かろうじて in 30 Seconds
- かろうじて means barely or just managing to succeed.
- It implies a narrow escape from failure.
- Often used for difficult achievements or near misses.
- Think of it as 'by the skin of your teeth'.
- Meaning
- The Japanese adverb かろうじて (karoujite) signifies that something was achieved or happened with great difficulty, just barely, or by a very narrow margin. It implies that success was almost not achieved, and it required significant effort or a bit of luck to avoid failure. It's often used to describe situations where the outcome was uncertain until the very last moment.
- Usage
- This adverb is frequently used when discussing the narrow escape from a negative situation, such as missing a train by seconds, passing an exam with a low score, or surviving a dangerous event. It emphasizes the precariousness of the situation and the minimal margin by which a positive or less negative outcome was achieved. It can also be used for things that are just about to happen or be completed.
地震の揺れが収まった時、私たちはかろうじて無事だと気づいた。
彼は締め切り時間かろうじて間に合った。
- Nuance
- The word carries a sense of relief after a stressful situation or a congratulatory tone for overcoming a challenge. It highlights the effort involved and the slim chance of success. It is important to note that かろうじて implies a positive outcome was achieved, even if by a thin margin. If the outcome was negative, other expressions would be used.
- Common Scenarios
- You'll often hear かろうじて in news reports about accidents or disasters, in personal anecdotes about overcoming difficulties, or in discussions about sports where a team or athlete narrowly wins. It's a versatile adverb that adds a layer of drama and emphasizes the struggle involved in achieving a particular result.
電車が発車する瞬間、彼はかろうじて乗り込んだ。
- Basic Structure
- かろうじて typically modifies a verb or a verb phrase, indicating that the action was performed with difficulty or just managed to be completed. It usually appears before the verb it modifies.
彼はかろうじて試験に合格した。
- With Negative Outcomes (almost)
- It can be used with verbs that imply a negative outcome, to express that the negative outcome was narrowly avoided. For example, 'かろうじて〜なかった' (barely didn't ~).
雨が降ってきたが、かろうじて傘を持っていたので濡れなかった。
- Expressing Narrow Survival
- It is very common in sentences describing survival against odds.
彼は事故からかろうじて生還した。
- With Verbs of Completion
- It can also be used with verbs indicating completion, to emphasize that the completion was just achieved.
プロジェクトはかろうじて予定通りに完了した。
- Emphasis on Difficulty
- The adverb highlights the effort and struggle involved in achieving the result.
彼は借金をかろうじて返済した。
- News Reports
- You will frequently encounter かろうじて in news broadcasts, especially when reporting on natural disasters, accidents, or rescues. For example, a report might state that survivors were 'かろうじて救助された' (karoujite kyuujo sareta - barely rescued), emphasizing the critical nature of the rescue operation and the slim chance of survival.
警察はかろうじて犯人を逮捕した。
- Personal Anecdotes and Stories
- In everyday conversations, people use かろうじて to recount personal experiences where they just managed to achieve something or avoid a negative outcome. This could be anything from catching a bus that was about to leave, to finishing a difficult task just in time, or even passing a challenging test with a minimal score.
寝坊したが、かろうじて始業時間に間に合った。
- Sports Commentary
- Sports commentators often use かろうじて to describe a close game or a moment of triumph where an athlete or team managed to win by a very small margin. For instance, a commentator might say a player 'かろうじてゴールを決めた' (karoujite gooru o kimeta - barely scored a goal), highlighting the tension and the narrow victory.
彼はかろうじて勝負に勝った。
- Movies and Dramas
- In fictional narratives, かろうじて is used to build suspense and emphasize the peril characters face. A protagonist might 'かろうじて危機を脱する' (karoujite kiki o dassuru - barely escape a crisis), making the audience feel the tension and relief.
彼女はかろうじて爆弾の解除に成功した。
- Confusing with 'almost' (almost failed)
- A common mistake is to use かろうじて when the outcome was actually a failure. かろうじて implies that success was achieved, however narrowly. If something failed, you would use other expressions like '失敗した' (shippai shita - failed) or 'できなかった' (dekinakatta - couldn't do it).
Incorrect: 彼はかろうじて試験に落ちた。
- Overusing for Minor Difficulties
- While かろうじて can be used for various degrees of difficulty, overusing it for very minor inconveniences might sound unnatural. It's best reserved for situations where there was a genuine risk of failure or a significant struggle.
