～と言わんばかりに

When to use

と言わんばかりに: as if to say (行けと言わんばかりに).

Explanation

The ～と言わんばかりに grammar point is used to express that someone's action or behavior is so strong that it's as if they are saying something without actually saying it. It can be translated as 'as if to say' or 'almost as though stating'. This form is often used when the speaker wants to convey speculation about someone's unvoiced thoughts or feelings based on their behavior.

• 彼女かのじょは優勝ゆうしょうしたと言いわんばかりに笑わらった。

  She laughed as if to say she won.

  Kanojo wa yuushou shita to iwan bakari ni waratta.

• 彼女かのじょは雨あめの日ひを恐おそれていて、晴はれてほしいと言いわんばかりに窓まどの外そとを見みつめていた。

  She was afraid of rainy days, almost as if to say she wanted it to be sunny, as she gazed out the window.

  Kanojo wa ame no hi o osorete ite, harete hoshii to iwan bakari ni mado no soto o mitsumete ita.

• 彼かの行動こうどうは、誰だれにも信しんじてもらえないと言いわんばかりだった。

  His behavior was as if to say that no one would believe him.

  Kare no koudou wa, dare ni mo shinjite moraenai to iwan bakari datta.

Pretending (Pretend To / As If To Say)

• ～ふりをする〜furi wo suruN3Pretending or acting as if; 'pretend', 'act like'.
• ～ぶる〜buruN1Used when someone is acting or pretending to be something…
• ～と言わんばかりの Noun～to iwan bakari no NounN1Expresses the concept of 'as if to say'; 'almost says'…
• ～んばかりに〜n bakari niN1Indicates 'as though about to ~' or 'as if to say ~'.

Compare when to use each