Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 3: 10/17

()くまでも

To the (bitter) end, Stubbornly, Persistently

Structure

あくまで(も) + Phrase

Details

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About あくまでも

()く is the old-fashioned and somewhat poetic version of ()きる the る-Verb meaning 'to tire of (A)', or 'to get sick of (A)'. When used in conjunction with the adverbial particles まで 'until', and も 'even', ()くまでも will imply that (A) is being done 'persistently', 'stubbornly', or 'to the bitter end'. The more literal translation of 'to continue (A) even to the point of getting tired of it' fits these interpretations quite well.

()くまでも will often come at the beginning of sentences before going on to describe that thing that is being done persistently.

も is not required, and ()くまで may sometimes be seen without it. However, as the phrase is quite strong, it is far more common for も to be included to highlight the emphasis.

Due to the persistence that the verb ()く itself can highlight, it will often be seen together in sentences that include words like つもり 'intention', to show that someone intends to do something regardless of the consequences.

Despite ()くまで being a combination of ()く and まで, it will appear in most dictionaries as a standalone adverb in modern Japanese.

Examples

--:--

    ()くまでも不正(ふせい)()()かおうとします。

    I will fight against injustice to the end.

    ()くまでもやると()うなら、(わたし)()めません。

    If you (stubbornly) insist on doing this, I won't stop you. (to the end)

    彼女(かのじょ)政治的圧力(せいじてきあつりょく)にも(かか)わらずその新税(しんぜい)()くまで反対(はんたい)した。

    Despite political pressure, she opposed the new tax to the bitter end.

    被告(ひこく)()くまでも無罪(むざい)主張(しゅちょう)するつもりらしい。

    I have heard that the defendant insists on claiming his innocence until the bitter end.

    イラ次長(じちょう)()くまでも意見(いけん)()えませんでした。結果(けっか)、このプロジェクトを(ほうむ)らざるを()ませんでした。

    Vice Director Ira stubbornly didn't change her decision. As a result, we had no choice but to shelve the project. (to the end)

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