2級 Grammar 31-35

Breaking free of the tyranny of the からs, The Daily Yo-Ji is proud to present...

31) ～かわりに
instead of

You can attach this to the dictionary form of a verb (エレベータを乗るかわりに、階段を上がろうよ！) or a noun if you insert の (焼肉のかわりに、サラダをたべようよ！[Can you tell that I'm in a diet and exercise phase?]), and it's just that easy.

Ex. おぼれるかわりに、泳いだら？

32)　～気味
just a little bit (of a)...
feels/seems/is slightly...

気味、on it's own, means "the sensation" or "feeling," but when attached to either a noun or the stem of a -ます form verb, it becomes... "少し."

Ex 1. 日焼け気味で気持ちいいけど、日焼け過ぎたら痛くて皮がむけるよ。
Ex 2.　学校に到着するのに、１，２分遅れ気味でもダメですよ。


33)　～きり　・　～きりだ
the last time (see further explanation below)

Verb た形 + きり = the last time someone did that verb. Got it? It's difficult to explain in English, but easy to use. 「六ヶ月前にお母さんに電話したきりだ : Six months ago was the last time I called my mother.」 The past tense is inherent in the verb you're modifying, so you can stick with just だ、or です to end it, or keep going from きり as long as the next clause doesn't counteract the idea that the same action hasn't been repeated since.

Ex. ２１歳の時、も３年前ぐらい、女とやったきり、恋人がぜんぜんできない。

34)　～きる　・　～きれる　・　～きれない
completely...
all the way through...
to the end...

This is similar to しまう, except that it is only used when something is done completely (I believe you completely), or entirely (I read that book entirely). しまう can be used to express something that was done regrettably. きる can not. Also, しまう is attached to a verb in the てform. きる is attached to the stem of a ます form.

Ex. 日本では、こんなに多く食べないのでこのアメリカのハンバーガを食べきれない。

35)　～くせに
despite...
and yet...
although...

Another form used to express a contradiction, and one that connotes a sense of dissatisfaction. My book example translates as 「Even though you know, you won't tell me anything? You jerk. : 知っているくせに、何も教えてくれないんですか？ひどいなあ。」

Ex. ダイエットすると言ったくせに、やっぱり毎日アメリカのハンバーガを食べています。