んばかり
(N bakari)
as if about to / looking as if.
Connection rules
- ＋V ない-stem + んばかり(に) / んばかりだ.
- ＋Metaphorical 'as if about to' — often hyperbolic.
- ＋Common: 泣かんばかりに, 飛びかからんばかりに, 叫ばんばかりに.
Examples
1.
彼女は泣かんばかりの表情だった。
Kanojo wa naka n bakari no hyoujou da ta.
She had an expression as if she were about to cry.
「as if about to / looking as if」
2.
彼は飛び上がらんばかりに喜んだ。
Kare wa tobiagara n bakari ni yorokon da.
He rejoiced as if about to jump for joy.
「as if about to / looking as if」
Practice
The glass was filled with water so much that it looked as if it were about to overflow.
コップには水が___注がれていた。
Romaji also accepted