Born as the daughter of this shrine and raised to protect the town from creatures of the other world, she can hardly be the same as an ordinary sixteen-year-old.
Yuto, undaunted by the harsh training, has acquired power that even surpasses that of Moka's mother. He is seventeen, a second-year high school student.
赤ん坊のころに事故で両親を失い、この神社に引き取られた。
He lost both parents in an accident as a baby and was taken in by this shrine.
Who is that one? What is paradise? And why tell her this? Without answering a single one of these questions, the imp melted into the black sky and vanished.
I was looking out the window without really looking when a cat came walking by with an adorable kitten.
聞くともなくラジオを聞いていたら、故郷の町の名前が出てきて驚いた。
I was listening to the radio with half an ear when I heard the name of my hometown and was surprised.
将来について考えるともなく考えていたところに、知人から転職の誘いを受けた。
I was thinking about the future in a vague, aimless way when an acquaintance invited me to change jobs.
「疑問詞（＋助詞＋V）＋ともなく」は「はっきりわからないが」と言いたいときに使われる。
"Interrogative (+ particle + V) + ともなく" is used to say "although it is not clear (where, who, etc.)".
夕方の商店街を歩くと、どこからともなくおいしそうな匂いが漂ってくる。
Walking along the shopping street at dusk, a tempting aroma drifted in from somewhere.
すべての演奏が終了した後も、観客の拍手はいつ終わるともなく続いていた。
After all the performances ended, the audience's applause went on and on, as if it would never stop.
課長は誰に言うともなく、ぶつぶつ何かつぶやいている。
The section chief was muttering something, though it was unclear to whom he was speaking.
What people say in everyday speech
何となく〜する
「〜ともなく」 is a fairly literary expression that describes subtle states of mind, often seen in novels to depict a character's casual, unthinking actions. In everyday speech, the simpler 「何となく〜する」 is more common, as in 「何となく外を見てたら」. The fine-grained description of ともなく is rarely used on purpose in conversation; 何となく sounds much closer to spoken Japanese.
Used to say "intending to (win) and doing … (practicing repeatedly)", as in 優勝すべく練習を重ねた ("practiced over and over in order to win").
Connection V-る ＋ べく ＊「する」は「するべく」「すべく」のどちらも使われる
Examples
留学経験を生かして、独自のビジネスを立ち上げるべく、準備を進めている。
Making use of my experience studying abroad, I am making preparations to start my own business.
島の生活環境を改善するべく、島民はさまざまな取り組みをしている。
In order to improve the living environment on the island, the islanders are making various efforts.
今年こそロケットを完成させるべく、研究者たちは努力を続けている。
In order to finally complete the rocket this year, the researchers continue to work hard.
自転車による事故を減らすべく、広報活動を強化することになった。
In order to reduce bicycle accidents, it has been decided to step up publicity campaigns.
What people say in everyday speech
〜ために
「〜べく」 is a strongly literary way of expressing purpose, commonly found in news reports and formal explanations (it has a distinctly "news-style" ring). In everyday speech, 「〜ために」 is used almost without exception, as in 「ビジネスを立ち上げるために」. As soon as べく appears, the text feels like formal writing, and it is almost never used in casual conversation.
Used to say "with 〜 as the trigger (a big change occurred, and it has continued ever since)".
Connection V-て ＋ からというもの ＊「それからというもの」という使い方もある
Examples
結婚してからというもの、彼は仕事が終わるとまっすぐ家に帰るようになった。
Ever since he got married, he has gone straight home after work.
その歌を聞いてからというもの、メロディーが頭から離れない。
Ever since I heard that song, the melody has been stuck in my head.
大型スーパーができてからというもの、駅前の商店街は売り上げが30%以上減ってしまったという。
It is said that ever since the large supermarket opened, sales at the shopping street in front of the station have dropped by more than 30%.
兄は去年就職した。それからというもの、家で家族と食事をする暇もなくなった。
My older brother started working last year. Ever since then, he has not even had time to eat with his family at home.
「N＋というもの」は「その期間中ずっと」という意味で使われる。
"N + というもの" means "throughout that period".
この1週間というもの、カップラーメン以外のものを口にしていない。
For the past week, I have eaten nothing but instant noodles.
ここ数年間というもの、毎月のように海外出張させられている。
For the past few years, I have been sent on overseas business trips almost every month.
