N2 grammar

~やら~やら

Explanation

  • X and Y; things like X and Y; X, Y and so on; whether X or Y; whether X or not | A structure to present things, events, actions, etc., as examples, reasons or possibilities.

Examples

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  • この仕事は自分にできるやらできないやら、やってみなければ分からない。

    I can't tell if l can do this job unless I try.

  • みんなに自分の写真をほめられて嬉しいやら恥ずかしいやら(で)変な気持ちでした。

    When people praised the picture of me I felt strange, both happy and shy.

  • アンディと楽しそうにおしゃべりしている陽子が憎らしいやらねたましいやらで、人と話していても上の空だった。

    My mind was somewhere else when I was talking with people because I was mad at and jealous of Yoko, whom I saw talking happily with Andy.

  • 久子は来るやらこないやら分からないから、もう行こう。

    We can't tell whether Hisako will come or not, so let's just go.

  • 今日は、上司に叱られるやら財布を落とすやら(で)さんざんな一日だった。

    I got told off by my boss; I lost my wallet—it's been a horrible day today.

  • 彼はアメリカ生まれの生粋のアメリカ人だが、日本人なのやらアメリカ人なのやら分からないくらい、考え方が日本人的だ。

    He is a genuine born-in-the-USA American, but his ways of thinking are so much like those of Japanese people that we (almost) can't tell whether he is a Japanese or an American.

  • 彼女は日本語を話すそうだが、まだ話すのを聞いたことがないので、上手やら下手やら全く見当がつかない。

    I heard that she speaks Japanese, but because I haven't heard her speak yet, I have no idea whether she's good or bad at it.

  • 着替えやらお土産やらでスーツケースはもういっぱいになってしまった。

    My suitcase is full now with a change of clothes and souvenirs and other things.

  • 私は会議やら講習会やらでこのところ出張が続いている。

    I have been traveling for business a lot these days to conferences, workshops, etc.

  • 美術品のことは何も知らないので、この壷が安いのやら高いのやら全然見当がつかない。

    Because I know nothing about art objects, I have no idea whether this pot is cheap or expensive.

  • 貸してもらえるのやらもらえないのやら分からないお金を当てにしているのはよくない。

    It's not good to count on the money before you know if they will lend it to you or not.

  • 趣味のことやら家族のことやらを時々ブログに書いている。

    I write about my hobbies and my family in my blog from time to time.

  • 音を立ててスープを飲むやら口にものを入れたまま話すやら、直樹のテーブルマナーはひどかった。

    Naoki did things like slurping his soup and talking with food in his mouth—his table manners were horrible.

Your notes

N2 grammar

ようでは

Explanation

  • If; if it is true that; if it is the case that | A conjunction that presents an undesirable situation, which is assumed to be factual.

Examples

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  • アパートがそんなに高いようでは私たちは東京には住めない。

    If (it is true that) apartments in Tokyo are that expensive, we cannot live there.

  • 今からそんなに文句を言っているようでは、この仕事をやり遂げるのは難しいだろう。

    If you complain like that now, it will be difficult to complete this job.

  • 今頃いまごろそんなことをしているようでは、とても締め切りに間に合わない。

    If you're doing things like that now, there's no way you'll meet the deadline.

  • 千円程度の旅費払い戻しに4枚も5枚も書類が必要なようでは問題だ。

    It is a problem if (it is true that) it takes four or five forms to request a travel reimbursement for an amount as small as one thousand yen.

  • 困った時に助けてくれないようでは友達とは言えない。

    If (it is true that) he doesn't help you when you are in trouble, you cannot call him a friend.

  • 大学の施設が現状のようでは、せっかく研究資金を増やしても有効に活用できない。

    Even if we make an effort to increase research funding, with the university facilities the way they are (literally: if the university facilities are in their present condition), we won't be able to utilize the funds effectively.

  • 成績が今までのようでは困ります。

    If you continue to show the level of performance you have to date, we will have a problem. (literally: If your performance is like what you have exhibited up to now, it's a problem.)

  • 朝が弱いようではこの仕事は無理でしょう。

    If it is true that) you have trouble getting up early in the morning (literally: are weak in the morning), you probably won't be able to do this job.

  • 次の試合も今日の試合のようでは、とても決勝には進めない。

    If we play the next game like (we did in) today's game, there's no way we can advance to the finals.

  • 知らない単語が出てくるたびに辞書を引いているようではいつまでたっても速く読めない。

    If (it is true that) you look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary every time you encounter a new one, you will never learn to read fast.

  • 部下の面倒が見られないようでは上司失格だ。

    If (it is true that) you cannot take care of the people under you, you are not qualified to be their boss.

Your notes

N2 grammar

由・よし

Explanation

  • (I heard/It is said/etc.) that | A dependent noun that marks the content of what the writer has learned.

Examples

Show examples (9)
  • この度は本社営業部長にご栄転の由、誠におめでとう存じます。

    I heard of your promotion this time to manager of the headquarters' sales department. Please accept my sincere congratulations.

  • 交通事故のこと伺いました。お怪我などなかった由、ほっといたしております。

    I heard about the traffic accident. I am relieved to hear that you were not hurt.

  • 地球環境保護の国際会議が来年当市で開催される由(である)。

    It is said that an international conference on global environmental protection will be held in this city next year.

  • 当ホテルでのご滞在が快適でなかった由、誠に申し訳なく存じます。

    We learned that your stay at our hotel was not a pleasant one. We are very sorry for that.

  • 懇親会にご出席の由、吉本君から連絡を受けました。

    I heard from Mr. Yoshimoto that you will be attending the reception.

  • 日本消費者連盟は、一部ウイスキーの不正表示に関して、公正取引委員会に申し入れる由である。

    It is said that the Japan Consumers Union is going to appeal to the Fair Trade Commission regarding the dishonest labels on some whiskies.

  • 石垣島は運よく台風の通過コースからはずれたため被害が少なかった由。

    I was informed that there was not much damage on Ishigaki Island because, luckily, the typhoon missed it (literally: swerved away from it).

  • 第一子御出産の由、心からお祝い申し上げます。

    I heard that you gave birth to your first child and I send my heartfelt congratulations.

  • 野沢先生は来年一年ドイツにいらっしゃる由、伺っております。

    I've been informed that next year Professor Nozawa is going to Germany for a year.

Your notes