Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 3: 16/17

()くまでJust, Only, Merely, Strictly

Structure

あくまで()+ Phrase

Details

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    Standard

About 飽くまで(も)

()く is the old-fashioned and somewhat poetic version of ()きる the る-Verb meaning 'to tire of (A)', or 'to get sick of (A)'. When used in conjunction with the adverbial particles まで 'until', ()くまで can imply that (A) is 'just', 'only', or 'strictly' something. The more literal translation of 'to continue (A) to the point of getting tired of it' fits these interpretations quite well, implying that (A) will never deviate from what is being described about it. This use of ()くまで often appears at the beginning of a phrase, and functions adverbially. The adverbial particle も 'even' may be added for extra emphasis, but it is not required.

In many cases, ()くまで will be used in polite sentences when the speaker is expressing their own opinion. In these cases, the nuance of 'this is merely my opinion' is conveying to the listener that the speaker realizes that what they are saying is not the only viewpoint.

This way of highlighting opinions is often combined with structures like けど, or が when the speaker wants to soften their statement before offering what they think a solution might be.

Examples

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    ()くまでもここだけの(はなし)ですが、課長(かちょう)部下(ぶか)()()っているそうですよ。

    This is strictly a conversation between us, but I heard that the section manager is dating a subordinate.

    (わたし)()くまでも素人(しろうと)()ぎませんが、計算(けいさん)(あやま)りがあると(おも)います。」

    'I am just an amateur, but I think there is an error in the calculation.'

    今回(こんかい)(けん)決定権(けっていけん)()くまでもあなたにあるので、自分(じぶん)でよく(かんが)えて(くだ)さいね。

    This is strictly a matter that you have the right to decide, so please consider it carefully yourself.

    調査(ちょうさ)結果(けっか)とは()くまでも(ひと)つのデータに()ぎないので、そればかり()にするのも()くありません。

    Since the result of this investigation is just nothing more than one set of data, paying heed only to that is not good.

    (さき)ほどの(けん)()くまでも(わたし)(きみ)二人(ふたり)だけの秘密(ひみつ)という(こと)でよろしくお(ねが)いしますね。

    I would request that the matter from earlier remain a secret strictly between you and I.

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