JLPT N4 Grammar
· Elementary
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· Elementary
not easily; not readily
Category: Degree & Limits
The grammar pattern '~なかなか~ない' is used to indicate that something expected or desired does not happen easily or takes a long time. It is often used to express disappointment or frustration when something does not occur as expected. This pattern is typically used with negative verbs to emphasize the difficulty or rarity of an event. The nuance of this pattern is that it implies a sense of 'not easily' or 'not readily,' which is different from simply expressing a negative statement.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nai form of the verb | ~なかなか~ない | 食べない |
| Nai form of the verb with a negative prefix (e.g., 'ma-' for 1st and 2nd person singular) | ~なかなか~ない | 食べんない |
| Nai form of the verb with a negative prefix (e.g., 'ma-' for 1st and 2nd person singular) and a polite suffix (e.g., '-masu') | ~なかなか~ない | 食べんまいない |
バスが来ませんね。
Basu ga kimasen ne.
The bus doesn't come.
バス (bus) が (subject marker) 来ません (don't come, nai form of 'kuru') ね (polite question marker)
漢字を覚えられなくて困っています。
Kanji o oboerarenakute komatte imasu.
I'm having trouble remembering kanji.
漢字 (kanji) を (object marker) 覚えられ (can't remember, nai form of 'oboeru') なくて (because) 困って (trouble) います (polite form of 'sumimasen')
この問題は難しくて解けません。
Kono mondai wa muzukashikute tokime masen.
This problem is difficult and can't be solved.
この (this) 問題 (problem) は (topic marker) 難しくて (difficult) 解け (can't be solved, nai form of 'tokime') ません (polite form of 'sumimasen')
This pattern is used to express a sense of difficulty or rarity, and is often used in negative sentences. It is not typically used in positive sentences, as the nuance of 'not easily' or 'not readily' is not applicable. In terms of register, this pattern is generally used in polite language, but can also be used in informal language depending on the context.
The pattern '~なかなか~ない' implies a sense of difficulty or rarity, which is not applicable when using a positive verb. Instead, use '~すぐ~' or '~早く~' to indicate that something happens quickly or easily.
The pattern '~なかなか~ない' implies a sense of difficulty or rarity, which is not applicable in simple negative sentences. Instead, use '~ない' or '~ありません' for simple negatives.
The pattern '~なかなか~' implies a sense of 'quite' or 'fairly,' whereas '~なかなか~ない' implies a sense of 'not easily' or 'not readily.' Make sure to understand the difference in nuance when using these patterns.
When using the pattern '~なかなか~ない' in the JLPT exam, make sure to use it with a negative verb and to emphasize the difficulty or rarity of an event. Also, be careful not to confuse it with the pattern '~なかなか~', which implies a sense of 'quite' or 'fairly.'
バスが______来ませんね。
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