modality N1 uncommon writtenliterary
〜んばかり（に） — almost as if about to ~
〜んばかり（に） ・ んばかり（に）
Builds on 〜ばかり
Meaning
- almost as if about to ~ / on the verge of ~ing — an exaggerated description that an action is nearly happening, though it doesn't actually occur
Key sentence
彼女は泣かんばかりの顔で訴えた。
She pleaded with an almost tearful face.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (ない-stem) | V-ない-stem + んばかり (に / だ / の). する → せんばかり | あふれんばかり / 飛び上がらんばかり |
When: Literary/written; a vivid hyperbole for intensity.
Examples
会場はあふれんばかりの観客で埋まった。
The venue was packed with an almost overflowing crowd.
彼は飛び上がらんばかりに喜んだ。
He was so delighted he all but jumped for joy.
When you can't use it
- The action does NOT actually occur — it only nearly does (a vivid description of intensity). Note the irregular する → せんばかり.
Easily confused with
See 〜んばかり（に） in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜んばかり（に） the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.