Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 6: 8/17

(Verb) + だにJust, Even just, Even merely

Structure

Verb + だに

Details

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    Formal

About Verb + だに

As mentioned in our だに + しない grammar point, だに is an adverbial particle that shares a similar meaning to さえ and すら 'even', but is more commonly found in classical literature. It presents (A) as 'minimum' or 'light' examples, and therefore implies that anything greater than (A) would be more than can be handled, imagined, etc. In this use, it is often translated as 'just (A)', or 'merely (A)'.

だに will appear directly following verbs in their dictionary form.

This is a formal structure, and will be seen far more often in literature than it will be spoken. Despite this, it is actually quite common in anime and manga when characters are being dramatic.

As (A) presents a 'minimum', it will often be a word which expresses something that depicts the difference between reality and fantasy. For example, if (A) was 想像(そうぞう)するだに 'even in my imagination'. The 'minimum' is the imagination, for which the opposite end of the spectrum would be 'in reality'.

Examples

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    記事(きじ):「人間(にんげん)にとってはダニを()べるのは(かんが)えるだにおぞましい。」

    Article: 'For a human being, just thinking about eating ticks is repulsive.'

    小説(しょうせつ):「クトゥルフは()だに正気(しょうき)(うしな)ってしまうほどたいへん(おそ)ろしい化物(ばけもの)であるらしい。」

    Novel: 'It is said that Cthulhu is a monster so awfully scary that one goes mad just by seeing it.'

    記事(きじ):「その映画(えいが)のワンシーンを(おも)()だに(むね)(いた)くなります。」

    Article: 'Just recalling that movie scene breaks my heart.'

    小説(しょうせつ):「ただ、その事故(じこ)(はなし)()だに古傷(ふるきず)(うず)く。」

    Novel: 'Just hearing a conversation about that accident makes my old wound throb with pain.'

    記事(きじ):「太陽(たいよう)中心(ちゅうしん)温度(おんど)想像(そうぞう)するだに(おそ)ろしい。」

    Article: 'Just imagining the temperature at the center of the sun is terrifying.'

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      Verb + だに – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

      • matt_in_mito

        matt_in_mito

        無題929×235 17.6 KB

        For a couple of seconds after reading t...
      • mrnoone

        mrnoone

        @matt_in_mito

        We are trying to implement organic studying elements, things like that improve memorization

        That’s why there are so many pop culture and anime references!
        Cheers!

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