Japanese grammar · no level in the source

〜なくはないmeaning and usage

Meaning

A (to some extent); agree with A (to some extent). A very indirect/soft way of saying 'A is true' (by using a double negative).

How to form it

  • verb (nai-form without ない)なくはない
  • verb (nai-form without ない)なくもない
  • い-adjective (-く form)なくはない
  • nounがなくはない

How it is used

A double negative that softly admits something: 'it's not that I can't / not entirely un-…'. The speaker accepts it to some degree, but without enthusiasm. 「〜なくもない」 means the same.

Examples

  1. 彼の考えは理解できなくはない。

    I can understand his thinking to some extent.

  2. 辛い料理は、食べられなくはないです。

    Spicy food? It's not that I can't eat it.

  3. 明日までに終わらせることも、できなくはない。

    It's not impossible to get it done by tomorrow.