Japanese grammar
What does ～からして mean? Japanese grammar N2
～からして means judging just from (one telling point) already…; even… (let alone more).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + からして |
| Romaji | karashite |
| Meaning | judging just from (one telling point) already…; even… (let alone more) |
Forming it
| Abstract noun | 態度 + からして |
|---|---|
| Concrete noun | 名前 + からして |
How to use it
Takes one representative point as a basis to infer the whole ("judging just from..., you can already tell"); attaches to a noun.
- 「～からして」 takes ONE representative point as a basis to infer an impression/conclusion about the whole: "judging just from..., you can already tell". Often paired with 「そうだ／らしい」.
- It can also carry the nuance "even (the most basic/smallest thing)...", implying the rest is even more so.
- Attaches to a NOUN; different from 「から」 (which states a reason).
Examples
あの店は名前からして高級そうだ。
Judging just from its name, that shop looks high-class.
態度からして、彼はやる気がなさそうだ。
Judging from his attitude alone, he seems unmotivated.
Keep in mind
- Only connects to a noun.
- Distinguish from the fixed phrase 「見るからに」 (you can tell just by looking).
Common mistakes
-
Wrong高いからして、買わない。
Because it's expensive, I won't buy it.
Correct高いから、買わない。
「からして」 attaches to a NOUN, meaning "judging just from/even"; to state a reason, use 「から」.
-
Wrong見るからして怖い。
It looks scary just at a glance.
Correct見るからに怖い。
"You can tell just by looking..." is the fixed phrase 「見るからに」; 「からして」 attaches to a noun (judging from...).
Exam tips
- 「からして」 = judging just from one representative point (infers the whole); attaches to a noun, different from 「から」 (reason).