JLPT N1 Grammar

〜んばかりだ (n bakari da)

〜んばかりだ (n bakari da)
"As if...; almost as though...; on the verge of..."

This expression describes a state where something is so extreme that it looks as if a certain action is about to happen, even if it hasn't actually occurred.

It is formal and literary, frequently used in written reports, novels, and descriptive business contexts to emphasize the intensity of a situation.

Used to describe someone's attitude, the atmosphere of a meeting, or the physical state of an object. It often carries an emotional weight—such as high pressure, extreme eagerness, or imminent danger.

Nuance: It implies that the "degree" of the situation has reached its limit. For example, in a negotiation,

Format

  • Verb (Nai-form) + んばかりだ
    今にも泣き出さんばかりだ。 He looks as if he is about to burst into tears.
  • Verb (Nai-form) + んばかりの + Noun
    溢れんばかりの笑顔で迎えられた。 I was welcomed with a smile that was about to overflow.

Group 1 & 2 Verbs:
言う → 言わ（ない）→ 言わんばかりだ As if about to say
溢れる → 溢れ（ない）→ 溢れんばかりだ As if about to overflow
泣く → 泣か（ない）→ 泣かんばかりだ As if about to cry

Group 3 (Irregular) Verbs:
する → せんばかりだ (Crucial: suru becomes sen)
来る → こんばかりだ (kuru becomes kon)

Example sentences

  • 。
    The venue was engulfed in thunderous applause (applause as if the hall would split).
  • 、。
    He looked at his watch as if to say, "Go home already."
  • 、。
    There was an overflowing crowd due to the expectations for the new product.
  • 。
    The manager argued back with such vigor it was as if he were about to lunge at me.
  • 。
    The window glass is shaking so hard in the strong wind it looks like it might break.
  • 、。
    That startup has such momentum it’s as if they could bring down a bird in flight (idiom for being at the peak of power).
  • 。
    She stood frozen with an expression as if she were about to burst into tears at any moment.
  • 。
    The proposal was so complete it was as if to say it was impeccable.

Similar Grammar

〜んとしている (n to shite iru)

“About to... (formal)”
太陽が沈もうとしている。 The sun is about to set.

Difference:

  • This indicates a physical action is actually starting or is just about to occur.
  • 〜んばかりだ describes the appearance or extreme state that looks like the action might happen.

〜と言わんばかりだ (to iwan bakari da)

“As if to say...”
彼は「関係ない」と言わんばかりだ。 He acts as if to say, "It has nothing to do with me."

Difference:

  • This is a specific subset of the main grammar point.
  • It is used exclusively to describe someone’s non-verbal communication through their attitude or look.

〜そうにない (sou ni nai)

“Unlikely to...”
雨は止みそうにない。 It doesn’t look like the rain will stop.

Difference:

  • While 〜んばかりだ suggests something is about to happen, 〜そうにない is the opposite, suggesting it is far from happening.

〜んばかりに (n bakari ni)

“As if...”
壊れんばかりにドアを叩いた。 He pounded on the door as if he were going to break it.

Difference:

  • This is simply the adverbial form of the same grammar, used to modify the following verb rather than ending the sentence.

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. は、のでを。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q2. のは、のの（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q3. （　　　）にを、。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. ののは、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q5. （　　　）ので、はした。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q6. によるは、3（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. は（　　　）のできた。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q8. をにするなど、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q9. からを（　　　）ばかりにして、を。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q10. へのは、に（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q11. のなは、の（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q12. のには、が（　　　）ばかりにいた。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q13. のは、に20（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q14. にも（　　　）のだ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. ので、は、（　　　）のだった。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Continue Your Journey to Native-Level Fluency

Great work finishing this session! Achieving N1-level precision is about layering these subtle distinctions until they become second nature in your professional life.

To maintain your momentum and eliminate any remaining blind spots, head back to our JLPT N1 Grammar List. Use it to systematically check off each point and refine your ability to navigate complex Japanese environments with the confidence of a native speaker.

JLPT N1 Grammar List

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