What people say in everyday speech
〜てから、ずっと
「〜てからというもの」 is a literary expression with the nuance of "things changed completely from then on and have stayed that way", often seen in essays and novels. A more straightforward way to say it in everyday speech is 「〜てから、ずっと」, as in 「結婚してから、ずっとまっすぐ家に帰ってる」. The emphatic sense of continuation in というもの is rarely used on purpose in conversation.
It is said that the Buddha displayed extraordinary talent from birth.
ゲーム機しか知らない子どもたちにも、昔ながらの遊びを伝えたい。
I want to pass on the traditional games of the past to children who know only game consoles.
彼の手品はいつもながら、期待を裏切らない見事なものだった。
As always, his magic tricks were wonderful and lived up to expectations.
昔、地位の高い人が亡くなると、お供の人を墓の周りに生きながら埋めるという習慣があったそうだ。
It is said that long ago, when a person of high rank died, there was a custom of burying his attendants alive around the tomb.
What people say in everyday speech
生まれつき
「〜ながらに」 is a rather literary fixed expression, often found in set phrases such as 「生まれながらに」 and 「涙ながらに」. In everyday speech, the more common way to say "from birth" is 「生まれつき」, as in 「生まれつき才能がある」. ながらに sounds more solemn and archaic, while つき is the most natural choice in conversation.
Expresses the feeling that "there is no meaning in what I did other than 〜". When used to reply to thanks for a good deed, it carries a humble tone.
Connection V-た ＋［までのことだ／までだ］
Examples
私が内部告発したのは、自らの良心に従ったまでのことです。
The reason I blew the whistle on the internal wrongdoing is simply that I followed my own conscience.
A：助けていただき、ありがとうございました。 B：いやいや、医者として当然のことをしたまでです。
A: Thank you for helping me. B: Not at all, I only did what was natural for a doctor to do.
聞かれたから答えたまでで、別に深い意味はないよ。
I only answered because I was asked. There is no deeper meaning to it.
What people say in everyday speech
〜しただけ
「〜たまでのことだ」 has a slightly humble or formal nuance and is often used as a polite reply to thanks. A simpler way to say it in everyday speech is 「〜しただけ」, as in 「当然のことをしただけだよ」. までのことだ sounds like humble language for formal occasions, whereas しただけ is the most natural form among friends.
Used to say "even when faced with difficulty, not treating that obstacle as a serious problem (and strongly carrying on)". It is normally not used for one's own actions.
Connection N ＋ をものともせず（に）
Examples
激流をものともせず、彼はカヌーで川を下っていった。
Unafraid of the rapids, he paddled his canoe down the river.
子どもたちは、連日の暑さをものともせず、元気に遊びまわっている。
The children play energetically all over the place, undaunted by the days of continuous heat.
度重なる故障をものともせず、惑星探査機はやぶさは地球に帰還した。
Undeterred by repeated malfunctions, the Hayabusa probe returned to Earth.
鈴木選手は初出場のプレッシャーをものともせず、オリンピックで金メダルを獲得した。
Undaunted by the pressure of competing for the first time, Suzuki won a gold medal at the Olympics.
What people say in everyday speech
〜に負けないで
「〜をものともせず」 is a strongly literary expression, often seen in news reports and in biographies describing a person's strength. In everyday speech, the simpler 「〜に負けないで」 is used, as in 「暑さに負けないで遊んでいる」. をものともせず sounds more formal and inspirational, so に負けないで is more natural in conversation.
Used to say "while doing A, also doing something else (B)".
Connection V-る／N ＋ の ＋ かたわら
Examples
友人は予備校で数学を教えるかたわら、小説を書いている。
My friend writes novels while teaching math at a cram school.
彼は会社を経営するかたわら、スポーツの振興にも力を注いでいる。
While running a company, he also devotes himself to promoting sports.
陶芸家の田中さんは作品作りのかたわら、自宅で野菜を作って自給自足の生活をしているそうだ。
It is said that the potter Mr. Tanaka lives a self-sufficient life, growing vegetables at home alongside making his works.
最近は育児のかたわら、インターネットでビジネスをする女性が増えている。
Recently, more and more women are running businesses online while raising children.
What people say in everyday speech
〜しながら
「〜かたわら」 is a rather formal, literary expression, often used to introduce someone who holds "two roles at once" (in the tone of a profile or news report). In everyday speech, the more common form is 「〜しながら」, as in 「数学を教えながら小説を書いている」. かたわら sounds more formal, like a résumé, while ながら is the most natural choice in conversation.
