～ことか
koto ka
How very; how many times
Formation 接続
interrogative／degree adverb + plain clause + ことか
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation 説明
Exclaims about a degree or number of times rather than requesting an answer.
Examples 例文
-
何度資料を確認したことか。
How many times I have had to check the documents!
-
何度先生に相談したことか。
How many times I have had to consult the teacher!
-
何度計画を見直したことか。
How many times I have had to review the plan!
-
何度会場を下見したことか。
How many times I have had to inspect the venue beforehand!
-
何度十分に練習したことか。
How many times I have had to practice thoroughly!
How related patterns differ 比較
ことか exclaims about number or degree; ことに introduces a feeling. この上ない, 極まりない, and といったらない intensify evaluations; ったらありゃしない is strongly colloquial. たるや introduces an emphatic topic, while 過言ではない defends an assessment as no exaggeration.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～ことか | How very; how many times | 何度資料を確認したことか。 How many times I have had to check the documents! |
| ～ことに（は） | To one's emotion; it is ... that | 残念なことに、会議は中止になった。 Unfortunately, the meeting was canceled. |
| ～極まる／極まりない | Extremely; utterly | 安全確認をせずに会議を始めるのは、危険極まりない。 Starting the meeting without a safety check is extremely dangerous. |
| ～ことこのうえない（ことこの上ない） | Extremely; beyond compare | 会議が無事に終わり、うれしいことこの上ない。 I am extremely happy that the meeting ended safely. |
| ～たるや | When it comes to; as for | 会議の準備の大変さたるや、想像以上だった。 The difficulty of preparing for the meeting was beyond anything I had imagined. |
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