Japatan
Formação
- Vない形 + ことはない
- いA(〜くない) + ことはない
- なA + で/じゃ + ないことはない
- N + で/じゃ + ないことはない
Explicação
A double negative that gives a hesitant yes: "it's not that ~ not" or "~ is possible." For example, 行けないことはない means "I could go if I tried, but it's a bit hard." It is often followed by けど or が with a condition or one's true feeling. 〜ないこともない is the same but even more reserved.
Exemplos
納豆は食べられないことはないけど、あまり好きじゃない。
It's not that I can't eat natto, but I don't really like it.
タクシーで行けば、会議に間に合わないことはない。
If we take a taxi, it's not impossible to make it to the meeting in time.
この靴は高くないことはないが、長く使えそうだ。
These shoes are a bit pricey, I suppose, but they look like they'll last a long time.
一人で海外に行くのは不安じゃないことはないけれど、楽しみのほうが大きい。
It's not that I'm not nervous about going abroad alone, but I'm more excited.
Observações
Do not confuse it with dictionary form + ことはない (there is no need to ~). 行くことはない means "no need to go"; 行かないことはない means "it's not that I won't go."
Gramática relacionada
Miniquiz
1A「この仕事、金曜日までにできる？」
B「うーん、急げばでき（ ）けど…」
Resposta e explicação
Resposta: 4 ないことはない
A: "Can you finish this by Friday?" B: "Well, it's not impossible if I hurry..." ないことはない gives a hesitant yes and fits before けど. The other choices do not work here.
2辛い料理は食べられ（ ）が、自分からは注文しない。
Resposta e explicação
Resposta: 2 ないことはない
"It's not that I can't eat spicy food, but I don't order it myself." ないことはない means "I can eat it," which connects naturally to the second half. The others do not fit.
3日本の夏は暑（ ）が、思ったより過ごしやすい。
Resposta e explicação
Resposta: 3 くないことはない
"Summers in Japan are hot, I suppose, but easier to live with than I expected." With い-adjectives, use 〜くない + ことはない. じゃないことはない is for な-adjectives and nouns, and ことではない is the wrong form.
