Twitter postage!

Dudes and dudettes:

I will be posting N1-level vocab via @jljzen on Twitter for the next month-plus for the coming JLPT on Dec. 5. If you have any feedback, questions, or complaints, please reply here to my Tweets by clicking on the Twitter box at right. Enjoy!

JLJ

中途半端な文法パート15

Thanks for following　中途半端な文法. This entry will close out my review of grammar. Next up: Translation practice via my Tumblr site.

１．べからず： Must not
例文：　芝生に入るべからず。（立て札）
Notes:　Old written form, not often seen today, but sometimes found on bulletin boards and billboards.

２．までだ：　Just have to ~ (often expressing resignation)
例文：　終電も行っちゃったから、歩いて帰るまでだ。
Notes:　Expresses speaker's resignation or resolve that there are no other appropriate alternatives so must he or she must try some last resort.

３．にはあたらない： Not so much as to~ ; unnecessary
例文：　この程度のことは誰でもできる。賞賛するにはあたらない。
Notes:　Expresses speaker's low opinion of something. Often appends to verbs like 賞賛・驚く・感謝する・ほめる

４．でなくてなんだろう：　If this isn't ~, then what is it?
例文：　彼は体の弱い妻のために空気のきれいな所へ引っ越すことを考えているようだ。これが愛でなくてなんだろう。
Notes: Expresses feeling by mentioning abstract noun and saying that it is par excellence. Written form seen in novels, essays, etc.

５．とは：　The fact that~
例文：　上司に喧嘩を売るとは。君も思い切ったことをするね。
Notes:　Shows disbelief or deep emotion about unexpected fact that was seen or heard. Fact precedes pattern, expression of surprise follows. Spoken form is なんて.

中途半端な文法パート14

１．由：　Have heard that ~
例文：　そちらでは紅葉が今盛りの由ですが、伺えなくて残念です。
Notes: Used in letters, etc. Older and more formal expression than とのこと.

２　てやまない：　From the depths of one's heart ~
例文：　震災地の復興を願ってやみません。
Notes: This indicates strong feelings held for a long time. It is used to express the speaker's feelings and almost never used in the third person. It is often used with words such as 求める, 希望する, 祈る and 願う.

３．かぎりだ：　Absolutely, extremely ~
例文：　大事な仕事なのに彼が手伝ってくれないなんか、心細いかぎりだ。
Notes: Used when speaker feels something very strongly. Rarely used in third person.

４．といったらない・といったらありはしない： Inexpressibly; extremely ~
例文：　この仕事は毎日毎日同じことの繰り返しだ。つまらないといったらない。
Notes: Expresses extreme degree in positive or negative evaluations. Often found in informal　～といったらありゃしない　～ったらない patterns.

５．ないではすまない・ずにはすまない：　Must certainly ~
例文：　彼はかなり怒っているよ。僕らが謝らないではすまないと思う。
Notes: Considering situation, conditions of the time and social rules, speaker expresses notion of having to something by all means. Formal expression.

６．ないではおかない・ずにはおかない： Will most certainly ~
例文：　あの刑事はこの殺人事件の犯人を逮捕しないではおかないと言っている。
Notes: Expresses strong emotion, desire or policy that something will not be allowed to go undone. *A separate expression also means "can't help but ~ "

７．を禁じえない：　Can't help but ~
例文：　兄の建てたばかりの家が自身で壊してしまった。同情を禁じえない。
Notes: Expresses feelings that naturally arise after seeing some situation or condition and cannot be suppressed through volitional power. Formal, not used in daily conversation. When used in third person, must take そうだ・ようだ.

８．を余儀なくされる・させる：　To be compelled to ~ ・ To compel ~　
例文１：　津波で家を失った人々は公園でのテント暮らしを余儀なくされた。
例文２：　次郎は役者志望だったが、家庭の事情は彼に家業を継ぐことを余儀なくさせた。
Notes: Compelled by nature, environment or other powers beyond those of party in questiojn to do something. Appends to nouns of action.

中途半端な文法パート13

１．なしに・ことなしに：　Without
例文：　彼は上司の断りなしに、仕事を休んだ。
Notes: AなしにB => Used when normally one does something a certain way, but this way continues without doing something usually considered necessary. Often expresses surprise, dissatisfaction of speaker.

