To do A mindlessly; without paying much attention to A
Used to show action A that is not being done with a forceful sense of purpose or direction.
- To do A mindlessly; without paying much attention to A Used to show action A that is not being done with a forceful sense of purpose or direction.
- To state that person/place/time A tied to an action is not known Used to state an action without specifying who did it, when it was, where it occurred, etc.
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2点
母と話すともなく話していたら、涙が出てきた。
Talking to my mother without thinking too much about it, I began to cry (tears started to come out).
4点
歩くともなくぶらぶらと歩いていたら、美しい公園に辿り着いた。
Strolling about, I happened upon a beautiful park.
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
Basic Examples:
見るともなく (without meaning to watch)
Why two verbs?
The verbs A and B are usually the same verb or two verbs with similar meanings.
Basic Examples
見るともなく見つめる
考えるともなく思う
聴くともなく聴いていたら
ともなく vs. ともなしに
While this expression as a whole is rather rare, ともなしに is even more so, typically found in writing.
Where this grammar is found
User notes
0点
Act with no particular purpose or intent in mind. Verbs of same type of action precede and follow, such as 見る、 言う、 聴く、 考える、 etc. Often used when unconsciously doing something and an unexpected event occurs.
1 year ago

To state that person/place/time A tied to an action is not known
Used to state an action without specifying who did it, when it was, where it occurred, etc.
- To do A mindlessly; without paying much attention to A Used to show action A that is not being done with a forceful sense of purpose or direction.
- To state that person/place/time A tied to an action is not known Used to state an action without specifying who did it, when it was, where it occurred, etc.
7点
どこからともなく音楽が聞こえる。
I can hear music from somewhere.
2点
いつからともなくここは人気の観光地になった。
At some point, here (this area) became a popular sight-seeing spot.
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
What is a question word?
Since this expression is used to show an unknown person/place/time that is tied to an action, the question words どこ, いつ, だれ, etc. are typically combined with a particle in this construction.
Basic Examples
だれか
どこへ
いつから
どちらか
Where this grammar is found
User notes
Discussion about this grammar

Years Studied: まあ、ね!
Studying: 人生、日本語能力試験N1
Level: 1,
好 : 411
Studying: 人生、日本語能力試験N1
1点
12 years ago

Site admin
Level: 110, 好 : 6,634
Level: 110, 好 : 6,634
1点
12 years ago

Years Studied: まあ、ね!
Studying: 人生、日本語能力試験N1
Level: 1,
好 : 411
Studying: 人生、日本語能力試験N1
0点
12 years ago (Edited 12 years ago.)

Site admin
Level: 110, 好 : 6,634
Level: 110, 好 : 6,634
0点
12 years ago

Years Studied: since 2000
Studying: 自分のため、日本語教師だから
Level: 913,
好 : 4,999
Studying: 自分のため、日本語教師だから
1点
11 years ago

Site admin
Level: 110, 好 : 6,634
Level: 110, 好 : 6,634
0点
11 years ago
Years Studied: 5年間
Studying: 日本語能力試験N1
Level: 1,
好 : 62
Studying: 日本語能力試験N1
1点
8 years ago

Years Studied: since 2013
Level: 1,
好 : 3
3点
4 years ago

Site admin
Level: 110, 好 : 6,634
Level: 110, 好 : 6,634
0点
4 years ago

Years Studied: since 2013
Level: 1,
好 : 3
0点
4 years ago