Incorrect: かろうじて朝ごはんを食べた。
- Confusing with Other Adverbs
- Learners might confuse かろうじて with adverbs that indicate general difficulty or effort without the specific nuance of a narrow margin. For instance, '一生懸命' (isshoukenmei - with all one's might) or '努力して' (doryoku shite - by making an effort) do not carry the same implication of being close to failure.
Incorrect: 彼は一生懸命試験に合格した。
- ぎりぎり (girigiri)
- Meaning: At the last moment, just in time, by the skin of one's teeth. It's very similar to かろうじて and often interchangeable in many contexts, especially concerning time limits or physical proximity.
- Comparison:
- ぎりぎり often emphasizes the temporal aspect or the physical limit being reached. かろうじて can sometimes carry a stronger nuance of overcoming difficulty or peril, not just meeting a deadline. However, in many practical situations, the distinction is subtle.
電車にぎりぎり間に合った。
- なんとか (nantoka)
- Meaning: Somehow, by some means, with difficulty. This adverb implies that a task was accomplished despite obstacles, but it doesn't necessarily carry the same strong sense of being on the verge of failure as かろうじて or ぎりぎり.
- Comparison:
- なんとか focuses more on the effort and resourcefulness used to achieve a result, regardless of how close it was to failure. かろうじて emphasizes the narrowness of the success.
彼はなんとか問題を解決した。
- やっと (yatto)
- Meaning: Finally, at last. This adverb indicates that something was achieved after a long period of waiting or effort, but it doesn't necessarily imply that the achievement was by a narrow margin.
- Comparison:
- やっと focuses on the completion after a delay or prolonged effort. かろうじて focuses on the slim margin of success. You could achieve something 'やっと' (finally) without it being 'かろうじて' (barely).
長い間待ったが、やっと合格通知が来た。
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The kanji for かろうじて, 辛うじて, literally means 'to barely endure hardship'. The character 辛 (shin/kara-i) means 'spicy' or 'hot', but in this context, it refers to hardship or difficulty. The character じて (jite) is an adverbial ending. The combination conveys the sense of managing to do something despite enduring great difficulty.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it too quickly without the necessary elongation of the 'ka' and 'rou' sounds.
- Not properly palatalizing the 'ji' sound, making it sound like 'ji' instead of 'd͡ʑi'.
- Confusing it with similar-sounding words due to the subtle stress pattern.
Difficulty Rating
The word かろうじて is generally understood at the B1 CEFR level. Recognizing its nuance requires understanding the context of struggle and narrow success. Advanced learners might encounter its kanji form 辛うじて in more formal texts, which can slightly increase the reading difficulty.
Using かろうじて correctly in writing requires careful consideration of the context. Learners need to ensure they are not overusing it for minor difficulties or using it when a negative outcome occurred. Mastering its nuances is key for proficient writing.
Pronunciation is relatively straightforward, but using かろうじて naturally in conversation requires practice. Learners need to feel comfortable integrating it into sentences that describe challenging situations and narrow successes.
Understanding かろうじて in spoken Japanese is achievable at the B1 level. Listening for the context of struggle, near-failure, and eventual success will help learners identify its usage.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adverbial Usage
Adverbs like かろうじて modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to add detail about manner, time, place, or degree. かろうじて modifies the verb to indicate the manner in which an action was performed (with great difficulty, narrowly).
Verb Conjugation
かろうじて is used with various verb forms, including the past tense (～た), potential form (～ことができる), and negative form (～ない), to express different nuances of narrow achievement or avoidance. e.g., かろうじて合格した (barely passed), かろうじて合格できなかった (barely failed to pass).
Particles with Adverbs
While かろうじて is an adverb and doesn't directly take particles, it often appears in sentences where particles like は (wa) or が (ga) are used to mark the subject or topic. e.g., 彼はかろうじて合格した (He barely passed).
Sentence Endings
かろうじて can be used with various sentence-ending particles like ね (ne) or よ (yo) to add emphasis or convey emotion. e.g., かろうじて間に合ったよ！ (I barely made it!)
