Since joining the company, I have been very fortunate to learn about sales from scratch in this sales department, under the guidance of my seniors, starting with our department manager.
I wanted to learn many more important things about working, but I have now been assigned to the Osaka branch, and I am sorry to say that I will be leaving this workplace.
I am leaving this workplace that I have grown familiar with since joining the company, but that doesn't mean I will no longer have the chance to work with you all.
Used when the same state has continued ever since a certain point (~) up to the present.
Connection V-て／N + 以来
Examples
母が入院して以来、家事はすべて私がしています。
Ever since my mother was hospitalized, I've been doing all the housework.
3年前の夏休みに帰国して以来、長い間家族に会っていません。
I haven't seen my family for a long time, since I returned home during summer vacation three years ago.
こちらに引っ越して以来、散歩を日課にしているんです。
Ever since moving here, taking a walk has become part of my daily routine.
山野君とは卒業以来、まったく連絡が取れない。
I haven't been able to get in touch with Yamano at all since graduation.
彼は2000年4月以来、1日も休まず遺伝子の研究を続けている。
He has continued his genetic research without a single day off since April 2000.
What people say in everyday speech
〜てから
「〜以来」 mostly appears in speeches and written texts, giving a formal impression of "continuing from that point until now." In everyday conversation it is almost always replaced by the lighter 「〜てから」, as in 「入社してから、いろいろ教えてもらった」. The meaning is similar, but it lacks the speech-like, summing-up tone of 「以来」. Saying 「入社して以来」 when chatting with a close friend would sound stiff, as if you were giving a report.
Gives a representative example to say "not only ~, but many others as well."
Connection N + をはじめ／をはじめとして／をはじめとする＋N
Examples
日本には富士山をはじめ、たくさんの美しい山がある。
Japan has many beautiful mountains, starting with Mt. Fuji.
アジアには中国をはじめとして、約40の国々がある。
Asia has about 40 countries, including China.
首相をはじめ、多くの政治家が大統領の歓迎会に出席した。
Many politicians, including the Prime Minister, attended the president's welcome reception.
健康のためには食生活をはじめとする生活習慣の見直しが必要です。
For the sake of your health, you need to review your lifestyle habits, starting with your eating habits.
What people say in everyday speech
〜とか／〜など
「をはじめ」 is a written or speech-style expression that gives one representative example and implies "and many others of the same kind." It is common in speeches and explanatory texts. In casual conversation, nobody would solemnly say 「部長をはじめ」; instead people casually list a few names with 「とか」, as in 「部長とか先輩とか、いろんな人に教えてもらった」, or say it even more simply as 「みんなに教えてもらった」.
Means "under something with great influence," as in 「教授のもと」 (under a professor), or "within certain conditions or circumstances," as in 「協力のもと」 (with someone's cooperation).
Connection N + のもと（で／に）
Examples
最近は明るい太陽のもとで、元気に遊ぶ子どもが少なくなった。
These days, fewer children play energetically under the bright sun.
彼はすばらしい自然環境のもとでこの作品を作り上げた。
He completed this work in a beautiful natural environment.
子育ては夫婦の協力のもとで行われるべきだ。
Child-rearing should be carried out with the cooperation of both spouses.
合理化の名のもとに多数の従業員が解雇された。
In the name of rationalization, many employees were dismissed.
What people say in everyday speech
〜に教えてもらって／〜のおかげで
「のもとで」 is a fairly written expression meaning "under a large influence or authority," and is common in formal contexts such as describing a teacher-student lineage or an institutional background. In everyday speech, to say "I learned under my senior's guidance," people usually just say 「先輩に教えてもらいながら」 or 「先輩のおかげで」, which sounds more natural and more like chatting with a friend than giving a formal speech of thanks.
Used in speeches and presentations to explain "not to mention ~; and moreover, there is more."
Connection N + はもとより
Examples
この温泉は、日本人はもとより、外国人にもたいへん人気があります。
These hot springs are very popular with foreigners, not to mention Japanese people.
子どもの成長のためには、食事はもとより、睡眠や運動にも気をつけてください。
For your child's growth, pay attention not only to meals but also to sleep and exercise.
優秀な人材の確保は中小企業はもとより、大企業にとっても大きな問題です。
Securing talented people is a big problem not only for small and medium-sized companies but also for large corporations.
犯罪防止はもとより、地域の交通安全も警察の大切な仕事です。
Preventing crime goes without saying, and traffic safety in the community is also an important job for the police.
