Ms. Yamada, I've finished the copying. What should I do next? You're not a new hire anymore, so use your own head a little.
減るもんじゃあるまいし、貸してくれてもいいでしょう。嫌だよ。大切なCDなんだから。
It's not as if it will wear out, so you could lend it to me, couldn't you? No way. It's an important CD.
南極へ行くんじゃあるまいし、そんなに厚着しなくても大丈夫だよ。
It's not as if you're going to Antarctica, so you don't need to bundle up that much.
留学するだけなんだから、そんなに心配しないでよ。もう一生会えないわけじゃあるまいし……。
I'm only going to study abroad, so please don't worry so much. It's not as if we'll never see each other again...
厳しいと言っても、社長も鬼ではあるまいし、ちゃんと話せばわかってもらえるはずだよ。
He may be strict, but the company president isn't a demon either, so if you explain things properly he should understand.
What people say in everyday speech
〜じゃないんだから
「〜じゃあるまいし」is already a spoken expression, but its tone is rather sharp and scolding, so it is most often heard when an elder reprimands a younger person or a boss speaks to a subordinate. A more casual way to say it among friends is「〜じゃないんだから」, as in「子どものお遣いじゃないんだから」. The まい in あるまい is a remnant of the classical negative-conjecture auxiliary, so it sounds stiffer and more like a lecture than じゃないんだから.
The section chief just flipped through the materials, as if to say he had no interest in the plan.
彼は、悪いのは自分ではないと言わんばかりの顔で、腕を組んで黙っていた。
He sat in silence with his arms crossed, with a look that said it wasn't his fault.
子どもは、早くお菓子をちょうだいと言わんばかりに、母親の袖を引っ張った。
The child tugged at his mother's sleeve as if to say, "Hurry up and give me the snack."
彼女は、私には関係ないと言わんばかりに、そそくさとその場を立ち去った。
She hurried away from the scene, as if to say it had nothing to do with her.
「〜と言わんばかりに」は「言わん」を省略して「〜とばかりに」の形で使われることもある。
「〜と言わんばかりに」is sometimes shortened by dropping「言わん」, giving the form「〜とばかりに」.
中田選手はチャンスに監督から呼ばれ、待ってましたとばかりに立ち上がった。
When the coach called on Nakata at the critical moment, he stood up as if he had been waiting for exactly this.
食べ放題なのだから食べないと損だとばかりに、皿に山ほど料理を取ってきた。
It was all-you-can-eat, so, as if to say it would be a loss not to eat, she piled her plate high with food.
商品の入れ替えで全品半額だったので、このときとばかりにたくさん買い込んだ。
Everything was half price because of the stock changeover, so he bought a heap, as if to say this was the moment.
What people say in everyday speech
みたいな顔で／って感じで
「〜と言わんばかりに」is a fairly written, descriptive expression, often seen in novels and news reports describing a person's demeanor. In everyday speech, a more direct way to say it is「〜みたいな顔で」or「〜って感じで」, as in「興味がないみたいな顔で」. The archaic-sounding 言わんばかり is almost never used in casual conversation.
Used to say that "if ~ happens, all the effort, hard work, or expense up to now will have been for nothing."
Connection V-たら／V-ば ＋ それまでだ
Examples
仕事を頑張るのもいいが、無理して病気になったらそれまでだ。
Working hard is fine, but if you push yourself too far and get sick, that's the end of it.
いくら有名企業に就職しても、経営が破たんすればそれまでだ。
No matter how famous a company you join, if its business collapses, that's the end of it.
新型の医療機器をそろえても、使いこなせる技術者がいなければそれまでだ。
Even if you equip yourself with new medical equipment, without technicians who can use it well, it's all for nothing.
あきらめたらそれまでだ。努力し続ければ夢は必ずかなう。
If you give up, that's it. If you keep making an effort, your dream will surely come true.
What people say in everyday speech
〜たら終わり
「〜たらそれまでだ」is a rather formal, cautionary written expression, often used in articles and speeches to warn that "once something happens, everything is lost." In everyday speech, a simpler way to say it is「〜たら終わり」, as in「病気になったら終わりだよ」. それまでだ sounds more solemn, like a summed-up lesson.
