Japanese from zero · N1 Lesson 29
Dinner with Mori
〜あっての ・ 〜べくして ・ 〜てしかるべきだ ・ 〜には当たらない
In this lesson, you will learn to say that one thing exists only thanks to another with 〜あっての, that something happened as it was bound to with 〜べくして, that something is only right and proper with 〜て しかるべきだ, and that there is no call to do something with 〜には 当たらない. Mori takes Lisa to dinner at the fish restaurant where he once celebrated her job offer, and tells her about his own first project.
By the end you will be able to say
失敗あっての 成功です。Success comes out of failure.
あの 日程では、失敗すべくして 失敗しました。With that schedule, it failed as it was bound to.
上司が 責任を 取って しかるべきです。It is only right that the boss takes the blame.
君が 謝るには 当たらない。There's no reason for you to apologize.
若手の うちに、たくさん 失敗すると いい。Make plenty of mistakes while you're young in the job.
The grammar in this lesson
- 〜あっての — only because of; owes everything to — A noun + あっての + a noun says the second exists only because the first does.
- 〜べくして — as it was bound to — A verb's dictionary form + べくして + the same verb in the past says it happened as it was always going to.
- 〜て しかるべきだ — it is only right that — A verb's て-form + しかるべきだ says it is natural and proper that something should be done, often when it has not been.
- 〜には当たらない — there is no call to — A verb's dictionary form + には 当たらない says the situation gives no reason for a reaction like apologizing, worrying or being surprised.