Japanese grammar · no level in the source

別に〜ないmeaning and usage

Meaning

Not really A; not particularly A

How to form it

  • 別にverb (nai-form)
  • 別にい-adjective (-く form)ない
  • 別にnoun/な-adjective (stem)ではない

How it is used

Used with a negative: 'not particularly / not really', gently denying what someone might assume. On its own as a reply, 「別に。」 means 'Nothing much', but it can sound curt, so take care with superiors.

Examples

  1. これは別に間違ったことではない。

    There is nothing particularly wrong with this.

  2. 別に怒っていないよ。ちょっと疲れているだけ。

    I'm not angry or anything. I'm just a little tired.

  3. 今日は別に行きたい所はありません。

    There's nowhere in particular I want to go today.