Similar to「〜のに」, it is used to blame the listener. In the pattern「AばBものを」it often means "because you didn't do A, things ended up badly, the opposite of B. Why didn't you do A?"
If we had come earlier it would have been empty, but at this rate it looks like buying a ticket alone will take an hour.
散歩は朝の涼しいときにすればいいものを、暑い盛りに出て行くから、熱中症なんかになるんだよ。
You could have gone for a walk in the cool of the morning, but you went out in the heat of the day, so of course you got heatstroke.
もっと早く健康診断を受けていれば手術をしないですんだものを……。
If only you had gotten a health checkup sooner, you wouldn't have needed surgery...
内緒にしておけばお互いハッピーなものを、どうしてしゃべっちゃったんだよ。
If you had kept it secret, we would both have been happy. Why did you have to go and blab?
What people say in everyday speech
〜のに
「〜ものを」is a written or literary expression with a tone of reproach, often seen in complaints and expressions of regret. In everyday speech,「〜のに」is more common, as in「早く来れば空いていたのに」. ものを sounds heavier, as if you are scolding the other person, while のに is the most natural wording in a chat between friends.
Used to criticize a person or thing, with a feeling of "~ is really a nuisance / too awful / hopeless."
Connection N ＋ ときたら
Examples
うちの子ときたら、いつもゲームばかりやっていて、声をかけても返事もしない。
My kid, honestly, does nothing but play video games all day and doesn't even answer when I call.
まったくこのシャツときたら、いくつボタンがついているんだ。時間がないのに……。
Honestly, look at this shirt. How many buttons does it have? And I'm short on time...
最近の若い人ときたら、電車の中で床に座り込んだりして、恥ずかしくないのかしら。
Young people these days, sitting right down on the floor on the train. Aren't they embarrassed?
What people say in everyday speech
〜ったら
「〜ときたら」is already a very colloquial way to complain, and you can use it as is in everyday talk. A more offhand, shorter variant is「〜ったら」, as in「うちの子ったら、いつもゲームばかりで」. Both are very down-to-earth, but ったら sounds more affectionate and casual than ときたら and is often used among family and friends.
Meaning "even if ~, ...," it expresses that "even if you do ~, it is useless / you won't get the result you expect."
Connection V-た ＋ ところで
Examples
今から急いだところで、間に合うわけがないよ。
Even if we hurry now, there's no way we'll make it in time.
国内のコンクールで優勝したところで、海外でも通用するとは限らないさ。
Even winning a domestic competition doesn't mean you'll do well overseas.
私が言ったところで、彼の気持ちは変わらないだろう。
Even if I tell him, his mind probably won't change.
国のトップが変わったところで、国民の政治不信は簡単には解決できない。
Even if the nation's top leader changes, public distrust of politics won't be so easily resolved.
What people say in everyday speech
〜ても無駄
「〜たところで」is a fairly written expression of concession, often seen in essays and speeches. In everyday speech, a more direct way to say it is「〜ても無駄」or simply「〜ても意味ない」, as in「今から急いでも無駄だよ」. たところで is more roundabout and suited to reasoned argument, so in conversation ても無駄 is more straightforward.
Expresses a strong "even if ~, ..." and is used to show firm resolve that is not affected by circumstances, or a fact that "cannot be changed no matter what." It is often used together with question words.
Connection V-よう ＋ が／と
Examples
どんなにひどいけがをしようが、アイスホッケーはやめられない。
No matter how badly I get hurt, I can't give up ice hockey.
誰が何と言おうが、一度決めたことを変えるわけにはいかないよ。
No matter who says what, I can't change something I've once decided.
お前がどこへ行こうと、俺の知ったことか。勝手にしろ！
Where you go is none of my business. Do as you please!
医者に止められようが、たばこはやめられないよ。
Even if the doctor forbids it, I can't quit smoking.
雨が降ろうが風が吹こうが、犬を散歩させないわけにはいかないんです。
Rain or wind, I can't not take the dog for a walk.
