JLPT N1 grammar
〜ないまでも — Meaning & Examples
"Even if not (quite) X, at least..." — sets a realistic lower bar. Set phrase: 〜とは言わないまでも = "I won't go so far as to say X, but..."
〜ないまでも — "Even If Not (Quite) X"
ないまでも sets a lower, more realistic bar: "even if you don't go all the way to X, at least do/have Y."
Pattern: [verb ない-form] + までも ／ [noun] + とは言わないまでも
毎日とは言わないまでも、週に一度は運動したほうがいい。
= Even if not every day, you should exercise at least once a week.
完璧ではないまでも、かなりの出来だ。
= Even if not perfect, it's a pretty good result.
合格とは言わないまでも、いい経験になった。
= Even if I didn't pass, it was a good experience.
The set phrase to know: 〜とは言わないまでも = "I won't go so far as to say X, but..." — extremely common in speeches and essays when softening a claim.
Key feeling: Lowering the goalposts gracefully — you're not demanding the ideal, just something reasonable.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on 〜ないまでも. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 「毎日とは言わないまでも、週に一度は運動したほうがいい。」 means?
- You must exercise every day
- Never exercise
- Even if not every day, exercise at least once a week
- Exercise is unnecessary
Show answer
Answer: Even if not every day, exercise at least once a week
〜とは言わないまでも = "I won't go so far as to say X, but..." — setting a lower, realistic bar.
2. Which pattern sets a realistic, lower bar rather than demanding the ideal?
- ものを (mono o)
- とばかりに (to bakari ni)
- ないまでも (nai made mo)
- なくして(は) (nakushite (wa))
Show answer
Answer: ないまでも (nai made mo)
ないまでも = even if not (quite) X, at least... — softening a claim to something more achievable.
Practise 〜ないまでも in the free app
This point is part of the “Reluctant Concession — ないまでも・なくして(は)・ものを・とばかりに” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: Reluctant Concession — ないまでも・なくして(は)・ものを・とばかりに
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜ないまでも mean?
"Even if not (quite) X, at least..." — sets a realistic lower bar. Set phrase: 〜とは言わないまでも = "I won't go so far as to say X, but..."
Is 〜ないまでも on the JLPT N1 test?
〜ないまでも is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Reluctant Concession — ないまでも・なくして(は)・ものを・とばかりに”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜ないまでも?
Open the “Reluctant Concession — ないまでも・なくして(は)・ものを・とばかりに” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.