📌 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.”
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