Forms such as「V1-よう+が/と+V2-よう+が/と」,「いA1かろう+が/と+いA2かろう+が/と」and「N1/なA1だろう+が/と+N2/なA2だろう+が/と」are used in the same way.
あの人、暇があろうがなかろうが、食後のコーヒーは欠かしたことがないそうですよ。
I hear that person never skips an after-meal coffee, whether he has free time or not.
高かろうが安かろうが、必要なものは買わねばならない。
Whether it's expensive or cheap, you have to buy what you need.
有名店だろうとそうじゃなかろうと、この地方のそばは、とにかくおいしいんですよ。
Whether it's a famous restaurant or not, the soba in this region is delicious anyway.
What people say in everyday speech
〜ても
「〜（よ）うが」is an emphatic expression of concession with a written or speech-like tone, often seen in declarations and statements of resolve. In everyday speech, the plain「〜ても」sounds more natural, as in「相手が何を言っても、気にしない」. （よ）うが is stronger, almost like a vow, so among friends ても is enough.
Whether it is useful or not, trying to find out what you wonder about is just what humans do.
皆が認めようが認めまいが、宇宙人は存在すると私は信じている。
Whether everyone admits it or not, I believe aliens exist.
警官が見ていようがいるまいが、交通ルールは守るべきだ。
Whether or not the police are watching, traffic rules should be obeyed.
お客が来ようと来るまいと、部屋はいつも片付けておけ。
Whether or not customers come, keep the room tidy at all times.
What people say in everyday speech
〜ても〜なくても
「A（よ）うがAまいが」is a rather formal expression with an argumentative feel, often seen in essays and speeches. In everyday speech, a simpler way to say it is「〜ても〜なくても」, as in「赤字になってもならなくても」. The structure itself, "verb volitional form + が + same verb in the negative + まいが", is bookish, so people rarely say it deliberately in chat.
Expresses a feeling (...) about the situation "A" that another person is in, and is often used to give advice or voice dissatisfaction, as in "If you were coming, you could have told me, and I would at least have prepared some food."
Section chief, I'd like to resign by the end of this month... If you're going to quit, then quit, but settle your current work properly first.
仕事が忙しいなら忙しいで、誰かに手伝ってもらうとか、断るとか、何か方法を考えたほうがいいですよ。
If you're busy, you'd better think of some way to deal with it, like asking someone to help or turning the work down, instead of toughing it out alone.
来られないなら来られないで、早く連絡してくれればよかったのに……。もう予約取り消しできないんだよ。
If you couldn't come, you could have just told me earlier... Now I can't cancel the reservation.
嫌なら嫌で、はっきり言えばよかったのに……。
If you didn't like it, you should have said so clearly...
病気なら病気で、おとなしく寝てなきゃだめじゃない。
If you're sick, you're sick, so stay in bed quietly and don't move around.
What people say in everyday speech
〜なら〜で、そう言ってよ
「AならAで」is a fixed pattern with a slightly preachy or complaining tone. It is just as common in everyday speech, but a more offhand version simplifies it to a direct「〜なら〜で、そう言ってよ」, as in「来られないなら来られないで、そう言ってよ」. Both are colloquial; AならAで feels a little like a set, written-style phrase, while venting directly sounds more casual and natural.
You may think making rice balls is easy, but for someone who has never made them, it is actually quite difficult.
どんな判決が出ても、被害者にしたら、納得できるものではないだろう。
Whatever verdict is handed down, from the victims' point of view it probably won't be something they can accept.
人員削減は会社側にしてもメリットばかりとは言えまい。
Even from the company's side, you can't say workforce reduction brings only benefits.
What people say in everyday speech
〜の立場で言うと／〜からしたら
「〜にすれば」is a written expression often used when imagining another person's standpoint. In everyday speech,「〜からしたら」or「〜の立場で言うと」is more common, as in「相手からしたら、経費は安ければ安いほどいいわけだから」. にすれば has an analytical, commentary-like feel, while からしたら is the most natural wording in conversation.
Plus〜にしてみれば★★
「N + にしてみれば」も同じように使われる。
「N + にしてみれば」is used in the same way.
