Structure Legend
Structure
Verb[ない]+ (もの)+ でも(1) + ない
(1)では
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一般
About ないでもない
ないでもない, and なくもない are structures that have the literal meaning of 'to not not be (A)', and are used to express that something is 'a little (A)', or 'kinda (A)'. These structures are used primarily when the speaker can neither confirm or deny (A), but may also be used simply when not wanting to directly disagree with something that another person has said.
Both ないでもない and なくもない may be used after either the negated form of verbs, or nouns followed by the case marking particle が.
Both ないでもない and なくもない may be used after either the negated form of verbs, or nouns followed by the case marking particle が.
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あいつが悪いとは思わないでもないけど、お前にも少しは非があると思うよ。I kind of think he is in the wrong, but I think you are a little at fault too.
- まあ、そう言われてみれば鳥に見えなくもないけど...Well, when you put it like that, it kind of looks like a bird…
- 彼女が謝ってきたら、彼女がしたことを許す気がないでもない。If she comes apologizing, I might forgive her for what she's done.
- ピアノを弾くのは好きだが、ピアノのレッスンをやめようと思うことがなくもない。I like to play the piano, but there are times when I kind of think about quitting piano lessons.
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あなたの考えが分からないものでもないけど、そういうことはあまり口に出さないほうがいいと思うよ。I kind of understand your opinion, but I don't think you should say things like that out loud.
Synonyms
Examples
先輩「あの雲を見ろよ。シマウマみたいに見えるぞ。」
後輩「まあシマウマに見えないでもないですね。」Senpai: 'Look at that cloud! It looks like a zebra.'
Kouhai: 'Well, it kind of looks like a zebra.'友達との話:ちよ「猫が好きじゃないの?かわいくない?」
さかき「猫はかわいいと思わないでもないけど、噛むしひっかくしできるだけ避けるよ。」Chat between friends, Chiyo: 'Don't you like cats? Aren't they cute?'
Sakaki: 'I think that they are kind of cute, but they bite and scratch so I try to avoid them as much as possible.'友人に文句を言う:「最近、両親はうちの子犬に夢中だよ。まあその気持ちはわからないでもないけど。とても可愛らしいから。」
Complaining to a friend: 'Recently, my parents are all about our puppy! I kind of understand them though. It's pretty adorable.'
気持ちはわからないでもない is a very common phrase.
ケイマさん:「クラス会は来るか?」
ユリさん:「それには興味ない。あら、ケイマ君がおごってくれるなら考えないでもないけど?」Keima: 'Are you coming to the class reunion?'
Yuri: 'Not interested. Oh, I might consider it if you treat me to dinner, though.'「なんとなく彼が言った話には欠陥や問題がたくさんあるような気がしないでもないが、いってくれないよりマシだ。」
'I kind of feel that there are many gaps and problems in his story, but it is better than nothing.'
なんとなく and 一応 sometimes appear together with ないでもない.
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なり~なり
JapaneseTest4You
Double negative: ない+ない
MaggieSensei
ないものでもない
JapaneseTest4You
ないでもない
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