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［なくて］+ はない
［い］Adjective［く］ + なくはない
［な］Adjective + では(1) + なくはない
Noun + が(2) + なくはない

(1)じゃ
(2)は、に

Details

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About なくはない

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 なくはない is interchangeable with も, with only a slight strengthening of the nuance when も is used.

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.

Related

Examples

--:--

    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. (Literally - I won't not be able to buy it)

    かなり固(かた)い木(き)だが、このカンナで削(けず)れなくはない。

    The tree is quite hard, but it's not that it can't be planed with this wood planer.

    難(むずか)しそうだが、自分(じぶん)で組(く)み立(た)てられなくはない。

    It looks difficult, but it's not that you can't put it together yourself.

    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. (Literally - I can't not agree)

    原理(げんり)は分(わ)からなくはないが、すべてを理解(りかい)するのは難(むずか)しい。

    It's not that I don't understand the principle, but comprehending it entirely is difficult.

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なくはない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    Hey @FredKore !

    なくはない is not a casual contraction of ないことかない, as it has a slight difference in the nuance. なくはない has a nuance of ‘I have a feeling that it is possible (gut feeling). However, coming to that conclusion is difficult’. ないことはない has the nuance of ‘I know that it is possible. However, getting that result is not going to be easy’. This one is used to let the listener know that you can do something, but some effort will have to go into it.

    For example:
    集中（）ができなくはないが、空想（）する方（）がしやすい。
    It’s not that I can’t focus, it is just easier to daydream. (I have a gut feeling that I would be able to focus if I really tried, but it is easier to daydream, so I will daydream)

    集中（）ができできないことはないが、空想（<...

  • KaineHikage

    KaineHikage

    And what about かねない then? Seems quite similar?

  • Sammouse

    Sammouse

    捜さがせばなくはないと思おもうが、捜さがすのが大変たいへんすぎる

    It’s not that it doesn’t exist if we look for it, but searching is too difficult.

    Is this one really necessary for remembering the grammar point? It’s a very literal use of なくはない as a standalone phrase and doesn’t seem to be making use of the learned grammar. It feels to me like a trick question and is needlessly tripping up reviews

    If I’m just misunderstanding something here let me know

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