Calligraphy generally has a great many rules, such as the requirement to follow the correct stroke order and the prohibition against retracing a stroke.
前衛書道家はこうした決まりに縛られずに、自由な表現を目指すものである。
Avant-garde calligraphers are not bound by these rules and aim for free expression.
Precisely because the characters cannot be read, one can purely appreciate the beauty of the space created when the lines of the brush blend with the blank margins.
When avant-garde calligraphy is discussed, the work most often mentioned is "Ai" (Love) by Ueda Sokyu (1899-1968), exhibited in 1951 at the 7th Japan Art Exhibition.
Forgive the mundane example, but even if it were written by a renowned calligrapher, if you asked whether a piece of calligraphy reading "public restroom" deserves to be called art, most people would surely answer no, and there is no doubt about that.
Expresses a strong prohibition, "must not ~." It is often used on signs and notices.
Connection V-る + べからず ＊「〜べからざる＋N」の形もある。
Examples
ペンキ塗りたて。座るべからず。
Wet paint. Do not sit.
私有地につき駐車するべからず。
Private property. No parking.
キャンパス内で、許可なくポスターを貼るべからず。
No posting of posters on campus without permission.
火気厳禁。ここでたばこを吸うべからず。
No open flames. No smoking here.
飲酒運転は、許すべからざる行為だ。
Drunk driving is an unforgivable act.
What people say in everyday speech
〜しないで／〜しちゃだめ
「〜べからず」is a stern written prohibition typical of signs and notices, and in everyday speech people hardly talk this way; they say directly「ここに座らないで」or「たばこ吸っちゃだめだよ」. This classical prohibitive form sounds very stiff in conversation, as if you were reading a sign aloud.
A: Coach, isn't it fine as long as I'm strong? B: Strength alone is not what makes a champion. You still don't understand anything.
What people say in everyday speech
〜だけ
「（ただ）〜のみ」is a written, literary expression that stresses "nothing but," often seen in speeches and essays. In everyday speech, simply saying「〜だけ」is enough, as in「今はただ練習するだけだよ」. のみ is almost never used in conversation, and when it does appear it has the feel of a solemn declaration.
Precisely because they love their children, parents are sometimes strict with them.
市場調査が不十分であったがゆえに、大きな損失を出してしまった。
Because the market research was insufficient, we suffered a huge loss.
日本カワウソは毛皮が美しいがゆえに乱獲され、絶滅してしまった。
The Japanese otter was overhunted because of its beautiful fur and went extinct.
若さゆえの過ちを、人はなかなか認めたがらないものだ。
People are reluctant to admit mistakes made out of youth.
彼は国民の信頼を裏切った。それゆえに、権力の座を追われることとなったのである。
He betrayed the trust of the people. For that reason, he was driven from his seat of power.
aab、bbc。ゆえにaacである。
a = b, b = c. Therefore a = c.
What people say in everyday speech
〜から／〜ので
「〜がゆえに」expresses cause or reason and is a typical written or argumentative expression with a strong feel of logical reasoning. In everyday speech, just saying「〜から」or「〜ので」is fine, as in「かわいがってるから、子どもに厳しくすることもある」. The moment you say がゆえに, it sounds like you are writing an essay or arguing a point, which friends would not do in chat.
Only the carefully selected ingredients, together with the water nurtured by Mt. Fuji and the cold, clear air, can produce the whiskey our company is proud of.
今回の全員合格という快挙は、学生たちの努力と教師の熱意が相まって、はじめて成し遂げられたものです。
This feat of everyone passing was achieved only through the students' effort combined with the teachers' enthusiasm.
What people say in everyday speech
〜と一緒に／〜も加わって
「〜と相まって」is a written, rhetorical expression describing "several factors adding up to a better effect," often seen in reviews and advertising copy. In everyday speech,「〜と一緒に」or「〜も加わって」is more common, as in「演技も話も面白くて、人気が出たんだよね」. 相まって is basically never used in conversation.
It is not hard to imagine the anxiety and fear of people trapped in an elevator by a sudden power outage.
