Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
~ときている (〜to kite iru)

~ときている (〜to kite iru)

Short explanation:

Used to express that a situation is serious or extreme, often with a negative connotation.

Formation:

Verb-casual, い-Adjective, な-Adjective +で + ときている, Noun + だ + ときている

Examples:

仕事が忙しいときているから、オフィスでは集中できない。
Shigoto ga isogashii toki te iru kara, ofisu de wa shuuchuu dekinai.
With how busy work is, I can't concentrate in the office.
経済が悪いときているに、会社が大量解雇を発表した。
Keizai ga warui toki te iru ni, kaisha ga tairyou kaiko wo happyou shita.
At a time when the economy is bad, the company announced mass layoffs.
旅行先で荷物を盗まれるときているだから、旅行を楽しめない。
Ryokousaki de nimotsu o nusumareru toki te iru dakara, ryokou o tanoshimenai.
I can't enjoy my trip because of the situation where my luggage was stolen at the travel destination.
試験が近いときている。学校の課題もたくさんあるときている。
Shiken ga chikai toki te iru. Gakkou no kadai mo takusan aru toki te iru.
The exams are coming up and there are also a lot of school assignments. The situation is quite serious.

Long explanation:

The ~ときている Japanese grammar point is used to highlight and express that a certain circumstance or condition is serious, intense or extreme. It often brings forth negative scenarios or situations. This form is often used in conversations and less frequently found in formal written language.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: ~ときている (〜to kite iru)

Japanese Grammar Point: ~ときている (〜to kite iru)

Japanese Grammar Point: ~ときている (〜to kite iru)

Introduction

The grammar point ~ときている (〜to kite iru) is a colloquial and somewhat informal way to express feelings or states of urgency or emphasis. It can imply that a certain situation or a person's behavior is so remarkable that it evokes a strong reaction.

Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

  • Meaning: The structure conveys that "it is the case that..." or "it is such that..." followed by an implication of expectation or an emotional response. It can also have a nuance of surprise, frustration, or an indication of the speaker's annoyance about a situation.

  • Structure: This grammar point is formed as follows:

    • Verb (in て-form) + ときている
    • Noun + ときている
    • Adj. (い-form) + ときている
    • Adj. (な-form) + ときている

Formation Diagram

+-----------------+
|   Subject/Action|
+-----------------+
          ↓
+----------------------------+
|Noun/Verb/Adj (て-form/な)+ときている|
+----------------------------+

Comparative Analysis

This grammar point is similar to 「~という」(〜to iu), which also expresses a way of quoting or explaining something, but it carries a strong emotional weight in contrast to the more neutral 「~という」. While 「~という」 can just indicate definition or a simple fact, 「~ときている」 suggests genuine involvement or sentiment from the speaker.

Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

  1. Formal:

    • こういう状況で、彼がまだ来ないときている。
      • (In this situation, the fact that he hasn’t come yet is quite frustrating.)
  2. Informal:

    • あいつ、また遅れてるときてるよ。
      • (That guy is late again, can you believe it?)
  3. Written:

    • 彼女は、二度も同じミスをするときているから、真剣に指導が必要だ。
      • (She has made the same mistake twice, so serious guidance is necessary.)
  4. Spoken:

    • これ、すごく難しいときてる。助けて!
      • (This is really difficult, I'm struggling!)

Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Japanese culture, expressing feelings can be nuanced. Using 「~ときている」 can reflect both the speaker’s emotional state and their concerns about how situations affect them or others. It's typically used in informal settings among friends or peers where the speaker wants to express a strong reaction toward a particular situation.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • それは信じられないときている – (That is unbelievable!)
  • 悔しいときてる – (I’m feeling frustrated.)

Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  • Mistake: Using this grammar in overly formal situations or with people of higher status may come across as rude.
  • Tip: Try to reserve this for conversations with friends, peers, or when expressing frustration, avoiding usage in formal writing or speaking.

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic Device: Think of 「この状況はきてる!」 (This situation is really something!) to remember that it expresses a strong reaction to a situation.

Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • The grammar point ~ときている (〜to kite iru) indicates strong feelings about a certain state or behavior.
  • It's used primarily in informal contexts and can express frustration, surprise, or urgency.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. What does ~ときている imply about a situation?
  2. Can you use this grammar point in a formal setting? Why or why not?
  3. Create an example sentence using ~ときている to express your feelings about a recent event. Feel free to share your answers for a review!
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