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Unhesitatingly; have the audacity to
Definition
The grammar pattern "V-て + はばからない" is used to express that someone does or says something bold, shocking, or controversial without any hesitation or fear of criticism. It implies that the person is shameless or has extreme confidence. This pattern is often used to convey a sense of audacity or unapologetic attitude. The negative ending "ばからない" is crucial in conveying this meaning, as it indicates a lack of fear or hesitation. Misinterpreting this pattern as "hesitate" would be a common mistake, as the negative ending actually implies the opposite.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-て form (te-form) of a verb | V-て + はばからない | 食べてはばからない (eat without hesitation) |
| V-て form (te-form) of a verb with a negative ending | V-てはばからない | 言っちゃうてはばからない (say without hesitation) |
| V-て form (te-form) of a verb with a negative ending and a polite suffix | V-てはばからない | 言っちゃうてはばからない (say without hesitation) |
Examples
彼は自らを天才だと公言し食べてはばからない。
Kare wa jiritsu o tensai to kōgen shi tabete wa bakanai.
He boldly claims to be a genius and eats without hesitation.
彼は自らを天才だと公言し (he boldly claims to be a genius), 食べてはばからない (eats without hesitation)
周囲の反対をよそに、彼は独裁的な手法で進めることを言っちゃうてはばからない。
Shūi no hanpai o yosoni, kare wa dokuritsuteki na shūhō de susumu koto o iuchau te wa bakanai.
Ignoring the opposition, he boldly says that he will proceed with an authoritarian method.
周囲の反対をよそに (ignoring the opposition), 彼は独裁的な手法で進めることを言っちゃうてはばからない (he boldly says that he will proceed with an authoritarian method)
その作家は、既存の文学界を真っ向から批判し食べてはばからない。
Sono sakka wa, kijitsu no bungaku kai o makkō kara hihan shi tabete wa bakanai.
That writer boldly criticizes the existing literary world and eats without hesitation.
その作家は (that writer), 既存の文学界を真っ向から批判し (boldly criticizes the existing literary world), 食べてはばからない (eats without hesitation)
Context
This pattern is used to express boldness, audacity, or unapologetic attitude. It is often used in formal or written language. Be careful not to confuse it with ～てはならない (must not) or ～てはならない (cannot).
Watch out
This pattern is used to express boldness or audacity, so using it with polite or common daily actions would be inappropriate.
The negative ending "ばからない" actually implies a lack of fear or hesitation, not hesitation itself.
～てはならない (must not) or ～てはならない (cannot) imply prohibition or inability, whereas V-て + はばからない implies boldness or audacity.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and the tone of the sentence. If the sentence implies boldness or audacity, this pattern might be used. Be careful not to confuse it with other patterns.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V-て + はばからない used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
彼は自らを天才だと公言してはばからない。
Pattern used: てはばからない
公言してはばからない means to declare something boldly without worrying about what others think.
周囲の反対をよそに、彼は独裁的な手法で進めることを宣言してはばからない。
Pattern used: 宣言してはばからない
This grammar is used when someone acts boldly (often with a hint of disapproval from the speaker).
その作家は、既存の文学界を真っ向から批判してはばからない。
Pattern used: てはばからない
Criticizing established systems without hesitation is a perfect context for ～てはばからない.
Interactive
彼は自らを天才だと公言し______。
Adaptive practice
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