Using with Negative Forms
The structure 'かろうじて〜ない' (karoujite ~nai) means 'barely not ~' or 'almost didn't ~', implying that the action was narrowly avoided. e.g., 彼はかろうじて逮捕されなかった。(He barely wasn't arrested.)
Examples by Level
バスがかろうじて来た。
The bus barely came.
This is a very simple sentence structure for A1 learners, showing the adverb before the verb.
彼はかろうじて歩けた。
He could barely walk.
Using the potential form of the verb '歩く' (aruku - to walk) with かろうじて.
かろうじて雨が止んだ。
The rain barely stopped.
A simple sentence showing the adverb modifying a verb indicating a change in state.
かろうじて間に合った。
Barely made it.
A common phrase, often used independently.
かろうじて火が消えた。
The fire barely went out.
Shows the adverb with a verb indicating cessation of an action.
かろうじて穴を避けた。
Barely avoided the hole.
Demonstrates avoiding a physical obstacle.
かろうじて声が聞こえた。
Barely heard the voice.
Used with verbs of perception.
かろうじてドアを開けた。
Barely opened the door.
Indicates difficulty in performing an action.
締め切りかろうじて間に合った。
Barely made it to the deadline.
Combines the concept of a deadline with the adverb.
彼はかろうじて試験に合格した。
He barely passed the exam.
A very common usage for academic success.
かろうじて電車に乗れた。
Barely managed to get on the train.
Emphasizes the narrow escape from missing transportation.
かろうじてその店を見つけた。
Barely found that shop.
Used for finding something with difficulty.
かろうじて事故を免れた。
Barely avoided the accident.
Common in contexts of danger and safety.
かろうじてその言葉を理解した。
Barely understood the word.
Indicates partial or difficult understanding.
かろうじてその状況を乗り切った。
Barely got through that situation.
Used for overcoming challenging circumstances.
かろうじてその病気を治した。
Barely cured that illness.
Implies a difficult recovery from sickness.
地震の揺れが収まった時、私たちはかろうじて無事だと気づいた。
When the earthquake tremors stopped, we realized we were barely safe.
This sentence combines a temporal clause with the adverb to describe survival after a disaster.
彼は締め切り時間かろうじて間に合った。
He just barely made it before the deadline.
A classic example of meeting a strict time limit.
電車が発車する瞬間、彼はかろうじて乗り込んだ。
At the moment the train departed, he barely got on.
Highlights the narrow escape from missing transportation.
彼女はかろうじてその貧困から抜け出した。
She barely escaped from that poverty.
Used to describe escaping from difficult socio-economic conditions.
そのチームはかろうじて勝利を収めた。
That team barely achieved victory.
Common in sports contexts to describe a narrow win.
彼はかろうじて命拾いをした。
He barely saved his life.
Emphasizes survival against significant odds.
この問題はかろうじて解決できた。
This problem was barely solved.
Indicates a difficult problem that was just managed to be resolved.
彼女はかろうじてその誘惑に打ち勝った。
She barely overcame that temptation.
Describes overcoming internal struggles or temptations.
激しい嵐の中、船はかろうじて港にたどり着いた。
In the fierce storm, the ship barely reached the port.
This sentence uses かろうじて to describe a perilous journey with a successful but difficult arrival.
彼は借金かろうじて返済した。
He barely repaid his debts.
Indicates managing to pay off a significant financial burden.
そのプロジェクトは、多くの困難を乗り越え、かろうじて期限内に完了した。
The project, overcoming many difficulties, was barely completed within the deadline.
Combines the idea of overcoming obstacles with meeting a deadline.
彼女はかろうじてその芸術的才能を認められた。
She barely had her artistic talent recognized.
Suggests that recognition was difficult to achieve.
その証拠はかろうじて犯人を特定するのに十分だった。
The evidence was barely enough to identify the culprit.
Highlights the minimal amount of evidence that was crucial.
彼はかろうじてその致命的な病から回復した。
He barely recovered from that fatal illness.
Emphasizes a difficult recovery from a life-threatening condition.
その会社はかろうじて倒産を免れた。
The company barely avoided bankruptcy.
Used to describe a business narrowly escaping financial ruin.
彼女はかろうじてその職を得ることができた。
She barely managed to get that job.
Indicates a highly competitive job market where getting the position was difficult.
長年の努力の末、彼はかろうじてその分野での権威としての地位を確立した。
After years of effort, he barely established his position as an authority in that field.
