Structure
Noun + は(1) + 少なくない
(1) が、も
Details
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Standard
About すくなくない
Another expression that utilizes the 少 kanji (meaning 'few'), in its い-Adjective form, is 少なくない. This is an example of a double negative in Japanese, as 少ない 'a few' is being negated in 少なくない. Therefore, the meaning is 'not a few', and translates more closely to 'quite a few', or 'quite a lot'.
To use this expression, simply pair a noun with は, が, or も, and then follow it with 少なくない (or 少なくありません).
Caution
The ない in 少ない is not the い-Adjective ない, but part of the word 少ない itself. There are several い-Adjectives like this in Japanese, and they will need to be remembered.
Antonyms
Examples
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アニメと漫画が好きな人は少なくないですよ。
There are quite a few people that like anime and manga.
ハセガワ:「僕は友達が少なくないよ。」
Hasegawa: 'I have quite a few friends.'
朝ごはんを食べない人も少なくないです。
There are quite a few people who do not eat breakfast.
そう思っている人も少なくない。
Quite a few people think like that.
彼女の欲しがっているものが少なくないんだ。
There are many things that she wants.
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すくなくない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (8 in total)
IcyIceBear
RadicalC
I feel like ive heard 結構ある more often than 少なくない。
What would you say the difference between the two is.Zeric
How did: quite a few, quite a lot, and many; get added to this as a proper translation and it not be only: not a few, and not a little? (not blaming anyone at Bunpro for this only wondering on the history of this grammar point)
Because even in English there is subtle nuances when using phases like, not a few, and not a little. Or double negatives in general.
Just seems like lazy translating to me.
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