Meaning & usage
ものだ expresses a general truth or natural tendency about people, society, or life, and in the past it recalls what someone often did with a feeling of nostalgia. It attaches to the plain form, as in 泳ぐものだ, 高いものだ, and 静かなものだ, using だ after nouns, with the present for general statements and た-form often with よく like よく泳いだものだ for memories. It has a reflective, slightly formal tone, and ものではない denies what is generally expected rather than a single fact.
Example sentences 5
-
私はよく深夜にラジオを聞いたものだ。
I used to listen to the radio very late at night.
-
努力は必ずしも報われるものではない。
Efforts do not always pay off.
-
一晩中政治の話をしてよく夜をあかしたものだ。
We would often sit up all night discussing politics.
-
彼はよくこの川で泳いだものだ。
He would often swim in this river.
-
男ってそういうものだ。
Boys will be boys.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 6 past exam questions.
And 2 more tests.
