Grammar Info
N1 Lesson 2: 7/17

とも無(な)く
absentmindedly, mindlessly, unconsciously, without paying attention

・It can be also used with うちに、ところに and similar expressions

Structure
Verb[る](A) + ともなく(1) + Verb[たら](2)(A)

(1) ともなしに
(2) Verb +
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
  • [ともなく(ともなしに) is used when something is not done on purpose or unconsciously, without really focusing on it/paying mind to it. Generally the verb is repeated a second time. ]
Slow Male
Hide All
Hide Japanese
Hide English
山田(やまだ)さん晩(ばん)御飯(ごはん)を食(た)べるともなく食(た)べていたら、急(きゅう)に彼(かれ)が告白(こくはく)してきて驚(おどろ)いた。
When I was absentmindedly eating dinner with Yamada-san, he suddenly confessed (his feelings for me) and it really surprised me.
Play  
勝者(しょうしゃ)の発表(はっぴょう)を聞(き)くともなく聞(き)いていたら、なんと私(わたし)名前(なまえ)が挙(あ)がっていた。
I listened absentmindedly to the announcements of the winners, when, to my disbelief, my name came up.
Play  
隣人(りんじん)の窓(まど)見(み)るともなく見(み)る、驚(おどろ)いたことに裸(はだか)の人(ひと)がいた。
I looked at my neighbor's window without paying attention, and, to my surprise, there was a naked person.
Play  
Books

No page info