JLPT N1 grammar comparison
〜かのごとく / 〜かのごとき vs 〜とばかりに
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the 〜かのごとく / 〜かのごとき lesson
〜とばかりに: "As if to say": describes behaviour that sends a message, not a false appearance.
From the 〜とばかりに lesson
〜かのごとく / 〜かのごとき: "As if X were true": a false appearance, not an unspoken message.
Side by side
〜かのごとく / 〜かのごとき
kanogotoku-kanogotoki · JLPT N1
- Meaning
- as if …; as though … (contrary to fact)
- Formation
Plain form + かのごとく + verbPlain form + かのごとき + nounNoun + であるかのごとくOften with まるで / あたかも
彼は何事もなかったかのごとく、平然と仕事を続けた。
かれはなにごともなかったかのごとく、へいぜんとしごとをつづけた。
He calmly kept working as if nothing had happened.
嵐のごとき拍手が会場に響いた。
あらしのごときはくしゅがかいじょうにひびいた。
Applause like a storm resounded through the hall.
〜とばかりに
tobakarini · JLPT N1
- Meaning
- as if to say …; as though …
- Formation
Plain form / imperative / noun + とばかりに + vivid actionSentence-initial ここぞとばかりに ("seizing the moment")Variation: 〜と言わんばかりに (same meaning, more literary)
彼女は二度と来るなとばかりに、ドアを閉めた。
かのじょはにどとくるなとばかりに、ドアをしめた。
She slammed the door as if to say never come back.
今がチャンスとばかりに、彼は質問を浴びせた。
いまがチャンスとばかりに、かれはしつもんをあびせた。
As if to say this was his chance, he showered them with questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 〜かのごとく / 〜かのごとき and 〜とばかりに?
"As if to say": describes behaviour that sends a message, not a false appearance.
When do you use 〜とばかりに instead of 〜かのごとく / 〜かのごとき?
"As if X were true": a false appearance, not an unspoken message.