Japanese grammar
What does ～ていらい mean? Japanese grammar N3
～ていらい means ever since (a past point in time) until now.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vて + 以来 N + 以来 |
| Romaji | teirai |
| Meaning | ever since (a past point in time) until now |
Forming it
| Noun | 入社 + 以来 |
|---|---|
| Verb | 卒業して + 以来 |
How to use it
States a past milestone event; from that point to now, a state/habit continues, or something still hasn't happened again.
- 「～て以来」 sets a past milestone as the starting point, then affirms that from then until now something STILL continues or STILL hasn't happened. More formal than 「～てから」.
- The clause after is usually a continuing state or a continuing negative (haven't met again, have never…), not suitable for a single action that just happened.
- Different from 「～てから」 (connects an ordinary sequence, used more broadly): 「以来」 emphasizes a long continuous span from that milestone to now and leans toward written language.
Examples
日本に来て以来、毎日日本語を使っている。
Ever since I came to Japan, I have used Japanese every day.
卒業して以来、一度も彼に会っていない。
I have not seen him even once since I graduated.
Keep in mind
- Nouns denoting an event (入社, 卒業, あの事件) connect directly with 「以来」.
- Not used for a future point in time.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong来週会って以来、連絡します。
I'll get in touch after we meet next week.
Correct来週会ってから、連絡します。
「以来」 states a PAST milestone up to the present; a future event like 「来週」 uses 「てから」.
-
Wrong家に帰って以来、すぐ寝た。
As soon as I got home, I went straight to sleep.
Correct家に帰ってから、すぐ寝た。
「以来」 needs a long continuous span up to now; an action that happens right after uses 「てから」.
Exam tips
- 「以来」 links a past milestone with a state continuing to now; for a short sequence, use 「てから」.