Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 5: 18/20

ない～はないThere is not ~ that is not/does not

Structure

Verb［ない］+ Noun + は + ない
［い］Adjective［ない］+ Noun + は + Verb［ない］
［な］Adjective + じゃない(1) + Noun + は + Verb［ない］

(1) ではない

Details

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About ～ない～はない

～ない～はない is an example of a double negative in Japanese, and is a grammar construction that requires careful attention in order not to incorrectly interpret. Both the い-Adjective (形容詞(けいようし)), and auxiliary verb forms of ない may be used in this construction, depending on what type of word is being negated. Let's take a look at a few examples.

Literally, this grammar pattern is very similar to 'there isn't an (A) that doesn't (B)' in English.

Caution

This term is not to to be confused with なくはない, a more advanced grammar pattern which means 'It's not that it isn't (A)'.

Related

Examples

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    本当(ほんとう)に書(か)けない漢字(かんじ)はないの？

    Is there really not a single kanji that you cannot write?

    夢(ゆめ)を見(み)ない人(ひと)はいないだろう。

    There is not a single person who doesn't dream, right?

    紙(かみ)を使(つか)わない会社(かいしゃ)は一(ひと)つもありません。

    There is not a single company that does not use paper.

    あそこのカフェで美味(おい)しくないコーヒーは絶対(ぜったい)ない。

    There is no coffee at that cafe that is not delicious.

    勉強(べんきょう)していない文法(ぶんぽう)はなかったから、テストには合格(ごうかく)しました。

    There was not a single grammar point that I did not study, so I passed the test.

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～ない～はない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (13 in total)

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    Because the は already occurs earlier in the sentence, and it’s tied to コーヒー. In this sentence, 絶対 (absolutely, no way) is an adverb describing ない. You could make the same sentence without 絶対 and it’d be the same meaning but a little softer.
    あそこのカフェで美味しくないコーヒーはない。
    At that cafe, there’s no coffee that is not delicious.

  • evandcs

    evandcs

    but in this case

    ボスの家（いえ）にはテレビを置（お）いていない 部屋（へや）はない。

    there was a は before. Shouldnt it be only ない too?

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    You can have more than one は. Each one goes with a different topic.
    The ideas are grouped together like this:
    ボスの家には【（テレビを置いていない部屋）はない】
    Within the topic of: ボスの家に…
    There is none of: ない…
    The topic of: テレビを置いていない部屋.

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