Structure
Verb[る](A) + ともなく(1) + Verb[たら](2)(A)
(1) ともなしに
(2) Verb + と
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Standard
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一般
About ともなく・ともなしに
ともなく and ともなしに are structures used to indicate that (A) was being done absentmindedly when (B) happened. It will be translated as 'unconsciously (A) when (B)', or 'without paying attention to (A), (B)'.
This pattern is a combination of the case-marking particle と, the adverbial particle も, and the conjunctive form of the い-Adjective ない. It will be seen after the dictionary form of verbs, and can be thought of as literally meaning something similar to 'even while not intending to (B), while (A), (B)'.
This pattern is a combination of the case-marking particle と, the adverbial particle も, and the conjunctive form of the い-Adjective ない. It will be seen after the dictionary form of verbs, and can be thought of as literally meaning something similar to 'even while not intending to (B), while (A), (B)'.
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昨日テレビを見るともなく見ていたら、急にお母さんが出てきたから驚いた。When I was absentmindedly watching TV yesterday, I was surprised when my mother suddenly appeared.
- 話を聞くともなく、先生と黒板の方向をぼーっと見ていた。I listened absentmindedly while staring towards the direction of my teacher and the blackboard.
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飲み会で上司の話を聞くともなしに聞いていたら、「お前はどう思う」と聞かれたから適当に返事した。When I was at a drinking party and was absentmindedly listening to my boss, he asked what I thought, so I gave him a random response.
- 暇だったから近所を歩くともなしに歩いていたら、高校の同級生にばったりあった。When I was mindlessly walking in my neighborhood because I had nothing to do, I met my classmate from high school.
Examples
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山田さんと晩御飯を食べるとも無く食べていたら、急に彼が告白してきて驚いた。
When I was absentmindedly eating dinner with Yamada-san, he suddenly confessed (his feelings for me) and it really surprised me.
勝者の発表を聞くとも無く聞いていたら、なんと私の名前が挙がっていた。
I listened absentmindedly to the announcements of the winners, when, to my disbelief, my name came up.
隣人の窓を見るとも無く見ると、驚いたことに裸の人がいた。
I looked at my neighbor's window without paying attention, and, to my surprise, there was a naked person.
昨日、考えるとも無く考えているところに、スズメバチにひどく刺されて「痛っ!」思わず叫んでしまった。
Yesterday, when I was thinking about nothing in particular, I was badly stung by a wasp, and without thinking shouted: 'Ouch!' (mindlessly)
ノベル:「彼は夜遅くテレビを見るとも無く見ているうちにいつのまにか寝入ってしまったようだ。」
Novel: 'It seems that he fell asleep while he was mindlessly watching TV late at night.'
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