からして | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + からして

Description

The grammar pattern からして attaches to nouns and has two main usages: expressing a basis for judgment and highlighting a representative example.

Usage 1: Judging from / Based on

からして is used to express that based on a particular piece of evidence, one can draw a conclusion or make a judgment. It often implies that the speaker is making an inference from what they can observe.

、。

Judging from his attitude, he doesn't seem motivated.

、だろう。

Judging from the price, it's probably quite a high-end restaurant.

In this usage, からして is similar to からはんだん判断すると ("judging from") but is more concise and common in spoken Japanese. The conclusion that follows is typically the speaker's subjective opinion or inference.

Usage 2: Even (starting from the most basic example)

からして can also mean "even", highlighting that even the most basic or obvious example already has a certain quality – implying that everything else is the same or worse. This usage carries a strong nuance of emphasis, often with a negative connotation.

。

Even the name is suspicious.

。

I couldn't understand it from the very first question (let alone the rest).

Here, the speaker picks out the most fundamental or representative element to show that if even that is problematic, everything else must be too.

Distinguishing the two usages

Context usually makes the meaning clear. When からして is followed by a conclusion or inference, it means "judging from." When it emphasizes that even the cited example already demonstrates a problem or quality, it means "even / starting from."

、。

Judging from the way she speaks, I thought she was a foreigner.

。

It looks delicious just from the appearance alone.

Examples

、よう。

Judging from his expression, it seems something bad happened.

。

This shop is stylish starting from its exterior alone.

。

Judging from the way that person talks, they can't be trusted.

。

Even the company president isn't following the rules.

、だろう。

Judging from his clothing, he's probably wealthy.

。

Even just from the title, it seems like an interesting movie.

。

This dish is great even just from the smell.

。

She was nervous from the very self-introduction onward.

。

That company was terrible starting from how they handled the interview.

、。

Judging from the handwriting, you can tell a child wrote it.

、。

You can't even do the basics, so there's no way you can solve advanced problems.

、だろう。

Judging from his grades, passing will probably be difficult.

References

からしてBunpro