２．までもなく・までもない：　No need to ~
例文：　言うまでもなく、彼よりあなたの方が優秀ですよ。
Notes: Expresses that there is no need to go to such a degree to do something.

３．ないものでもない・ないでもない：　It isn't that ~ can't
例文：　彼の話は確かに不思議だけど、信じられないもんでもない。
Notes: Passive affirmation indicating possibility. Something happens in some cases and can't be completely ruled out.

当てもなく書いた

Quick entry on the very useful 当て and its many forms. Here are a few off the top of my head.

当てがある： To have something in mind.
例文：　今晩泊まるところの当てはあるのか？
英訳：　Do you have a place in mind to stay tonight?

当てが外れた： To be disappointed in one's expectation.
例文：　もっと客が来ると思ったが、当てが外れた。
英訳：　I thought we'd get more customers, but I was disappointed.

当てにする： To expect, rely on, depend on, count on, look to.
例文：　彼はいつも私の援助を当てにしている。
英訳：　He always looks to me for help.

当てにできる： Reliable.
例文： 消息通の情報が当てにできるよ。
英訳：　We can rely on the sources information.

当てにならない： Uncertain, unreliable, irresponsible.
例文：　彼の約束は当てにならない。
英訳：　His promises can't be trusted.

当ても無く： Aimlessly, for no reason.
例文： 当ても無く歩き回っているうちに浜辺に出た。
英訳： Wandering aimlessly, we arrived at the beach.

今週の単語帳：９月１６日

９月１６日
単語の英訳をできるだけ早く書き込む

密輸（みつゆ）： Smuggle
鈍行（どんこう）： Slow (train/trip)
政局（せいきょく）： Political situation
それとなく言う： To allude to, insinuate something
悪知恵（わるぢえ）が働く（はたらく）： To be crafty, cunning
一両日中に（いちりょうじつちゅうに）： In a few days
常任（じょうにん）： Standing, permanent
耐性（たいせい）菌（きん）： Resistant (bacteria)
めくる： Turn (pages)
分かり切った（わかりきった）： Obvious
恩知らず（おんしらず）： Ungrateful
素面（しらふ）： Sober
即座（そくざ）： Immediately
とっつきにくい(人）： Tough to approach (person)
奇襲（きしゅう）： Sneak attack
こりごり： To be fed up of X
復帰（ふっき）： Comeback; return
内通（ないつう）： Secret communication

中途半端な文法パート12

１．に至って（は）： Being in such straits...
例文：　死者が出るに至って、ようやく警察も問題の重要さに気づいたようだ。
Notes: Something becomes a serious situation. Often used with やっと・ようやく・はじめて

２．に至る： Lead to... ; Reached (the point of...)
例文：　そのもの食べたら、急速に死に至る場合がある。
Notes: Used after several events occur in succession, something finally happens. Often used with 　ついに・とうとう

３．しまつだ： End up ... ; Turn out (badly)
例文：　ケンはさんざん親に反抗して、ついに家出までするしまつだ。
Notes: Shows process of events going from bad to worse. Often used with とうとう・最後は

４．までだ・までのことだ： Just have to...
例文：　この台風で家までの交通機関がストップしてしまったら、歩いて帰るまでだ。
Notes: Shows speaker's resignation that there are no other appropriate alternatives, so one must try some last resort. Used with minor things (大したものじゃない）

中途半端な文法パート11

１．ごとく・ごとき: Like/as
例文： ジョンがスーを侮辱したら、スーの彼氏は爆発のごとく怒り出した。
Notes: Same meaning as ように, but is old, written form.

２．ともなく・ともなしに： Unconsciously; without paying attention
例文：　隣のカップルの口喧嘩を聞くともなく、耳に入ってきた。
Notes: Used when acting with no particular purpose or intent in mind. Often used when one does something and an unexpected even occurs. Verbs of same type of action precede and follow and follow.

３．～つ～つ： And; or; now...now
例文：　彼女にデートを誘うかどうしようかと彼女のアパートの前を行きつ戻りつ歩いた。
Notes: Appends to two contrasting verbs. Is often used idiomatically.

