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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜ないまでも

    〜ないまでも

    〜ないまでも

    This means "even if not X, at least Y." You use it when you cannot do something big (X) but you can do something small (Y).

    N1KMT6NeutralStandardAuxiliary ConstructionMixedPartial ConcessionGrammar

    Verb [ない-form] + までもPrimary

    This means "even if not X, at least Y." You use it when you cannot do something big (X) but you can do something small (Y).

    全すべての作さ業ぎょうを終おえられないまでも、せめて進しん捗ちょく状じょう況きょうは報ほう告こくしてください。

    Even if you can't finish all the work, please at least report your progress.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialRequestWork & CareerBusiness & Finance
    優ゆう勝しょうはできなかったまでも、一いっ回かい戦せんで負まけることはなかった。

    Even if I couldn't win the championship, at least I didn't lose in the first round.

    NeutralPastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeSports & Martial Arts
    毎まい日にち自じ炊すいはしないまでも、朝ちょう食しょくくらいはちゃんと食たべるようにしている。

    Even if I don't cook for myself every day, I at least try to eat a proper breakfast.

    CasualProgressiveAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeDaily LifeFood & Dining
    問もん題だいを完かん全ぜんに解かい決けつしないまでも、解かい決けつへの一いっ歩ぽとなることが期き待たいされる。

    Even if it does not completely solve the problem, it is expected to be a step towards a solution.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceConjecturalBusiness & FinanceScience & Math
    頻ひん繁ぱんに会あえないまでも、電でん話わで声こえを聞きくだけで嬉うれしい。

    Even if we can't meet frequently, I'm happy just hearing your voice on the phone.

    NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & RelationshipsEmotions & Psychology

    This phrase sets a basic rule. It means "at least this much." You might not reach your big goal. But you can still do a small part.

    This is like 〜(は)しないまでも. But 〜ないまでも works with many verbs. 〜(は)しないまでも only uses the verb する. It is also different from 〜とは言わないまでも. That phrase is about a quality or state. This phrase is about an action.

    Don't use this at the end of a sentence. For example, you cannot say "食べないまでも。"

    Contrasts with(2)

    〜だけまし

    This means a situation is not perfect. But it is still better than something worse. It is like saying 'at least...'.

    〜くらいのものだ

    This means something is the most you can do. It is the only thing possible. It often shows that the action is not perfect or ideal.

    Less formal alternatives(1)

    〜とは言わないまでも

    This phrase means "not X, but at least Y." You use it when something is not perfect, but it is still good enough.

    ない形

    This is how you make a verb negative. It means "do not" or "will not." It is the casual way to say 〜ません.

    〜まで (time)

    This word shows a stopping point. It can be a time, a place, or how much. Think of it like 'until' or 'up to'.

    〜としても

    This means 'even if' or 'even supposing'. You use it to say that something will happen no matter what.

    〜も

    This word means 'also' or 'too'. It shows that something is an extra part of a group.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    Variants

    • 〜とは言わないまでも
    • 〜(は)しないまでも

    contrasts_with

    • 〜だけまし
    • 〜くらいのものだ

    prerequisite

    • ない形
    • 〜まで (time)
    • 〜としても
    • 〜も

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