By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The expression ～ぶり has two main meanings in Japanese grammar:
- To describe the manner, state, or appearance of something.
- To express that something happened after a certain period of time.
Structure:
Noun + ぶり
Note: The meaning depends on the context and the type of noun used before ぶり.
💡 Example Sentences
1. Manner / State Usage
- 彼の話しぶりから、彼が怒っていることが分かった。
From the way he spoke, I could tell he was angry. - 彼女の働きぶりにはいつも感心する。
I’m always impressed with how she works. - 先生の教えぶりはとても丁寧だ。
The teacher’s manner of teaching is very polite.
2. Time Duration Usage
- 10年ぶりに故郷へ帰った。
I returned to my hometown for the first time in 10 years. - これは数ヶ月ぶりの雨だ。
This is the first rain in several months. - 彼と会うのは5年ぶりだ。
It’s the first time in 5 years that I’ve seen him.
📝 Grammar Notes
When used with time expressions (e.g., 3年, 一週間), ～ぶり indicates how long it has been since something last happened. When attached to action-related nouns (e.g., 話し, 働き), it shows the manner in which something is done.
Examples of time-related use:
- 一日ぶり (after one day)
- 3週間ぶり (after 3 weeks)
Examples of state/manner use:
- 話しぶり (way of speaking)
- 働きぶり (work style)
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
Complete the sentence using the correct ～ぶり phrase.
- これは3年＿＿＿の再会だ。
- 彼の演奏＿＿＿には誰もが驚いた。
- 今日は一週間＿＿＿の晴れです。
✔ Answers:
- ぶり
- ぶり
- ぶり
2. Translate to Japanese using ～ぶり
- It’s been 10 years since we last met.
- I was impressed by her way of speaking.
- This is the first sunshine in a week.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 最後に会ってから10年ぶりだ。
- 彼女の話しぶりには感心した。
- 今日は一週間ぶりの晴れです。
📚 Related Grammar
- ～以来 (いらい): Since (more formal than ～ぶり)
- ～ように: In a way that… (used for expressing manner)
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: Manner of doing something, or time since something last happened
- Form: Noun + ぶり
- JLPT Level: N1
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
