Timing, Sequence, and Final Results
Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the art of narrative flow, from deliberate preparation to final, often surprising, results.
- Construct precise sequences using formal 'upon doing' structures.
- Express final outcomes that follow long, arduous processes.
- Identify the specific conditions that dictate future results.
Lo que aprenderás
Hey there! We've hit a super important section that's going to elevate your conversations to the next level. In this chapter, we're going to dive deep into exactly how to talk about the sequence of events, the final outcomes of long processes, and how a certain event led to a specific result. You won't just be saying
first this, then thatanymore. Instead, you'll learn how to express "Only after I've definitely completed this preparation, then I'll move on to that other thing" using the structure
~ta ue de.
Imagine you're planning a trip to Japan. You want to say, You can only buy a plane ticket after reserving the hotel,or
So-and-so went to Japan once and never came back!That's where
~kiri comes in. Or perhaps, after countless hours and sleepless nights studying for an exam, what was the final result? If the outcome wasn't great, ageku comes to your rescue to express, After all that effort, it ended up being for nothing!But if it was the culmination of a long process,
sue ni is your go-to. And of course, when you want to say, Everything depends on the weather,you'll master
~shidai da.
After this chapter, you'll be able to tell stories where you precisely specify when, what happened, and why that event occurred. You'll be able to differentiate between a regular outcome and one that came after significant effort. Your speaking will sound much more natural and native-like, because it's these subtle nuances that strengthen your conversations. Ready to jump in?
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Secuencia Formal: Una vez hecho X (~ta ue de)Use V-ta + 上で to state that you will do an action only after a necessary preparation step is complete.
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Gramática Japonesa: ~kiri (Desde... y nada más)Usa la estructura «た-form + きり» para indicar que una acción ocurrió una vez y luego no hubo más cambios o noticias. Es como poner un punto final inesperado a una historia.
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Gramática Japonesa: Sue ni (Al final de...)Use
末に(sue ni) to emphasize that a final result came from a long, difficult, or intense process. -
Japonés '~ageku': Cuando todo sale mal tras mucho esfuerzoUsa
あげくpara describir una lucha larga que terminó en un resultadolamentableonegativo. -
Gramática Japonesa: Depende de... (~次第だ / shidai da)Usa
~次第だpara señalar ese factor único y crucial que determina un resultado. Piensa en ello como el interruptor que activa o cambia la situación final: «次第だ» es la clave.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to: Explain a series of complex actions leading to a final outcome using appropriate grammar for positive or negative results.
Guía del capítulo
Overview
first X, then Yconstructions, you'll learn sophisticated ways to express complex relationships between actions and their outcomes.
or After all that effort, the result was unfortunately X." We’ll explore how to convey that an action led to a specific, sometimes unexpected, final result, and how certain outcomes are contingent upon particular conditions. These structures are frequently encountered in both spoken and written Japanese grammar, making them indispensable for anyone aiming for an advanced level of comprehension and expression.How This Grammar Works
upon doing X or after thoroughly doing X, then Y.This structure emphasizes that the first action must be completely and carefully finished before the second action can begin. It often implies a formal or deliberate process.
詳しい説明を読んだ上で、ご判断ください。(Kuwashii setsumei o yonda ue de, gohandan kudasai.) - Please make your decision after reading the detailed explanation.
since X happened, nothing else has occurred,implying a lack of change or continuation of a state. It can also mean
only X, highlighting exclusivity.at the end of (a long process), finally X.This pattern is used to describe a final outcome that results from a prolonged effort, discussion, or period of time. The outcome can be positive, negative, or neutral, but it always implies a culmination.
長年の研究の末に、新しい治療法が発見された。(Naganen no kenkyuu no sue ni, atarashii chiryouhou ga hakken sareta.) - After many years of research, a new treatment method was discovered.
after much effort/trouble, X happened,but it *always* implies a negative, disappointing, or regrettable outcome. It's perfect for expressing exasperation or bad results despite significant investment.
散々悩んだ挙句、結局何もしなかった。(Sanzan nayanda ageku, kekkyoku nani mo shinakatta.) - After agonizing over it for ages, I ended up doing nothing.
it depends on Xor
the outcome is determined by X.This expression is used to state that a particular result or decision is contingent upon a certain factor.
成功するかどうかは、あなたの努力次第だ。(Seikou suru ka dou ka wa, anata no doryoku shidai da.) - Whether you succeed or not depends on your effort.
Common Mistakes
- 1✗ Wrong: «会議の後に、決定しました。» (Kaigi no ato ni, kettei shimashita.) - After the meeting, we decided.
after, ~ta ue de implies that the meeting's discussions were thoroughly completed and considered *before* making the decision, adding a layer of deliberation and formality.- 1✗ Wrong: «彼は日本へ行った後、連絡がない。» (Kare wa Nihon e itta ato, renraku ga nai.) - He went to Japan, and after that, there's no contact.
- 1✗ Wrong: «たくさん勉強した後、試験に落ちた。» (Takusan benkyou shita ato, shiken ni ochita.) - After studying a lot, I failed the exam.
Real Conversations
A
(First, please ask questions after you've read all the materials thoroughly.)
B
(Understood. I won't just skim through it; I'll read it carefully.)
A
(After long negotiations, the contract was finally concluded, wasn't it?)
