modality N2 common casualpolitewritten
〜なくはない — it's not that ~ isn't so
〜なくはない ・ なくはない
Builds on ない形
Meaning
- it's not that ~ isn't / I wouldn't say I don't ~ — a double negative that grudgingly half-admits something, while holding back
Key sentence
行きたくなくはないが、お金がない。
It's not that I don't want to go, but I have no money.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb ない-form / i-adj くない / na-adj・noun でない, with the final ない → はない | 〜なく + はない (also 〜ないことはない) | 食べられなくはない / 高くなくはない |
Examples
彼の言い分も、分からなくはない。
It's not as if I can't see his side of it.
「興味ある?」「まあ、なくはないかな。」
"Interested?" "Well, it's not that I'm not, I guess."
Easily confused with
Notes
- The cautious double negative is the point: it admits something is somewhat true without fully committing, sounding hesitant or reserved. Close kin: 〜ないこともない, 〜ないではない.
See 〜なくはない in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜なくはない the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.