ないまでも

not to say, although it does not reach the level of, may not … but, even though not, even if not

AI-generated

Structure

[verb ない-form] + までも [noun] + で(は)ないまでも [na-adj] + で(は)ないまでも [i-adj 〜い → 〜く] + ないまでも

Description

ないまでも means "even if not as far as X, at least Y". The first half names a higher level that isn't reached, and the second half names a lower one that still holds or should be met. It follows the ない-form of a verb, or で(は)ない after a noun.

、。

It may not be perfect, but it's quite well done.

、。

Even if you don't agree, I'd like you not to oppose it.

、。

Even if you couldn't see me in person, you could at least have called.

The second half often carries せめて, すくなく少なくとも or くらい to mark the lower level.

、。

Maybe not everyone, but at least half should be in favor.

ないまでも or までもない

after a dictionary form means "there's no need to": is "needless to say". ないまでも has the ない inside and concedes a level instead.

。

There's no need to explain.

、。

I won't explain it in detail, but I'll at least give you a hint.

Usage notes

These go beyond the plain verb form.

とは言わないまでも

Most often the verb before ないまでも is ゆう言う: "I wouldn't go so far as to call it X, but…".

、。

I wouldn't call it a great success, but it's not bad as a first step.

Register

ないまでも belongs to writing and formal speech. In conversation the same idea is 〜～とまではいわない言わないけど or 〜～なくても、せめて.

、。

Even if it's not every day, you should exercise at least once a week.

Examples

、。

It may not have been perfect, but it was a satisfactory result.

、。

Even if not every day, I try to expose myself to Japanese as much as possible.

、。

Even if you don't agree, I'd like you not to oppose it.

、。

Even if not the full amount, please return at least half.

、。

Even if you're not an expert, you should have basic knowledge.

、。

Even if you couldn't meet in person, I wished you had at least called.

、。

Even if we don't go as far as winning, I want to at least make the final.

、。

Even if not fluently, I want to be able to handle everyday conversation.

、。

Even if not everyone can come, I'd like the key members to attend.

、。

Even if not brand new, I should have chosen something a bit cleaner.

、。

Even if you can't fully understand, it's important to try to empathize with the other person's feelings.

、。

It may not be called a great success, but it's not bad as a first step.

References

ないまでもBunpro

ないとも限らない

ないものか / ないものだろうか