Explanation：〜なくもない
fa-check-circleMeaning
"場合によっては〜かもしれない"
可能性が0ではないことを表す。
Used to indicate that something is not entirely impossible or unlikely. It conveys a sense of cautious agreement or acknowledgment that, while something may not be strongly true, it cannot be completely denied either. It can be translated as "it's not that it couldn't be," "it's not entirely impossible," or "there's a chance that" in English.
fa-check-circleForm
V（nai form）ない + くもない
イA + くもない
ナA +でなくもない
N + でなくもない
fa-check-circlePoints
- Partial Agreement: "〜なくもない" suggests that something is possible or true, but the speaker is not fully committed to the idea. It implies a weak or hesitant agreement.
- Common in Casual Speech: This expression is often used in casual or conversational contexts where the speaker wants to express mild approval or the possibility of something.
- Negative Form: It uses the negative form of a verb, adjective, or noun followed by "もない," softening the overall tone and making the statement less direct.
fa-check-circleJLPT Level
N1
Sample sentenes
素直に謝れば許してあげなくもない。
If you apologize sincerely, I might forgive you.
少し大きいけど、着れなくもなさそうだ。
It's a bit big, but it looks like I can wear it.
このカバン５万円かあ。買えなくもないけど、高いなあ。
This bag is 50,000 yen, huh? I could buy it if I wanted to, but it's expensive.
この問題は解けなくもないが、時間がかかりそうだ。
It's not that this problem can't be solved, but it seems like it'll take time.
A：今日の飲み会来れる？
B：行けなくもないけど、少し遅れそうです。
A: Can you come to the drinking party tonight?
B: I might be able to come, but I'll be a bit late.
A：ECサイトを作りたいんだけど、できる？
B：時間はかかりますが、頑張ればできなくもありません。
A: I want to create an e-commerce site, can you do it?
B: It will take time, but if I try hard, it might be possible.
A：お酒、あまり飲まないんですか？
B：飲まなくもないけど、あまり強くないんだ。
A: You don't drink much alcohol, do you?
B: It's not that I don't drink, but I'm not very good at it.
Vocabulary
| Japanese |
English | |
| 謝る | あやまる | to apologize |
