Verb + だに
Meanings
- Just
- Even just
- Even merely
About this pattern
Explanation
A strong, old-fashioned way to express the idea of “even just ~” or “the very act of ~,” often implying some surprise, regret, or emphasis. It tends to appear in literary, formal, or highly emotional speech rather than in casual conversation. The phrase highlights that even the occurrence or action in question is noteworthy enough to be mentioned, sometimes with a sense of limitation or impatience about what follows.
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Example sentences
Even his coming would not calm my heart.
Even a mere small mistake like that caused him to make a big fuss.
Even the mere act of walking that mountain path requires strength.
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More N1 patterns
from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including
View detailsNo matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~
View detailslike; similar to; as if; the same as
View detailsto be worthy of; to be enough for; to be sufficient
View detailsextreme; extremely; unbearably; to an extreme degree
View detailsEven though; Even if; Although; Despite
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