JLPT N1 Grammar (tomo naku / tomo nashi ni)

Meaning

somehow; without knowing; without thinking; unconsciously​ ~

How to use

1)Verb (dictionary)ともなく
ともなしに
2)interrogative word + (particle)
疑問詞 + (助詞)
tomo naku ともなく jlpt n1 grammar meaning 文法 例文 japanese flashcards

Learn Japanese grammar: (tomo naku / tomo nashi ni). Meaning: somehow; without knowing; without thinking; unconsciously​ ~.

Meaning 1) Verb + ともなく / ともなしに

To do something without any particular intention or mind to do so (moving unconsciously).

See examples 1 ~ 4

Meaning 2) interrogative word + (particle)
疑問詞 + (助詞)

I’m not sure about …; Indicates that the movement or location is not clear.

For example: どこ(から)、だれ(に)、いつ(から).

See examples 5 ~ 8

tomo naku ともなく jlpt n1 grammar meaning 文法 例文 learn japanese flashcards

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- Example Sentences

Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.

Click the below red button to toggle off and and on all of the hints, and you can click on the buttons individually to show only the ones you want to see.

Example #1

やすみのひにはどこへいくともなしにドライブすることがおおい。
yasumi no hi ni wa doko e iku tomo nashi ni doraibu suru koto ga ooi.
On my days off, I often drive without any destination in mind.
Example #2

チラシをみるともなくみていたら、ともだちがうつっていた。
chirashi o miru tomo naku miteitara, tomodachi ga utsutteita.
Without looking intentionally, I somehow noticed a flyer that my friend appeared on.
Example #3

なにをかうともなく、デパートのなかをブラブラしていたら、ゆうじんにあった。
nani o kau tomo naku, depaato no naka o burabura shiteitara, yuujin ni atta.
I met a friend when I was wandering around the department store without any particular intention of buying anything.
Example #4

テレビをみるともなしにみていたら、しりあいがテレビにでていておどろいた。
terebi o miru tomo nashi ni mite itara, shiriai ga terebi ni dete ite odoroita.
Without any intention to watch TV, I noticed an acquaintance of mine appear on the TV and was surprised!
Example #5

どこからともなくかれがあらわれた。
doko kara tomo naku kare ga arawareta.
He suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Example #6

とりのなきごえがどこからともなくきこえてくる。
tori no nakigoe ga doko kara tomo naku kikoete kuru.
I started hearing a bird singing, not knowing where it was singing from.
Example #7

けががなおったとりをかごからだすと、どこへともなくとんでいった。
kega ga naotta tori o kago kara dasu to, doko e tomo naku tonde itta.
When the bird recovered from its injury was taken out of the basket, it flew off somewhere.
Example #8

えきをおりたら、どこからともなくおいしそうないいにおいがしてきた。
eki o oritara, doko kara tomo naku oishisou na ii nioi ga shite kita.
Once I exited the station, I noticed a really delicious smell, not knowing where it came from.

Vocabulary List

KanjiKanaEnglish
休みやすみrest; vacation; holiday
とりbird
怪我けがto injure
降りるおりるto get off
匂い においa smell
ぶらぶらto wander; strolling; aimlessly; dangling
チラシflyer
映るうつるto be displayed; reflected

View all JLPT N1 Vocabulary Lessons

JLPT N1 vocabulary list

View all JLPT N1 Grammar Lessons

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