What is ～ようでは?
～ようでは is a Japanese grammar structure used to:
- Criticize a situation
- Express concern
- Suggest that if something is the case, a negative outcome will follow
It carries a nuance like:
- “If it’s the case that…”
- “If (someone/something) is doing that, then…”
- “In such a situation, it’s no good / it will lead to a bad result”
It’s often used to point out problems or warn about possible consequences in a slightly judgmental or cautionary tone.
Structure
| Form | Structure |
|---|---|
| Verb (plain form) + ようでは | [Verb dictionary form / ている form] + ようでは |
You’ll frequently see this pattern after:
- Verb + よう (as in a conjecture or state)
- ～ているよう (to describe an ongoing state)
Meaning in Context
～ようでは is typically used:
- When a certain situation is undesirable
- To criticize or highlight a problem
- To say “if it’s like this, then a negative result will follow”
English equivalents:
- “If this is the case…”
- “If you’re like that…”
- “In such a situation, things won’t go well.”
Example Sentences
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| こんな簡単な問題も解けないようでは、試験に合格できない。 | If you can’t even solve a simple problem like this, you won’t pass the exam. |
| 毎日遅刻するようでは、信用を失ってしまう。 | If you keep being late every day, you’ll lose people’s trust. |
| 子供に負けるようでは、プロとして失格だ。 | If you’re losing to a child, you’re disqualified as a pro. |
| そんなことで落ち込むようでは、この先やっていけない。 | If you get discouraged by something like that, you won’t survive in the future. |
Nuances & Tone
- Mildly critical, warning, or cautionary
- Used when the speaker disapproves of a situation or warns about a bad outcome
- Often implies “this is unacceptable” or “you need to do better”
- More common in formal speech, writing, and advice-giving situations
- A bit too stiff for very casual conversations
Comparison with Similar Expressions
| Expression | Usage | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| ～たら | If / when | Neutral |
| ～なら | If it’s the case that | General conditional |
| ～ようでは | If it’s like this (negative situation) | Mild criticism / warning |
Usage Notes
- Usually followed by a negative result or disapproving comment
- Often used by:
- Teachers, supervisors, seniors
- Writers, public speakers
- In self-reflection or internal monologue
- Can sound scolding if used directly toward someone, so be careful with the tone.
Practice Exercise
Translate into Japanese using ～ようでは:
- If you give up so easily, you’ll never succeed.
- If you don’t prepare properly, you’ll embarrass yourself.
- If you get upset over a small mistake, you can’t become a leader.
Possible Answers:
- そんなに簡単に諦めるようでは、成功できない。
- きちんと準備しないようでは、恥をかくよ。
- 小さなミスで落ち込むようでは、リーダーにはなれない。
Summary Table
| Grammar | ～ようでは |
|---|---|
| Meaning | If it’s like this / If that’s the case |
| Structure | [Verb plain / ている form] + ようでは |
| Nuance | Criticism, caution, warning |
| Usage | Formal, serious conversations, writing |
Pro Tip:
This grammar form is often paired with consequences or warnings. It’s a polite, indirect way of saying “this isn’t good enough” or “you need to fix this.”
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.