んばかりに
(nbakari ni)
As if; as though
Usage Frequency
UNCOMMON
N1
JLPT
Definition
Indicates that the action was done in such a manner as if a certain result was about to happen.
How to Use
Verb stem + んばかりに
Formal Usage
Verb stem + んばかりに
Context, Limitations and Specificities
When to use?
Used to describe performing an action with such intensity or on the verge of reaching a certain outcome.
Limitations and specificities
This grammar is often used in written or more formal contexts.
Typically not used for actual results, but rather for emphasis.
Limited to certain verbs; commonly expressive actions or impactful verbs.
Example Sentences
壊れんばかりにドアを叩いた。
こわれんばかりにドアをたたいた。
Kowaren bakari ni doa o tataita.
He knocked on the door as if it would break.
泣き出さんばかりに彼女は目を閉じた。
なきださんばかりにかのじょはめをとじた。
Nakidasan bakari ni kanojo wa me o tojita.
She closed her eyes as if she was about to cry.
空に飛び出さんばかりに鳥が羽ばたいた。
そらにとびださんばかりにとりがはばたいた。
Sora ni tobidasan bakari ni tori ga habataita.
The bird flapped its wings as if it was about to soar into the sky.
壁が崩れんばかりに地震が続いた。
かべがくずれんばかりにじしんがつづいた。
Kabe ga kuzuren bakari ni jishin ga tsudzuita.
The earthquake continued as if the walls were about to crumble.
彼は叫ばんばかりに口を開けた。
かれはさけばんばかりにくちをあけた。
Kare wa sakeban bakari ni kuchi o aketa.
He opened his mouth as if he was going to shout.
山が裂けんばかりに雷がとどろいた。
やまがさけんばかりにかみなりがとどろいた。
Yama ga saken bakari ni kaminari ga todoroita.
The thunder roared as if the mountain was about to split.
泥が流れんばかりに土手が崩れた。
どろがながれんばかりにどてがくずれた。
Doro ga nagaren bakari ni dote ga kuzureta.
The embankment collapsed as if the mud was about to flow.
子供が転ばんばかりに走った。
こどもがころばんばかりにはしった。
Kodomo ga koroban bakari ni hashitta.
The child ran as if he was about to fall.
海があふれんばかりに波が打ち寄せた。
うみがあふれんばかりになみがうちよせた。
Umi ga afuren bakari ni nami ga uchiyoseta.
The waves crashed as if the sea was about to overflow.
木が倒れんばかりに風が吹いた。
きがたおれんばかりにかぜがふいた。
Ki ga taoren bakari ni kaze ga fuita.
The wind blew as if the trees were about to fall.