Grammar Info
N2 Lesson 3: 19/23

なくはない
it's not that…, kind of, might, slightly, somewhat, in some respects

なくもない is also acceptable*

Structure
Verb[なく+ ない
Noun + (1) + なくない

(1)
Details
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使用域 一般
Information
Used to express that something is ‘slightly (A)’, ‘somewhat (A)’, or ‘in some respects (A)’ in Japanese is the phrase なくはない. This is comprised of ない in its なく (conjunctive) form connected to either verbs or nouns, は, and ない. The literal meaning of this structure is close to ‘it’s not that it isn’t (A)’, and is a type of double negative.
Although preceded mostly by verbs, this structure sometimes appears following nouns. When that is the case, が, は, or sometimes even に may be between なくはない and the noun. Additionally, the は in なくない is interchangeable with も, with only a slight strengthening of the nuance when も is used.
  • 別(べつ)に出来(でき)なくはないけど、めんどくさいから業者(ぎょうしゃ)に頼(たの)むわ。
    It’s not that I can’t do it, but since it is too much of a hassle, I’m going to hire someone to do it.
  • それを買(か)うお金(かね)がなくはないが、そんなくだらないことにお金(かね)を使(つか)いたくない。
    It’s not that I don’t have money to buy that, but it’s just that I don’t want to spend my money on something so stupid like that.
  • 時間(じかん)はなくはないんですが、もっと時間(じかん)を有効(ゆうこう)に使(つか)いたいだけです。
    It’s not that I don’t have time, but I just want to make better use of my time.
  • テレビは家(いえ)になくはないけど、アンテナがつながっていないからモニターとして使(つか)ってる。
    It’s not that I don’t have a TV at home, but since it is not connected to the antenna, I am using it as a monitor.
This structure often appears with the potential form of verbs, in order to show that something is not impossible, despite appearances or what one may think.
  • 納豆(なっとう)は食(た)べれなくはないけど、どうせ食(た)べるならもっと美味(おい)しいものを食(た)べたいかな。
    It’s not that I don’t like natto, it's just that if I am going to eat something, I want to eat something more delicious.
  • その距離(きょり)だったら、頑張(がんば)れば走(はし)れなくはない
    If it was that distance, it would be hard work, but I may be able to run that.
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集中(しゅうちゅう)ができなくはないが、空想(くうそう)する方(ほう)がしやすい。
It's not that I can't focus, it is just easier to daydream.
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貯金(ちょきん)すれば買(か)えなくはない
If I save, I may be able to buy it. [lit. I won't not be able to buy it]
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その意見(いけん)を考(かんが)えた上(うえ)で、賛成(さんせい)できなくはない
After considering that opinion, I can somewhat agree. [Lit. I can't not agree]
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