新しいタイプの芸術に対して、評価が分かれるのは推測にかたくない。
It is not hard to guess that opinions will be divided over a new type of art.
副作用の可能性を考えれば、新薬の使用に慎重にならざるを得ないのは想像にかたくない。
Considering the possibility of side effects, it is not hard to imagine that people have no choice but to be cautious about using the new drug.
リーダーたるもの、苦しい決断を迫られるであろうことは予想にかたくない。
It is not hard to foresee that a leader will be pressed to make painful decisions.
これらのコレクションを見れば、大原氏が美術品に造詣が深かったことは察するにかたくない。
Looking at these collections, it is not hard to tell that Mr. Ohara had a deep knowledge of art.
What people say in everyday speech
簡単に想像できる／すぐわかる
「〜にかたくない」is a fixed expression common in essays and written language. In everyday speech, a more direct way to say it is「簡単に想像できる」or「すぐわかるよね」, as in「その時の怖さ、簡単に想像できるよ」. にかたくない is almost never used in conversation.
Expresses the strong feeling that "as ~ (the position one holds), it is absolutely unacceptable," as in "Taking bribes is conduct unbecoming of a politician."
Connection N + ［としてあるまじき／にあるまじき］+ N ＊「許すまじき」と言うこともある。
Examples
真っ先に救命ボートに乗るとは船長としてあるまじき行為だ。
Being the first to get into the lifeboat is conduct unbecoming of a captain.
初日から遅刻するとは新入社員にあるまじき態度だ。
Being late on the very first day is an attitude unbecoming of a new employee.
「想定外のことで対応できなかった」など、責任者にあるまじき発言ではないだろうか。
Isn't a remark like "it was beyond expectations, so we couldn't respond" unbecoming of someone in charge?
お年寄りからお金をだまし取るなんて、人として許すまじきことだ。
Swindling money out of the elderly is unforgivable for any human being.
What people say in everyday speech
〜としてありえない／〜にふさわしくない
「〜にあるまじき」is a formal written expression for criticizing someone whose conduct does not befit their position, often seen in news commentary. In everyday speech,「〜としてありえない」or「〜にふさわしくない」is more common, as in「船長としてありえない行動だよね」. あるまじき is basically never used in conversation, and when it appears it has a self-righteous tone.
Expresses a prediction, based on the present situation or common sense, that "things will end up in an undesirable state of ~," or that "one has no choice but to ~ (one can't get away without doing so)."
Since he embezzled company money, he is sure to be fired.
このまま森林伐採を続けていたら、自然災害を引き起こさずにはすまないだろう。
If this deforestation continues, it will probably cause natural disasters.
欠陥品を売ったのだから消費者に非難されないではすまないでしょう。
Since defective products were sold, the company probably won't escape criticism from consumers.
高齢者福祉の問題は私たち国民にとって知らないではすまない重要な問題です。
The problem of welfare for the elderly is an important issue that we citizens cannot afford to be ignorant of.
事故を起こしてしまった以上、公の場で謝罪せずにはすまない。
Now that I have caused an accident, I can't get away without apologizing in public.
What people say in everyday speech
絶対〜になる／〜しないわけにはいかない
「〜ずにはすまない」is a formal written expression for predicting that "it will inevitably lead to ~" or that "one must ~." In everyday speech, a more direct way to say it is「絶対〜になるよ」or「〜しないわけにはいかないよね」, as in「会社のお金を使い込んだんだから、絶対クビになるよ」. ずにはすまない is almost never used in conversation.
Expresses the feeling "if this is not ~, then what is it?", emphasizing "it is truly ~."
Connection N + ［でなくてなんだろう／でなくてなんであろう］ ＊「〜でなくてなんだろうか」「〜でなくてなんであろうか」の形もある。
Examples
親猫が、子猫のために大きな犬と戦った。これが愛情でなくてなんだろう。
A mother cat fought a big dog to protect her kitten. If this is not love, what is?
