Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 2: 17/17

ならでは

Unique to, Only, Impossible if not, Expected only of

Structure

More common patterns:
Noun + ならでは + の + Noun
Noun + ならでは + だ。

Less common patterns:
Noun + ならでは + Verb［できる］［ない］+ Noun

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About ならでは

ならでは is a construction which indicates that something is 'unique to (A)', or 'impossible if not (A)'. While ならでは is usually considered as its own standalone word, it is actually just a combination of the negative-conjunctive form of the the classical copula なり, ならで, with the addition of the adverbial particle は.
ならでは will follow nouns, and the sentence will then usually go on to say what the thing is that is unique to (A).
  • 味噌(みそ)カツは名古屋(なごや)ならではの食(た)べ物(もの)です。
    Misokatsu is a food unique to Nagoya.
  • アメリカならではの観光地(かんこうち)といったらどこを連想(れんそう)しますか。
    Where do you think is a tourist attraction that is unique to the States?
  • この祭(まつ)りはこの地域(ちいき)ならではの祭(まつ)りです。
    This festival is unique to this area.
As seen in the above examples, ならでは will only be used when something is being evaluated positively. As a result of this, it is very common to see in advertising and slogans.
Caution
ならでは may be seen directly before the auxiliary verb だ. In these cases, the thing that is unique to (A) will have been expressed earlier in the sentence, or will be obvious from context.
  • こんな綺麗(きれい)な作品(さくひん)を作(つく)れるのは、藤田(ふじた)さんならではだ。
    Only you, Fujita-san, can create such an amazing piece.
  • 車(くるま)なしで生活(せいかつ)できるのは都会(とかい)ならではだ。
    Only in the city can one live without a car.
Based on the history of ならでは, the structure being the negative-conjunctive form of the copula なり means that it is basically identical in meaning of the more modern でなくては 'if it isn't (A)'.

Examples

  • 求人(きゅうじん)のサイト、求人(きゅうじん)情報(じょうほう)：「小(ちい)さいカフェならではの良(よ)さが溢(あふ)れています。」

    Job search website, job information: 'The charm unique to a small cafe is overflowing.'

  • 広告(こうこく)ポスター：「沖縄(おきなわ)ならではの、普段(ふだん)は見(み)られない透明度(とうめいど)の高(たか)い青(あお)い海(うみ)は必見(ひっけん)だ。」

    A poster ad: 'The extremely clear blue waters that can usually only be seen in Okinawa are a must-see.'

  • 本(ほん)のおすすめ記事(きじ)：「そのようなマンガやアニメなどの小(こ)ネタっぽいライトノベルを書(か)き上(あ)げるのはさすが西尾(にしお)維新(いしん)先生(せんせい)ならではです。」

    A book recommendation article: 'The one who can write a light novel filled with small joke references to manga and anime is unique to Nishio Ishin.'

    Words like さすが, 素晴らしい, よさ, etc are often used together with ならでは.

  • お茶(ちゃ)の広告(こうこく)：「ハイクオリティな紅茶(こうちゃ)ならではの味(あじ)わい！〇〇紅茶(こうちゃ)ティーバッグ３０バッグ入(いり)」
    「すっきりと香(かお)り高(たか)く澄(す)み切(き)った味(あじ)です！」

    Tea advertisement: 'A flavor only possible with high-quality tea! XX tea bags, 30 bags included.'
    'A serene, refreshing, and aromatic taste!'

  • 求人(きゅうじん)のサイト、店員(てんいん)コメント：「こうした社風(しゃふう)の良(よ)さは当社(とうしゃ)ならではだと思(おも)います。」

    Job search website, employee comment: 'I think that the good quality of our corporate culture is unique to this company.'

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