４．んばかりに・の・だ： On the point of; on the verge of
例文：　パソコンにジュースをこぼした時、お父さんは「FUCK!」と言わんばかりの顔をした。
Notes: Some action or appearance is on the verge of becoming something else. Not used for speaker's own appearance.

５．とばかり（に）： Virtually seems to; as if
例文：　行くなとばかりに、立ちはだかった。
Notes: Some attitude or appearance is not conveyed verbally, but appears a certain way through actions. Usually clause that follows grammar conveys forceful, extreme action. Describes others, not speaker.

中途半端な文法パート10

良いニューズ: 中途半端な文法が戻ってきた!　できるだけ興奮を抑えろ。
悪いニューズ： 日本語能力試験一級は合格まで後ほんの三点。

The good news: Half-assed grammar has returned! Try and control your excitement.
The bad news: I failed the JLPT by a measly 3 points.

So, in preparation for December, I will be wrapping up my grammar book and also posting more regularly on the site, on Twitter and on possible other ventures.

And now,　中途半端な文法１０：

１．きらいがある：　Tend to... ; be liable to... (negative nuance)
例文：　彼は飲んだ後に、寝るとイビキするきらいがある。
Notes: Not used for external appearances, but rather for fundamental essence of issue. Often seen in pattern: どうも～きらいがある。

２．まみれ： To be completely covered in...
例文：　小沢はスキャンダルまみれで、民主党の幹事長を辞めさせられた。
Notes: Not used for place with many dispersed items. Can also be used figuratively（例：スキャンダルまみれ）

３．ずくめ： Totally immersed in... ; all in...
例文：　去年のクリスマスは妻と一緒に過ごして、楽しいことずくめだった。
Notes: To be filled with something, or one thing after another happens. Often used when a person is inundated with nice things. If used with countable noun, can be used interchangeably with だらけ.

４．めく： Take on an air of... ; has a feel of...
例文：　まだまだ暑いですが、最近の夜は秋めいて来ました。
Notes: Something isn't completely a certain way, but has an air of something.

今週の単語帳：８月２４日

８月２４日

１．成仏（じょうぶつ）： To die
２．おおらか： Easygoing; laid back
３．堪える（こらえる）： Stifle; repress; hold back
４．先天的（せんてんてき）： Congenital; in-born
５．一睡（いっすい）もしない： No sleep a wink
６．連立（れんりつ）： Alliance; coalition
７．ずらがる： To skip out on (paying)
８．温厚（おんこう）： Good-natured
９．引き付ける（ひきつける）： To attract; to charm; to fascinate
１０．重力（じゅうりょく）： Gravity
１１．かねがね（うかがう）： (to hear) a lot (about someone)
１２．来世（らいせ）： To go to the next world
１３．唖然とする（あぜん）： To be dumbfounded
１４．鎮静剤（ちんせいざい）： Tranquilizer; sedative
１５．年貢の納める（ねんぐのおさめる）： "One's number is up"
１６．頭突き（ずつき）： Headbutt
１７．世直し（よなおし）： To fix the world
１８．見下す（みくだす）： To look down on; to despise
１９．呼び捨て（よびすて）： To use someone's name w/out ～さん
２０．忠実（ちゅうじつ）： Faithful
２１．他界（たかい）： To pass away (to a different world)
２２．氷柱（つらら）： Icicle
２３．永眠（えいみん）： To expire; to take the "big sleep"
２４．請願（せいがん）： Petition
２５．潮（しお）： Tide

I'm not a child!

子供じゃあるまいし！
神様じゃあるまいし！
この世の終わりじゃあるまいし！

Great way to express negation for the preceding noun/clause.

You're not a child!
I'm not God!
It's not like it's the end of the world or anything!

In a bit more context:

A：　おい、言葉使いに気をつけろ！子供じゃあるまいし！
B:　すいません！

A:　何で彼はそんなことすんの？
B:　知るか！知ってるわけない、神様じゃあるまいし。

A:　彼女に振られたんだ。もう、これから生きていけないな。
B:　元気出せよ。この世の終わりじゃあるまいし、可愛い子いっぱいいるんだぞ！

Come rain or shine!

