JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
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· Intermediate
leave something as it is/keep doing
Category: Compound Verbs and Completion
The grammar pattern "V-stem + っぱなし" is used to describe leaving something in an improper or messy state, or continuing a state for an unusually long time. It often carries a negative or critical nuance, implying that the situation is not ideal or has gone on for too long. For example, "テレビをつけっぱなしにして寝てしまった" means "I fell asleep with the TV still on", implying that it was left on for too long. This pattern is often used to express frustration or annoyance with a situation.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-stem (base form of the verb, without any conjugation) | V-stem + っぱなし | 見っ + っぱなし (looking without stopping) |
| V-stem (base form of the verb, without any conjugation) | V-stem + っぱなし | 聞っ + っぱなし (listening without stopping) |
| V-stem (base form of the verb, without any conjugation) | V-stem + っぱなし | 読っ + っぱなし (reading without stopping) |
テレビをつけっぱなしにして寝てしまった。
Terebi o tsuketappanashi ni shite nematte shimatta.
I fell asleep with the TV still on.
テレビをつけっぱなし (left the TV on), 寝てしまった (fell asleep)
ドアを開けっぱなしにするのはやめてください。
Doa o akeppanashi ni suru no wa yametekudasai.
Please don't leave the door open.
ドアを開けっぱなし (left the door open), する (to do), の (noun marker), は (topic marker), やめてください (please don't)
立ちっぱなしで足が疲れてしまった。
Tachippanashi de ashi ga tsukarete shimatta.
I'm exhausted from standing for too long.
立ちっぱなし (standing without stopping), で (conjunction), 足が疲れてしまった (got tired)
電話を掛けっぱなしにして、出かけてしまった。
Denwa o kakeppanashi ni shite, dekakete shimatta.
I left the phone off the hook and went out.
電話を掛けっぱなし (left the phone off the hook), して (conjunction), 出かけてしまった (went out)
This pattern is used to describe situations where something is left in an improper or messy state, or continues for an unusually long time. It often carries a negative or critical nuance. It can be used in formal or informal situations, but is more commonly used in informal conversation. It can be compared to the pattern "mama," which is more neutral, but 'ppanashi' often carries a stronger negative connotation.
This pattern is often used to express frustration or annoyance with a situation, so it's not suitable for positive continued actions.
'Ppanashi' often carries a stronger negative connotation than 'mama', so use them in different contexts.
The pattern attaches to the V-stem, not the ta-form, so make sure to use the base form of the verb.
In the JLPT exam, this pattern is often tested in the reading comprehension section. Pay attention to the context and the nuance of the situation to determine whether to use 'ppanashi' or not.
テレビをつけ______にして寝てしまった。
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