JLPT N1 Grammar
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As soon as; repeatedly right after
Category: Time and Sequence
The grammar pattern "動詞辞書形 / た形 + そばから" is used to describe a situation where, despite something being done, the opposite or an undesirable situation occurs immediately and repeatedly. This pattern carries a nuance of frustration or futility, implying that no matter how hard one tries, the undesired outcome continues to happen. It is often used to express a sense of disappointment or helplessness in the face of a recurring problem.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 動詞辞書形 (Dictionary form of a verb) | 動詞辞書形 + そばから | 新しい言葉を覚えるそばから忘れてしまう |
| 動詞た形 (Past tense of a verb) | 動詞た形 + そばから | 掃除をしたそばから、子供たちが部屋を散らかしていく |
| 動詞た形 (Past tense of a verb) with 連用形 (Conjugated form) | 動詞た形 + そばから | 料理をテーブルにそばから、子供たちが食べてしまう |
新しい言葉を覚えるそばから忘れてしまうので、本当に困っている。
Atarashii kotoba o oboeru soba kara wasurete shimau node, hontou ni komatte imasu.
I'm really frustrated because I keep forgetting the new words I've learned.
新しい言葉を覚える (learn new words) そばから (immediately after) 忘れてしまう (forget) ので (because) 本当に困っている (really frustrated)
掃除をしたそばから、子供たちが部屋を散らかしていく。
Sōji o shita soba kara, kodomo-tachi ga heya o sara kaite imasu.
As soon as I finish cleaning, the kids start making a mess again.
掃除をした (finished cleaning) そばから (immediately after) 子供たちが部屋を散らかしていく (the kids start making a mess)
料理をテーブルにそばから、子供たちが食べてしまう。
Ryōri o teeburu ni soba kara, kodomo-tachi ga tabete shimau.
As soon as I put the food on the table, the kids start eating it.
料理をテーブルに (put the food on the table) そばから (immediately after) 子供たちが食べてしまう (the kids start eating)
This pattern is used to describe a recurring situation where an undesired outcome occurs immediately after a specific action. It is often used in informal speech and writing. Be careful not to confuse it with other patterns that describe a single instance or a one-time event.
This pattern implies a recurring situation, so using it for a one-time event can be misleading.
～が早いか implies a single instance, whereas そばから implies a recurring situation.
This pattern requires a verb that implies a recurring state, so using it with a verb that doesn't fit can be incorrect.
Pay attention to the context and the verb used in the sentence. If the verb implies a recurring state, use this pattern. If not, use a different pattern to describe a one-time event.
新しい言葉を覚える______忘れてしまうので、本当に困っている。
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