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Looks like; behaves like (matured/refined)
Definition
The grammar pattern 'N / Adj-stem + びる' is used to describe a certain state or quality that has become natural. It often conveys a sense of maturity, refinement, or being old. This pattern is commonly used to describe people, objects, or situations that have developed a certain character or appearance over time. For example, someone who has developed a mature expression or a refined way of speaking. The key nuance of this pattern is to convey a sense of naturalness or inevitability, implying that the described state or quality has become an integral part of the person or thing being described.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adjectival stem | N / Adj-stem + びる | 美しい (beautiful) -> 美しさびる (looking beautiful) |
| Adjectival stem (with -i-) | N / Adj-stem (with -i-) + びる | 大きい (big) -> 大きびる (looking big) |
| Adjectival stem (with -u-) | N / Adj-stem (with -u-) + びる | 古い (old) -> 古びる (looking old) |
Examples
あの子はまだ小学生なのに、随分表情をすることがある。
Ako wa mada shōgakusei na no ni, zui bun hyōjō o suru koto ga aru.
That child is still in elementary school, but they often make mature expressions.
あの子 (that child), 随分 (very), 表情 (expression), する (to make)
蔵の奥から、随分と巻物が見つかった。
Kura no oku kara, zui bun to makimono ga mitsukatta.
From the back of the warehouse, we found a very old scroll.
蔵の奥 (back of the warehouse), 随分と (very), 巻物 (scroll), が (topic marker)
都会生活が長いせいか、彼の話し方は洗練されていて随分。
Tokai seikatsu ga nagai seikai, kare no hanashi kata wa senritsu sarete, zui bun.
It seems that his way of speaking has become refined because he has lived in the city for a long time.
都会生活 (city life), が (topic marker), 長い (long), せいか (because), 彼の (his), 話し方 (way of speaking), は (topic marker), 洗練されていて (has become refined), 随分 (very)
彼の絵は随分と美しい。
Kare no e wa zui bun to utsukushii.
His painting is very beautiful.
彼の (his), 絵 (painting), は (topic marker), 随分と (very), 美しい (beautiful)
この本は随分と古い。
Kono hon wa zui bun to furui.
This book is very old.
この (this), 本 (book), は (topic marker), 随分と (very), 古い (old)
Context
This pattern is used to describe a certain state or quality that has become natural. It is often used to describe people, objects, or situations that have developed a certain character or appearance over time. The pattern is typically used in formal or polite language, and is often used in writing or formal speech. It is not commonly used in informal conversation.
Watch out
The verb 'buru' means 'to pretend' or 'to fake', whereas 'びる' means 'to look' or 'to appear'. Using 'buru' instead of 'びる' can change the meaning of the sentence significantly.
The pattern 'N / Adj-stem + びる' is a concise way of describing a certain state or quality. Using too many words can make the sentence sound awkward or unnatural.
The verb 'びる' is a regular verb that follows the -ru conjugation pattern. Misconjugating the verb can change the meaning of the sentence significantly.
Strategy
When using the pattern 'N / Adj-stem + びる' in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct verb conjugation and to avoid using too many words. Also, be careful not to confuse 'buru' with 'びる'.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows N / Adj-stem + びる used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
あの子はまだ小学生なのに、随分大人びた表情をすることがある。
Pattern used: 大人びた
'Otonabita' is used for a child who naturally appears mature, unlike 'otonabutta' which is pretending.
蔵の奥から、随分と古びた巻物が見つかった。
Pattern used: 古びた
'Furubita' implies an antique, dignified oldness rather than 'dirty' oldness.
都会生活が長いせいか、彼の話し方は洗練されていて垢抜けている。
Pattern used: 垢抜けている
Wait, the question asks for 'biru' context. Let's use 'inaka-biru' (to look rustic/country-like) as a contrast. If the city life is long, he is NOT inaka-biru.
Interactive
あの子はまだ小学生なのに、随分______表情をすることがある。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.