びる / びて / びた
🃏 Flashcard
びる / びて / びた
biru / bite / bita
Tap to reveal usage
to seem to be; to appear; to behave as ~
N1
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
biru / bite / bita
Post ID
51201
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
to seem to be; to appear; to behave as ~
📖 How to use it
Expresses that something or someone seems, appears, or behaves in a way characteristic of the noun it attaches to.
Attaches to
Attaches to noun stems (often foreign loanwords or Sino-Japanese compounds), such as 大人, 子供, 山, or バブル. The pattern conjugates as a godan verb: びる, びて, びた.
This pattern turns a noun into a verb meaning 'to have the appearance or manner of that noun'. It is often used with nouns that evoke a strong image or stereotype. For example, 大人びる means to act or look grown-up beyond one's years, while 子供びる (though less common) means to act childish. The form びた acts as a modifier, like a past participle, as in 大人びた顔 (a mature-looking face). The pattern is somewhat literary and is rarely used in casual conversation; you'll encounter it more in written narratives or formal descriptions.
彼女は年齢のわりに大人びている。
Kanojo wa nenrei no wari ni otonabite iru.
She seems mature for her age.
その言葉にはどこか古びた感じがする。
Sono kotoba ni wa dokoka furubita kanji ga suru.
That expression has a somewhat old-fashioned feel to it.
彼の態度は少し子供びていて、呆れてしまう。
Kare no taido wa sukoshi kodomobite ite, akirete shimau.
His attitude is a bit childish; I'm just speechless.
Not 〜っぽい or 〜らしい
〜っぽい is casual and attaches to a wider range of nouns and adjectives, meaning '-ish' or '-like'. 〜らしい means 'typical of' and implies expected behavior. びる is more literary and implies a pretense or outward appearance that may not be genuine.
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Literary or formal written Japanese; rarely used in everyday conversation, where adjectives like 〜っぽい or 〜みたい are preferred.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
びる / びて / びた
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat びる / びて / びた 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 びる / びて / びた. 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 びる / びて / びた mean?
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To seem to be; to appear; to behave as ~
What JLPT level is びる / びて / びた?
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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 びる / びて / びた in a sentence?
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Attach びる / びて / びた (biru / bite / bita) 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 びる / びて / びた formal or casual Japanese?
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びる / びて / びた 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 びる / びて / びた 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.