# わ〜わで: and (listing negative things happening at the same time) > Learn how to use わ〜わで, a JLPT N1 grammar point meaning and (listing negative things happening at the same time), with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-wa-wade/ **わ〜わで** means **and (listing negative things happening at the same time)**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to list two or more undesirable events or states that occur simultaneously, often with a tone of complaint or exasperation. This grammar point appears in casual conversation, informal writing, and JLPT N1 listening/reading sections. If you want to express that multiple unfortunate things pile up at once, **わ〜わで** is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese. ## What does わ〜わで mean? Use **わ〜わで** when you want to express that two (or more) negative things are happening at the same time, usually as a complaint or an observation of chaos. Natural translations include: - and (negative things happening at the same time) - what with A and B / and on top of that - with A and B going on… The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the speaker’s frustration or the overwhelming situation first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context. ## How to form わ〜わで
[Clause A · plain form] わ 、 [Clause B · plain form] わ → で
The pattern repeats the particle **わ** after each listed item, then closes with **で** (often the continuative form of だ, adding a sense of “and on top of that”). Both clauses must describe something negative or undesirable. **Word-type rules:** - Verbs: dictionary form / past / negative + わ - い-adjectives: just attach わ - な-adjectives: add だ before わ - Nouns: add だ before わ Examples of the pattern: - 遅刻(ちこく)する**わ**、忘れ物(わすれもの)をする**わで** - 高い(たかい)**わ**、まずい**わで** - 病気(びょうき)だ**わ**、仕事(しごと)が溜まる(たまる)**わで** The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar listing pattern but fail to deliver the simultaneous negative nuance. ## When is わ〜わで used? Use **わ〜わで** in situations like: - complaining about a series of misfortunes that happen at the same time - describing an overwhelming situation where multiple things go wrong simultaneously - adding an exasperated tone to a narrative Tone and register: - highly colloquial and emotional; common in spoken Japanese, diary entries, and casual social media posts - not appropriate for formal writing A typical environment is a friend ranting: “電車でんしゃは遅おくれるわ、雨あめは降ふるわで、もう最悪さいあく。” ## わ〜わで example sentences
電車でんしゃは遅おくれるわ、財布さいふは落おとすわで、最悪さいあくの一日いちにちだった。
With the train being late and my wallet getting lost, it was the worst day.
daily complaint
熱ねつは出でるわ、頭あたまは痛いたいわで、今日きょうは仕事しごとを休やすんだ。
What with a fever and a headache, I took the day off work today.
simultaneous symptoms
あの店みせ、値段ねだんは高たかいわ、味あじは普通ふつうだわで、もう行いかない。
That shop — with prices high and taste just average, I’m not going back.
restaurant rant
子供こどもは泣なくわ、犬いぬは吠ほえるわで、電話でんわの声こえが聞きこえなかった。
With the child crying and the dog barking, I couldn’t hear the person on the phone.
chaotic moment
宿題しゅくだいはたまるわ、部屋へやは散ちらかるわで、全然ぜんぜんリラックスできない。
With homework piling up and the room getting messy, I can’t relax at all.
overwhelmed student
After reading each sentence, ask what job **わ〜わで** is doing: listing simultaneous negative events to convey frustration. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of わ〜わで The key nuance is **simultaneous unwanted events that multiply the speaker’s stress or annoyance**. This matters because learners often treat listing grammar as neutral. **わ〜わで** is not neutral; it carries emotional weight. The speaker is not just enumerating facts — they are venting. For example: - In context, it signals that the situation is “the last straw” or that the person is at their limit. - Compared with **し**, which can list positives or negatives neutrally, **わ〜わで** always paints a negative picture. ## わ〜わで vs し Both **わ〜わで** and **し** can list multiple reasons or events, but they are different.
わ〜わで
simultaneous negative events
Use when several bad things happen at the same moment, and you want to complain or show exasperation.
遅刻(ちこく)するわ、忘れ物(わすれもの)するわで、上司(じょうし)に怒ら(おこら)れた。
With being late and forgetting things, I got scolded by the boss. (all in one morning)
し
neutral or adding reasons
Use when you simply list reasons, qualities, or events — can be positive, negative, or just factual.
遅刻(ちこく)したし、忘れ物(わすれもの)もしたし、反省(はんせい)している。
I was late, I forgot things — I’m reflecting on it. (not necessarily simultaneous)
vs
If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the speaker complaining about a pile-up? Then **わ〜わで** is natural. Is it a casual list of reasons with no emotional edge? Use **し**. ## Common mistakes with わ〜わで
❌
天気てんきがいいわ、休やすみだわで、嬉うれしい。
Using わ〜わで for positive events — it sounds unnatural because the pattern carries a negative connotation.
✅
天気てんきがいいし、休やすみだし、嬉うれしい。
❌
昨日きのう、電車でんしゃが遅おくれたわ、今日きょう、財布さいふを落おとしたわで。
Events are on different days — the pattern expects simultaneous, ongoing negativity.
✅
昨日きのう電車でんしゃが遅おくれて、今日きょうまで影響えいきょうした。
A helpful practice method is to write a sentence with **わ〜わで**, then rewrite it with **し**. If the negative, piled-up feeling disappears, you’ve understood the difference. ## Is わ〜わで on the JLPT?
N1

Yes. わ〜わで is commonly taught as JLPT N1 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

## Practice questions for わ〜わで
1
Describe a frustrating morning using わ〜わで. Mention at least two simultaneous negative events.
production
2
Why can’t you use わ〜わで in a sentence like “Yesterday I slept well, and today I feel energetic”? Think about the pattern’s nuance.
nuance check
3
Rewrite this sentence using わ〜わで: 「道(みち)に迷っ(まよっ)たし、雨(あめ)が降っ(ふっ)てきたし、困っ(こまっ)た。」 Does the tone change?
comparison
4
Create an original sentence where わ〜わで leads to a final, exasperated conclusion (like “もう最悪(さいあく)”).
extended output
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear. ## Learning path for わ〜わで
1
First, make sure you can form わ〜わで without looking at the pattern chart. Practice attaching わ to verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
2
Next, compare it with し. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance of simultaneous negativity.
3
Listen for わ〜わで in Japanese dramas, vlogs, or podcasts. The emotional, colloquial nature makes it easy to spot when a character is complaining.
4
Finally, write sentences where わ〜わで is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.
## Related grammar to review next - [わ](/blog/n1-wa/) — because it also uses the particle わ for emotional emphasis, often in a feminine or dialectal register - [わどうであれ](/blog/n1-wa-dou-de-are/) — because it also starts with わ and involves a stance toward a situation - [わおろか](/blog/n1-wa-oroka/) — because it combines わ with another term to express an extreme or obvious situation - [わさておき](/blog/n1-wa-sateoki/) — because it also uses わ to set aside a topic, which plays with the same emotional particle ## Learn わ〜わで with Hane If you want to review **わ〜わで** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)