〜だに

JLPT N1

Pattern

N + だに
V辞書形 + だに
N + だに + …ない

Explanation

Used to express that even just that much would already lead to such a state, so in reality it is extremely so, or in the form 〜だに…ない, not even at all.

Usage

It is a stiff formal expression. It often appears in set phrases and usually attaches only to limited words such as 想像する, 思う, 考える, or 聞く. In negative patterns, it emphasizes that not even the slightest degree applies.

Formation

Attach だに to a noun or to the dictionary form of certain limited verbs. It is also used in patterns such as 〜だに…ない.

Examples

その疫病が広がって百万人近い命が失われるなど、想像するだに身の毛がよだつ。

そのえきびょうがひろがってひゃくまんにんちかいいのちがうしなわれるなど、そうぞうするだにみのけがよだつ。

Just imagining an epidemic spreading and taking nearly a million lives is enough to make one's hair stand on end.

まさか自分が歌手として舞台に立つなんて、以前は夢にだに思わなかった。

まさかじぶんがかしゅとしてぶたいにたつなんて、いぜんはゆめにだにおもわなかった。

I never even dreamed that I myself would stand on stage as a singer.

その知らせを受けても、彼女は顔色一つ変えず、微動だにしなかった。

そのしらせをうけても、かのじょはかおいろひとつかえず、びどうだにしなかった。

Even after hearing the news, she did not change her expression and did not move in the slightest.