Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 6: 4/20

()

All~, Completely, See through, Overcome, To the bitter end

Often appears as やりぬく,Likely paired with 最後まで

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb[ます+ ぬく

Details

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    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About 抜く

When connected to the ます-stem of another verb, the う-Verb () 'to extract' is often used to indicate that (A) has happened 'completely'. This 'extract' nuance frequently indicates that beyond completion, (A) has been 'overcome', or 'seen through to the bitter end'.
The literal meaning of () can be thought of as being quite close to the English expression 'to pull through', for example, 'despite difficulties, I pulled through in the end'. Let's look at a few examples of where () will be used.
  • (わたし)計画(けいかく)(かれ)()()れていた。
    He saw through my plans.
  • 自分(じぶん)子供(こども)(たち)(まも)()ためならなんでもできる。
    I could do anything to protect my kids till the end.
  • (わたし)(なに)があっても最後(さいご)までやり()ないと()()まないです。
    I can't have peace of mind until I finish something completely, no matter what happens.
Alternatively, () may be used in situations where (A) is something that is done to a very deep or substantial degree. This nuance is less like 'to pull through', and closer to 'thoroughly', or simply 'deeply'. This meaning tends to appear with verbs that don't have an obvious end, like ()る 'to know'.
  • (かんが)()結果(けっか)(おれ)大学(だいがく)中退(ちゅうたい)して親父(おやじ)会社(かいしゃ)()ぐことにした。
    After thoroughly thinking about it, I decided to drop out of college and take over my father's company.
  • 田中(たなか)師匠(ししょう)俳句(はいく)(こと)なら()()ている。
    Master Tanaka is all-knowing when it comes to haiku.
Despite this nuance seeming different, the verb with () attached to it in these types of sentences is usually considered to have already been done to a 'finished' degree, where there is nothing left beyond that point. With the example of 'to know', it would mean 'to know every single little detail'.
Caution - On most occasions, ぬく will be used when there is some hardship or adversity associated with the action. Also, unlike きる, ぬく will almost always be used in relation to human actions. きる on the other hand may be used in relation to either human actions or other events equally as naturally.
  • この洗濯機(せんたっき)ではこの(りょう)洗濯物(せんたくもの)(あら)ぬけない。
    This washing machine cannot completely wash this amount of laundry. (Unnatural Japanese)
  • この洗濯機(せんたっき)ではこの(りょう)洗濯物(せんたくもの)(あら)()れない。
    This washing machine cannot completely wash this amount of laundry. (Natural Japanese)

Examples

  • チームは、たとえ試合(しあい)()っても準決勝(じゅんけっしょう)進出(しんしゅつ)不可能(ふかのう)()りつつも、最後(さいご)まで頑張(がんば)ぬいた

    The team, despite knowing it was impossible to advance to the semifinals even if they won, fought to the bitter end.

  • 勇者(ゆうしゃ)は、魔王(まおう)計画(けいかく)()()いたからには、それをはばむことにした。

    Because the hero saw through the plan of the devil king, he decided to put a stop to it.

  • 研究(けんきゅう)には(なが)年月(としつき)がかかったが、(かれ)()()自身(じしん)仮説(かせつ)実証(じっしょう)した。

    The research took years, but he overcame adversities and proved his hypothesis.

  • ウォルターさん化学(かがく)なら()ぬいている

    Walter-san is all-knowing when it comes to chemistry.

  • 徹夜(てつや)してでもこのプロジェクトをや()きたい

    Even if I have to sit up all night, I want to complete this project.

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抜く – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • anon11044561

    anon11044561

    About 2 years ago

    研究けんきゅうにはなが年月としつきがかかったが、かれえ**き** 、自身じしん仮説かせつ実証じっしょうした。

    why is it conjugated as in this example?

  • nekoyama

    nekoyama

    About 2 years ago

    There’s a grammar point for that.

  • mambodee

    mambodee

    About 4 months ago

    Before I file a bug/type or suggestion to the Bunpro staff, I wanted to ask the question to the general public. After talking with my [Japanese] wife, I have an issue with this sentence:

    木材(もくざい)()さった(くぎ)()()く。

    The grammar point ()is being presented as “All~, Completely, See through, Overcome, To the bitter end” on the grammar description page. Yet this sentence uses () as a basic verb, (くぎ)()く, or “To extract a nail.”

    The other examples demonstrate the modification of other verbs, taking their meanings “To the max” or “To completion” per...

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