At N2, several patterns specifically "boost emphasis" or "flip expectations." Mastering them makes your expressions more precise and powerful.
はする: I Did It, But… (Emphasized Concession)
「V ます-stem + はする」acknowledges that an action happened, then introduces a twist — "I did, but…":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 食べはしたが、半分しか食べなかった。 | I did eat, but only half. |
| 読みはしたが、内容は全然覚えていない。 | I did read it, but I don't remember anything. |
| 行きはしたが、すぐ帰ってきた。 | I did go, but came right back. |
Connection: Verb ます-stem + はする (past: はした)
Key Points
- Almost always followed by が/けど for contrast
- Emphasizes "the action happened, but the result was unsatisfying"
- Similar to English "I did X, but…"
はしない: Absolutely Won't (Emphatic Negation)
「V ます-stem + はしない」emphatically denies an action — "absolutely not":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| みんな何を言っても、弟は諦めはしなかった。 | No matter what anyone said, my brother absolutely didn't give up. |
| 彼は絶対に暴力を振るいはしない。 | He absolutely would never use violence. |
Connection: Verb ます-stem + はしない
はする vs はしない
| はする | はしない | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Did it (but…) | Absolutely won't |
| What follows | Contrast (が/けど) | End of statement |
| Tone | Concession + caveat | Firm denial |
かというと / かといえば: You'd Think So, But Actually Not
「かというと」「かといえば」deny a preceding assumption — "you might think that, but actually not":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 誰でも簡単にこの舞台に上がることができるかというと、そうではないらしい。 | You'd think anyone could easily get on this stage, but apparently that's not the case. |
| じゃあ嫌いかといえば、そうでもない。 | So do I dislike it? Well, not exactly. |
Connection: Sentence + かというと / かといえば + denial/correction What follows is almost always negative or corrective.
Key Points
- First presents an assumption, then overturns it
- かというと and かといえば are interchangeable
- Often followed by そうではない, そうでもない, 必ずしもそうではない
は元より〜まで: Not to Mention… Even…
「は元より」expresses that the first item is obvious, and even the second (more surprising) item applies — "let alone X, even Y":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| このゲームは子供は元より、大人まで楽しめるものだ。 | This game is enjoyable not just for kids (obviously), but even for adults. |
| 日本語は元より、英語も中国語もできる。 | Not to mention Japanese, they can also speak English and Chinese. |
Connection: Noun + は元より + Noun + まで/も Similar to: はもちろん, はもとより
Summary
- 「はする」= Did it, but… (acknowledge action + contrast)
- 「はしない」= Absolutely didn't/won't (emphatic denial)
- 「かというと」= You'd think so, but actually not (flipped expectation)
- 「は元より〜まで」= Not to mention X, even Y… (cumulative emphasis)
Self-Check
1. Translate: 「食べはしたが、おいしくなかった。」
Show Answer
"I did eat it, but it wasn't good." V ます-stem + はする = acknowledges the action + contrast.
2. Complete with かというと: みんなが賛成した____, ______.
Show Answer
Example: みんなが賛成したかというと、そうでもない。 "Did everyone agree? Well, not really." (Contrary-to-expectation denial)
3. What should follow 「日本語は元より」?
Show Answer
It should be followed by something more surprising + まで/も. Example: 日本語は元より、フランス語まで話せる。 "Not to mention Japanese, they can even speak French."