Used to say "there is a part that makes one feel 〜 (spring)", as in だんだん春めいてきた ("it is gradually becoming springlike"). It is not used when something is "completely 〜 (spring)".
Connection N ＋［めく／めいた＋N］
Examples
風も涼しくなり、徐々に秋めいてまいりましたが、いかがお過ごしでしょうか。
The wind has grown cooler and autumn is gradually setting in. How have you been?
冗談めいた口調だったが、「10年後は俺が社長かもね」と言った彼の目は真剣そのものだった。
His tone was joking, but when he said, "Maybe I'll be company president in ten years," his eyes were completely serious.
彼は上司のせいで苦労したが、非難めいたことは一言も言わず、黙々と働いていた。
He suffered a great deal because of his boss, yet he said not a single word of complaint and just kept working in silence.
歴史上の人物の生涯には、とかく作り話めいた美談が存在しているものだ。
In the lives of historical figures, there are always touching anecdotes that seem almost made up.
What people say in everyday speech
〜っぽい
「〜めく」 is a rather literary, delicate expression, often seen in essays and novels describing the change of seasons or a person's attitude. In everyday speech, the more casual 「〜っぽい」 is used, as in 「秋っぽくなってきたね」. めく sounds more refined and subtle, while っぽい is the form most commonly used in conversation.
Like 「〜とすぐ／〜たとたん」, expresses that "right after one thing happened, another thing occurred".
Connection V-る ＋［や否や／や］
Examples
電話を切るや否や、刑事は部屋を飛び出して事件現場に向かった。
The moment he hung up the phone, the detective rushed out of the room and headed for the crime scene.
人気グループのコンサートチケットは発売されるや否や、あっという間に完売となってしまった。
Tickets for the popular group's concert sold out in no time as soon as they went on sale.
優勝の瞬間、大川選手は「やった！」と叫ぶや、コーチの元へ駆け寄った。
At the moment of victory, Okawa shouted "I did it!" and immediately ran over to his coach.
What people say in everyday speech
〜たらすぐ
「〜や否や」 is a fairly literary expression, often seen in news and novels describing events that happen in quick succession. In everyday speech, the simpler 「〜たらすぐ」 is used, as in 「電話を切ったらすぐ飛び出した」. や否や feels tighter and has a literary, vivid quality, so たらすぐ is more natural in conversation.
Used to speak of something with contempt as "nothing but 〜", as in お菓子ごときで兄弟げんかするな ("don't fight with your brother over a mere snack"). It can also be used humbly, as in 私ごとき ("someone like me").
Connection N ＋ ごとき
Examples
我が社には優れた技術があるんだから、不況ごときに負けないで頑張ろう。
Our company has excellent technology, so let's not be beaten by something as minor as a recession. Let's do our best.
あいつごときが何を言ってきたって、私たちがついているから恐れる必要はないよ。
No matter what that guy says, we are behind you, so there is no need to be afraid.
私ごときにこのような大役をお任せいただき、大変光栄です。
It is a great honor to be entrusted with such an important role, someone like me.
What people say in everyday speech
〜なんか
「〜ごとき」 is a literary expression with a tone of disdain, often used in essays and speeches to express contempt. In everyday speech, the more common way to look down on something is 「〜なんか」, as in 「不況なんかに負けないで」. ごとき sounds more refined and has an old-fashioned flavor of scorn, while なんか is the most natural way to express contempt in conversation.
There was no word for a long time, so I thought I had failed, but today a notice of acceptance arrived.
アルバイトの人かと思いきや、社長自ら掃除していたので驚いた。
I thought he was a part-timer, but it was the company president himself cleaning, which surprised me.
住宅街のマンションだから静かだと思いきや、遅くまで人通りが多くてうるさかった。
I thought an apartment in a residential area would be quiet, but there were people passing by until late at night and it was noisy.
家を建ててやっと落ち着けると思いきや、海外へ転勤することになってしまった。
I thought that now that I had built a house I could finally settle down, but I ended up being transferred overseas.
年末の忙しい時期だから欠席者が多いと思いきや、全員そろっていたので驚きました。
I thought many people would be absent because it was the busy end of the year, but everyone showed up, which surprised me.
What people say in everyday speech
〜と思ったら
「〜かと思いきや」 is a literary expression of contrast, often seen in novels and essays describing an unexpected reversal. In everyday speech, the more common form is 「〜と思ったら」, as in 「落ちたと思ったら、合格通知が来た」. かと思いきや sounds more dramatic, while と思ったら is the most natural form in conversation.