私のような考え方は若い人にしてみれば、古いと思われるでしょう。
A way of thinking like mine will probably seem old-fashioned to young people.
「R」と「L」の発音は、英語が苦手な私にしてみれば同じ音としか思えない。
To me, since I'm bad at English, the sounds "R" and "L" seem to be the same sound.
Used to say "if it doesn't work, we can just do ~, so it's not a big problem," as in "If the business fails, I'll just start over." Even while saying it doesn't matter, people are often in fact bothered by it. It is mostly used about oneself.
Connection V-る ＋［までのことだ／までだ］
Examples
地下鉄が止まっていたら、バスで行くまでのことだ。心配はいらないよ。
If the subway is stopped, I'll just take the bus. Don't worry.
ホテルが見つからなければ、ネットカフェかカラオケで一晩過ごすまでのことだ。
If we can't find a hotel, we'll just spend the night at an internet cafe or a karaoke place.
息子も娘も継ぐ気がないなら、工場は閉めるまでだ。
If neither my son nor my daughter wants to take over, I'll simply close the factory.
What people say in everyday speech
〜すればいいだけ
「〜までのことだ」carries a tone of feigned nonchalance while actually caring about it, and is often seen in rather formal statements of stance. In everyday speech, a more offhand way to say it is「〜すればいいだけ」, as in「バスで行けばいいだけだよ」. までのことだ sounds more composed, as if making up one's mind, while すればいいだけ is more natural and direct in conversation.
A: My cat went missing and I searched for a week. When I finally found her, you can't imagine how happy I was! B: Really, I'm glad.
What people say in everyday speech
超〜／〜すぎる
「〜といったらない」is itself a very colloquial emphatic expression and can be used as is in daily conversation. A more casual and youthful way to say it is「超〜」or「〜すぎる」, as in「今年の夏、暑すぎる」. Both are colloquial; といったらない has an old-fashioned, exclamatory flavor, while すぎる is the emphasis young people use most.
Both「A（よ）うにもAない」and「AにAない」are used when you cannot do A because of circumstances, but「A（よ）うにもAない」is more often used for physical reasons and「AにAない」for emotional reasons. (See Lesson 5,「辞めるに辞められない」.)
お金がないから、引っ越そうにも引っ越せない。
I have no money, so even if I wanted to move, I can't.
大家さんに親切にしてもらっているから、引っ越すに引っ越せない。
My landlord has been kind to me, so I can't bring myself to move out.
電車が止まって、帰ろうにも帰れない。
The trains have stopped, so even if I want to go home, I can't.
先輩が残業しているから、帰るに帰れない。
My senior colleague is working overtime, so I can't bring myself to go home.
What people say in everyday speech
〜したくてもできない
「（よ）うにも〜ない」is a rather written fixed pattern. In everyday speech, a more direct way to say it is「〜したくてもできない」, as in「忘れたくても忘れられない」. （よ）うにも feels somewhat stiff and set, while したくても is closer to how people really talk.
Used to say that "even ~, which is thought to be different from others, is actually the same as everyone else," as in "Even a multimillionaire has worries."
Connection N ＋［にしたところで／にしたって］ ＊「いずれにしたところで」「いずれにしたって」の形も使われる
Examples
温厚な田中さんにしたところで、1時間も待たされたら、怒り出すに違いない。
Even the mild-mannered Mr. Tanaka would surely get angry if he were kept waiting for an hour.
電気自動車にしたところで、環境への負荷が全くないわけではない。
Even electric cars cannot be said to place no burden at all on the environment.
どんなにすばらしい小説にしたって、出版業界では売れなきゃ認められないよ。
However wonderful a novel is, it won't be recognized if it doesn't sell in the publishing world.
進学か就職か、いずれにしたって、自分で決めなければならない。
Whether it's further education or a job, either way you have to decide for yourself.
What people say in everyday speech
〜だって
「〜にしたところで」is a rather written expression of concession, often seen in essays. In everyday speech, a simpler way to say it is「〜だって」, as in「カプテック社だって、あの条件じゃ儲からないよね」. にしたところで has a reasoned, analytical feel, while だって is the smoothest wording in conversation.