〜からして
Judging From/even
〜からして is an upper-intermediate pattern used to make a broad judgment based on one specific detail. It often translates to 'judging from' or 'even starting with.' It implies that if this one small part is a certain way, then the whole thing must be that way too.
How It Works
The pattern 〜からして is formed by combining the particle から and the て-form of the verb する（to do/evaluate）.
Key Nuances:
- Representative Example: It points to a basic or minor detail (like a person's greeting or a book's title) to suggest that everything else follows that same pattern.
- Subjectivity: It is not for scientific or purely logical deductions. It reflects the speaker's personal impression or prejudice.
- Negative Bias: While it can be used positively, it is very common in complaints. For example, 'Even his clothes are messy (so he must be a messy person overall).'
Comparison with similar patterns:
While によると is used for objective evidence, 〜からして focuses on the quality of a specific trait that makes the speaker reach a conclusion.
Examples (4)
- あの人は、挨拶からしてなっていない。
That person has no manners; even starting with their greeting, it's all wrong.
Word by Word: That person, greeting from doing, is not becoming (proper).
The speaker uses the 'greeting' as a representative example to judge the person's entire character as lacking manners.
- このラーメンは、匂いからして美味しそうだ。
Judging just by the smell, this ramen looks delicious.
Word by Word: This ramen, smell from doing, looks delicious.
Here, the smell is such a strong positive indicator that the speaker assumes the taste will be excellent as well.
- タイトルからして、この本は難しそうだ。
Judging from the title alone, this book seems difficult.
Word by Word: Title from doing, this book difficulty-seems.
The speaker assumes the entire content is hard because even the title is complex.
- 彼の態度は、言葉遣いからして失礼だ。
His attitude is rude, starting even with his choice of words.
Word by Word: His attitude, word-usage from doing, is rude.
The speaker highlights 'word choice' as the primary evidence for the overall rude attitude.
Common Mistakes
Using it for purely objective or scientific data.
データからして、来年は景気が良くなるだろう。データによると、来年は景気が良くなるだろう。〜からして is subjective and emphatic. For logical predictions based on data, use によると instead.
Using it to express a personal standpoint or perspective.
私からして、それは間違っていると思う。私にしたら、それは間違っていると思う。You cannot use 〜からして to mean 'From my point of view.' Use にしたら or からいうと instead.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '〜からして', you first need to know the basic particle 'から' (from) and how the 'te-form' of verbs works, as this pattern literally means 'starting from X'. It is used to point out a specific detail (like someone's attitude or appearance) as a basis for making a broader judgment or to emphasize that even a small detail is enough to reach a conclusion.
- からFrom/because
The pattern is built upon the particle 'から' (from), which establishes the starting point or basis for the judgment.
Level 1 - て形Te-form
The 'して' part of the pattern is the te-form of the verb 'する', which is used here to link the starting point to the following observation.
Level 2 - Noun Modification
This pattern is typically attached directly to nouns to indicate that the noun is the basis for a judgment or an extreme example.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- からいうとSpeaking from
Used to make a judgment from a specific standpoint or perspective (e.g., 'From the perspective of cost').
Level 3 - にしたらFrom the Standpoint of
Used to express a judgment from someone else's point of view ('From their perspective...').
Level 3 - によってBy/depending on
A more formal and general way to express 'based on' or 'depending on' without the emphatic nuance of 〜からして.
Level 3 - によるとAccording to
Used for objective sources of information, whereas 〜からして is for subjective impressions.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice 〜からして in Bubblegum
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