Meaning and Usage
"かろうじて" is an adverb used to express that something was achieved or happened with great difficulty, just barely, or narrowly. It often implies that the success or survival was by a very small margin.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "かろうじて" used in situations involving passing exams, meeting deadlines, or escaping danger. It conveys a sense of relief mixed with the recognition that the outcome was almost unfavorable.
Collocations and Patterns
- かろうじて合格する: to barely pass (an exam)
- かろうじて間に合う: to just make it on time
- かろうじて命を取り留める: to narrowly escape death
These collocations highlight the typical use of "かろうじて" with verbs indicating achievement or survival.
Register and Nuance
"かろうじて" is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. It often carries a slightly dramatic or serious tone because it emphasizes the difficulty or danger involved.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "かろうじて" with "やっと" or "ようやく," which also mean "finally" or "barely." However, "かろうじて" stresses the narrowness of success or survival, while "やっと" and "ようやく" focus more on the passage of time or effort before achieving something. Use "かろうじて" when you want to emphasize how close the situation was to failure or disaster.