よくもそんなことが
yokumo sonna koto ga
The English phrase "how could you" is expressed in Japanese as よくもそんなことが (yokumo sonna koto ga).
よくもそんなことが is used to express shock, anger or betrayal regarding an action someone has taken. It is often used as an elliptical sentence where the final verb is omitted for dramatic effect.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of よくも, an adverb expressing indignation or disbelief at someone's audacity (meaning "how dare you / how could you") and そんなことが, which literally means "such a thing" followed by a subject marker.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the final verb is often omitted, the phrase acts as an elliptical sentence. If you wish to make the sentence grammatically complete by adding the verb "to be able to", you can say よくもそんなことができたな, which means "how could you do such a thing".
How do you pronounce it?
yokumo sonna koto ga
Did you know?
- The phrase is so dramatic that using it in a polite or casual conversation with a stranger could be perceived as a confrontational or even theatrical accusation of a serious crime.
- The phrase よくも is so strongly associated with indignation that it is often used as a standalone exclamation. Simply saying よくも! can function as 'How dare you!' without needing to specify what 'thing' was done.
- The word よく usually means 'often' or 'well', but when it becomes よくも, it transforms into a tool for expressing outrage. In this specific form, it no longer describes frequency but instead marks the speaker's shock at someone's audacity.
Examples in context
- よくもそんなことが言えたわね。Yokumo sonna koto ga ieta wa ne.How could you even say such a thing?
- よくもそんなことができたわね。Yokumo sonna koto ga dekita wa ne.How could you possibly do such a thing?
- よくもそんなことができたなあ。Yokumo sonna koto ga dekita naa.I can't believe you could actually do that.
Example conversation
Himari confronts Hiroto after finding out he lied to her.
- 陽葵 Himariよくもそんなことができたわね、大翔。Yokumo sonna koto ga dekita wa ne, Hiroto.How could you do such a thing, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoごめん、わざとじゃないんだ。Gomen, waza to ja nai nda.I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose.
- 陽葵 Himari言い訳は聞きたくないわ。Iiwake wa kikitakunai wa.I don't want to hear your excuses.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当に悪かったと思っている。Hontou ni warukatta to omotte iru.I truly feel bad about it.
