Japanese grammar · no level in the source

〜なきにひとしいmeaning and usage

Meaning

A is next to nothing; A is the same as none/zero. Denotes an amount that is so small that it is essentially the same as nothing

How to form it

  • nounはなきに等しい
  • なきに等しいnoun

How it is used

Formal: so little that it amounts to nothing, as in 「休みはなきに等しい」 (practically no days off). Often used to lament or criticise how little there is. Plainer ways to say it are 「ないも同然だ」 or 「ほとんどない」.

Examples

  1. 父は忙しく休日はなきに等しい生活だ。

    Dad is busy and he has next to no days off.

  2. この町では、夜十時を過ぎるとバスはなきに等しい。

    In this town, after ten at night there are practically no buses.

  3. 私の貯金は、なきに等しい額だ。

    My savings are so small they might as well be nothing.