だに (dani): Even; just
～だに (dani)
Meaning
Even; just
Formation and usage
N／V dictionary + だに
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
A literary form in expressions such as not even imagining or merely thinking, often with negation or a strong reaction.
Examples
会議が中止になるとは、想像だにしなかった。
I never even imagined that the meeting would be canceled.
試験が中止になるとは、想像だにしなかった。
I never even imagined that the exam would be canceled.
研修が中止になるとは、想像だにしなかった。
I never even imagined that the training session would be canceled.
発表会が中止になるとは、想像だにしなかった。
I never even imagined that the presentation event would be canceled.
面接が中止になるとは、想像だにしなかった。
I never even imagined that the interview would be canceled.
How related patterns differ
だに is literary in combinations such as not even imagining or merely thinking. さえ and すら also emphasize even, but do not replace every fixed construction. たりとも usually follows a minimum quantity and pairs with a negative.