Processing keyword: ～だけあって (〜dake atte)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～だけあって (〜dake atte)

1. Introduction

The grammar point ～だけあって (〜dake atte) is used in Japanese to express that something is appropriate or expected because of a particular reason or characteristic. It highlights that a result or situation is befitting, given the preceding context.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• ～だけあって means:
  • "As expected of..."
  • "Precisely because..."
  • "No wonder..."
  • "Being the (something) that (it) is..." It is used to indicate that a certain outcome is naturally fitting or appropriate due to the preceding reason or quality.

Structure

The structure of ～だけあって is as follows:

1. Verb (plain form) + だけあって
2. い-adjective (plain form) + だけあって
3. な-adjective (dictionary form without 'な') + な + だけあって
4. Noun + だけあって

Formation Diagram

Part of Speech	Formation	Example
Verb	Verb (dictionary form) + だけあって	勉強するだけあって
い-Adjective	い-adjective + だけあって	高いだけあって
な-Adjective	な-adjective + な + だけあって	有名なだけあって
Noun	Noun + だけあって	プロだけあって

Notes

• The phrase is often used to praise or acknowledge someone's abilities, qualities, or achievements.
• It emphasizes that the result is fitting because of the stated reason.
• The outcome is usually positive and aligns with expectations.

3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Grammar Points

～だけに (〜dake ni)

• Meaning: "Precisely because..." or "All the more because..."
• Difference: While both expressions show cause and effect, ～だけに often emphasizes a stronger causal relationship and can be used for both positive and negative outcomes, sometimes with a sense of regret or irony.

～からこそ (〜kara koso)

• Meaning: "Precisely because..." or "Exactly because..."
• Difference: ～からこそ emphasizes that the reason is the main or only cause for the outcome, often used to stress the significance of the cause.

4. Examples in Context

Formal Speech

1. 彼は経験者だけあって、仕事が早いですね。
   • Kare wa keikensha dake atte, shigoto ga hayai desu ne.
   • As expected of someone with experience, he works quickly, doesn't he?
2. このレストランは一流店だけあって、サービスが素晴らしいです。
   • Kono resutoran wa ichiryū-ten dake atte, sābisu ga subarashii desu.
   • As one would expect from a top-tier restaurant, the service is excellent.

Informal Speech

1. 彼女は歌手なだけあって、歌がとても上手だ。
   • Kanojo wa kashu na dake atte, uta ga totemo jōzu da.
   • Being a singer, she's really good at singing.
2. 高かっただけあって、このバッグは長持ちする。
   • Takakatta dake atte, kono baggu wa nagamochi suru.
   • As expected from being expensive, this bag lasts a long time.

Written Context

1. 歴史が長い町だけあって、古い建物が多く残っている。
   • Rekishi ga nagai machi dake atte, furui tatemono ga ōku nokotte iru.
   • Being a town with a long history, many old buildings remain.
2. 専門書だけあって、内容が難しい。
   • Senmon-sho dake atte, naiyō ga muzukashii.
   • As expected of a specialized book, the content is difficult.

Spoken Context

1. さすがチャンピオンだけあって、強いね！
   • Sasuga chanpion dake atte, tsuyoi ne!
   • As expected of a champion, you're strong!
2. 彼はスポーツ選手だっただけあって、体力がある。
   • Kare wa supōtsu senshu datta dake atte, tairyoku ga aru.
   • Being a former athlete, he has stamina.

5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

• ～だけあって can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
• It is a way to acknowledge someone’s skills or qualities respectfully.

Idiomatic Expressions

• さすが～だけあって combines さすが (as expected) with ～だけあって to emphasize admiration.
  • Example: *さすが先生だけあって、教え方が上手ですね。
  • As expected of a teacher, you're good at teaching.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Using with Negative Outcomes
   • Incorrect: 彼は医者だけあって、健康状態が悪い。
     • He's a doctor, so his health is bad.
     • The outcome doesn't align with the positive expectation.
   • Correct: 彼は医者なのに、健康状態が悪い。
     • Even though he's a doctor, his health is bad.
2. Confusing with ～だけで
   • ～だけで means "just by" or "just by doing."
   • Incorrect: 歩くだけあって、痩せた。
     • Should be 歩いただけで、痩せた。 ("I lost weight just by walking.")

Tips

• Positive Alignment: Ensure the outcome matches the positive expectation set by the reason.
• Expressing Admiration: Use ～だけあって when you want to express admiration or acknowledgment.
• Remember the Cause and Effect: The phrase connects a reason (cause) to a fitting result (effect).

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～だけあって is used to indicate that a result is fitting or expected due to a specific reason or quality.
• It often carries a positive connotation, expressing admiration or acknowledgment.
• The structure is flexible and can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. What does ～だけあって express?
   • Answer: It expresses that a result is appropriate or expected because of a particular reason or characteristic.
2. Choose the correct form to complete the sentence:
   • 彼はプロの料理人______、料理がとても美味しい。
     • a) だけに
     • b) だけあって
     • c) だけで
   • Answer: b) だけあって
3. True or False: ～だけあって can be used with negative outcomes.
   • Answer: False. It is typically used with positive or expected outcomes.

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By mastering ～だけあって, you enhance your ability to express expected results based on given qualities or reasons, making your Japanese communication more natural and nuanced.

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