〜ようでは: 'If Things Stay Like This' (Meaning + Examples)
Warning that a current state leads somewhere bad
〜ようでは describes an observed situation or behavior and predicts that, if it continues as-is, a negative consequence will follow — often phrased as "you can't ~" or "it won't ~."
そんなことも知らないようでは、社会でやっていけない。
そんな ことも しらないようでは、しゃかいで やっていけない。
If you don't even know something like that, you won't make it in society.
Current gap in knowledge → predicted failure.
遅刻ばかりしているようでは、仕事を任せられない。
ちこく ばかり しているようでは、しごとを まかせられない。
If you're always this late, I can't entrust you with the work.
やったんは、練習のたびにお菓子のことばかり考えているようでは、上達しないよと、もちに注意された。
やったんは、れんしゅうの たびに おかしの ことばかり かんがえているようでは、じょうたつしないよと、もちに ちゅういされた。
Mochi warned Yattan: 'If you keep thinking only about snacks during every practice, you won't improve.'
Original example: current bad habit → predicted lack of progress.
Form: Plain form + ようでは
ようでは follows a verb or adjective in its plain, dictionary/present form (often describing a habitual or ongoing state), and is nearly always followed by a negative prediction.
| Attaches to | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (plain, non-past) | Vる + ようでは | 諦めるようでは = if you're the type to give up |
| い-adjective | A(plain) + ようでは | 弱いようでは = if you're this weak |
このくらいで疲れるようでは、マラソンなんて完走できない。
この くらいで つかれるようでは、まらそんなんて かんそうできない。
If you're already this tired, there's no way you'll finish a marathon.
Not the same as 〜ならでは
Don't confuse 〜ようでは with the unrelated-looking 〜ならでは, which means "uniquely possible because of" and is entirely positive (このお店ならではの味, "a taste only possible at this shop"). 〜ようでは is instead a warning construction, almost always paired with a negative outcome — the opposite emotional register from ならでは's praise.
The short version
- 〜ようでは = "if this is how things are / if it goes on like this" — a warning that a current state leads to a bad result.
- Attaches to: verb or い-adjective, plain non-past form.
- Nuance/register: critical, scolding, or worried; almost always followed by a negative conclusion.
- Don't confuse with: 〜ならでは, an unrelated, entirely positive "uniquely possible because of" pattern.
Practice it
Choose the correct use of 〜ようでは to warn that a current situation will lead to a bad result.
＿＿＿に入れるのに最もよいものを選びなさい。
＿＿＿、社会でやっていけない。
Where 〜ようでは fits
Shaky on this? Get these solid first
- Conditional 〜たら · N4 — 〜たら is Japanese's most flexible conditional: just add ら to the plain past. Learn the formation, the 'if/when' meaning, the discovery use, and how it beats ば/と for requests.
More N2 grammar to explore
Keep going with related patterns at the same level:
- 要するに — 要するに is a conjunction meaning 'in short' or 'the point is' — it introduces a summary or rephrasing of what was just said, boiling a longer explanation down to its essence.
- 〜に向かって — 〜に向かって attaches to a noun and means 'toward / facing,' marking physical motion toward a place, effort aimed at a goal, or words directed at a person: 駅に向かって走る ('run toward the station').
- 〜において — 〜において is the formal, written equivalent of で/に, marking a location, time, or field of activity: 現代において ('in modern times'). Learn the pattern plus its adnominal form における.
- 〜ものなら — 〜ものなら follows a potential verb to mean 'if only I could' (できるものなら、やってみたい) or, with a volitional verb, to warn of dire consequences for a rash attempt.
- 〜ようがない — 〜ようがない means 'there's no way to (do something)' — the means or method to do it simply doesn't exist, usually because key information or resources are missing. Neutral-to-frustrated in tone.
- 〜を通じて — 〜を通じて means 'through/by means of X' (a channel or medium) or, with a time period, 'throughout X'; near-identical to を通して, but leans slightly more toward indirect channels and continuous stretches of time.