N1 has four advanced patterns involving negation: double negation for reluctant agreement, rhetorical negation for emphasis, じまいだ for unfulfilled intentions, and であろうと〜であるまいと for "regardless of whether."
Double Negation: ないものでもない / なくはない
Japanese uses double negation to express reluctant or partial agreement — "it's not that I won't…":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 今あなたの気持ちはわからなくはないが、だめなことはだめなんです。 | It's not that I can't understand your feelings, but what's wrong is wrong. |
| このぐらいのお金は払えないものでもないが、明細を見ない限り絶対払うまい。 | It's not that I can't pay this much, but without seeing the details, I absolutely won't. |
| 頼み方によっては、彼は協力しないこともない。 | Depending on how you ask, it's not that he won't help. |
Connection:
- Verb ない-form → なくはない / なくもない
- Verb ない-form → ないものでもない
- Verb ない-form → ないこともない
Subtle Differences
| Form | Nuance |
|---|---|
| なくはない | Most common, straightforward |
| ないこともない | More hedging, implies conditions |
| ないものでもない | Most formal, written style |
Key Points
- All express reluctant affirmation (not 100% yes, but not no either)
- Japanese culture often uses negation for polite, indirect expression
- Often followed by が or けど for a "but..." qualifier
でなくてなんだろう: If Not X, Then What Is It?
「でなくてなんだろう」uses a rhetorical question to emphasize something's true nature — "if it's not X, what else could it be?":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| あんな行いはいじめでなくてなんだろう。 | If that behavior isn't bullying, then what is it? |
| これが友情でなくてなんだろう。 | If this isn't friendship, then what is? |
| 彼の行動は裏切りでなくてなんだろう。 | If his actions aren't betrayal, what would you call it? |
Connection: Noun + でなくてなんだろう Literally: "If it's not X, then what would it be?" = It's undeniably X.
Key Points
- Rhetorical form, strong emphasis
- Used to assert something's undeniable nature
- Written/formal register
じまいだ: Ended Up Never Doing… (Regret)
「じまいだ」expresses failing to complete something you intended to do:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 時間がなくて、憧れの大学を見学することができずじまいだった。 | Ran out of time and never got to visit the university I'd admired. |
| 言いたいことがあったのに、言えずじまいだった。 | I had something I wanted to say but ended up never saying it. |
| せっかく京都に来たのに、金閣寺を見ずじまいだった。 | Despite coming all the way to Kyoto, I never got to see Kinkaku-ji. |
Connection: Verb ず-form + じまいだ じまい = 仕舞い (finishing) → ended in the state of "not having done it."
Key Points
- Carries a tone of regret
- Emphasizes "wanted to but ultimately didn't"
- Uses ず (negative form) before じまい
であろうと〜であるまいと: Whether or Not… (Regardless)
「であろうと〜であるまいと」expresses regardless of whether a state holds or not, the conclusion doesn't change:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 窮屈であろうと屈辱であるまいと、彼は気にしない。 | Whether it's constraining or not humiliating, he doesn't care. |
| 事実であろうとなかろうと、噂は広まっている。 | Whether it's true or not, the rumor has spread. |
| 雨であろうと雪であろうと、出発する。 | Whether it rains or snows, we're leaving. |
Connection: Noun/な-adj + であろうと + であるまいと まい = negative conjecture (won't be / isn't)
Key Points
- であろうと = "even if it is…"
- であるまいと = "even if it isn't…"
- Combined = "whether or not, it doesn't matter"
- Very formal, written style
Comparison
| Pattern | Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| なくはない | It's not that I won't… | Reluctant agreement |
| でなくてなんだろう | If not X, then what? | Rhetorical emphasis |
| じまいだ | Ended up never doing | Regret |
| であろうと〜であるまいと | Whether or not | Full concession |
Summary
- Double negation (なくはない etc.) = Reluctant affirmation, indirect Japanese style
- 「でなくてなんだろう」= Rhetorical question emphasizing something's true nature
- 「じまいだ」= Wanted to but ultimately never did (regret)
- 「であろうと〜であるまいと」= Whether or not, the conclusion stands
Self-Check
1. Translate: 「言えずじまいだった。」
Show Answer
"I ended up never saying it." ずじまい = finished in the state of not having done it (regretful non-completion).
2. Is 「わからなくはない」 affirmative or negative?
Show Answer
Reluctantly affirmative — "It's not that I don't understand" = I do understand, but not wholeheartedly. Double negation in Japanese expresses indirect agreement.
3. What does 「あの行為はいじめでなくてなんだろう」 mean?
Show Answer
"If that behavior isn't bullying, then what is?" = It's undeniably bullying. Rhetorical question form emphasizing the true nature of something.