JLPT N1 Grammar (tomo naku / tomo nashi ni)

Meaning

somehow; without knowing; without thinking; unconsciously​ ~

Level: JLPT N1

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.

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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
鳥とり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

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N1 Grammar Flashcards

JLPT N1 Grammar List Flashcards, Japanese 文法

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