synonym Comparative
矢先
VS
あたかも
Differences Between "矢先" and "あたかも"
Option A
矢先
Meaning
just about to (do something), on the verge of, right after
Reading
やさき (yasaki)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
家を出ようとした矢先に電話が鳴った。
Just as I was about to leave the house, the phone rang.
Option B
あたかも
Meaning
as if; as though; just like
Reading
あたかも (atakamo)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
彼はあたかも見てきたかのように、事件の詳細を語った。
He recounted the details of the incident as if he had seen it with his own eyes.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(just about to (do something), on the verge of, right after)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 矢先: Indicates a very precise moment, usually just before or right after an event. Often used with a verb in dictionary form + の (e.g., 出かけようとした矢先に雨が降ってきた). 何かをしようとした、またはした直後の緊迫した瞬間。
- あたかも: A formal adverb used to express that something appears exactly as if it were true, even if it might not be. Often followed by 「～のようだ」, 「～かのように」. (まるで～であるかのように、と仮定の状況を強調する際に使われる、やや硬い表現です。「～のようだ」「～かのように」と併用されることが多いです。)
- 矢先: Indicates a very precise moment, usually just before or right after an event. Often used with a verb in dictionary form + の (e.g., 出かけようとした矢先に雨が降ってきた). 何かをしようとした、またはした直後の緊迫した瞬間。
- あたかも: A formal adverb used to express that something appears exactly as if it were true, even if it might not be. Often followed by 「～のようだ」, 「～かのように」. (まるで～であるかのように、と仮定の状況を強調する際に使われる、やや硬い表現です。「～のようだ」「～かのように」と併用されることが多いです。)
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