Structure
Verb[ない]+ ん + ばかり + に
Verb[ない]+ ん + ばかり + の + Noun
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Formal
Rare Kanji
許り
About んばかりに
Like とばかりに, んばかりに is a construction that is often used to show that something is being done 'as if it were (A)', or 'seeming that it will (A)'. It is thought to be a combination of ん, an abbreviation of む, the classical auxiliary verb used to show intent or strong will in the same way as う and よう, and the adverbial particle ばかり, exhibiting that something is 'basically exactly as described'. As a result, んばかり simply indicates the volitional form of (A) as appearing to be about to happen.
んばかりに will appear linked to the indeterminate form of verbs (ない stem), and then followed by a statement that is being modified by the に. If んばかり will modify a noun instead, の will replace に.
Caution
When attached to the indeterminate form of verbs, there is some contention among linguists whether ん is an abbreviation of む, the classical way of expressing う or よう, or whether it is an abbreviation of ぬ, the classical way of expressing ない. Due to being unable to accurately determine what the actual origin is, it would be advisable to choose whichever variation helps to remember the nuance of the grammar point on a case-by-case basis.
Examples
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小説:「割れんばかりの拍手に部屋は満たされた。」
Novel: 'As if it were about to shatter, the room filled with thunderous applause.'
溢れんばかりのこの気持ちを、どうやったら伝えられるのでしょうか…。
This feeling that is about to overflow, just how do I convey it I wonder...
このトリックアートを見ていたら、今にも目が回らんばかりにフラフラしてきた。
When I looked at this trick art, I felt lightheaded as if I were about to faint at this very moment.
泣かんばかりに口をギュッと閉じている息子が、愛おしくてしかたがありません。
How dear he looks, my son who has his mouth clenched as if he is about to cry.
殴りかからんばかりに体をワナワナと震わせている彼からソッと距離をおいた。
I distance myself from him, whose body was trembling as if he was about to throw a punch.
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A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar
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んばかりに – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (4 in total)
darkhelmet
I found this reference on p. 374 of Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar, instead of Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar as stated in the readings section.
mrnoone
@darkhelmet
Thank you again!
All fixed!veselinve
私は胸が張り裂けんばかりの気持ちになって、その場から動くことができなくなった。 Here the furigana says うで instead of むね
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