JLPT N1 Grammar
· Advanced
Search pages and navigate
· Advanced
Even; just (by doing)
Category: Emphasis and Degree
The grammar pattern "V-辞書形 + だに / N + だに" is used to emphasize that even a small action or thought leads to a strong reaction. It is often paired with verbs like 'imagining', 'thinking', or 'dreaming' to convey a sense of surprise or astonishment. This pattern is used to express that something is unexpected or unbelievable, even if it is a minor or mental action.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-辞書形 | V-Base form + だに | 考える (kangaeru) -> 考えるだに |
| N + だに | Noun + だに | 事故 (jiko) -> 事故だに |
| V-連用形 + だに | V-Conjunctive form + だに | 考える (kangaeru) -> 考えるだに |
あの悲惨な事故のことは、思い出す______恐ろしい。
ano hizan na jikou no koto wa, omoidasu ____ kyoukoushii.
That terrible accident is even more terrifying to think about.
あの悲惨な事故のことは (That terrible accident is), 思い出す (to think about), ____ (even), 恐ろしい (terrifying)
まさか自分が宝くじに当たるなんて、夢に______思わなかった。
masaka jibun ga takuhi ni ataru nante, yume ni ____ omowakatta.
I never even imagined that I would win the lottery in my dreams.
まさか自分が宝くじに当たるなんて (I never even imagined that I would win the lottery), 夢に (in my dreams), ____ (even), 思わなかった (never imagined)
人類が月へ行くなど、昔の人は想像______しなかっただろう。
jinrui ga tsuki e iku nado, mukashi no hito wa sozō ____ shinakatta darou.
It's unlikely that people in the past even imagined humans going to the moon.
人類が月へ行くなど (humans going to the moon), 昔の人は (people in the past), 想像______しなかっただろう (even imagined)
This pattern is used to emphasize that even a small action or thought leads to a strong reaction. It is often used in negative contexts to express surprise or astonishment. In positive contexts, 'sae' is more natural. This pattern is used in formal and informal writing, as well as in spoken language.
This pattern is used to emphasize the mental or minimal nature of the action, so using it with physical actions can change the meaning.
While both patterns are used to emphasize, they have different meanings and uses.
This pattern is used to express surprise or astonishment, so using it in positive contexts can change the meaning.
In the JLPT exam, this pattern is often used in reading comprehension questions to test the candidate's understanding of nuance and context. Be careful to use the correct pattern and to understand the meaning in context.
あの悲惨な事故のことは、思い出す______恐ろしい。
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.