This sentence conveys a sense of long-term struggle leading to a hard-won recognition.
その政治家はかろうじて国民の信頼を回復した。
The politician barely regained the public's trust.
Suggests a difficult process of rebuilding reputation.
この芸術作品は、かろうじてその時代の基準を満たしていた。
This work of art barely met the standards of its time.
Implies that the work was on the edge of acceptance or innovation.
彼はかろうじてその複雑な状況を打開した。
He barely found a way out of that complex situation.
Describes finding a solution to a very intricate problem.
その発見は、かろうじて科学界の注目を集めた。
The discovery barely attracted the attention of the scientific community.
Suggests that the discovery was significant but initially overlooked or underestimated.
彼女はかろうじてその精神的な危機を乗り越えた。
She barely overcame that mental crisis.
Focuses on the internal struggle and hard-won emotional stability.
その法案は、かろうじて議会を通過した。
The bill barely passed through parliament.
Indicates a very close and contentious legislative process.
彼はかろうじてその破滅的な結末を回避した。
He barely avoided that disastrous outcome.
Emphasizes the narrow escape from a truly terrible consequence.
その文明は、数々の外部からの脅威に晒されながらも、かろうじてその独自性を維持した。
Despite being exposed to numerous external threats, that civilization barely maintained its uniqueness.
This sentence uses かろうじて to describe the resilience of a culture against overwhelming external pressures.
彼の芸術は、かろうじて商業的な成功と芸術的誠実さの境界線上にあった。
His art was barely on the borderline between commercial success and artistic integrity.
This implies a fine line was walked, with the potential for either outcome.
その思想は、かろうじて主流の学説として認められる段階に至った。
That ideology barely reached the stage of being recognized as a mainstream academic theory.
Suggests a long and arduous process for an idea to gain acceptance.
彼はかろうじてその組織の腐敗を暴き、再建への道を開いた。
He barely exposed the corruption within that organization, paving the way for reconstruction.
Highlights the difficulty and risk involved in exposing wrongdoing.
その遺産は、かろうじて現代の価値観と調和することができた。
The heritage could barely harmonize with modern values.
Implies a struggle to reconcile past traditions with present-day perspectives.
彼女はかろうじてその絶望的な状況から希望を見出した。
She barely found hope in that desperate situation.
Describes finding a glimmer of hope in an otherwise hopeless scenario.
その改革は、かろうじて国民の支持を得ることができた。
The reform barely gained the support of the public.
Indicates a very close call in public acceptance of a policy.
彼はかろうじてその真実を語り、多くの誤解を解いた。
He barely told the truth, resolving many misunderstandings.
Suggests that revealing the truth was challenging but ultimately beneficial.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Managed to arrive or complete something just in time, narrowly avoiding being late or missing a deadline.
バスが来る前に、かろうじて間に合った。
— Barely passed an exam or test, achieving the minimum required score.
試験の結果はかろうじて合格だった。
— Managed to survive a dangerous situation or life-threatening event by a very slim margin.
事故からかろうじて生き残った。
— Won a competition or match by a very narrow margin, with the outcome being uncertain until the very end.
その試合はかろうじて勝った。
— Barely avoided doing something, or almost didn't do something, but managed not to.
雨が降ってきたが、かろうじて濡れないで済んだ。
— Managed to do something, but only with great difficulty or by a very slim chance.
彼はかろうじてその仕事を終えることができた。
— A general structure indicating that an action was performed with extreme difficulty or by a narrow margin.
私たちはかろうじてその山頂に到達した。
— Narrowly avoided something negative, such as an accident, punishment, or disaster.
彼はかろうじてその責任を免れた。
— Achieved something, such as victory or a result, by a very narrow margin.
チームはかろうじて勝利を収めた。
— Barely escaped from a difficult or dangerous situation.
彼はかろうじてその危機を脱した。
Often Confused With
Both mean 'barely' or 'just in time'. ぎりぎり often emphasizes the temporal or spatial limit, while かろうじて can imply more peril or difficulty in achievement.
なんとか means 'somehow' or 'with difficulty', focusing on the effort to overcome obstacles. かろうじて emphasizes the narrow margin of success, implying failure was almost certain.
