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How...! (emphasis of emotion or degree)
Definition
The grammar pattern "[V-plain/A-i/A-na (+な)] + ことか" is used to express strong emotions or emphasize the degree of a situation. It is often combined with words like 'dore dake', 'nani do', or 'ikani' to convey a sense of surprise, excitement, or realization. This pattern is used to emphasize the depth of feeling or the extent of a situation, making it a key expression for emotional expression in Japanese.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain form of a verb | [V-plain] + ことか | 見たことか (I saw it!) - emphasizes the fact that the speaker saw something |
| I-adjective | [A-i] + な + ことか | すごいなことか (That's amazing!) - emphasizes the degree of something being amazing |
| Na-adjective | [A-na] + な + ことか | 難しいなことか (That's difficult!) - emphasizes the degree of something being difficult |
Examples
一人暮らしを始めて、家族がどれほど大切か思い知ったことか。
Hitori muraashi o hajimete, kazoku ga dore hodo taisetsu ka omoi shiratta koto ka.
I realized how much my family loves me after starting to live alone.
一人暮らしを始めて (started living alone), 家族がどれほど大切か (how much my family loves me), 思い知ったことか (realized)
合格の知らせを聞いたときは、どんなに嬉しかったことか。
Goukaku no tsutaeru o kikita toki wa, donna ni ureshikatta koto ka.
I was so happy when I heard the news of my graduation.
合格の知らせを聞いたときは (when I heard the news of my graduation), どんなに嬉しかったことか (how happy I was)
この日のために何年努力してきたことか。
Kono hi no tame ni nanen doryoku shite kita koto ka.
I've been working hard for this day for so many years.
この日のために (for this day), 何年努力してきたことか (how many years I've been working hard)
Context
This pattern is used to express strong emotions or emphasize the degree of a situation. It is often used in informal conversations and is a key expression for emotional expression in Japanese. Be careful not to confuse it with ～ものか (strong denial) or ～ことだ (giving advice or stating a fact).
Watch out
～ものか and ～ことか have different meanings and usage, so be careful not to confuse them.
Na-adjectives have a specific pattern, and omitting the 'na' particle can change the meaning of the sentence.
Using the wrong verb form can change the meaning of the sentence and make it incorrect.
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, be careful to use the correct verb form and not to confuse it with other patterns. Also, make sure to use the correct particles and grammar to form the correct sentence.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows [V-plain/A-i/A-na (+な)] + ことか used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
一人暮らしを始めて、家族がどれほど大切か思い知ったことか。
Pattern used: ことか
Used with 'dore hodo' (how much), 'koto ka' emphasizes the depth of the realization.
合格の知らせを聞いたときは、どんなに嬉しかったことか。
Pattern used: ことか
The combination of 'donna ni' and 'koto ka' expresses a strong exclamation of past joy.
この日のために何年努力してきたことか。
Pattern used: ことか
This expresses the speaker's emotional reflection on the long period of effort.
Interactive
一人暮らしを始めて、家族がどれほど大切か思い知った______。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.