Cool expression:
雨が降ろうが槍が降ろうが（あめがふろうがやりがふろうが）

Encountered this in some grammar studies. Basically, it is the Japanese equivalent of "come rain or shine, someone will go somewhere." But this one is a lot cooler sounding -- if translated directly it means "come rain or arrows."

According to 広辞苑, it means: どんなことがあっても。どんな困難に出会ってもやり抜けるという決意をこめた語。Most of the examples I've seen use 行く following the construction, but other action verbs are possible.

例文：　雨が降ろうが槍が降ろうが北海道に行きたいな。
例文：　雨が降ろうが槍が降ろうが列に並びたい。

There are several other variations of this construction, all with similar meanings.

雨が降ろうと槍が降ろうと
雨が降っても槍が降っても

Vocabulary review

Post-JLPT slacking has left me with a huge backlog of vocab that I have yet to completely process. Most of these words I have come across in the context of everyday life. For now, I'll just post the words and their English equivalents. Sentences and definitions have been updated!

ブーヤー!

１．はったりをかける：Bluff
２．躊躇（ちゅうちょ）：Hesitate, pause, hang back
３．ぞっとする：Freeze, be scared
４．忠誠（ちゅうせい）：Loyalty, allegiance

５．～に備えて（そなえて）：For, against, in case, toward
　　　　例文：　彼女は事故に備えて、車ではいつもシートベルトを締めている。

６．報われる（むくわれる）：Payoff, be rewarded
　　　　例文：　努力が報われて彼は成功を手に入れた。

７．概略（がいりゃく）：Outline
８．概要（がいよう）：Summary, breakdown
９．～日和（ひより）：Perfect day for ～
１０．絆創膏（ばんそうこう）：Band-aid
１１．こじれる：To complicate X even more, to be compounded by
１２．規定（きてい）：Stipulation

１３．～狂いはない（くるいはない）：Excellent; 100% X
　　　　例文：　彼の人の見る目には狂いはない。

１４．挫折(感)する(ざせつ）：Be frustrated, suffer a setback (sense of frustration)
　　　　例文：　多くの挫折を克服する

１５．言い切る（いいきる）：Say something definitively
１６．麦藁帽子（むぎわらぼうし）：Straw hat
１７．恋敵（こいがたき）：Rival in love
１８．寝違える（ねちがえる）：To get a crick in one's neck

JLPTのN1の余波 (The aftermath of N1)

Well, took the new N1 test on Sunday, and I have to say, it wasn't nearly as difficult as I imagined it would be. That said, this may be due to several factors:

1. I've now taken the first level 3 (4?) times. I'm used to the general shape of the test.
C. JEES, the test's maker, really hyped the new exam as being harder than past tests. While this may be true for the second level, which was shorn of most easy questions in order to make the new third level of the test, I doubt this was the case with the first level.
47. I have a habit of finishing tests off in an optimistic frame of mind. Guess I'm a hopeless optimistic.

For those of you who took the test this summer, I'd love to hear some observations. Here are a few more of mine.

• 壊される was on the 漢字 section of the test. WTF? That's some kiddie stuff.
• Although lots of folks say Chinese are rampant cheaters, in the 7 or 8 times I've taken the tests, I've never seen this.
• My eyes were hurtin' for certain after two hours of 言語知識 and 読解. That's just too long to be continuously staring at those small letters. I need glasses.
• The break -- only 40 minutes -- between 言語知識 and 聴解 sections was fine. Not too long, and not too short. But I was glad I bought some food before the test. My stomach started growling toward the end of the first section.
• In the listening section, they pulled their old "pretend-that-the-answer-is-obvious-then-suddenly-and-unrealistically-do-a-complete-reversal" answer on several questions.
• On the multiple-choice 返事 part of the listening section, several choices were nonsensical, and kinda funny. Listen for people chortling, and you will know that that response is not the correct answer.

One more thing, I'll still try to work my way through the grammar book, as I had been doing prior to this post, but may take a short, post-test sabbatical. Hope to see some comments!

中途半端な文法パート９

１．　が最後　・　たら最後： Once you ... that's it; If ... that will be the end of it.
例文：　勉強せずに試験を受けたら最後、絶対に失敗する。　
Notes: Conveys a feeling that is someone does some particular action, everything will be lose/over. This pattern is also used to convey a sense that once you start something, that situation will continue. たら最後 is the more colloquial version.