やっと means 'finally' or 'at last', focusing on the completion after a long wait. It doesn't necessarily imply a narrow margin of success like かろうじて does.
Idioms & Expressions
— To barely escape with one's life; to survive a life-threatening situation by a very narrow margin.
その飛行機事故から、彼はかろうじて命拾いをした。
Neutral— To barely stay within a certain limit or boundary, avoiding crossing it (often used for negative consequences).
彼の態度は、かろうじて一線を越えない程度だった。
Neutral— To barely be able to breathe, implying extreme exertion or a very difficult situation that has just ended.
ゴールラインを越えたとき、選手たちはかろうじて息をついた。
Neutral— To barely maintain one's form or shape, suggesting it's on the verge of collapse or disintegration.
その古い建物は、かろうじて形を保っている。
Neutral— To barely reach a certain level or stage, implying it's not fully developed or established yet.
彼の才能は、まだかろうじて初級の域を出ない。
Neutral— To barely manage to get into a position or group, often in a competitive context.
彼はかろうじてレギュラーの座に食い込んだ。
Neutral— To barely endure or withstand something difficult, reaching the limit of one's endurance.
彼はかろうじてその苦痛を耐えた。
Neutral— To barely maintain something, such as one's position, sanity, or composure.
彼はかろうじて冷静さを保った。
Neutral— To barely surpass or outdo something, often in terms of performance or achievement.
彼はかろうじてライバルを凌いだ。
Neutral— To barely manage to stop or hold back something negative, like a disaster or attack.
兵士たちはかろうじて敵の侵攻を食い止めた。
NeutralEasily Confused
Both words convey the sense of reaching a limit or succeeding by a narrow margin.
ぎりぎり often focuses more on the temporal aspect ('just in time') or physical limit ('at the very edge'). かろうじて can imply a greater sense of struggle, peril, or difficulty in achieving the outcome, suggesting that failure was a more significant possibility. For example, you might say '電車にぎりぎり間に合った' (I barely made it to the train) if you arrived just as it was leaving, but 'かろうじて電車に乗れた' (I barely got on the train) might imply you had to exert a lot of effort or overcome an obstacle to board.
締め切りに<strong>ぎりぎり</strong>間に合った。（Focus on time） 彼は<strong>かろうじて</strong>試験に合格した。（Focus on difficulty and narrow success）
Both words imply that something was achieved with difficulty.
なんとか means 'somehow' or 'by some means' and emphasizes the effort and resourcefulness used to accomplish a task, regardless of how close it was to failure. かろうじて specifically highlights the narrowness of the success, implying that failure was a very real and imminent possibility. For instance, 'なんとか問題を解決した' (I somehow solved the problem) suggests you found a solution through effort, while 'かろうじて問題を解決した' (I barely solved the problem) suggests the solution was found just in the nick of time or by a very slim chance, and failure was almost certain.
彼は<strong>なんとか</strong>その仕事を終えた。（Focus on effort to finish） 彼は<strong>かろうじて</strong>その仕事を終えた。（Focus on the narrowness of finishing）
Both words can be used when something is achieved after a period of waiting or effort.
やっと means 'finally' or 'at last', indicating that something was achieved after a long period of waiting or effort. It focuses on the completion after delay. かろうじて, on the other hand, emphasizes the narrow margin of success. You might achieve something 'やっと' (finally) without it being 'かろうじて' (barely). For example, 'やっと試験に合格した' (I finally passed the exam) could mean it took many attempts, but the last attempt might not have been a narrow win. However, if the last attempt was a close call, you would say 'かろうじて合格した' (I barely passed).
彼は<strong>やっと</strong>昇進した。（Finally got promoted, perhaps after a long wait） 彼は<strong>かろうじて</strong>昇進した。（He barely got promoted, perhaps the decision was very close）
Both can be used in situations involving risk and narrow outcomes.
危うく (ayauku) means 'narrowly', 'dangerously close to', or 'almost' and is primarily used to describe a negative outcome that was narrowly avoided. For example, '危うく事故に遭うところだった' (I narrowly avoided an accident). かろうじて, conversely, is used to describe a positive outcome that was achieved narrowly, or a negative outcome that was narrowly avoided in a way that implies success. While there's overlap in the 'narrowly' aspect, 危うく leans towards avoiding bad things, and かろうじて leans towards achieving good things (or narrowly avoiding bad things in a way that implies a positive resolution).
