〜とは言わないまでも (〜とはいわないまでも): This phrase means "not X, but at least Y." You use it when something is not perfect, but it is still good enough.

Dictionary

〜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.

N1 KMT7FormalStandardAdverbial ConstructionMixedPartial ConcessionGrammar

Noun + とは言わないまでもPrimary

Verb [dictionary form] + とは言わないまでも

い-Adjective + とは言わないまでも

な-Adjective + <だ> + 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.

完璧とは言わないまでも、少なくとも提出できるレベルにはなった。

While I wouldn't call it perfect, it has at least reached a level where it can be submitted.

NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWork & Career Education

毎日運動するとは言わないまでも、週に二、三回はジムに行くようにしている。

While I wouldn't say I exercise every day, I at least try to go to the gym two or three times a week.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeMedicine & Health Sports & Martial Arts

大成功とは言わないまでも、今回のプロジェクトは一定の成果を上げたと評価しております。

While I wouldn't call it a huge success, we evaluate that this project has achieved a certain level of results.

FormalPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeBusiness & Finance Work & Career

絶品とは言わないまでも、この店のラーメンはなかなかの味だ。

While I wouldn't go so far as to call it exquisite, this shop's ramen has a pretty good flavor.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFood & Dining

親友とは言わないまでも、彼が困っていたら助けないわけにはいかない。

Even if I wouldn't call him my best friend, if he were in trouble, I'd have no choice but to help.

NeutralNon PastNegativeMid SentenceNecessityFamily & Relationships Emotions & Psychology

This phrase is like saying "I won't go that far." You are being humble. You do not want to sound too strong. You want to be polite.

This grammar is like "not even X, but at least Y." It is different from "〜ないまでも." That one means "even if you don't do X." This grammar is about saying you wouldn't call something X. The other one is about not doing an action.

Don't use this when the first part is a normal or bad thing. For example, don't say, "Not bad, but..."

More formal alternatives(1)

〜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).

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

〜い / 〜かった

This is the basic form of an い-adjective. It describes a quality of something. You use it for present or past qualities.

〜だ / 〜だった

This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

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Dictionary

〜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.

N1 KMT7FormalStandardAdverbial ConstructionMixedPartial ConcessionGrammar

Noun + とは言わないまでもPrimary

Verb [dictionary form] + とは言わないまでも

い-Adjective + とは言わないまでも

な-Adjective + <だ> + 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.

完璧とは言わないまでも、少なくとも提出できるレベルにはなった。

While I wouldn't call it perfect, it has at least reached a level where it can be submitted.

NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWork & Career Education

毎日運動するとは言わないまでも、週に二、三回はジムに行くようにしている。

While I wouldn't say I exercise every day, I at least try to go to the gym two or three times a week.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeMedicine & Health Sports & Martial Arts

大成功とは言わないまでも、今回のプロジェクトは一定の成果を上げたと評価しております。

While I wouldn't call it a huge success, we evaluate that this project has achieved a certain level of results.

FormalPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeBusiness & Finance Work & Career

絶品とは言わないまでも、この店のラーメンはなかなかの味だ。

While I wouldn't go so far as to call it exquisite, this shop's ramen has a pretty good flavor.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFood & Dining

親友とは言わないまでも、彼が困っていたら助けないわけにはいかない。

Even if I wouldn't call him my best friend, if he were in trouble, I'd have no choice but to help.

NeutralNon PastNegativeMid SentenceNecessityFamily & Relationships Emotions & Psychology

This phrase is like saying "I won't go that far." You are being humble. You do not want to sound too strong. You want to be polite.

Don't use this when the first part is a normal or bad thing. For example, don't say, "Not bad, but..."

More formal alternatives(1)

〜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).

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

〜い / 〜かった

This is the basic form of an い-adjective. It describes a quality of something. You use it for present or past qualities.

〜だ / 〜だった

This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

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〜とは言わないまでも

Patterns4

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with1

More formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites3

Track your mastery

〜とは言わないまでも

Patterns4

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with1

More formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites3

Track your mastery