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

Verb[ます+ ぬく

Details

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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.

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'.

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

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    ウォルターさんは化学(かがく)のことなら()()いている

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

    木材(もくざい)()さった(くぎ)()()

    To completely pull out the nails in the lumber.

    徹夜(てつや)してでも、このプロジェクトをやり()きたい

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

    (かれ)漁師(りょうし)として人生(じんせい)()()いた

    He lived life completely as a fisherman.

    (しん)(とも)というのなら、(しん)()(こころ)必要(ひつよう)だ。

    If they are a true friend, they need to have a heart that you can completely believe in.

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抜く – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • anon11044561

    anon11044561

    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

    There’s a grammar point for that.

  • mambodee

    mambodee

    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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