10階から転落した幼児が無事だったとは、これが奇跡でなくてなんだろう。
A toddler who fell from the 10th floor was unharmed. If this is not a miracle, what is?
戦火の中で出会った異国の女性と数年後にめぐり会うとは、これが運命でなくてなんであろう。
To meet again, after several years, a woman from another country whom you first met amid the flames of war, if this is not fate, what is?
たとえ弾圧されようとも、真実を報道する。それがジャーナリストの正義でなくてなんであろうか。
Even if suppressed, one reports the truth. If that is not a journalist's sense of justice, what is?
What people say in everyday speech
〜としか言いようがない／まさに〜だ
「〜でなくてなんだろう」is a written expression with a rhetorical, exclamatory tone, often seen in essays and commentary. In everyday speech, a more natural way to say it is「まさに〜だよね」or「〜としか言いようがない」, as in「これ、まさに愛だよね」. This rhetorical question form is basically never used in conversation.
Means "extremely ~," as in「危険極まりない」(extremely dangerous) and「残念極まりない」(extremely regrettable).「〜極まる」is used in the same way.
Connection なA な + ［極まりない／極まる］
Examples
離島の生活は不便極まりないと思っていたが、慣れれば気にならないものだ。
I had thought life on a remote island would be extremely inconvenient, but once you get used to it, it doesn't bother you.
店員の不誠実極まりない態度に納得がいかず、本社のサービスセンターにクレームのメールを送った。
I couldn't accept the store clerk's extremely insincere attitude, so I sent a complaint e-mail to the head office's service center.
アルバイトとはいえ、面接中にメールを確認するとは非常識極まる。
Even if it's only a part-time job, checking e-mail during an interview is utterly lacking in common sense.
「人間とは何か」などという難解極まる問いかけに、一体何と答えればいいのだろう。
How on earth should I answer an extremely difficult question like "What is a human being?"
What people say in everyday speech
すごく〜／めちゃくちゃ〜
「〜極まりない／〜の極み」both emphasize "an extremely high degree" in a formal written register, often seen in commentary and speeches. In everyday speech, just saying「すごく〜」or「めちゃくちゃ〜」is enough, as in「不便すぎ」or「めっちゃ不誠実だよね」. 極まりない and 極み have a solemn, speech-like tone and are basically never used in conversation.
Plus〜の極み★
「〜の極み」は「非常に／最高に〜」という意味を表す。
Means "extremely / the utmost ~," and is often used with words like 感激, 贅沢, 美 and 痛恨.
京都の金閣寺は美の極みを尽くした建造物と言われている。
Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji is said to be a building that embodies the very height of beauty.
力及ばず、今回の選挙戦でこのような結果になりましたことは、誠に痛恨の極みでございます。
Because my efforts fell short, the election campaign ended in this result, and I am truly filled with the deepest regret.
毎日、取れたての新鮮な野菜や魚で作った料理が食べられるなんて贅沢の極みだ。
Being able to eat dishes made every day with freshly harvested vegetables and fish is the height of luxury.
Expresses that "one feels one's own emotion (~) so strongly that one cannot suppress it," and is used with emotion nouns such as 怒り, 悲しみ, 同情 and とまどい.
Connection N + を禁じえない ＊「怒り・悲しみ・同情・とまどい」など感情を表す名詞と一緒に使われる。
Examples
災害で故郷を失った人々の姿に涙を禁じえなかった。
I could not hold back tears at the sight of people who lost their hometowns in the disaster.
子どもの落書きとしか思えないこの絵が1億円もするとは、驚きを禁じえない。
This painting that looks like nothing more than a child's scribble is worth 100 million yen, and I cannot help being astonished.
信頼して1票を投じた政治家の実行力のなさに失望と憤りを禁じえない。
I cannot suppress my disappointment and anger at the lack of follow-through of the politician I trusted and voted for.
長年ご指導いただきました教授のご退官にあたり、一同、惜別の念を禁じえません。
On the occasion of the retirement of the professor who guided us for many years, we all cannot help feeling regret at parting.
