Structure
Noun (A) + （が）+ あっての + Noun (B)
Details
Register
Standard
使用域
一般
About あっての
あっての is a pattern which emphasizes that (B) is something that only exists because of (A). It will often be translated as '(B) owes everything to (A)', or '(B) existing is only due to (A)'. This structure is a combination of the う-Verb ある 'to be' in its て-form, and the case-marking particle の.
あっての will be preceded and followed directly by nouns, where the first noun is (A), and the second noun is (B).
Occasionally, the case-marking particle が will come between the (A) noun and あっての. However, it is often omitted.
あっての will be preceded and followed directly by nouns, where the first noun is (A), and the second noun is (B).
-
お客様あっての仕事だと思うのですが、理不尽なクレームを言われるとちょっとイラっときます。My job only exists because of the customers, but I get a little annoyed when people make unreasonable complaints.
- 今回は皆様の努力あっての結果です。皆様本当にありがとうございました。This time, the results are because of your efforts. Thank you very much.
Occasionally, the case-marking particle が will come between the (A) noun and あっての. However, it is often omitted.
-
私はお金がなかったら愛もない、お金があっての幸せだと思います。I think that love exists only because of money, and without money there is no love.
Fun Fact
あっての can be thought of as an evolution of the basic grammar structure がある 'to have'. The main difference being that の allows (B) to be marked as the thing that has (A), while the て-form indicates that there is more information that will be given later about why this is important. Due to this information that comes later being important, (B) will almost always be followed by structures like から, or ので.Examples
「あなたあってのわたしです。あなたがいなければ私の人生は無意味ですよ。」
'I can only exist because of you. My life would be meaningless without you.'
彼が大学をやめるのは、何か理由があってのことだろう。
I guess he is dropping out of university only because some sort of reason exists.
Although が is used here, it is often omitted.
支配人、社員に：「ゲストあっての遊園地だということを忘れてはいけません。」
Manager to employees: 'You must not forget that the amusement park exists only because of the customers.'
ベストセラー作者の演説：「 私の本は、家族の支えあってのものです。息子と夫がいなければここまでやってこれなかったと思います。」
Best Selling author's speech: 'My books exist only because of the support of my family. I believe, if it was not for my son and husband, I would not have gotten this far.'
切手のコレクションが火事で全焼して悲しいのは分かっているけどさ、生きて逃げられたのは何よりだよ。「命あっての物種」だね。
I understand that you are sad because your stamp collection was destroyed in the fire, but getting out of there with your life is more important than anything. 'While there is life, there is hope,' right? ('things only exist because of life')
命あっての物種 is a set expression meaning one has to treasure life since nothing is possible if one is dead.
Get more example sentences!
Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.
Self-Study Sentences
Study your own way!
Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Online
意味・接続・例文
日本語NET
Definition and examples
JLPT先生
Offline
There are no Offline resources listed for 「あっての」.
You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
あっての – Grammar Discussion
There's currently no discussion for あっての
Start it to ask questions and learn together with other Bunpro users!