Structure
Verb + のに
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Standard
About のに
Regarded as a conjunction particle by itself, のに is simply a fusion of the case marking particles の and に. のに has two primary functions in Japanese. It can be used to show that something is the opposite of what is expected for (A) (translated as 'despite'), or it can be used to show that something is required for (A) to be realized (translated as 'in order to'). We will focus on the 'in order to' meaning in this lesson.
To use のに, simply attach it to the base (non-past) form of a verb that you would like to express as being the 'goal', before following it with the conditions required to meet that goal.
Fun Fact
Although のに can be translated as 'despite', or 'in order to', it actually has the same meaning in each of these situations. の nominalizes what comes before it (turning it into a noun-phrase), while に converts that new noun-phrase into a 'location', or 'goal'. In this way, のに always means 'to that which is (A), (B)'.
- さっき食べたばかりなのに、またお腹が空いた。I just ate earlier, but I am hungry again.
-
食べるのに時間をかけすぎて寝る時間が遅くなった。I took so long to eat, so I slept at a later time.
Synonyms
Examples
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本を読むのに眼鏡を買った。
I bought glasses in order to read books.
背中をかくのに孫の手を使う。
I use my backscratcher in order to scratch my back.
宿題をするのに、3時間かかる。
It takes 3 hours in order to do homework.
食べるのに時間がかかりすぎて、昼休みが終わってしまった。
It took too long in order for me to eat lunch, so my lunch break unfortunately came to an end.
お茶を飲むのに必要なコップがありません。
I do not have the necessary cup in order to drink tea.
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のに – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (20 in total)
Warrie
In this example sentence:
さっき食べたばかりなのに、またお腹が空いたI just can’t figure out why there is a な after ばかり.
The structure for のに is: Verb + のに
The structure for ばかりis: Verb[た]+ ばかりAnyone have an idea?
Fuga
Hey there, @Warrie !
The sentence you presented is there to compare this grammar point with this one! Since the の nominalizes what comes before it, it is using the structure Noun + な + のに!
I hope this answers your question!
Warrie
I hit the wrong reply button so therefore the deleted reply above, but totally clear now, thank you!
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