Structure
必ずしも + Phrase + わけではない(1)
必ずしも + Phrase + とは限らない
必ずしも + Phrase + とは言えない
(1) わけじゃない
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Standard
使用域
一般
About 必ずしも
Although it is often considered a stand-alone adverb, 必ずしも is a combination of the adverb 必ず 'invariably', or 'certainly', and the adverbial particles し and も. し and も are often combined in order to strengthen the meaning of the word before it. Due to this, 必ずしも may be translated as something similar to 'absolutely certainly'.
However, 必ずしも is an expression that is only used in negative sentences, so is commonly translated as 'not always (A)', 'not entirely (A)', or 'not necessarily (A)'. Despite this, the literal meaning is close to 'not absolutely certainly (A)'. 必ずしも is often used at the beginning of a phrase, before expressing something that is not 100% certain.
However, 必ずしも is an expression that is only used in negative sentences, so is commonly translated as 'not always (A)', 'not entirely (A)', or 'not necessarily (A)'. Despite this, the literal meaning is close to 'not absolutely certainly (A)'. 必ずしも is often used at the beginning of a phrase, before expressing something that is not 100% certain.
- 男の人は必ずしも強いわけではない。Men are not necessarily always strong.
- 刑務所にいる人たちは必ずしもも犯罪を犯したとは限らない。People in prison are not always in there because they have committed a crime.
- 女の人は必ずしも買い物が好きだとは言えない。Women do not necessarily love shopping.
Synonyms
Examples
男の人が必ずしも運転が上手とは限らない。
Men are not necessarily good drivers.
思い出が必ずしも美しいとは限らない。
Memories are not always beautiful.
必ずしも上達するわけではない。
You will not necessarily become more proficient.
先生だけど、必ずしもいい人とは限りません。
Even though he is a teacher, it does not necessarily mean he is a good person.
失敗は必ずしも悪いわけではない。
Failure is not necessarily bad.
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必ずしも – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (3 in total)
matt_in_mito
About 5 years ago
Can someone please explain what the addition of this does to a sentence, vs it not being in the sentence?
Simply ~とは限らない, etc. already seems as though emphasis is being placed on the ‘not necessarily’ part, so I’m not sure I understand the point of adding 必ずしも into a sentence.
Thanks in advancemrnoone
About 5 years ago
Although とは限らない already means “not necessarily/not always” by itself, it is very often used together with the 必ずしも for even more emphasis.
matt_in_mito
About 5 years ago
@mrnoone thanks! Got it!
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