What people say in everyday speech
〜はもちろん
「はもとより」 is really just a more written, more formal version of 「はもちろん」, and is common in speeches and official documents. In everyday conversation, people almost always just say 「はもちろん」, as in 「仕事の進め方はもちろん、取引先との付き合い方も教えてもらった」, which sounds much lighter. Among friends you can even drop 「もちろん」 and simply say 「〜も〜も、いろいろ教えてもらった」.
Plus〜上は★
「V＋上は」という言い方もある。
There is also the expression 「V＋上は」.
税金を使って研究を行う上は、社会に役立つ研究をしなければならない。
Since we are doing research with taxpayers' money, we must do research that is useful to society.
かくなる上は裁判で争う以外に道はない。
Now that it has come to this, there is no way out other than fighting it in court.
Expresses the speaker's judgment that "anyone would think so; it is absolutely right," and sometimes takes on a tone of advice or command. Because it can sound a bit self-righteous, it is better not to use it toward superiors. In conversation between people who are close, 「もんだ」 is often used.
Connection V-る／V-ない + ものだ／もんだ
Examples
子どもは親に反抗するものですから、それも成長のひとつですよ。
Children rebel against their parents, you know. That's part of growing up too.
Anyone gets motivated when they're praised, so when you train new employees, please be sure to look for their good points.
失恋したら、めいっぱいおしゃれをして出かけましょう。おしゃれをすると気分が明るくなるものです。
If you've had a breakup, dress up as much as you can and go out. Dressing up makes you feel brighter.
さっきのお前の態度は何だ。人が話しているときには、ちゃんと聞くもんだぞ。
What was that attitude of yours just now? When someone is talking, you listen properly.
What people say in everyday speech
もんだ
In textbook classifications, 「ものだ」 itself already counts as a usage for casual speech with friends and family rather than a written one. It expresses a judgment that "everyone thinks so; it's only natural," and is very common in everyday complaints and lectures. A more casual version is the contraction 「もんだ」, also mentioned in the explanation of the lesson text, as in 「人は失敗から学ぶもんだよ」, which is common among people who are close. Note that both 「ものだ」 and 「もんだ」 can sound preachy or self-important, so it is better not to use either of them when speaking to superiors.
Means "when doing ~ (it is important/necessary that...)."
Connection V-る + 上で
Examples
この本は就職活動をする上での重要なポイントが書かれています。
This book describes the important points to keep in mind in job hunting.
国際関係を考える上で、宗教問題は避けられない。
When considering international relations, religious issues cannot be avoided.
新店舗を開設する上で、周辺のマーケティング調査は欠かせない。
When opening a new store, a market survey of the surrounding area is indispensable.
会社を経営していく上でコストパフォーマンスは重要な課題だ。
In running a company, cost performance is an important issue.
What people say in everyday speech
〜とき／〜してると
「〜上で」 is a formal expression meaning "in the process of doing ~ (it is important that...)," common in manuals and advice texts. In everyday speech, people usually say 「とき」 or 「してると」 for a similar meaning, as in 「仕事するとき、大事なこと」 or 「仕事してると、いろいろ気づくよね」, which sounds much lighter and more natural than 「仕事をする上で」. As soon as 「上で」 appears, it carries the tone of a lecture or a manual.
Plus〜上は★
「V＋上は」という言い方もある。
There is also the expression 「V＋上は」.
税金を使って研究を行う上は、社会に役立つ研究をしなければならない。
Since we are doing research with taxpayers' money, we must do research that is useful to society.
かくなる上は裁判で争う以外に道はない。
Now that it has come to this, there is no way out other than fighting it in court.
Although I live in the same dormitory as him, I have hardly ever talked to him.
留学生たちは、難しい言葉はわからないながら、日本人のボランティアと楽しそうにおしゃべりしている。
Although the international students didn't understand the difficult words, they chatted happily with the Japanese volunteers.
彼は若いながらも、立派なプロジェクトリーダーだ。
Although he is young, he is an excellent project leader.
練習試合ながら、去年の優勝チームに勝ったのは大きな自信になる。
Although it was only a practice match, beating last year's champion team was a big confidence booster.
このICレコーダーは小型でありながら、連続24時間の録音が可能だ。
Although this IC recorder is compact, it can record continuously for 24 hours.
What people say in everyday speech
残念だけど
This concessive 「〜ながら」 is itself classified as spoken language in the textbook, and 「残念ながら」 can be used both in formal situations and in everyday chat. For a more casual feel, people also often say 「残念だけど」 or 「残念なんだけど」 in daily conversation, replacing ながら with だけど/けど, which sounds more like talking among friends. 「残念ながら」 works in both settings, and is slightly better suited to somewhat formal occasions (such as a farewell speech).
