JLPT N1 grammar

〜ぶりmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. The condition/state of A
  2. The first time B has been done in A (period of time)

How to form it

  • verb (masu-stem)ぶり
  • nounぶり
  • number + counterぶりに/の

How it is used

(1) After a masu-stem or a noun: the way someone does something, often with a judgement (「働きぶり」, 「話しぶり」; casually 「〜っぷり」). (2) After a length of time: 'for the first time in A' (「五年ぶりに」).

Examples

  1. 山田さんの話ぶりからすると仕事がうまくいっていないようだ。

    Based on how Mr. Yamada is talking, it seems that his job is not going well.

  2. 新人の仕事ぶりを見て、部長は安心したようだ。

    Seeing how the newcomer works, the manager seems to have been reassured.

  3. 十年ぶりに、小学校の友達に会った。

    I saw my primary school friends for the first time in ten years.