modality N1 uncommon writtenpolite
〜と言えなくもない — one could even say that ~
〜と言えなくもない ・ といえなくもない
Builds on ない形
Meaning
- one could (arguably) say that ~ — a cautious double-negative granting a possibility without fully committing
A reluctant, hedged half-agreement: you're conceding the point is defensible, while keeping your distance from asserting it outright.
Key sentence
見方によっては、これも成功と言えなくもない。
Depending on how you look at it, you could even call this a success.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Clause / plain statement + と言えなくもない (= と言える + the なくもない double negative) | [clause] + と言えなくもない | 正しいと言えなくもない |
Examples
彼の行動は、優しさの表れと言えなくもない。
His behaviour could arguably be seen as a sign of kindness.
値段を考えれば、安いと言えなくもない。
Considering the price, you could even say it's cheap.
Easily confused with
〜と言える と言える is a straight affirmative ('one can say ~'). The なくもない double negative softens it to a grudging 'one could even say ~,' far more tentative and non-committal. 〜ないこともない Same hedging family. ないこともない hedges whether an action/state holds at all ('it's not that it doesn't ~'). と言えなくもない specifically hedges a stated JUDGMENT or characterization.
See 〜と言えなくもない in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜と言えなくもない 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.