２．　なくして（は）： Without ...; if it were not for ...
例文：　努力なくしては成功なんかあり得ない。　
Notes: Carries nuance of "without X, it would be difficult to Y. Pattern follows a noun, which are desirable things. Sometimes seen in the idiom　愛をなくして何の人生だろう。

３．　とあれば： If for ...
例文：　子供の教育費とあれば、多少の出費も仕方がない。　
Notes: Pattern is used when something is necessary or acceptable because X is for something. Often used in idiom ためとあれば. Requests or invitations do not follow pattern.

中途半端な文法パート８

１．　たところで： Even supposing...; Even if...
例文：　いくらでも話し合ったところで、例の問題を解決することはできない。　
Notes: Describes speaker's judgment that even if something does occur, results will defy expectations and be in vain or marginal in the end. Past tense can't be used in the final clause. Often used with どんだに、いくら、たとえ.

２．　であれ： Regardless of ...
例文：　命令されたことが何であれ、気ちゃんと最後までやらなければならない。　
Notes: Clause signifies that situation stays the same regardless of what is listed in previous clause. Subjective conjecture. Often used with たとえ and interrogatives.

３．　う（よう）が　・　う（よう）と（も）： No matter what; whether... or....
例文：　あの人がどこへ行こうが、私には関係ないことです。　
　　　　*雨が降ろうがやりが降ろうが、俺達は最後までやり抜くぞ。
Notes: Same meaning as ても, but not as strong of assertion. * is an idiom commonly heard, meaning approximately "whether rain or shine." The repetition is used to strengthen the assertion.

４．　う（よう）が～まいが　・　う（よう）と～まいと： Regardless of X or not ...
例文：　あの人が来ようが来るまいが、予定は変更しません。　
Notes: Two grammar points are virtually identical. The pattern supposes that whether or not something is done, clause that follow is valid. まい is the old form of negation for V-よう.

中途半端な文法パート７

１．　こととて： .On account of the fact that ...
例文：　初めてのこととて、どのように対処していいのか分からなかったのだ。　
Notes: Used to give reasons, apologies or to see forgiveness. Formal, slightly old. Often seen in patterns using　慣れぬこととて,　高齢のこととて.

２．　とあって： Being ...
例文：　アフリカへ行くのは初めてとあって、会員達は興奮気味であった。　
Notes: Special situation/appearance is described before pattern; resultant situation is described after. Often used to describe speaker's observations. Seen in newscasts often.

３．　ゆえ（に）・ゆえ（の）： Therefore...; on account of ...
例文：　我思う、ゆえに我あり。　
Notes: Formal, literary term. Expresses a reason or cause. However, it cannot represent cause of specific event, action. に which follows is optional in many cases, as is が・の that precedes ゆえ.

４．　ばこそ： Precisely because ...
例文：　『愛』があればこそ生きる喜びがある。　
Notes: Emphasizes there is no other reason for something. Rarely used with negative evaluations. Conditions often precede pattern. Slightly old-fashioned.

５．　ではあるまいし： It's not like you're ...
例文：　犬じゃあるまいし、落とした食べ物を食べるな（3秒ルールだけど．．．）　
Notes: Used to describe mistaken identity, criticism usually follows. Somewhat old-fashioned, but also conversational. Not used in formal writing.

中途半端な文法パート６

１．　ときたら： Discusses something trivial in a criticizing or dissatisfied manner.
例文：　周りの家はみんなきれいなのに、うちのときたら、草だらけだよ。　
Notes: Usage is similar to と言えば

２．　とはいえ： Although, be that as it may, admittedly.
例文：　疲れているとはいえ、出勤できないほどではない。　
Notes: Other interpretations could be　①"Although it is said that..." ② "admittedly..." Is a more formal version of とはいっても. Opinions, judgment often follow.

３．　といえども： Even though, although.
例文：　ここは山の中といえども、何でもそろっている。　
Notes: Usually found in written or formal speech. といっても is the colloquial version.

４．　ながらも： Even though.
例文：　移転したばかりの新しい事務所は、狭いながらも駅に近いので満足している。　
Notes: More formal than ながら.

