Japanese grammar
What does A。それが B。 mean? Japanese grammar N2
A。それが B。 means that's exactly it…; (or) but as it turned out….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Sentence A。それが + N + だ。 Sentence A。それが、sentence B (contrary to expectation)。 |
| Romaji | A.sorega B. |
| Meaning | that's exactly it…; (or) but as it turned out… |
Forming it
| Emphasis | おいしい料理を作る。それが私の趣味だ。 |
|---|---|
| Contrary to expectation | 受かると思っていた。それが、落ちてしまった。 |
How to use it
Two uses: (a) emphasizing "the thing just mentioned is B"; (b) opening a story that turns out contrary to expectation.
- Use (a): 「それ」 points back to the previous sentence for emphasis — 「おいしい料理を作る。それが私の趣味なんです」 (that very thing is my hobby).
- Use (b) is a way to open an unexpected story, very common when answering: 「試験どうだった？」「それが、落ちちゃったんだ」 — 「それが」 signals in advance that the news isn't what was expected.
- Distinguish by what follows: ending with a defining 「だ／です」 → use (a); followed by a narrative → use (b).
Examples
おいしい料理を作って人に食べてもらう。それが私の趣味なんです。
Cooking good food for others — that is my hobby.
「試験はどうでしたか。」「それが、あと一点で落ちてしまいまして。」
"How was the exam?" "Well, actually I failed by just one point."
Keep in mind
- Usage (b) always signals news contrary to expectation.
- 「それ」 must point to the immediately preceding sentence.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong今日は雨が降った。それが私の趣味なんです。
It rained today. That is my hobby.
Correct料理を作ることです。それが私の趣味です。
「それ」 must point to a specific ACTIVITY that can be called a hobby; "it rained" is not an activity, so it doesn't work as the premise.
-
Wrong合格すると思った。それが、合格した。
I thought I would pass. And I really did pass.
Correct合格すると思った。そして、本当に合格した。
Use (b) only when the result is CONTRARY to what was expected.
Exam tips
- 「それが」 = that very thing is... / well, actually... (unexpected news).