ためしがない
🃏 Flashcard
ためしがない
tameshi ga nai
Tap to reveal usage
is never the case; have never heard of ~
N1
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
tameshi ga nai
Post ID
51368
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
is never the case; have never heard of ~
📖 How to use it
Expresses that something has never happened or is never the case, often with a sense of disbelief or criticism.
Attaches to
Attach to the past tense of a verb (plain past form), e.g., 言ったためしがない, 成功したためしがない.
This pattern is used to say that something has never occurred, often implying that it is unlikely to occur in the future as well. It often carries a nuance of skepticism or mild criticism about a person's behavior or a situation. For example, if someone always forgets to reply, you might say they have never once replied on time. The phrase is somewhat formal and is more common in written or careful speech, not in casual conversation.
彼は約束を守ったためしがない。
Kare wa yakusoku o mamotta tameshi ga nai.
He has never once kept a promise.
この店は混んだためしがないから、予約しなくても大丈夫だよ。
Kono mise wa konda tameshi ga nai kara, yoyaku shinakute mo daijoubu da yo.
This restaurant has never been crowded, so it's fine without a reservation.
彼女が遅刻したためしがない。いつも時間通りに来る。
Kanojo ga chikoku shita tameshi ga nai. Itsumo jikan doori ni kuru.
She has never been late. She always comes on time.
Not ためがない (meaning 'no use' or 'pointless')
ためしがない uses the past tense verb before ためし, while ためがない attaches to the dictionary form or ない-stem and means 'it's no use doing'. For example, 行ったためしがない means 'have never gone', but 行くためがない means 'there's no point in going'.
Register
Formal and somewhat literary; used in writing or careful speech, not in casual conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
ためしがない
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat ためしがない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using ためしがない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern ためしがない mean?
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Is never the case; have never heard of ~
What JLPT level is ためしがない?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use ためしがない in a sentence?
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Attach ためしがない (tameshi ga nai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is ためしがない formal or casual Japanese?
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ためしがない is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember ためしがない long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.