで旅行に行けなくなりそうだ。
It seems like I'll become unable to go on my vacation because of the typhoon.
Emphasis
- Adds emphasis by ruling out alternatives
輸出こそ日本の経済を支えている。
Exports are the crucial element supporting the Japanese economy.
次こそ日本語能力試験に合格するぞ。
I swear I'll pass the JLPT next time!
Related こそ Patterns
- こちらこそ — "It is not you, but I" (polite expression)
- ～からこそ — "~ is precisely the reason why..."
- ～ればこそ — "That is only because of ~ that..." 上
- 次／今度こそ — Asserts the determination of the speaker