Means "in order to 〜". It is used when doing something for a special purpose, and is more formal and solemn than 「ため」.
Connection V-ない ＋［んがため／んがための＋N］ ＊「する」は「せんがため」になる
Examples
国民の生命を守らんがため、彼は敢えて危険を伴う任務を引き受けた。
To protect the lives of the people, he deliberately took on a mission involving danger.
売らんがためとはいえ、安全性を無視して価格を下げるやり方は問題だ。
Even if the goal is simply to make sales, cutting prices while ignoring safety is problematic.
全宇宙を征服せんがため、彼は大宇宙船団を率いて飛び立った。
To conquer the entire universe, he took off leading a vast fleet of spaceships.
「うそも方便」と言うが、人を救わんがためのうそは許されると、私は思う。
There is a saying, "A lie is sometimes a necessary expedient," and I think a lie told to save someone should be forgiven.
What people say in everyday speech
〜するために
「〜んがため」 is a very archaic literary expression (a remnant of classical Japanese), often seen in novels and in solemn declarations in speeches. In everyday speech, simply using 「〜するために」 is enough, as in 「命を守るために」. んがため immediately sounds like someone reciting lines, and it would never be said in casual conversation.
Has the same meaning as 「〜のように」. It is used to make a comparison (as in 風のごとく走り去った, "ran off like the wind") or to give an example or content (as in 下記のごとく決定した, "decided as follows").
Connection N ＋ の ＋ ごとく ＊「Nのごとし」「NのごときN」の形もある
Examples
スターとして華々しく活躍する彼女のそばには、いつも影のごとく寄り添う母の姿があった。
Beside her, who shines brilliantly as a star, there was always her mother, clinging to her like a shadow.
宝くじで大金を手に入れたが、湯水のごとく使い続け、1年後には元の貧乏生活に戻ってしまった。
He won a large sum in the lottery but kept spending it like water, and a year later he was back to his old poor life.
兄弟に残された遺書には次のごとく記されていた。
The will left to his brothers read as follows.
北里氏は鉄のごとき信念をもって新薬開発に取り組んでいる。
Mr. Kitasato is working on the development of a new drug with iron-like conviction.
「Pl（＋が／かの）＋ごとく」の形でも使われる。
It is also used in the form "Pl (+ が / かの) + ごとく".
その侍は草を薙ぎ払うがごとく押し寄せる敵を倒し続けた。
The samurai kept beating back the enemies surging toward him like a tide, as if he were mowing grass.
風に吹かれて舞うごとく、桜の花が散っている。
The cherry blossoms fell one after another, as if blown up and swirling in the wind.
「明日死ぬかのごとく生き、永遠に生きるかのごとく学べ」とは、ガンジーの有名な言葉である。
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." These are Gandhi's famous words.
社長の息子は自分が社長であるかのごとく威張っているので、みんなに嫌われている。
The president's son acts arrogantly as if he himself were the president, so everyone dislikes him.
彼は怖いものなど何もないかのごとく振る舞っているが、実はかなりの小心者だ。
He acts as though he is not afraid of anything, but he is actually quite a coward.
What people say in everyday speech
〜みたいに
「〜のごとく」 is a heavily literary expression of comparison, often seen in novels and maxims (such as Gandhi's famous words). In everyday speech, 「〜みたいに」 can replace it completely, as in 「影みたいに寄り添う」. のごとく sounds archaic and solemn, while みたいに is the most natural way to make a comparison in conversation.
Means "in the state of 〜". It is used when one wants to indicate a situation, state or manner especially clearly.
Connection N ＋ にして
Examples
砂に描いた絵は、強風により、一瞬にして消え去った。
The picture drawn in the sand disappeared in an instant because of a strong gust of wind.
志半ばにして病に倒れた画家は、どれほど無念だったであろう。
How regretful the painter must have been, falling ill with his ambitions unfulfilled.
40歳を「不惑」というが、これは孔子の「四十にして惑わず」といっている。
Forty years of age is called "fuwaku" (free of doubt); this comes from Confucius's saying 「四十にして惑わず」.
妹は交通事故に遭ったが、幸いにして軽いけがだったので入院せずにすんだ。
My younger sister was in a traffic accident, but fortunately the injury was minor and she did not need to be hospitalized.
What people say in everyday speech
〜で
「〜にして」 is a very literary expression, often seen in idioms, maxims and formal written narration (such as classical quotations like 「四十にして惑わず」). In everyday speech, simply using 「〜で」 is enough, as in 「一瞬で消え去った」. にして sounds extremely formal and archaic, and is hardly ever used in conversation.
