Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 8: 20/22

様(よう)ではIf, If it is true that

ようじゃ is more casual.

Structure

Verb + ようでは(2) + (Negative Result)

(2) ようじゃ

Details

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About ようでは・ようじゃ

ようでは is a combination of the auxiliary verb 様(よう) 'manner', or 'seeming', and では, a conjunction that is frequently used as an abbreviation of それなら in expressing 'if'. Due to this, ようでは itself often has the meaning of 'if', with extra focus on the fact that (A) is something unconfirmed, or only being guessed at. This may be translated as 'if it is the case that (A)', or 'if that which seems to be (A) is true'.

In most cases, ようでは will be used to make an evaluation that if (A) is true, then some particular negative result will arise from it.

ようでは will primarily appear after verbs in any of their standard forms.

ようでは puts extra focus on the appearance or condition of (A), based on what is observable by the speaker. In this way, it is often the speaker's subjective (negative) opinion about what they perceive to be true.

Examples

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    そこまで甘(あま)やかすようでは、ろくな大人(おとな)にならないですよ。

    If you are spoiled to that extent, you can't become a decent adult. (...it appears that...)

    こんなに日時(にちじ)を間違(まちが)えるようでは、仕事(しごと)なんてできないよ。

    If you can make these kinds of mistakes about the time and date, you can't do your job. (...it appears that...)

    こんな問題(もんだい)も解(と)けないようでは、次(つぎ)のテストが思(おも)いやられる。

    If you can't solve a problem like this, I am worried about your next test. (...it appears that...)

    人(ひと)の成功(せいこう)を羨(うらや)んでいるようでは、自分(じぶん)の成功(せいこう)にはつながらない。

    If you envy other people's achievements, it won't lead to your own achievements. (...it appears that...)

    勉強(べんきょう)の日課(にっか)を守(まも)れないようでは、試験(しけん)に受(う)からないと思(おも)います。

    If you can't keep up with your daily study routine, I don't think you can pass the test. (...it appears that...)

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      ようでは・ようじゃ – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

      • megatron0000

        megatron0000

        人の成功を羨んでいるようでは、自分の成功にはつながらない。

        人の成功を羨んでいるなら、自分の成功にはつながらない。

        Do these have the same meaning?

      • Fuga

        Fuga

        Hey @megatron0000 !

        Those sentences do not have the same meaning. なら is used when making guesses about what may or could happen in a situation. ようでは is used to make guesses about what may or could happen if a situation mentioned before came true or if that situation continues.

        人の成功を羨んでいるなら、自分の成功にはつながらない。
        ‘If you envy other’s success, it will not help you succeed.’
        This sentence has the nuance of ‘You will not succeed if you envy other’s success’.

        人の成功を羨んでいるようでは、自分の成功にはつながらない。
        ‘If you envy other’s success, it will not help you succeed.’
        This sentence has the nuance of ‘You will not succeed if it is true that you are envying other’s success (You will never succeed if you continue to envy other’s success)’.

        We hope that helps you understand the difference a little better!

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