Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 3: 2/17

あってのExist only because of or due to, Owe everything to

が is usually omitted

Structure

Noun (A) + （が）+ あっての + Noun (B)

Details

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About あっての

あっての is a pattern which emphasizes that (B) is something that only exists because of (A). It will often be translated as '(B) owes everything to (A)', or '(B) existing is only due to (A)'. This structure is a combination of the う-Verb ある 'to be' in its て-form, and the case-marking particle の.

あっての will be preceded and followed directly by nouns, where the first noun is (A), and the second noun is (B).

あっての will primarily be used when (B) is something that benefits positively from (A), and therefore is showing or should show some kind of gratitude toward it.

Occasionally, the case-marking particle が will come between the (A) noun and あっての. However, it is often omitted.

Fun Fact

あっての can be thought of as an evolution of the basic grammar structure がある 'to have'. The main difference being that の allows (B) to be marked as the thing that has (A), while the て-form indicates that there is more information that will be given later about why this is important. Due to this information that comes later being important, (B) will almost always be followed by structures like から, or ので.

Examples

--:--

    彼(かれ)が大学(だいがく)をやめるのは、何(なに)か理由(りゆう)があってのことだろう。

    I guess he is dropping out of university only because some sort of reason exists.

    「あなたあってのわたしです。あなたがいなければ私(わたし)の人生(じんせい)は無意味(むいみ)ですよ。」

    'I can only exist because of you. My life would be meaningless without you.' (owe everything to)

    支配人(しはいにん)、社員(しゃいん)に：「ゲストあっての遊園地(ゆうえんち)だということを忘(わす)れてはいけません。」

    Manager to employees: 'You must not forget that the amusement park exists only because of the customers.'

    恋愛(れんあい)は相手(あいて)あってのことだから一人(ひとり)だけでは無理(むり)だ...と思(おも)っていませんか？

    Love only exists because you have a partner, so it is impossible to love when you are alone… don't you think? (owe everything to)

    部員(ぶいん)あってのクラブ活動(かつどう)なんだから、部員(ぶいん)に対(たい)してもっと優(やさ)しくするべきだ。

    Since club activities exist only because of our club members, we must be nicer to them.

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