Meaning
This pattern uses double negation to express that something is not entirely impossible -- it could exist or hold true. By using two negatives, it conveys a reserved, tentative affirmation rather than a strong assertion. It is a way of cautiously agreeing or acknowledging something.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| Verb (plain form) | と言えなくもない |
| い-adjective | と言えなくもない |
| な-adjective (だ) | と言えなくもない |
| Noun (だ) | と言えなくもない |
Examples
-
A:田中くんの絵、見て！小学生が描いたみたい！
A: Look at Tanaka's painting! It looks like an elementary schooler drew it!
B: たしかに上手いとは言い難いけど、ある意味これは前衛芸術だと言えなくもないな。
B: It's certainly hard to call it good, but in a way, you could say it's avant-garde art. -
マイクさんは日本に来た時に比べれば、日本語が上手になったと言えなくもない。また文法を時々間違えるけどね。
Compared to when Mike first came to Japan, you could say his Japanese has improved. Though he still makes grammar mistakes from time to time. -
新入社員が人気の俳優に似ているという期待していたから期待していたが、実際見たらそうでもない。まあ、眉毛がすごく太いところと、目が細いところは、似ていると言えなくもないけど。
I'd heard the new employee resembles a popular actor, so I had high expectations, but when I actually saw him, not so much. Well, the thick eyebrows and narrow eyes, I suppose you could say there's a slight resemblance.
Summary
- 「〜と言えなくもない」 means "one could say that; not entirely untrue"
- Attaches to Verbs (plain form), い-adjectives, な-adjectives, and Nouns