B
(Yes, but in the end, the cost doubled from the original... After all that effort, to think this is the result makes me feel complicated.)
A
(Whether tomorrow's event can be held depends on the weather.)
B
(That's right. I hope this rain stops and stays stopped, and it becomes sunny.)
Quick FAQ
How does ~ta ue de differ from simply using ~te kara in Japanese grammar?
~ta ue de implies a more deliberate, thorough completion of the first action as a prerequisite for the second, often in formal contexts, whereas ~te kara simply means after without that added nuance of careful consideration.
Can ~kiri be used to describe a one-time event that happened and then nothing else occurred?
Yes, absolutely. For example, 「彼は一度きりしか日本に来なかった」(Kare wa ichido kiri shika Nihon ni konakatta) means
He only came to Japan once.
What's a good way to remember the difference between ~sue ni and ~ageku for B2 Japanese?
Think of ~sue ni as
after a long road, finally X (neutral/positive outcome)and ~ageku as
after a long struggle, sadly X (negative outcome).
Cultural Context
Ejemplos clave (8)
Tantousha to soudan shita ue de, gorenraku shimasu.
I will contact you upon consulting with the person in charge.
Secuencia Formal: Una vez hecho X (~ta ue de)Riyou kiyaku o oyomi ni natta ue de, touroku botan o oshite kudasai.
Please press the register button upon reading the terms of use.
Secuencia Formal: Una vez hecho X (~ta ue de)My son said 'I'm leaving' this morning and hasn't come back yet.
Mi hijo dijo 'me voy' esta mañana y todavía no ha regresado.
Gramática Japonesa: ~kiri (Desde... y nada más)I met him 3 years ago and haven't contacted him even once since then.
Lo vi hace 3 años y no hemos tenido contacto ni una sola vez desde entonces.
Gramática Japonesa: ~kiri (Desde... y nada más)Sanzan mayotta sue ni, kekkyoku nani mo kawanakatta.
After hesitating endlessly, I ended up buying nothing.
Gramática Japonesa: Sue ni (Al final de...)San-jikan no giron no sue ni, yōyaku resutoran ga kimatta.
After three hours of discussion, we finally decided on a restaurant.
Gramática Japonesa: Sue ni (Al final de...)Sanzan mayotta ageku, kekkyoku nani mo kawanakatta.
Después de dudar tanto, al final no compré nada en absoluto.
Japonés '~ageku': Cuando todo sale mal tras mucho esfuerzoSanjikan mo naranda ageku, urikire da to iwanareta.
Tras hacer fila por tres horas, me dijeron que se habían agotado.
Japonés '~ageku': Cuando todo sale mal tras mucho esfuerzoConsejos y trucos (4)
Use for professional settings
Usa っきり para dar énfasis
っきり en lugar de きり te hace sonar mucho más natural y añade un toque emocional de frustración o sorpresa: «トイレに行ったっきり、戻ってこない。»Focus on the process
Evita la positividad
Vocabulario clave (5)
Real-World Preview
The Big Project Decision
Review Summary
- Verb-ta + ue de
- Verb-ta + kiri
- Noun + no / Verb-ta + sue ni
- Noun + no / Verb-ta + ageku
- Noun + shidai da
Errores comunes
You must use the Ta-form (past) before 'ue de' because the first action must be finished.
'Ageku' is exclusively for negative outcomes. Do not use it for success.
'Shidai' requires a noun indicating a condition, not just the subject itself.
Reglas en este capítulo (5)
Next Steps
You've conquered Chapter 4! Your ability to weave complex narratives is truly impressive. Keep building on this momentum.
Listen to a Japanese podcast and identify the narrative sequence.
Práctica rápida (10)
長い___の末に、成功した。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Gramática Japonesa: Sue ni (Al final de...)
彼は海外に＿＿＿＿きり、日本に帰ってこない。
きり debe ir precedido por el pasado (forma た). 「行った」 es el pasado correcto de 「行く」.frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Gramática Japonesa: ~kiri (Desde... y nada más)
調査___上で、報告します。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Secuencia Formal: Una vez hecho X (~ta ue de)
Elige la oración que usa correctamente あげく:
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japonés '~ageku': Cuando todo sale mal tras mucho esfuerzo
明日のプランは、天気 ___ 決まります。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Gramática Japonesa: Depende de... (~次第だ / shidai da)
Which is correct?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Gramática Japonesa: Sue ni (Al final de...)
悩んだ（ ）、結局どれも買わなかった。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japonés '~ageku': Cuando todo sale mal tras mucho esfuerzo
Ordena esto:
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Gramática Japonesa: Depende de... (~次第だ / shidai da)
結果は、あなたの能力の次第です。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Gramática Japonesa: Depende de... (~次第だ / shidai da)
Find and fix the mistake:
食べる上で、寝ます。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Secuencia Formal: Una vez hecho X (~ta ue de)
Score: /10
Preguntas frecuentes (6)
forma た) para mostrar que esa acción fue la última y no hubo el resultado esperado: «食べたきり、何も言わなかった。» (Se lo comió y no dijo nada después).forma た) + きり. Por ejemplo, {食べる|たべる} se convierte en {食べた|たべた}きり. Solo recuerda usar siempre la forma pasada.
