JLPT N1 grammar comparison
〜とばかりに vs 〜んばかり(に/だ/の)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the 〜とばかりに lesson
〜んばかり(に/だ/の): "As if about to": 泣かんばかりに (on the verge of crying). Describes a state near to happening, not a message.
From the 〜んばかり(に/だ/の) lesson
〜とばかりに: "As if to say X": the quoted version, close to 言わんばかりに.
Side by side
〜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.
〜んばかり(に/だ/の)
n bakari (ni / da / no) · JLPT N1
- Meaning
- as if about to …; almost …
- Formation
Vない-stem + んばかりに + V (manner)Vない-stem + んばかりの + NVない-stem + んばかりだ (sentence end)Set: 言わんばかりに / 〜と言わんばかりの
彼女は泣かんばかりの顔で助けを求めた。
かのじょはなかんばかりのかおでたすけをもとめた。
She asked for help with a face that looked ready to burst into tears.
会場は割れんばかりの拍手に包まれた。
かいじょうはわれんばかりのはくしゅにつつまれた。
The hall was filled with thunderous applause.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 〜とばかりに and 〜んばかり(に/だ/の)?
"As if about to": 泣かんばかりに (on the verge of crying). Describes a state near to happening, not a message.
When do you use 〜んばかり(に/だ/の) instead of 〜とばかりに?
"As if to say X": the quoted version, close to 言わんばかりに.