Expresses the feeling that "even without experiencing it directly, merely 〜 is quite enough". It is mostly used to express negative feelings such as fear, pain and difficulty, or a feeling of bewilderment.
Jumping down from such a high place is frightening just to imagine.
卒業試験のことは、考えるだに気が重くなる。
Just thinking about the graduation exam makes me feel heavy-hearted.
その山寺は、見るだに不気味な雰囲気に包まれていた。
That mountain temple was shrouded in an eerie atmosphere just to look at.
What people say in everyday speech
考えただけで〜
「〜だに」 is a very literary expression of emphasis, often seen in novels and essays describing inner fear. In everyday speech, the more common form is 「〜ただけで」, as in 「考えただけで恐ろしい」. だに sounds more archaic and condensed, while ただけで is the most natural form in conversation.
Connection N ＋ だにしない ＊「想像・予想・微動・一顧」など限られた言葉と一緒に使われる
Examples
予想だにしなかったコンピューターのシステム障害が発生し、担当者は対応に追われた。
A computer system failure that no one had foreseen occurred, and the person in charge was busy dealing with it.
私はいい企画だと思ったが、社内では一顧だにされなかった。
I thought it was a good plan, but inside the company no one gave it so much as a glance.
エネルギーの消費を抑えるために何時間も微動だにしない動物もいる。
To conserve energy, some animals can stay perfectly motionless for hours at a time.
古代エジプトの王は、自分の体が数千年後に博物館に展示されるとは、想像だにしなかっただろう。
The ancient Egyptian kings probably never imagined that their bodies would be displayed in museums thousands of years later.
What people say in everyday speech
全然〜しない
「〜だにしない」 is a literary expression with strongly fixed collocations (mostly used with specific words such as 想像, 予想 and 微動). In everyday speech, the simpler 「全然〜しない」 is used, as in 「全然想像しなかった」. だにしない sounds formal and solemn, so 全然 is more natural in conversation.
Expresses "although one feels like doing 〜, one cannot because of other circumstances or psychological resistance". It is often used as a softened way of saying "cannot" when one does not want to say it outright.
Connection V-ます ＋ かねる
Examples
社長が出した方針は部分的に賛成しかねる内容を含んでいたが、反対するわけにもいかず、黙っていた。
Some of the policy the president put forward was hard for me to fully agree with, but I could not oppose it either, so I kept silent.
私の一存ではお答えいたしかねますので、店長を呼んでまいります。
I cannot answer on my own authority, so I will go and call the store manager.
どうして君が仕事をやめたいと言いだしたのか、理解しかねるんだけどね。
I find it hard to understand why you suddenly said you want to quit your job.
雪深いこの里では皆が春の訪れを待ちかねている。
In this snowy village, everyone is waiting impatiently for the arrival of spring.
1人で山のような仕事を抱えている私を見るに見かねて、同僚が手伝ってくれた。
Unable to stand watching me carry a mountain of work alone, my colleague came over to help.
What people say in everyday speech
できない／ちょっと難しい
「〜かねる」 is a polite way of declining, commonly used in formal situations such as business and customer service (more polite than saying できない directly). In everyday speech among friends, simply saying 「できない」 is enough, or, to be a little softer, 「ちょっと難しい」, as in 「ちょっと決められない」. かねる is a polite, formal softener that belongs to business and customer-service speech; it sounds stiff in casual chat among friends.
Expresses "with 〜 as the last time (what had been continuing comes to an end)". It is often used to express determination or regret.
Connection N ＋［を限りに／限りで］ ＊「今日・今月・今年」などの言葉と一緒に使われる
Examples
「今日を限りにギャンブルはやめる」と、彼は今年だけでも3回は言った。
"From today on I will quit gambling." He has said this three times this year alone.
明日を限りに離れ離れになる2人は夜を徹して語り明かした。
The two, who would be separated starting tomorrow, talked all night until dawn.
山田選手、「今シーズン限りで引退」と、突然の発表。
Player Yamada suddenly announced, "I will retire after this season."
What people say in everyday speech
今日で最後に
「〜を限りに」 is a literary expression that carries a sense of determination or regret, often seen in declarations and news reports (for example, an athlete's retirement announcement). In everyday speech, the simpler 「今日で最後に」 is used, as in 「今日で最後にギャンブルはやめる」. を限りに sounds more solemn and ceremonial, while 今日で最後に is the most natural form in conversation.