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Lessons, tips, and resources for your JLPT journey.
〜まいとする
〜まいとする — Try not to do something; attempt to refrain from doing something (expresses conscious effort to avoid an action)
〜ずにはいられない
〜ずにはいられない — Cannot help but be (a certain state); unable to refrain from being (expresses an uncontrollable state of being)
[V-た] + ものの
[V-た] + ものの — Even though I did... (but...). Specifically used to express that an action was taken, but the expected result did not fully follow.
〜くせに
〜くせに — Even though / and yet (with criticism). Shows strong contradiction and often implies blame, criticism, or contempt toward the subject.
〜ものの
〜ものの — Although / but. Admits the first clause is true, but the second clause shows a limitation or unexpected result. Slightly concessive tone.
〜にもかかわらず
〜にもかかわらず — Despite / in spite of. Expresses that the second clause is unexpected given the first clause. Formal tone.
〜がてら (with nouns of activity)
〜がてら (with nouns of activity) — Under the pretext of doing A (the stated activity), also do B.
〜ついでに (with 行く／来る)
〜ついでに (with 行く／来る) — While going/coming (to do A), take the opportunity to also do B.
〜かたわら
〜かたわら — While doing/maintaining A (as a main activity), also do B (as a side activity over a long period).
〜がてら
〜がてら — While doing A, also do B (often used with movement verbs; A and B are of similar importance).
〜ついでに
〜ついでに — Taking advantage of the opportunity of doing A, also do B (A is the main purpose, B is secondary).
〜を条件に〜する
〜を条件に〜する — To do something on the condition that... (shows the action is performed only if the condition is met)
〜としたら〜だろう
〜としたら〜だろう — If we assume that..., then probably... (used for hypothetical reasoning and speculation)
〜ないことには
〜ないことには — Unless... (the main clause won't happen); without doing... (emphasizes a necessary condition)