GRAMMAR
〜だに
even just (imagining)
Explanation
NOTE
〜だに means even just (imagining) — even doing only that one small thing produces a strong reaction.
その事故は想像するだに恐ろしい。
That accident is terrifying even just to imagine.
NOTE
It is formal and literary. It pairs with a small set of verb words like 想像する, 考える, and 聞く.
彼の名前を聞くだに腹が立つ。
I get angry just hearing his name.
The result clause usually describes a strong emotion such as fear, anger, or sadness.
NOTE
Attach だに to a verb in dictionary form. It can also follow the noun 想像 directly.
STRUCTURE
V辞
だに地震のことは考えるだに怖い。
Jishin no koto wa kangaeru dani kowai.
The earthquake is scary even just to think about.
そんな未来は想像するだに悲しい。
Sonna mirai wa souzou suru dani kanashii.
Such a future is sad even just to imagine.
その話は聞くだに恐ろしい。
Sono hanashi wa kiku dani osoroshii.
That story is terrifying even just to hear.
彼彼に会う事だに恐ろしいです。
Kare ni au koto dani osoroshii desu.
Even just imagining meeting him is frightening.
そんな失敗を想像する事だに震えが止まりません。
Sonna shippai o souzou suru koto dani furue ga tomarimasen.
Even just imagining such a failure makes me tremble uncontrollably.
あの場所へ戻る事だに辛いです。
Ano basho e modoru koto dani tsurai desu.
Even just imagining returning to that place is painful.
Practice exercises
1
その事故は想像するだに恐ろしい。
That accident is terrifying even just to imagine.
Answer
するだに
2
地震のことは考えるだに怖い。
The earthquake is scary even just to think about.
Answer
だに
3
その話は聞くだに恐ろしい。
That story is terrifying even just to hear.
Answer
くだに
4
あの惨事を想像するだに、恐ろしいといったらない。
Even just to imagine that disaster is indescribably terrifying.
Answer
だに
5
その被害を想像するだに、身が震えるだろう。
Even just imagining that damage would make me tremble.
Answer
だに
6
彼の名を口にするだに、躊躇われる。
Just mentioning his name makes me hesitate.
Answer
だに
7
彼の残忍な言葉を聞くだに、不快極まりない。
Just hearing his cruel words is extremely unpleasant.
Answer
だに
8
あの恥辱を思い出すだに、屈辱の至りだ。
Just remembering that humiliation is the utmost disgrace.
Answer
だに