彼は<strong>危うく</strong>事故に遭うところだった。（Narrowly avoided an accident - negative outcome avoided） 彼は<strong>かろうじて</strong>事故を免れた。（Barely escaped the accident - implies survival/positive resolution）
It's the direct antonym, so understanding it helps define かろうじて.
楽々と (raku raku to) means 'easily', 'with ease', or 'without difficulty'. It is the direct opposite of かろうじて, which signifies great difficulty and a narrow margin of success. If something is done 楽々と, it was not a close call and required little effort. For example, '彼は楽々と試験に合格した' (He passed the exam easily) is the antithesis of '彼はかろうじて試験に合格した' (He barely passed the exam).
彼は<strong>楽々と</strong>試験に合格した。（Passed easily） 彼は<strong>かろうじて</strong>試験に合格した。（Barely passed）
Sentence Patterns
Noun + Particle + かろうじて + Verb
彼は<strong>かろうじて</strong>歩けた。
かろうじて + Verb
雨が<strong>かろうじて</strong>止んだ。
Time Phrase + かろうじて + Verb
締め切り<strong>かろうじて</strong>間に合った。
かろうじて + Verb + た
彼は<strong>かろうじて</strong>試験に合格した。
Subject + Particle + かろうじて + Verb
彼女は<strong>かろうじて</strong>その貧困から抜け出した。
かろうじて + Verb + ことを + Verb
彼は<strong>かろうじて</strong>その仕事を終えることができた。
Context Clause + かろうじて + Verb
激しい嵐の中、船は<strong>かろうじて</strong>港にたどり着いた。
かろうじて + Noun + を + Verb
その会社は<strong>かろうじて</strong>倒産を免れた。
Word Family
Related
How to Use It
Common, especially in contexts of difficulty, near-misses, and hard-won achievements.
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Using かろうじて when the outcome was a failure.
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If the outcome was a failure, use words like 失敗した (shippai shita - failed) or 落ちた (ochita - failed an exam).
かろうじて implies that success was achieved, however narrowly. Using it for a failed outcome is grammatically incorrect and misleading.
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Using かろうじて for minor inconveniences.
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For minor difficulties, use simpler expressions like 大変だった (taihen datta - it was tough) or すぐにできた (sugu ni dekita - I could do it quickly).
かろうじて suggests a significant struggle or a very narrow margin. Applying it to trivial matters sounds like an overstatement and can undermine its impact.
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Confusing かろうじて with words that mean 'finally' or 'somehow' without the 'narrow margin' nuance.
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Use やっと for 'finally' and なんとか/どうにか for 'somehow' or 'with effort', when the narrowness of success is not the main point.
While these words indicate difficulty or delayed success, they don't carry the specific implication of being on the verge of failure that かろうじて does. Choosing the right word depends on the exact nuance you want to convey.
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Incorrect pronunciation of the 'ji' sound.
→
Pronounce the 'ji' sound with the tongue closer to the roof of the mouth (palatalized).
Mispronouncing the 'ji' sound can make the word sound unclear or lead to confusion with other words. Proper pronunciation is key to clear communication.
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Using かろうじて for situations where success was easy or comfortable.
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If success was achieved easily, use words like 楽々と (raku raku to - easily) or 余裕で (yoyuu de - comfortably).
かろうじて specifically highlights the lack of ease and the narrowness of the achievement. Using it when success was effortless negates its meaning.
Tips
Mastering the 'ji' Sound
The 'ji' sound in かろうじて is palatalized, meaning your tongue should be closer to the roof of your mouth, similar to the 'j' in 'jeep' but softer. Practice saying 'ji' with your tongue slightly further forward to get this nuance. This will help distinguish it from other similar sounds.
Visualizing the 'Close Call'
Create a mental image of a 'close call' scenario – someone just making it onto a train, or an athlete winning by a hair's breadth. This visual association will help you recall the meaning and appropriate usage of かろうじて.
Verb Compatibility
Remember that かろうじて modifies verbs. It can be used with various verb forms (past tense, potential, negative) to express different nuances of narrow achievement or avoidance. Pay attention to the verb it's modifying to fully grasp the sentence's meaning.