５．　ところを： Even though.
例文：　お忙しいところをわざわざ来てくださってありがとうございます。　
Notes: Shows consideration for party's situation and that speaker has done something regardless of said situation. Often used idiomatically: お休みのところを, ご多忙のところを.

６．　ものを： Even though, How could you...? You should/could have ...
例文：　木村さんが困っているのを知っていれば、助けてあげたものを。　
Notes: This pattern shows a vexation or dissatisfaction with reality. It often describes emotions of bitterness/regret/criticism. The clause following is often omitted (as in 例文).

７．　と思いきや： Though I thought... it wasn't the case.
例文：　ちゃんと家賃払ったと思いきや、実は私の思い違いだった。　
Notes: Denotes surprise at something not turning out as expected. Slightly old-fashioned, but often used for humorous effect. Not used in formal language/essays.

中途半端な文法パート5

Welcome to Part V of this series. Things got a little bit more difficult with some of these grammar points because there just aren't enough references/explanations for some of them. This is the second part of the 強調 section from my grammar book. Here goes:


１．　からある　（からする*）： Extends from ...
例文：　このバーベルの重さは５０キロからあるでしょ。
Notes: Emphasizes large amount. Similar to からの and becomes からする when referring to prices.

２．　というもの： For X long time
例文：　留学から帰ってから１ヶ月というもの、仕事しないで家でぶらぶらしている。
Notes: Follows a time period that feels long. Clauses of continuation follow it. Adding は after it makes the expression more exclamatory.

３．　にして： For; considering ...
例文：　こういう勇敢の行動は、あの人にして初めて出来ることです。
Notes: Something is possible because of high level preceeding にして.

４.　あっての： Thanks to ...; comprised of ...; indispensable to ...
例文： 山田さんあっての同窓会だ。彼が海外へ行ってしまったら、同窓会は開けない。
Notes: Emphatic phrase that Y is realized because of X.

５.　極まる： Utterly; inexcusably ...
例文：　あの人のわがまま極まる態度には我慢できない。
Notes: Nothing is more ... than ...; extremely. This old-fashioned expression is often used to denote negative things.

６.　の極み： The height of ... ; The zenith of ...
例文：　感激の極みか、花嫁は突然泣き出した。
Notes: Strongly stresses speaker's belief that something is the absolute best. Old expression found in idioms such as 感激の極み. Similar to 極まる but nuance is slightly different. Used commonly with both positive and negative things.

７．の至り： The most ...; The supreme ... ; The utmost ...
例文：　社長に褒めていただけるなんて光栄の至りです。
Notes: Expresses speaker's strong emotions. Old, idiomatic expression.

中途半端な文法パート４

Part IV of this series will explore emphatic particles with the similar meaning of "even." Most of these bad boys are not commonly heard in conversation, but pop up frequently enough in readings that they are important to at least store in the back of your mind. So, from the first part of the 強調 section of my grammar book, here ya go:


１.　たりとも ～ない： Not even ~
例文：　私は一秒たりともあなたのことを疑ったことなどありません。
I didn't doubt you for even one second.
*Notes: Emphasizes complete denial. This is not used with larger measurements, i.e. 一年、１キロ.


２．といえども（～ない）： Not even (one) ~
例文：　今は一時間といえども無駄には出来ない。
I'm so busy now that I can't afford to waste even one hour.
*Notes: Strong overall negation. Stresses not even one of some minimal unit exists. This is interchangeable with たりとも~ない. Though not as old-fashioned, it is still mainly used in writing only.


３．すら： Even ~
例文：　これは小学生（に）すら分かる簡単な問題だ。
That problem is so easy even an elementary student could understand it.
*Notes: Slightly more literary than さえ, but having same meaning. Gives extreme example of something and then adds that other natural factors exist. Particles before this construction are often left off.

４．だに： Just ~; even ~
例文：　テロで大勢の人が殺されるなんて考えるだに恐ろしい。
Even just thinking about the large number of people killed by terrorism is awful.
*Notes: Used to convey idea that "Even just doing something is X." This construction is used with a limited number of cognitive, Sino-Japanese verbs, such as 想像する、聞く、考える、思う、etc. It is an almost exclusively written.