Structure
Verb [たら] + それまでだ
Verb [ば] + それまでだ
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Standard
使用域
一般
Rare Kanji
迄
About それまでだ
ばそれまでだ is a hypothetical expression used when one wishes to indicate that ‘if (A) is reached, that’s as far as it will go’. This usually indicates that everything up to that point will unfortunately go to waste. Standard translations include ‘if (A), then it’s all been in vain’, ‘if (A), then all is a waste’, or ‘if (A), then there’s no point.
Although verbs combining with the conjunction particle ば is the standard form of this grammar structure. The conjunction particle たら may also occasionally be used.
Although verbs combining with the conjunction particle ば is the standard form of this grammar structure. The conjunction particle たら may also occasionally be used.
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このことが外部に漏れればそれまでだ。If this information gets leaked, then it’s all in vain.
- やっとここまでたどり着いた。ここでミスを犯せばそれまでだ。We finally got to this point. If we make a mistake then it’s all in vain.
- もう少し我慢をしろ!ここで見つかったらそれまでだ。Have a little more patience! If they find you here, that's it.
- 彼らに訴えられたらそれまでだ。If they sue us, that's it.
Caution
と言われればそれまでだ is a set expression that means ‘while it is true that (A), (B)’, or ‘although certainly (A), (B)’. It is often used for politely expressing one’s personal opinion in relation to something. This phrase literally means ‘if It were to be said that it was (A), then that’s all there is to it, but (B)’.-
不可能だと言われればそれまでだ。せめて一回でもいいから試してみよう。If you say it's impossible, that's the end of the story. Let’s at least give it a try, even if it's just once.
Examples
A:「毎日毎日勉強していてとても疲れてるんだ。。大学を中退したい。。。」
B:「でも、もう3年生だよ!あきらめてしまったらそれまでだよ。」A: 'I'm studying every single day, I am so tired. I want to drop out of college...'
B: 'But you're already in your third year! If you give up then it's all in vain.'どんなに大きな家でも、誰も住まなければそれまでだ。
No matter how big the house is, if no one lives there then it's all in vain.
この内定を受諾することに興味がないだけと言えばそれまでだが、もういちどよく考えて決めたほうがいいだろうな。こんなチャンスは二度とないよ。
If you say that you are not interested in accepting this offer then there is no point (in discussing further), but I think you'd better think it over once again and then decide. You won't get a second chance like this.
Aと言えばそれまでだ が or けど+B is a set phrase meaning 'if one says A then it is the end of the matter or discussion (and nothing can be done about it), but B' and is used when the speaker admits that they can't do anything about or cannot argue about someone's intention or conclusion (A), but still, challenges it with their own, opposing opinion (B).
ダイエットしている友達へ:「頑張って運動しても毎日食べ過ぎたらそれまでだよ。」
To a friend who is dieting: 'Even if you do your best exercising, if you eat too much every day then it's all in vain.'
スパイ映画:「敵に発見されたらそれまでだ。」
Spy movie: 'If we are discovered then it's all in vain.'
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それまでだ – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
onekun
About 2 years ago
Uhhhh, the “Ask a Question” button for といおうか links here.
Fuga
About 1 year ago
Hey @onekun !
I apologize for the very late reply! We have just fixed this so that it redirects you to the right page!
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