Posted inN2 Grammar

のももっともだ: Expressing Naturalness and Understanding in Japanese (JLPT N2)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“It is only natural that…”, “It is quite reasonable that…”, “It’s understandable that…”

🎯 Primary Function

To express that a certain state, action, or feeling is completely natural, reasonable, or justified, given the circumstances. It is used to show understanding or agreement with the logic behind something.

📋 Grammar Structure

Plain form (辞書形, ない形, た形) of Verbs + のももっともだ い-Adjective (Plain Form) + のももっともだ な-Adjective + な + のももっともだ Noun + である + のももっともだ (or Noun + な + のももっともだ, though である is more common for justification)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in relatively formal contexts, especially when explaining a logical outcome or justifying a situation, but often carries a nuance of empathy rather than strict formality.

😊 Informal Situations

Very common in informal conversations when agreeing with someone’s feelings or reaction, showing empathy or understanding.

✍️ Written Language

Appears in essays, articles, and formal reports to explain logical conclusions or reactions, often followed by a reason.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Frequently used in daily conversation to show understanding, empathy, or to explain why something is a natural consequence.

💡 Common Applications

Acknowledging Natural Reactions
Used to acknowledge that someone’s emotional reaction or action is entirely natural given the circumstances they are in.
Example: 彼が怒るのももっともだ。あんなひどいことを言われたのだから。 (It’s only natural that he’s angry. After all, he was told such terrible things.)
Justifying Feelings or Decisions
Can be used to justify or validate someone’s feelings, decisions, or an outcome by stating that it is reasonable under the circumstances.
Example: 彼女が疲れているのももっともだ。毎日残業続きだから。 (It’s quite reasonable that she’s tired. She’s been working overtime every day.)
Explaining Logical Outcomes
Used to explain why a particular outcome or situation is a logical and understandable consequence of preceding events.
Example: このプロジェクトが失敗するのももっともだ。準備が足りなかったのだから。 (It’s understandable that this project failed. We didn’t have enough preparation.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent for advanced (N2) level conversations and written materials.
🎚️
Difficulty
Medium. The difficulty lies mainly in understanding its nuanced difference from similar expressions like 「はずだ」 or 「当然だ」 and applying it appropriately in various contexts.
Example Sentences
彼が怒るのももっともだ。あんなひどいことを言われたのだから。
It’s only natural that he’s angry. After all, he was told such terrible things.
このプロジェクトが失敗するのももっともだ。準備が足りなかったのだから。
It’s understandable that this project failed. We didn’t have enough preparation.
彼女が疲れているのももっともだ。毎日残業続きだから。
It’s quite reasonable that she’s tired. She’s been working overtime every day.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Emphasizes Naturalness and Justification
This expression emphasizes that a certain action, reaction, or state is entirely natural or justified given the surrounding circumstances. It implies that anyone in the same situation would likely feel or act the same way.
Example: 彼が怒るのももっともだ。 (It’s only natural that he’s angry.) – Implies his anger is a valid, understandable reaction.
Often Followed by a Reason
It is very common for 「のももっともだ」 to be followed by a reason or explanation using phrases like 「から」, 「のだから」, 「など」, which clarifies why the situation is natural or justified.
Example: そんな状況なら、彼が怒るのももっともだね。 (If that’s the situation, it’s only natural that he’d be angry, isn’t it?)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Confusing with 「～はずだ」
✅ Use 「のももっともだ」 for naturalness/reasonableness, and 「～はずだ」 for expectation/probability.
「～はずだ」 means “should be” or “is expected to be,” implying a high probability or logical expectation. 「のももっともだ」 focuses on the *justification* or *understandability* of something being natural.
❌ Confusing with 「～に違いない」
✅ Use 「のももっともだ」 for what is natural/reasonable, and 「～に違いない」 for strong certainty.
「～に違いない」 means “must be” or “no doubt,” expressing a strong conviction or conclusion. 「のももっともだ」 expresses that something is a logical or natural consequence, not necessarily a certain conclusion.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral to slightly empathetic. While not inherently formal or informal, the overall tone of the sentence and situation will dictate its politeness. It is generally safe to use in various contexts.
Social Situations: Often used in situations where one wants to show understanding, empathy, or agreement with someone’s reaction or a logical outcome. It implies the speaker can relate to or justify the situation.
Regional Variations: The basic meaning and usage of のももっともだ are generally consistent across Japan, without significant regional variations.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～のももっともだ vs. ～のは当然だ
「～のももっともだ」 implies personal understanding or empathy that something is natural or reasonable, often for feelings or reactions. 「～のは当然だ」 is more objective and stronger, stating something is an undeniable fact or a matter of course.
When to use: Use 「のももっともだ」 when you want to convey empathy or understanding for a reaction or situation. Use 「のは当然だ」 for objective, undeniable facts or when stating something is an absolute given.
～のももっともだ vs. ～て当然だ
「～のももっともだ」 connects to a phrase or clause, often describing a state or action. 「～て当然だ」 connects directly to the te-form of a verb, meaning “it is natural to (do something).”
When to use: Use 「のももっともだ」 for a broader range of situations where a state or action is understandable. Use 「～て当然だ」 specifically for actions that are natural or expected to be done.
undefined
undefined
When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

Always connect to the plain form (dictionary form, ない-form, た-form, negative forms) of verbs and i-adjectives. For na-adjectives and nouns, use な or である before のももっともだ.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

「もっとも」 (mottomo) has a double consonant ‘tt’, requiring a brief pause before the second ‘to’. The pitch accent for もっとも is usually flat or falling on the ‘to’.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「もっとも」 as meaning “most reasonable” or “most logical.” So, 「～のももっともだ」 means “It is most reasonable/logical that…” This can help you remember its core meaning of naturalness and justification.

Vocabulary List
怒る
okoru
to get angry
ひどい
hidoi
terrible, cruel
言われる
iwareru
to be told (passive of 言う)
プロジェクト
purojekuto
project
失敗する
shippai suru
to fail
準備
junbi
preparation
足りない
to be insufficient, to lack
Kanji List
怒
おこ・る
anger, get angry
言
い・う
say, speech
失
しつ
fault, lose, err
敗
はい
failure, defeat
準
じゅん
conform, prepare
備
び
provide, equip
足
た・りる
leg, suffice, be enough
疲
つか・れる
tired, weary
残
ざん
remainder, leftover
業
ぎょう
business, work
続
つづ・く
continue, succeed
Practice Exercises
彼女が________のももっともだ。あれだけ努力したのに報われなかったのだから。
喜ぶ
悲しむ
笑う
楽しむ
A: 彼は最近、会社を辞めたらしいよ。 B: え、そうなの？でも、あの会社のブラックな労働環境を考えれば、彼が________のももっともだね。
働き続ける
転職する
昇進する
残業する
76 Views
Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *