Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 19/21

と言(い)う訳(わけ)ではないIt is not that, It doesn't mean that, It is not always the case

In casual language というわけじゃない can be used.

Structure

Verb + という + わけでは(1)ない
［い］Adjective + という + わけでは(1)ない
［な］Adjective +（だ）+ という + わけでは(1)ない
Noun +（だ）+ という + わけでは(1)ない

(1) じゃ

Details

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    Standard

About というわけではない

と言(い)うわけではない is often considered an emphasized version of わけではない in stating that something 'doesn't mean that (A)', '(A) is not always the case', or 'it's not that (A)'. Being that という often presents (A) as a matter for discussion, or an important quotation structure, it will regularly be used to refer back to something that another person has said, in order to clarify that it may not be 100% accurate.

というわけではない may be used after any structure that could usually be paired with という, and a more literal translation may be thought of as 'it is not so that (A) can be said'. Although not required, だ will often be seen before nouns and な-Adjectives, and というわけではない.

と言(い)うわけではない will regularly be used when the speaker is denying that something said earlier is the reason for something. This could either be a misunderstanding that they themselves want to avoid, or something that the listener asked them to clarify.

Fun Fact

When used in the positive form, という訳(わけ)だ is often attached to the end of statements that are considered to be either obvious, or clear due to context or common sense. This form will just be translated as 'so that means (A)', or 'so the reason is (A)'.

Antonyms

Related

Examples

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    苦情(くじょう)という訳(わけ)ではなく、提案(ていあん)です。

    It is not (that it is) a complaint, it is a suggestion. (not the reason)

    全(すべ)てのキノコが毒(どく)を持(も)っているという訳(わけ)ではない。

    It is not the case that all mushrooms are poisonous. (not the reason)

    儀式(ぎしき)という訳(わけ)ではないけど、あれはもはや儀式(ぎしき)に近(ちか)い。

    It's not to say that it's a ritual, but at this point it's close enough to being a ritual. (not the case)

    正式(せいしき)な基準(きじゅん)という訳(わけ)ではないですが、参考(さんこう)にしてください。

    It is not that it is officially the norm, but please take note. (not the reason)

    警備(けいび)という訳(わけ)ではないが、近(ちか)くにいてもらえるとありがたいです。

    It doesn't mean that (I need) security, but I would be grateful if you stayed near me. (not the reason)

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というわけではない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (10 in total)

  • Melanthe

    Melanthe

    Seconding (and bumping) this question

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    @Melanthe @FredKore
    Those two are very similar expressions.

    There is a strong tendency to use ことにはならない with ても and からといって(からって). As in:
    AからといってBことにはならない
    A[ても]Bことにはならない
    It is fairly uncommon to use it without those two constructions in the preceding clause (part of sentence). It is also more often used in refuting general statements. So it is a more limited expression, but basically interchangeable with (という)わけではない.

    わけではない can be used with からと言って and 「ても」 but it is not a requirement and it is quite common without those. わけではない is generally used when refuting/disagreeing with a statement of the interlocutor (a person we are talking with). It can be also used when refuting general statements and as a very indirect way of refusing. So it has more use-cases. But I would say it is also generally interchangeable with ことにはならない.

    When it comes to という, it is generally used ...

  • Scyamntic

    Scyamntic

    My brain often wants to use:

    という事ではない

    in place of:

    という訳ではない

    Is there a strong difference between the two? The most I can figure, is a fuzzy difference between “the thing” and “the reason”. The interwebs seem to think they are largely interchangeable but with some difference in nuance.

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