Today we’re exploring the advanced Japanese grammar pattern ～てからというもの（は）. This N1-level grammar pattern is commonly used in formal writing and literary contexts, and mastering it will significantly enhance your Japanese expression.
Basic Meaning and Structure
～てからというもの（は） is composed of:
- Verb in て-form + から (since/after)
- というもの（は） (a nominal expression indicating time period)
This pattern is used to express that ever since a certain event occurred, a particular state or situation has continued until the present. The focus is on the continuation of a condition or repeated action from a specific starting point until now.
Usage and Nuances
This expression has several key points to understand:
- It indicates that something has been consistently happening since a specific point in time
- It often carries a nuance of surprise, concern, or emphasis about the continued state
- The final は is optional but commonly used to emphasize the contrast between before and after the event
- It’s often used in formal writing, essays, and literary contexts
Example Sentences
大学を卒業してからというもの、毎日忙しく働いている。
Daigaku wo sotsugyō shite kara to iu mono, mainichi isogashiku hataraite iru.
Ever since graduating from university, I have been working busily every day.
This example shows how the pattern indicates a continuous state (being busy with work) that began after a specific event (university graduation) and continues to the present.
彼が転勤してからというものは、週末しか会えなくなった。
Kare ga tenkin shite kara to iu mono wa, shūmatsu shika aenaku natta.
Ever since he was transferred, we can only meet on weekends.
Here, the pattern emphasizes the contrast between the situation before and after the transfer, highlighting a change in circumstance that has persisted.
子供が生まれてからというもの、ゆっくり映画を見る時間もなくなった。
Kodomo ga umarete kara to iu mono, yukkuri eiga wo miru jikan mo nakunatta.
Ever since my child was born, I no longer have time to leisurely watch movies.
This sentence shows how life circumstances changed at a specific point (childbirth) and have remained changed until now, with an implied contrast to the previous lifestyle.
その噂を聞いてからというもの、彼女は不安で眠れなくなった。
Sono uwasa wo kiite kara to iu mono, kanojo wa fuan de nemurenaku natta.
Ever since hearing that rumor, she has been unable to sleep due to anxiety.
This example demonstrates how the pattern can be used to indicate a psychological state that began after a specific trigger and has continued.
彼と別れてからというものは、毎日が単調に感じる。
Kare to wakarete kara to iu mono wa, mainichi ga tantō ni kanjiru.
Ever since breaking up with him, every day feels monotonous.
The pattern here emphasizes the emotional impact of an event that continues to affect the present situation.
Common Collocations
This grammar pattern often appears with:
- Expressions of time: 毎日 (mainichi), ずっと (zutto), 一度も (ichido mo)
- Verbs indicating change: なる (naru), 変わる (kawaru)
- Expressions of emotional or physical states: 悩む (nayamu), 苦しむ (kurushimu), 楽しむ (tanoshimu)
Comparing with Similar Expressions
| Grammar Pattern | Meaning/Usage | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| ～てからというもの（は） | Ever since (event), (situation has continued) | Formal, literary, emphasizes continuous state |
| ～て以来 | Since (event) | Similar but more neutral, less emphasis on continuous state |
| ～以降 | Since/after (point in time) | More factual, often used with specific dates |
| ～てから | After (doing something) | Simple sequence of events, less emphasis on continuation |
Note: While ～てからというもの（は） is often interchangeable with ～て以来, the former has a more literary feel and tends to emphasize the continuous nature or notable change more strongly.
Advanced Examples in Literary Contexts
故郷を離れてからというものは、夢に実家が出てくることが多くなった。
Furusato wo hanarete kara to iu mono wa, yume ni jikka ga detekuru koto ga ōkunatta.
Ever since leaving my hometown, my family home has frequently appeared in my dreams.
This more literary example shows psychological impact and nostalgia that continues long after an event.
あの事故に遭ってからというもの、彼は人が変わったように静かになった。
Ano jiko ni atte kara to iu mono, kare wa hito ga kawatta yō ni shizuka ni natta.
Ever since experiencing that accident, he has become quiet as if he’s a different person.
This example shows how a traumatic event resulted in a lasting personality change, emphasizing the stark contrast before and after.
新しい治療法を試してからというものは、少しずつ症状が改善してきている。
Atarashii chiryōhō wo tameshite kara to iu mono wa, sukoshizutsu shōjō ga kaizen shite kite iru.
Ever since trying the new treatment method, the symptoms have been gradually improving.
This example shows a gradual positive change that began at a specific point and has continued progressively.
Practice Exercises
Try completing these sentences using ～てからというもの（は）:
- スマートフォンを買った＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿。 (Ever since buying a smartphone…)
- この町に引っ越して＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿。 (Ever since moving to this town…)
- その本を読んで＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿。 (Ever since reading that book…)
Possible answers:
- スマートフォンを買ってからというもの、SNSをチェックする時間が増えた。 (Ever since buying a smartphone, the time I spend checking social media has increased.)
- この町に引っ越してからというものは、毎朝、近くの公園でジョギングをするようになった。 (Ever since moving to this town, I’ve started jogging in the nearby park every morning.)
- その本を読んでからというもの、環境問題について真剣に考えるようになった。 (Ever since reading that book, I’ve started to think seriously about environmental issues.)
Summary
The grammar pattern ～てからというもの（は） is a powerful tool for expressing how a specific event has triggered a continuous state or repeated action that persists to the present. Its literary and somewhat formal tone makes it particularly suitable for written Japanese, essays, and thoughtful reflections.
Key points to remember:
- Structure: Verb in て-form + から + というもの（は）
- Meaning: Ever since (event), (continuous state)
- Nuance: Emphasizes the contrast between before and after the triggering event
- Usage: More common in formal or literary contexts
By mastering this N1 grammar pattern, you’ll be able to express continuity and significant life changes in a more sophisticated, native-like manner. It’s particularly useful when you want to emphasize how a past event continues to influence your present situation.