What people say in everyday speech
〜せずにいられない／思わず〜しちゃう
「〜を禁じえない」is a formal written way of saying that "an emotion is too strong to suppress," often seen in speeches and commentary. In everyday speech, a more natural way to say it is「〜せずにいられない」or「思わず〜しちゃう」, as in「思わず泣いちゃった」. 禁じえない is basically never used in conversation.
Used to say that "something fully satisfies the conditions or value of doing ~."
Connection ［V-る／N］+ にたる + N
Examples
ホームドクターに、信頼にたる眼科の専門医を紹介してもらった。
My family doctor introduced me to an eye specialist worthy of trust.
今回の応募作には読むにたる作品がなかったというのが私の印象です。
My impression is that none of the submissions this time were worth reading.
彼は優れた教育者とは言いがたいが、専門の研究にかけては尊敬にたる人物だ。
He can hardly be called an excellent educator, but in his specialized research he is a person worthy of respect.
ここは温泉も料理もすばらしく、部屋も落ち着いた雰囲気で、推薦するにたる旅館だ。
The hot springs and food here are wonderful, and the rooms have a calm atmosphere. It is an inn worth recommending.
2,000人の中から選ばれた君たちは、我が社の将来を担うにたる素晴らしい人材だと信じている。
I believe that you, chosen from among 2,000 people, are wonderful talents worthy of shouldering our company's future.
What people say in everyday speech
〜するだけの価値がある
「〜にたる」is a written expression for evaluating something as "sufficient for ~ / worthy of ~," often seen in reviews and recommendations. In everyday speech,「〜するだけの価値がある」is more common, as in「信頼できる先生」or「読む価値がある」. にたる is basically never used deliberately in conversation.
It is beyond doubt that Asia is the key to the world economy.
これ以上の待遇は望むべくもないのに、なぜ転職など考えるのだろう。
There is no hoping for better treatment than this, so why would you think of changing jobs?
当時母がどんな気持ちだったのか、子どもの私には知るべくもないことだった。
What my mother felt at the time was something a child like me had no way of knowing.
What people say in everyday speech
〜わけがない／〜はずがない
「〜べくもない」is a written, literary expression meaning "there is simply no way to ~," often seen in essays. In everyday speech, a more natural way to say it is「〜わけがない」or「〜はずがない」, as in「疑うわけがないよ」. べくもない is basically never used in conversation, and it has the feel of written prose.
Used to say "if you are going to do something, ~ is absolutely necessary."
Connection ［N／V-る＋こと］+ なくして（は） + …ない
Examples
「努力なくして成功なし」というが、運というものもあるのではないだろうか。
They say "no success without effort," but isn't there also such a thing as luck?
この酒は良質の米と名水なくしては生まれなかった。
This sake could not have been made without good rice and renowned water.
他者を思いやることなくして、暮らしやすい社会は作れないはずだ。
A comfortable society cannot be built without consideration for others.
「耐えることなくして勝利はない」という彼の言葉が好きだ。
I like his saying, "There is no victory without endurance."
What people say in everyday speech
〜がないと…ない
「〜なくして（は）…ない」is a formal written expression stressing an "absolutely necessary condition," often seen in speeches and commentary. In everyday speech, a more direct way to say it is「〜がないと…ない」, as in「努力がないと成功しないよね」. なくして is basically never used in conversation.
Plus〜ことなく／〜ことなしに★
「V-る + ことなく／ことなしに」も同じ意味で使われる。
「V-る+ことなく／ことなしに」is used with the same meaning.
今の選挙制度では、選挙運動をすることなく国会議員に当選するなどあり得ないと言われている。
Under the current electoral system, it is said to be impossible to be elected to the Diet without campaigning.
本人の同意を得ることなく、個人情報を第三者に伝えることはできない。
Personal information cannot be passed on to a third party without the person's consent.
責任を取ることなしに自由を求めることはできない。
You cannot seek freedom without taking responsibility.
予算変更は議会の承認を得ることなしには行えない。
A budget change cannot be made without the approval of the assembly.