Distinguishing from Similar Words
While ぎりぎり, なんとか, and やっと are similar, they have subtle differences. ぎりぎり often emphasizes time, なんとか effort, and やっと completion after waiting. かろうじて uniquely captures the feeling of overcoming peril or a very high chance of failure.
Sentence Creation Practice
Try creating your own sentences using かろうじて. Describe a personal experience where you barely succeeded at something. This active practice will solidify your understanding and usage.
Active Listening
When listening to Japanese media, actively try to identify instances of かろうじて. Pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall situation to understand how it's being used in context. This will improve your comprehension and recognition.
Appreciating Perseverance
In Japanese culture, perseverance is highly valued. かろうじて often highlights this value by emphasizing the success achieved through struggle. Understanding this cultural context can deepen your appreciation for the word's significance.
Avoiding Overuse
While かろうじて is a useful word, avoid overusing it. Overusing it for minor inconveniences can make your language sound dramatic or insincere. Reserve it for situations where the difficulty and narrowness of success are genuinely notable.
Natural Integration
To use かろうじて naturally in speech, practice incorporating it into stories about your experiences. Think about moments of triumph against the odds, and try to express them using this adverb. This will make your speech more vivid and authentic.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine someone 'carving' (かろ) their way through a difficult situation, 'just' (じ) making it out. The 'te' ending just signifies the adverbial function.
Visual Association
Picture a climber precariously clinging to a cliff face, reaching the summit 'just' in time, with sweat dripping. The image emphasizes the struggle and the narrow margin of success.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe a time you almost missed a bus or a train using かろうじて. Focus on the feeling of urgency and the relief of making it.
Word Origin
The origin of かろうじて is not definitively clear, but it is believed to be related to the verb 辛う (karou), which itself is an older form meaning 'to endure with difficulty' or 'to barely manage'. The addition of the adverbial ending じて (-jite) transforms it into an adverb.
Original meaning: To endure with difficulty; to barely manage.
JaponicCultural Context
The word かろうじて is generally neutral in terms of sensitivity. It describes a factual situation of near-failure and narrow success. However, it should be used appropriately. For instance, describing a minor inconvenience as 'かろうじて' might sound like an exaggeration or a complaint, whereas describing a life-or-death situation as 'かろうじて' emphasizes the gravity and relief.
In English, we have similar phrases like 'barely', 'by the skin of one's teeth', 'just in time', and 'narrowly escaped'. These phrases capture the same essence of achieving something by a very small margin or avoiding a negative outcome by a slim chance.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Academic success or failure
- かろうじて合格した
- かろうじて不合格になった (less common, implies almost passed)
- 試験にかろうじて通った
Transportation and deadlines
- かろうじて間に合った
- 電車にかろうじて乗れた
- 締め切りにかろうじて間に合った
Overcoming danger or adversity
- かろうじて生き残った
- かろうじて事故を免れた
- かろうじて危機を脱した
Achieving victory or a result
- かろうじて勝った
- かろうじて勝利を収めた
- かろうじて目標を達成した
Personal struggles and achievements
- かろうじてそれを終えた
- かろうじて理解できた
- かろうじて解決した
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever had a time when you 'barely' made it to an important event?"
"What's the most difficult thing you've 'barely' managed to accomplish?"
"Can you think of a movie or book where a character 'barely' survived a dangerous situation?"
"How do you feel when you 'barely' pass an exam? Relieved or disappointed?"
"What's the difference between 'barely' succeeding and succeeding 'easily'?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you achieved something important, but it was a very close call. Use the word 'かろうじて' to explain how difficult it was.
Reflect on a situation where you almost failed at something crucial. How did you feel during that time, and what was the outcome? Use 'かろうじて' in your description.
Write about a personal challenge you faced and overcame. Did you succeed 'barely' or with ease? Explain the difference in your experience.
Imagine a scenario where you have to complete a task with extremely limited time or resources. How would you use 'かろうじて' to describe your potential success?
Compare and contrast the feeling of achieving something 'barely' versus achieving it 'comfortably'. Which feeling do you prefer and why?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsOne of the most common situations is when someone achieves something just in the nick of time, like catching a train that's about to depart, or meeting a deadline at the very last second. It's also frequently used to describe surviving a dangerous event or passing a difficult test with a very low score.
