JLPT N1 Grammar
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Category: Cause and Reason
The grammar pattern "名詞 + を背景に" is used to indicate the social, economic, or historical context behind a current trend or development. It is used to explain why something is happening on a large scale. This pattern is often used in academic or formal writing to provide a broader understanding of a situation. The "背景" refers to the underlying circumstances or environment that are contributing to the current state of affairs. It is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a metaphorical explanation for the cause of a phenomenon.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | 名詞 + を背景に | 経済の変化を背景に、企業の経営が大幅に改善された |
| Noun (with genitive particle) | 名詞の + を背景に | 新技術の進歩を背景に、産業の発展が加速した |
| Noun (with topic particle) | 名詞に + を背景に | 環境問題に注目が集まっていることを背景に、企業は環境配慮の取り組みを強化した |
深刻な人手不足を背景に、自動化を推進する企業が急増している。
Shinkoku na hito bunshutsu o bakuhatsu ni, jidōka o susundemo suru kigyō ga kyūsoku shite iru.
With a severe labor shortage as a backdrop, companies that promote automation have been increasing rapidly.
深刻な人手不足 (shinkoku na hito bunshutsu) = severe labor shortage, 背景に (bakuhatsu ni) = as a backdrop, 自動化を推進する (jidōka o susundemo suru) = promoting automation, 企業が急増している (kigyō ga kyūsoku shite iru) = companies have been increasing rapidly
近年の健康志向の高まりを背景に、低糖質食品の売り上げが伸びている。
Kin'nen no kenkō shikō no takamaru o bakuhatsu ni, taisō shokuhin no uraigae ga nobete iru.
With the recent trend of increasing health awareness as a backdrop, the sales of low-carb foods have been increasing.
近年の健康志向の高まり (kin'nen no kenkō shikō no takamaru) = recent trend of increasing health awareness, 背景に (bakuhatsu ni) = as a backdrop, 低糖質食品の売り上げが伸びている (taisō shokuhin no uraigae ga nobete iru) = sales of low-carb foods have been increasing
急速な円安の進行を背景に、輸出企業の業績が回復の兆しを見せている。
Kyūsoku na en'an no shinchō o bakuhatsu ni, yūshutsu kigyō no gyōsei ga kaifuku no shōshi o misete iru.
With the rapid depreciation of the yen as a backdrop, the performance of export companies has shown signs of recovery.
急速な円安の進行 (kyūsoku na en'an no shinchō) = rapid depreciation of the yen, 背景に (bakuhatsu ni) = as a backdrop, 輸出企業の業績が回復の兆しを見せている (yūshutsu kigyō no gyōsei ga kaifuku no shōshi o misete iru) = performance of export companies has shown signs of recovery
This pattern is typically used in formal or academic writing to provide a broader understanding of a situation. It is often used in conjunction with other grammatical patterns to provide a more nuanced explanation. The register of this pattern is formal, and it is not typically used in everyday conversation.
This pattern is meant to be used metaphorically to explain the underlying circumstances or environment that are contributing to a phenomenon. Using it to describe a literal physical background can be confusing and is not idiomatic.
While both patterns can be used to indicate a background or starting point, they have different connotations and uses. 'Wo kawa-kiri ni' is typically used to indicate the starting point of a process, whereas 'を背景に' is used to indicate the underlying circumstances or environment that are contributing to a phenomenon.
This pattern is meant to indicate the underlying circumstances or environment that are contributing to a phenomenon, not the motive or reason for it. Using it to indicate the motive or reason can be confusing and is not idiomatic.
When using this pattern on the JLPT N1 exam, be sure to use it correctly to indicate the underlying circumstances or environment that are contributing to a phenomenon. Avoid using it to describe a literal physical background or to indicate the motive or reason for a phenomenon. Also, be sure to use the correct form of the noun to indicate the background or circumstances.
深刻な人手不足______、自動化を推進する企業が急増している。
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