Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 8: 16/19

ないまでもMay not … but (at least), Even though not, Even if not

Structure

Verb[ない]+ までも + Phrase
Noun + ではない(1) + までも + Phrase

(1) じゃない

Details

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About ないまでも

ないまでも is a combination of the negated form of a verb, the case-marking particle まで 'until', and the adverbial particle も 'even'. It will often be translated as 'even though not (A), (B)', or 'it may not be (A), but (B)'. This structure usually presents some form of extreme (A) which has not yet been reached, but the lower extent of (B) cannot be denied. The literal translation is 'even though not reaching (A), (B)'.

Depending on the source, this structure may occasionally be used with nouns. In this case, it will need to follow ではない, or the casual じゃない.

This grammar pattern will be used in both positive and negative situations. For example, (A) may be the best outcome, where (B) is something just below that which is desirable, or (A) may be the worst outcome, where (B) is just below that, but still quite bad.

Often, the (B) phrase will express some kind of wish or demand that the speaker wants to meet with structures like たい, てほしい, てください, たらどう, つもり, といい, etc.

Examples

--:--

    これは不可能(ふかのう)ではないまでも実行(じっこう)するのは困難(こんなん)である。

    This may not be impossible, but carrying it out is hard.

    クビにはしないまでも確実(かくじつ)にボーナスは減額(げんがく)するつもりだ。

    Even though I may not fire you, I certainly plan on lowering your bonus at least.

      リザ「大谷(おおや)一番(いちばん)ハンサムといわないまでも、かなりカッコいい(おとこ)だと(おも)うよ。」

      Riza 'I won't say that Ooya is the most handsome, but I think he is quite a cool guy.'

      急速(きゅうそく)充電(じゅうでん)はバッテリーを(ただ)ちに駄目(だめ)にしないまでも性能(せいのう)をより(はや)低下(ていか)させる。

      Fast charging may not immediately damage the battery, but it will decrease its performance faster.

      (はじ)めてJLPT(じぇーえるぴーてぃー) N1(えぬいち)受験(じゅけん)したが、合格(ごうかく)できないまでも、せめて80(はちじゅっ)(てん)得点(とくてん)できたい。

      I took the JLPT N1 exam for the first time, I may not pass, but at least I want to get 80 points.

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