～んばかりに JLPT N1

Formation

Verb-negative stem + ん + ばかりに

Explanation

The ～んばかりに form is typically built on the negative stem of a verb (ない-form minus ない: 行か -> 行かん, 言わ -> 言わん, 知ら -> 知らん, etc.) + ばかり. It describes someone’s action or expression as though it were about to happen, or as though conveying a certain meaning without explicitly stating it.

Example sentences

• 彼は何も知らんばかりに、私の質問を無視した。

  He ignored my question as if he didn’t know anything.

  Kare wa nanimo shir-an bakari ni, watashi no shitsumon o mushi shita.

• その子は泣かんばかりに顔をしかめた。

  The child made a face as if he were about to cry.

  Sono ko wa nakan bakari ni kao o shikameta.

• 彼女は笑わんばかりに口元を押さえた。

  She covered her mouth as though she were about to burst out laughing.

  Kanojo wa warawan bakari ni kuchimoto o osaeta.

• 彼は退屈だと言わんばかりに、ため息を何度もついた。

  He sighed over and over as if to say he was bored.

  Kare wa taikutsu da to iwan bakari ni, tameiki o nando mo tsuita.