On the other hand, however, wolves have also played a role in keeping herbivores such as deer from multiplying too much and in preserving the balance of nature.
In Yellowstone National Park in the United States, wolves were hunted down and went extinct, and as a result the large deer that had been their food source increased rapidly.
This was because, while bringing in wild wolves could be expected to bring results, there was also a risk of harm to livestock, so even though it was known to be effective in theory, it was hard for people to accept.
20年以上の時間をかけて話し合いを続けた結果、1995年、ついにオオカミが放された。
After more than 20 years of continued discussion, wolves were finally released in 1995.
Afterward, as the wolves fed on deer and their numbers grew steadily, it has been reported that the other animals and plants, which had once declined sharply, are also gradually increasing.
Used, as in 「専門家から見ると」 (from an expert's point of view), 「価格の面から見ると」 (from the standpoint of price) or 「データから見て」 (judging from the data), to state what one thinks from the standpoint, viewpoint or basis of judgment given by 「〜」.
Connection N + から見ると／から見れば／から見て
Examples
便利さという点から見ると、やはり田舎より都会のほうが暮らしやすい。
From the standpoint of convenience, the city is, after all, a better place to live than the countryside.
けんかの原因なんて、第三者から見れば、くだらないことが多い。
Seen from a third party's point of view, the causes of quarrels are often trivial.
現在の経営状態から見て、四葉商事の再建には時間がかかりそうだ。
Judging from its current management situation, it looks like Yotsuba Trading will need time to rebuild.
彼は、能力、人柄、その他すべての点から見て、プロジェクトリーダーに適任だ。
Judging from his ability, character and every other aspect, he is well suited to be the project leader.
What people say in everyday speech
〜から言うと／〜の立場だと
「〜から見ると」 is a written expression often used in essays and commentary. In everyday speech, the more casual way to put it is 「〜から言うと」, or, even more simply, 「〜の立場だと」 or 「〜的には」, as in 「人間の立場から言うと」 or 「人間的には」. 「から見ると」 itself is not especially stiff in speech, but it has a heavier essay or commentary tone, so 「からいうと」 or 「〜的には」 sounds more natural in conversation.
Used to explain that, regarding a single matter, there are situations that differ greatly from each other, as in 「行列ができる店がある一方、まったく客が入らない店もある」 (some shops have long lines, while others get no customers at all).
Connection Pl + 一方 ［なAだな／Nだの］ ＊「なA／Nである＋一方」も使われる
Examples
仕事を求めて都会に出る若者がいる一方、故郷に戻って就職する若者もいる。
There are young people who go to the city looking for work, while there are also young people who return to their hometowns to find jobs.
動物園は入場者を楽しませる工夫をする一方、動物にストレスを与えないように気をつけている。
Zoos try to think of ways to entertain visitors, while also taking care not to stress the animals.
円高は輸入業者には有利である一方、輸出の低迷をもたらす要因ともなる。
A strong yen is advantageous for importers, but at the same time it can also cause exports to slump.
The spread of the internet has made it easy to obtain information. On the other hand, however, the problem of leaked personal information has also appeared.
What people say in everyday speech
でも／逆に
「〜一方で」 is a typical written connective for contrast, often used in news and essays to describe "two sides of one thing." In everyday speech, people almost always substitute 「でも」 or 「逆に」, as in 「でも、オオカミは自然のバランスを守る役割も果たしてきたんだよね」. 「一方で」 has an objective, report-like tone, while 「でも」 flows more naturally in chat.
Used to give the reason something got its name or a place got its name, the grounds for making some judgment, or the cause of something that happened.
Connection Pl + ことから ［なAだな／Nだ］
Examples
このサツマイモは中が赤いことから、紅イモと呼ばれています。
This sweet potato is called the "red potato" (紅イモ) because it is red inside.
この坂は桜並木になっていることから、桜坂という名前になったそうだ。
This slope is said to have been named Sakura Hill because it is lined with cherry trees.
チンパンジーは道具が使えることから、人間に最も近いと考えられている。
Chimpanzees are considered the closest to humans because they can use tools.
山梨はブドウの栽培に適していることから、ワイン作りが盛んだ。
Because Yamanashi is suited to growing grapes, winemaking is thriving there.
What people say in everyday speech
〜から
「〜ことから」 (because of the fact that...) is commonly used in written contexts that explain origins or causes (the origin of a place name, the grounds for a judgment, etc.). In everyday speech, a simple 「〜から」 is enough, as in 「オオカミが絶滅したから、シカが急増した」. 「ことから」 carries a written tone of tracing back to a source and explaining, so people do not go out of their way to say it in casual chat.
He is said to have not only taken in and raised children who had lost their families in the war, but also given them an education so that they could live independently.
What people say in everyday speech
〜だけでなく／〜も
「〜のみならず」 is a very formal written expression, much more solemn than 「〜だけでなく」, often seen in papers and speeches. In everyday speech, 「のみならず」 is almost never used; people simply say 「〜だけでなく」 or, even more simply, 「〜も」, as in 「植物に被害を与えただけでなく、小動物の数も減らした」. As soon as 「のみならず」 appears, it feels like "writing."
