Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 5: 20/20

(すく)なくない

Quite a few, Quite a lot, Many, Not a few, Not a little

Structure Legend

Structure

Noun + (1) + (すく)なくない

(1)

Details

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About すくなくない

Another expression that utilizes the (すく) kanji (meaning 'few'), in its い-Adjective form, is (すく)なくない. This is an example of a double negative in Japanese, as (すく)ない 'a few' is being negated in (すく)なくない. Therefore, the meaning is 'not a few', and translates more closely to 'quite a few', or 'quite a lot'.
To use this expression, simply pair a noun with , , or , and then follow it with (すく)なくない (or (すく)なくありません).
  • 漢字(かんじ)() のが(きら)()(すく)なくない
    There are quite a few children that dislike writing kanji.
  • (わたし)()(きら)(すく)なくないんです
    I have many things that I like and dislike.
  • ()(まえ)菓子(かし)()(ひと)(すく)なくない
    There are also many people that eat snacks before they sleep.
Caution
The ない in (すく)ない is not the い-Adjective ない, but part of the word (すく)ない itself. There are several い-Adjectives like this in Japanese, and they will need to be remembered.
  • 今年(ことし)去年(きょねん)よりも(あめ)()()(すく)ない
    Compared to last year, there are fewer days with rain this year.
  • 天気(てんき)(わる)(とき)()()のは(あぶ)
    It is dangerous to go fishing when the weather's bad.
  • ()(きたな)から()(あら)
    My hands are dirty so I will wash them.

Examples

  • アニメ漫画(まんが)()(ひと)(すく)くないです

    There are quite a few people that like anime and manga.

  • ハセガワ:「(ぼく)友達(ともだち)(すく)くない。」

    Hasegawa: 'I have quite a few friends.'

  • (あさ)ごはん()べない(ひと)(すく)くないです

    There are quite a few people who do not eat breakfast.

  • そう(おも)っている(ひと)(すく)くない

    Quite a few people think like that.

  • 彼女(かのじょ)()しがっているもの(すく)くないんだ

    There are many things that she wants.

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すくなくない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

  • Daru

    Daru

    About 1 year ago

    It can’t be used in this expression since 結構 is an adjective that can be used as an adverb too, where as 少なくない (or “fewn’t” as I like to think about it) is just a set expression. Look at example sentences, and you’ll see that 結構 can be usually found at the start of a sentence, while 少なくない is typically more in the end due to what part of speech they are.

    Hope this helps!

  • severian

    severian

    About 1 year ago

    I’m glad someone else does this!

  • AtomicRunner

    AtomicRunner

    About 2 months ago

    Sorry to bump this

    About this sentence:

    ハセガワ:「()友達()( )なくない よ。」
    Hasegawa: ‘I have quite a few friends.’

    I tried translating it using a couple different sites, and they all gave me the opposite meaning (“I don’t have many friends.”). Which one is correct?

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