Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 5: 16/18

でもなんでもないNot at all, By no means, Definitely not, Nothing like that, Not really

Structure

Noun + でもなんでもない
［な］Adjective + でもなんでもない

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About でもなんでもない

でもなんでもない is a structure seen after nouns or な-Adjectives in Japanese to indicate that something is 'definitely not (A)', or 'not (A) at all'. This is a combination of the adverbial particle でも 'even', the adverb 何(なん)でも 'whatever' or 'anything at all', and the い-Adjective ない 'not'. Due to this, the literal translation of 'not even (A) or anything of the sort' reflects the desired nuance.

でもなんでもない may be used either positively or negatively. When being used positively, it often has the translation of '(A) is no big deal'.

Caution

Although not as common, some sources list the conjunctive form of い-Adjectives partnered with もなんでもない as another possibility.

  • あいつとは別(わか)れたけど、ひどい奴(やつ)だったから、悲(かな)しくもなんでもない。
    I broke up with him, but since he was such an awful person, I am not sad or anything.
  • これ重(おも)くもなんでもないじゃん。
    This isn't heavy at all.

Examples

--:--

    AがBをいじめている、A：「ただの遊(あそ)びだ・・・」
    B：「遊(あそ)びでもなんでもないよ、ただの嫌(いや)がらせじゃないか。」

    A is teasing B, A: 'I'm just playing with you...'
    B: 'This is definitely not a game! Aren't you just harassing me?'

    友達(ともだち)との話(はなし)：A：「ごめんね、迷惑(めいわく)かけちゃったよね。」
    B：「ううん。別(べつ)に迷惑(めいわく)でもなんでもないよ。」

    Chat between friends, A: 'Sorry. I have caused you troubles.'
    B: 'Nah. There was no trouble at all.' (definitely not)

    《友達(ともだち)との話(はなし)》A：「ごめんね、迷惑(めいわく)かけちゃったよね。」
    B：「ううん。別(べつ)に迷惑(めいわく)でもなんでもないよ。」

    Chat between friends, A: "Sorry. I have caused you troubles."
    B: "Nah. There was no trouble at all." [definitely not]

      研究室(けんきゅうしつ)に後輩(こうはい)が入(はい)る時(とき)：後輩（こうはい）：「お忙(いそが)しいところを、すみません。」
      先輩(せんぱい)：「いえ、仕事(しごと)でもなんでもないです。ただの調(しら)べごとですよ。」

      Laboratory, junior enters, junior: 'I am sorry to bother you when you are busy.'
      Senior: 'No, I'm not really working at all. I'm just reading up on (articles, data).' (definitely not)

      「これは偶然(ぐうぜん)でもなんでもないんです、起(お)こるべくして起(お)こったんです。」

      'It is not a coincidence at all. It was sure to happen.' (definitely not)

    • Get more example sentences!

      Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

    Self-Study Sentences

    Study your own way!

    Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

    • Online

        There are no Online resources listed for 「でもなんでもない」.

        You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!

      • Offline

          There are no Offline resources listed for 「でもなんでもない」.

          You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!

        • Track Resources!

          Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

        でもなんでもない – Grammar Discussion

          There's currently no discussion for でもなんでもない
          Ask questions and learn together with other Bunpro users!

        Join the Discussion