A way of explaining by giving representative examples; it has the same meaning as 「〜など」.
Connection N + といった
Examples
くるみやアーモンドといったナッツ類を毎日食べると、記憶力がよくなるそうです。
They say that eating nuts such as walnuts and almonds every day improves your memory.
仏教は、中国、日本、韓国、タイといったアジアの国で広く信仰されている。
Buddhism is widely practiced in Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea and Thailand.
夜食は、おかゆやうどんといった消化のいい食べ物にしたほうがいいでしょう。
For a late-night snack, it is better to choose easily digestible foods such as rice porridge or udon.
ヨガやストレッチといった運動は、少しずつでも続ければ、効果が現れます。
Exercise such as yoga and stretching will produce effects if you keep it up, even a little at a time.
What people say in everyday speech
〜とか
「〜といった」 (such as..., equivalent to "...and the like") is a common written way of giving examples. In everyday speech, the more casual way is 「〜とか」, as in 「ネズミやビーバーとか、そういう小動物」. 「といった」 has a slightly written feel of listing and explaining, while 「とか」 is the most natural way to give examples when chatting with friends.
Used when you want to say that, as 「〜」 changes, other things change along with it. It is also used to mean "in accordance with 〜."
Connection V-る／N + にしたがって／にしたがい
Examples
暑くなるにしたがって、体調を崩す人が増えた。
As it got hotter, more people fell ill.
ライフスタイルの変化にしたがい、日本人の食生活も変わった。
With changes in lifestyle, the eating habits of the Japanese have also changed.
わが国でも自動車の普及にしたがい、道路の整備が必要になってきた。
In our country, too, with the spread of the automobile, road improvements have become necessary.
この商品は安全基準にしたがって作られています。
This product is made in accordance with safety standards.
What people say in everyday speech
〜と一緒に
「〜にしたがって」 is a written expression commonly used for "as... changes," seen in explanatory texts and papers. In speech, 「〜と一緒に」 is used more often, or people simply state it as cause and effect, as in 「シカが増えると、食べ物や住む場所がどんどん減っていったんだよね」. This abstract way of expressing accompanying change is rarely used on purpose in everyday conversation.
Plus〜につれて／〜につれ★★★
「V-る＋につれて／につれ」も、「〜」と一緒に変化することを表す。
「V-る＋につれて／につれ」 also expresses changing together with 「〜」.
留学生活が長くなるにつれて、国のことを思い出すことが少なくなったような気がする。
As my time studying abroad has gotten longer, I feel I think about my home country less and less.
彼は年を取るにつれ、周囲の人と交流することが少なくなっていった。
As he got older, he gradually had less and less interaction with the people around him.
謝ろうと思ったが、時間がたつにつれて、言い出しにくくなってしまった。
I meant to apologize, but as time went by, it became harder and harder to bring it up.
Means "it is possible to 〜 / there is a possibility of 〜"; 「〜得ない」 means "it is not possible to 〜 / there is no possibility of 〜." Often used in papers and the like.
Connection V-ます + 得る／得る／得ない
Examples
凶器がどこにあるか、考え得る場所はすべて捜したが、まったく手がかりがつかめなかった。
I searched every place the weapon could conceivably be, but found no clues at all.
普通の人が宇宙へ行ける日が来るなんて、100年前には想像し得なかったことだ。
That a day would come when ordinary people could go into space was something no one could have imagined 100 years ago.
マーケティング調査の結果によっては、発売時期の変更もあり得る。
Depending on the results of the market research, a change in the release date is also possible.
犯人しか知り得ない情報を、彼は知っていた。
He knew information that only the culprit could have known.
A：おれ、内定取り消しだって。ありえないよな。 B：えー！うそでしょ？
A: I heard my job offer got canceled. That's unbelievable, right? B: What?! You're kidding!
What people say in everyday speech
〜できる
「〜得る」 is a very written, academic-paper-style expression, and in everyday speech people normally just use 「〜できる」, as in 「生態系を回復させることができると考えた」. Using 「得る」 with ordinary verbs in chat sounds stiff. The big exception is 「あり得る／ありえない」, which is extremely common in casual conversation (「ありえない！」 "No way!", 「ありえない話じゃない」 "It's not impossible").
It goes against the wishes of the shop owner, who has always insisted on handmade goods, but to cut labor costs, it has become necessary to mechanize.
What people say in everyday speech
〜と違って／〜のに
「〜に反して」 (contrary to...) is a contrastive expression commonly used in news and essays. In everyday speech, the more natural ways to say it are 「〜と違って」 or simply 「〜のに」, as in 「生物学者が期待してたのに、この計画はすぐには実行されなかった」. 「に反して」 feels very written, and people almost never say it in chat.
Used the same way as 「〜について」 to state the content that is being made a topic or investigated. Often used in surveys, research, notices and the like.
