「～とばかりに」- Expressing Actions or Expressions

Explanation

「～とばかりに」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to describe someone's actions, expressions, or demeanor as if they are conveying a specific meaning. It translates to "as if to say..." or "as though..." and is often used to vividly depict how someone behaves or reacts in a particular situation.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
～とばかりに	Verb plain form / Verb imperative form / Noun / Adjective / な-adjective + とばかりに	Describes someone's actions or expressions as if they are conveying a specific meaning.

Basic Usage

「とばかりに」 can be connected to various parts of speech, including verbs, nouns, and adjectives. Here are some basic usages and examples:

• Verb plain form / imperative form + とばかりに

  • 彼かれは怒おこっているとばかりに、ドアどあを強つよく閉しめた。
  • Kare wa okotteiru to bakari ni, doa o tsuyoku shimeta.
  • He slammed the door as if to express his anger.
    

• Noun + とばかりに

  • 彼女かのじょは勝かったとばかりに、笑顔えがおを見みせた。
  • Kanojo wa katta to bakari ni, egao o miseta.
  • She smiled as if to say she had won.
    

• Adjective / な-adjective + とばかりに

  • 彼かれは驚おどろいたとばかりに、目めを大おおきく開あけた。
  • Kare wa odoroita to bakari ni, me o ookiku aketa.
  • He opened his eyes wide as if to express his surprise.
    

Deep Dive

「～とばかりに」 is commonly used in everyday conversations and literary works to vividly describe someone's actions or expressions. It often gives the impression that the person is conveying a specific message through their behavior or demeanor.

Examples

• 彼かれは笑わらい出だすとばかりに、口くちを開あけた。
• Kare wa waraidasu to bakari ni, kuchi o aketa.
• He opened his mouth as if he was about to laugh.
  

• お前まえが行いけとばかりに、彼かれは私わたしを見みた。
• Omae ga ike to bakari ni, kare wa watashi o mita.
• He looked at me as if to say, "You go."
  

• 勝利しょうりとばかりに、彼かれは拳こぶしを突つき上あげた。
• Shouri to bakari ni, kare wa kobushi o tsukiageta.
• He raised his fist as if to declare victory.
  

• 嬉うれしいとばかりに、彼かれは跳とび上あがった。
• Ureshii to bakari ni, kare wa tobiagatta.
• He jumped up as if to express his joy.
  

Summary

「～とばかりに」 is a highly useful and vivid expression that helps accurately convey someone's actions or expressions. Understanding and using this grammatical structure can enhance the expressiveness of everyday conversations and writing in Japanese.