Used to say "make A into B; A is B," as in 「地域交流を目的として」 (with community exchange as the purpose) or 「リーダーを中心に」 (centered on the leader). 「に」 can be used in place of 「として」.
"Midori no Kai" is a citizens' organization whose purpose is environmental protection activities.
今回のシンポジウムは日本の伝統芸能をテーマとして行われます。
This symposium is being held with Japan's traditional performing arts as its theme.
今回の話し合いの結果を私たちの総意として社長に伝えることにしましょう。
Let's convey the result of this discussion to the president as our collective consensus.
「子は親の鏡」という言葉があるが、子どもは親を手本として成長していくのであろう。
There is a saying, "Children are a mirror of their parents," and children probably grow up taking their parents as role models.
わが社ではエンジニアを中心に、安全な車づくりの研究が行われている。
At our company, research on building safe cars is carried out centered on engineers.
結婚を前提に彼女に交際を申し込んだ。
I asked her out on the premise of marriage.
What people say in everyday speech
〜のための
「AをBとした」 is a formal expression common in proposals and press releases, condensing "with A as the purpose/center/premise" into a single noun-modifying structure. In everyday speech nobody puts it so roundaboutly; you can just say 「〜のための」, as in 「輸出を増やすためのプロジェクト」, or even more casually 「輸出を増やすためにやってるプロジェクト」, which sounds much more natural than 「輸出拡大を目的としたプロジェクト」.
Used for an event that became the cause or reason when something started or changed.
Connection N + をきっかけに／をきっかけとして
Examples
日本のドラマをきっかけとして、日本文化に関心を持つようになった。
Japanese TV dramas got me interested in Japanese culture.
小学生の投書がきっかけで、駅前の公園をきれいにしようという活動が始まった。
A letter to the editor from an elementary school student started a campaign to clean up the park in front of the station.
彼と友人になったのは、入学式で隣に座ったことがきっかけだった。
The reason I became friends with him was that we happened to sit next to each other at the entrance ceremony.
私が昆虫学者を目指したきっかけは、子どものときに夢中で読んだ『ファーブル昆虫記』です。
What made me aim to become an entomologist was Fabre's Souvenirs Entomologiques, which I read with great absorption as a child.
What people say in everyday speech
〜で
In the textbook, 「をきっかけに」 is already classified as spoken language among friends and family, so saying 「この転勤をきっかけに」 in daily life is perfectly fine. To be more casual, people in conversation often drop 「きっかけ」 and pass over the cause-and-effect with 「〜で」, as in 「この転勤で、また新しいことに挑戦できそう」, which sounds more understated than the formal wording. The more formal written version 「契機に」 (see Plus) would never appear in everyday conversation.
The meaning and usage are the same, but the word 「契機」 may also be used for events of great social or historical significance. It is mostly used in sentences with a positive meaning.
青木氏の社長就任を契機にして、わが社は大きく発展した。
Since Mr. Aoki became president, our company has developed greatly.
この大学は卒業生がノーベル賞を受賞したことを契機として受験生が増えたと言われている。
It is said that applicants to this university increased after a graduate won a Nobel Prize.
今回の事件を契機に、地域ぐるみで子どもを犯罪から守ろうということになった。
In light of this incident, it was decided that the whole community would work together to protect children from crime.
この港では、開港100周年を契機に今年1年さまざまな催し物が企画されている。
This port is planning a variety of events throughout this year to mark the 100th anniversary of its opening.
Congratulations on your admission. Now that you have entered this vocational school, I hope you will firmly master your skills and one day be able to have a shop of your own.
三つ星レストランというからには、料理もサービスも期待できるはずだと考えるのが自然だ。
If it's called a three-star restaurant, it's natural to think that both the food and the service can be expected to be excellent.
キャプテンであるからにはチーム全体のことを考えるべきだ。
As the captain, you should think of the whole team.
What people say in everyday speech
〜んだから
In the textbook 「からには」 is also classified as spoken language, and it is perfectly natural for friends to say 「やるからには」. For something more off-the-cuff, 「〜んだから」 is often used in daily life to express the same "since..., naturally..." nuance, as in 「やるんだから、本気でやろうよ」, which sounds more like a casual word of encouragement than 「からには」. 「以上は」 (see Plus) is the version reserved for formal or written situations, and is hardly ever said spontaneously in daily life.