Connection N + に関して／に関する＋N
Examples
修理に関するお問い合わせはサービスセンターまでお電話かメールでご連絡ください。
For inquiries regarding repairs, please contact the service center by phone or email.
危険物の取り扱いに関しては細心の注意を払う必要がある。
Extreme caution is required when handling dangerous materials.
今回は子どもたちの学力だけでなく体力に関しても調査が行われることになった。
This time, it was decided that the survey would cover not only the children's academic ability but also their physical strength.
友人は地震の予知に関して研究論文を書いたそうだ。
I hear a friend wrote a research paper on earthquake prediction.
What people say in everyday speech
〜については／〜のことだけど
「〜に関しては」 is a fairly formal way of introducing a topic, often seen in reports and explanatory texts. In everyday speech, the more casual way is 「〜については」, or, more simply, 「〜のことだけど」, as in 「野生のオオカミを連れてくることについては」 or 「オオカミを連れてくる話だけど」. 「に関しては」 carries a slight feel of a formal agenda item.
Before coming to Japan, I looked forward to studying abroad, but at the same time I was also very anxious.
IT機器は多機能化が進んで、便利な反面、操作が複雑すぎて使いこなせない人が増えている。
IT devices have become increasingly multifunctional and convenient, but their operation is too complicated, and more and more people cannot use them properly.
High-rise apartments are well equipped and comfortable to live in, but on the other hand, once the power goes out, the facilities become completely unusable.
国民の長寿は喜ばしい反面、国の財政負担が増えるという問題もある。
Longevity among the people is welcome, but on the other hand, the burden on the national finances increases.
What people say in everyday speech
でも／逆に
「〜反面」 (on the other hand) is a written contrastive word, similar to 「一方で」, often seen in commentary and explanatory texts. In speech, simply substituting 「でも」 or 「逆に」 is enough, as in 「成果は期待できるけど、逆に家畜が被害に遭うかもしれない」. This "two-sided statement" style is rarely used in chat.
「〜上」 means "considering it from the point of view of 〜," and is used together with words that indicate a viewpoint.
Connection N + 上 ＊「理論・職業・教育・法律・歴史・表面」などの言葉と一緒に使われる
Examples
お札にはその国の歴史上の人物の顔が描かれていることが多い。
Banknotes often have portraits of historical figures of that country printed on them.
スポーツは、子どもにとって健康上はもちろん、教育上もいい点がたくさんある。
For children, sports have many advantages in terms of education as well as, of course, health.
あの2人は表面上は親しそうに見えるけど、本当はあまり仲がよくないんだ。
Those two look close on the surface, but in fact they do not get along very well.
「ペーパーカンパニー」とは、書類上は存在するが経営実態のない会社のことである。
A "paper company" is a company that exists on paper but has no actual business operations.
What people say in everyday speech
理屈では
The 「〜上」 usage meaning "from a certain viewpoint" (as in 歴史上, 法律上, 教育上) is itself rather written. In everyday speech, the more casual expression is 「理屈では」, as in 「理屈では有効だとわかっていても」. 「理屈では」 sounds more like a friend talking through the logic, whereas 「理論上は」 is common in formal explanations and news reports.
Used to explain that something is changing little by little, as in 「日本の人口は減りつつある」 (Japan's population is decreasing).
Connection V-ます + つつある
Examples
異常気象の影響が世界各地に広がりつつある。
The effects of abnormal weather are spreading around the world.
社会の高齢化にともない、犯罪者の高齢化も進みつつある。
As society ages, the aging of criminals is also progressing.
世界規模での人口移動が進みつつある現在、共生の意識がますます必要になっている。
At a time when population movement on a global scale is advancing, an awareness of coexistence is becoming ever more necessary.
日本銀行は、国内の景気について、緩やかに回復しつつあると発表した。
The Bank of Japan announced that the domestic economy is gradually recovering.
What people say in everyday speech
〜てきている
「〜つつある」 (is in the process of...) is a written expression for gradual change, commonly seen in news and reports (for example the news-style 「景気は回復しつつある」). The more natural way to say it in everyday speech is 「〜てきている」, as in 「動植物の数も徐々に増えてきている」. 「つつある」 sounds like a news broadcast, and friends would not talk this way in chat.
For the sake of the environment, we should be mindful of saving electricity all year round, not just in summer.
水の問題は特定の地域に限らず、世界的な問題になるだろう。
Water problems are not limited to specific regions and will become a global issue.
車に限らず、自転車でもぶつかったら大けがをしますから注意してください。
Not only cars: if you collide with a bicycle, you can also be seriously injured, so please be careful.
電化製品に限らず、あらゆる分野で新製品の開発競争が行われています。
Not only home appliances, but in every field, there is competition to develop new products.
What people say in everyday speech
〜だけじゃなく
「〜に限らず」 is a written expression, often seen in explanatory texts and reports to mean "not limited to...". In everyday speech, 「〜だけじゃなく」 is used more often, as in 「アメリカだけじゃなく、ヨーロッパでも検討されている」. 「に限らず」 feels fairly solemn, while 「だけじゃなく」 is the most natural way to say it when chatting with friends.