N1 has three patterns for expressing "extremes and limits": んばかりに paints a vivid near-happening picture, ようにも〜ない expresses "want to but can't," and には当たらない means "not worth doing."
んばかりに: As If About To… (Vivid Metaphor)
「んばかりに」expresses that an action or state has reached such an extreme it's as if something is about to happen — used for dramatic metaphors:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ガラスが割れんばかりの拍手。 | Applause so loud it was as if the glass would break. |
| このニュースを聞いた姉は、泣かんばかりに喜んでいる。 | My sister was so happy hearing the news, she was practically about to cry. |
| 死ねと言わんばかりに私を睨んでいた。 | She glared at me as if to say "drop dead." |
| まずいとばかりに顔をしかめた。 | Everyone grimaced as if to say "this is terrible." |
Connection: Verb irrealis form (ない-stem) + んばかりに ん comes from classical auxiliary む (= about to / intention).
Key Points
- Used for literary, dramatic exaggeration
- It didn't actually happen — it's "as if it were about to"
- とばかりに = as if saying "…" (imagined inner voice)
ようにも〜ない: Want To But Can't
「ようにも〜ない」expresses wanting to do something but being unable to for some reason:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 歯が痛くて、美味しいものを食べようにも食べられない。 | My tooth hurts so much, I want to eat something good but I can't. |
| 混んでいて、座ろうにも座れない。 | It's so crowded, I want to sit but there's nowhere. |
| 忘れようにも忘れられない。 | I want to forget but I can't. |
Connection: Verb volitional form (よう) + にも + same verb potential negative Pattern: Vよう + にも + V(ら)れない
Key Points
- The same verb appears twice (volitional + potential negative)
- Emphasizes "willing but blocked"
- Also common in casual speech
には当たらない: Not Worth… / No Need To…
「には当たらない」expresses something isn't worth the reaction — "there's no need to go that far":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 彼が嘘をついたことは少しも驚くには当たりません。 | His lying isn't the least bit worth being surprised about. |
| そんなことは心配するには当たらない。 | That's not worth worrying about. |
| 非難するには当たらない。 | It's not worth criticizing. |
Connection: Verb dictionary form + には当たらない 当たる = to correspond to / be worthy of → negative = not worthy.
Key Points
- Used to calm overreactions
- Fairly formal and composed tone
- Often paired with 驚く, 心配する, 非難する (emotion verbs)
Comparison
| Pattern | Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| んばかりに | As if about to | Literary exaggeration |
| ようにも〜ない | Want to but can't | Frustration |
| には当たらない | Not worth doing | Calm dismissal |
Summary
- 「んばかりに」= So extreme it's as if about to… (vivid metaphor)
- 「ようにも〜ない」= Want to but can't (frustrated helplessness)
- 「には当たらない」= Not worth doing / no need for that reaction
Self-Check
1. Translate: 「泣かんばかりに喜んでいる。」
Show Answer
"So happy they're practically about to cry." んばかりに = extreme state, as if about to happen (vivid metaphor).
2. Complete with ようにも〜ない: 忙しくて、休み____.
Show Answer
休もうにも休めない。 "So busy I want to rest but can't." (Volitional + にも + potential negative)
3. What does 「驚くには当たらない」 mean?
Show Answer
"Not worth being surprised about / no need to be shocked." には当たらない = not worthy of that reaction.