Plus〜以上は★★
「V＋以上（は）」という言い方もある。
There is also the expression 「V＋以上（は）」.
市長になった以上は、皆様が安心して暮らせる街づくりをすることをお約束します。
Now that I have become mayor, I promise to build a city where everyone can live with peace of mind.
期日までに間に合わせると約束した以上は、残業してでも終わらせなければならない。
Since I promised to finish by the deadline, I must complete it even if I have to work overtime.
皆さん、本校の学生になった以上は、わが校の伝統を守り、誇りを持って行動してください。
Everyone, now that you have become students of this school, please protect our school's traditions and act with pride.
プロジェクトのリーダーを引き受けた以上、全力を尽くします。
Since I have accepted the role of project leader, I will do my very best.
Negates a situation, feeling, or reason of ~. It is used to deny the other person's thinking or a general judgment, as in 「病気が治ったわけではない」 (it's not that the illness has been cured). It is also used when you don't want to say something is 100% the case, as in 「嫌いなわけではない」 (it's not that I dislike it).
Connection 普通形 + わけではない／わけじゃない ［なAだ→なAな／N→Nだ・Nの］
Examples
退院しても、病気が完全に治ったわけではありませんから、無理をしないでください。
Even after being discharged from the hospital, it doesn't mean the illness is completely cured, so please don't overdo it.
通信販売は便利だが、実際に見て買うわけではないので、品物が届くまでちょっと心配だ。
Online shopping is convenient, but since you don't buy after seeing the item in person, you feel a little worried until it arrives.
歌が下手なわけではないが、カラオケで歌うことはほとんどない。
It's not that I'm bad at singing, but I hardly ever sing at karaoke.
あのレストランはおいしいわけでもないのに、いつも混んでいる。
That restaurant isn't even good, yet it's always crowded.
What people say in everyday speech
わけじゃない
「わけではない」 is itself a common spoken pattern, but in fast everyday conversation 「ではない」 almost always contracts to 「じゃない」, giving 「わけじゃない」. For example, in this lesson's exercises, when someone reproaches you with 「何遊んでるのよ」, the natural reply is 「別に遊んでるわけじゃないよ」. This is the most natural way to say it among friends and family; the full 「わけではありません」 is used in formal written or speech situations.
We were able to win the championship this time, but we will not be satisfied with this and will keep working harder. We ask for your continued support.
彼は一言も文句を言うことなく、重い荷物を運んでいった。
He carried the heavy luggage without a single word of complaint.
その後、彼女は一度もふるさとの地を訪れることなく、80年の生涯を終えた。
After that, she never once visited her hometown, and lived out her life of 80 years.
私たちが乗った新幹線は遅れることなく京都についた。
The Shinkansen we took arrived in Kyoto without any delay.
What people say in everyday speech
〜ないで
「ことなく」 is a written or speech-style expression meaning "without doing ~," common in speeches, news, and award citations. In everyday conversation the same meaning is expressed with 「〜ないで」, as in 「これまでと変わらないで、これからもよろしくね」, which is much more natural and relaxed than 「変わることなく」. As soon as 「ことなく」 appears, it sounds formal, as if reading from a script.
Despite his efforts, business results did not improve.
多くの家庭で収入が減少しているにもかかわらず、貯金額は増加している。
Although income is decreasing in many households, the amount of savings is increasing.
授業中にもかかわらず、学生はおしゃべりしたり、携帯電話でメールしたりしている。
Even though class is in session, the students are chatting or sending text messages on their phones.
妻は真実を語らなかった。それにもかかわらず、夫は自分の死が近いことを知っていた。
The wife did not tell the truth. Even so, the husband knew his death was near.
このスケジュール管理のソフトはフリーソフトであるにもかかわらず、優れた機能を持っている。
Although this schedule management software is freeware, it has excellent features.
この化粧品は値段が高いにもかかわらず、3か月で45万本も売れたそうだ。
Although the price of this cosmetic is high, it reportedly sold 450,000 units in three months.
What people say in everyday speech
〜のに
「にもかかわらず」 is a contrastive expression common in news, reports, and speeches, and stresses "unlike what was expected." In everyday conversation, the lighter 「〜のに」 is almost always used for the same sense of surprise, dissatisfaction, or gratitude, as in 「雨なのに、こんなに来てくれてありがとう」, which sounds far more natural than 「雨にもかかわらず」. 「にもかかわらず」 sounds like reading from a speech, and using it when chatting with friends would sound stiff.