Yes, it can be used to describe narrowly overcoming emotional difficulties, such as 'かろうじて冷静さを保った' (barely managed to stay calm) or 'かろうじて希望を見出した' (barely found hope). It emphasizes the struggle involved in maintaining or regaining an emotional state.
辛うじて (karoujite) is simply the kanji spelling of かろうじて. They have the exact same meaning and are interchangeable. 辛うじて is considered more formal and is often seen in written Japanese, while かろうじて is more common in everyday speech and general writing.
While often interchangeable, かろうじて can imply a greater sense of peril or overcoming significant obstacles, whereas ぎりぎり tends to focus more on the temporal aspect or reaching a physical limit. If the success involved a true struggle or was a matter of survival, かろうじて might be more appropriate. If it's simply about being on time, ぎりぎり is often preferred.
Yes, the structure 'かろうじて〜ない' (karoujite ~nai) is used to mean 'barely not ~' or 'almost didn't ~'. For example, 'かろうじて濡れないで済んだ' means 'I barely didn't get wet', implying I almost got wet but managed to avoid it. This usage emphasizes narrowly avoiding a negative outcome.
Generally, yes. かろうじて implies that despite the extreme difficulty, the desired or less negative outcome was achieved. If the outcome was purely negative and failure occurred, other words like '失敗した' (failed) or 'できなかった' (couldn't do it) would be used. However, 'かろうじて〜ない' implies a negative action was narrowly avoided, leading to a relatively positive situation.
The pronunciation is ka-rou-ji-te. The 'rou' sound is slightly elongated, and the 'ji' is a palatalized sound (like the 'j' in 'jeep' but softer and with the tongue closer to the roof of the mouth). There isn't a strong single stressed syllable, but the emphasis is distributed, with a slight rise on 'rou' and 'ji'.
Yes, it can be used when finding something was very difficult. For example, 'かろうじてその店を見つけた' (I barely found that shop) implies it was hard to locate. It highlights the struggle in the search process.
どうにか means 'somehow' or 'manage to' and focuses on finding a way to accomplish something despite difficulties. It emphasizes the process of problem-solving. かろうじて, on the other hand, focuses on the narrowness of the success, implying that failure was a strong possibility. You might use 'どうにか' to describe how you solved a problem, and 'かろうじて' to describe how you succeeded in solving it just before the deadline.
The hiragana form かろうじて is common in both spoken and written Japanese and is generally considered neutral. Its kanji form, 辛うじて, is more formal and typically found in literature, news reports, or official documents.
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Summary
かろうじて (karoujite) signifies that something was achieved or happened with great difficulty, just barely, or by a very narrow margin, implying that success was almost not achieved.
- かろうじて means barely or just managing to succeed.
- It implies a narrow escape from failure.
- Often used for difficult achievements or near misses.
- Think of it as 'by the skin of your teeth'.
Mastering the 'ji' Sound
The 'ji' sound in かろうじて is palatalized, meaning your tongue should be closer to the roof of your mouth, similar to the 'j' in 'jeep' but softer. Practice saying 'ji' with your tongue slightly further forward to get this nuance. This will help distinguish it from other similar sounds.
Context is Key
Always consider the context. Is there a clear sense of struggle, near-failure, and eventual success? If so, かろうじて is likely appropriate. Avoid using it for tasks that are easily accomplished, as it can sound like an exaggeration.
Visualizing the 'Close Call'
Create a mental image of a 'close call' scenario – someone just making it onto a train, or an athlete winning by a hair's breadth. This visual association will help you recall the meaning and appropriate usage of かろうじて.
Verb Compatibility
Remember that かろうじて modifies verbs. It can be used with various verb forms (past tense, potential, negative) to express different nuances of narrow achievement or avoidance. Pay attention to the verb it's modifying to fully grasp the sentence's meaning.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More nature words
～上
B1Above; on top of; up.
〜の上
A2On top of, above, upon.
豊か
B1Abundant; rich; plentiful (na-adjective).
〜に従って
B1According to, in conformity with, as (something happens).
酸性雨
B1Acid rain.
営み
B1Activity; daily life; undertaking (e.g., life's activities).
順応する
B1To adapt; to adjust; to conform.
~を背景に
B1Against the backdrop of; with...as background.
空気
A2air
大気汚染
B1Air pollution; the presence of harmful substances in the air.
