Japanese by Example
Learning through examples in manga

As if to say try and catch me 〜んばかり

Grammar Explanation: As if with 〜んばかり

Manga panel from ふらいんぐうぃっち showing example of As if to say try and catch me 〜んばかり.
ふらいんぐうぃっち » Volume 1 » Page 78

Kei and Chinatsu watch as their cousin, Makoto, chases a pheasant back and forth across the field. During a break in the chase, Makoto explains her fascination with the bird.

真琴(まこと):
「常(つね)に届(とど)きそうで届(とど)かない距離(きょり)をキープしてて」
“Constantly seeming like you can reach and keeping a distance you can't...”
「捕(つか)まえてみろよと言(い)わんばかりの目(め)で見(み)てくるんです」
“It's been looking with eyes as ifto say, try and catch me!”

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