Japanese grammar
What does ～も同然だ mean? Japanese grammar N2
～も同然だ means is practically the same as…; may as well be….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + （も）同然だ Vた／Vていない + も同然だ |
| Romaji | modouzenda |
| Meaning | is practically the same as…; may as well be… |
Forming it
| Noun | 家族 → 家族も同然だ |
|---|---|
| Verb | 終わった → 終わったも同然だ |
How to use it
In reality not quite exactly so, but practically equivalent. A subjective judgment made by the speaker.
- 「Nも同然だ」 = practically the same as N: 「長い付き合いだから、彼は家族も同然だ」.
- With a verb, use the た form or negative form: 「この試合はもう勝ったも同然だ」「毎日遅刻するなら、来ていないも同然だ」.
- As a noun modifier it becomes 「同然の＋N」: 「新品同然の車」 (a car that's practically new).
Examples
長い付き合いだから、彼はもう家族も同然だ。
We have known each other so long that he is practically family.
毎日遅刻するなんて、来ていないも同然だ。
Being late every day is as good as not coming at all.
Keep in mind
- A subjective judgment, not a fact.
- Modifying a noun uses 「同然の」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong新品も同然車を買った。
I bought a car that's practically new.
Correct新品同然の車を買った。
As a noun modifier, use 「同然の」.
-
Wrong彼は毎日休むも同然だ。
It's practically as if he takes a day off every day.
Correct彼は毎日休んでいるも同然だ。
The verb must be conjugated as Vた or Vていない／Vている before 「も同然だ」, not the dictionary form.
Exam tips
- 「も同然だ」 = practically the same as; as a modifier 「同然の＋N」.