Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 6: 9/24

別(べつ)に～ないNot really, Not particularly, It's not like...

Structure

別(べつ)に + Verb［ない］
別(べつ)に + ［い］Adjective［ない］
別(べつ)に + ［な］Adjective + ではない(1)
別(べつ)に + Noun + ではない(1)

(1) じゃない

Details

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About 別に〜ない

When paired with ない (either the い-Adjective or the auxiliary verb), the adverb 別(べつ)に 'separately' changes slightly in definition to that of 特(とく)に 'especially'. Let's have a look at a few examples.

This 'especially' nuance of 別(べつ)に comes from 'separately' being negated. The literal meaning of 別(べつ)に～ない is something like '(A) cannot be separated/differentiated'. This comes across as 'maybe it is a little (A), maybe a lot (A), but in any case, it cannot be said that it IS (A)'.

Caution

別(べつ)に will quite often be paired with わけではない, as they both express uncertainty. However, it should never be paired with わけがない, as this would be combining a statement that removes certainty, with one that adds certainty.

  • 別(べつ)にケーキが嫌(きら)いというわけではない。今(いま)は食(た)べたくないだけ。
    It is not that I dislike cakes. I just don't want one right now.
  • 別(べつ)にケーキが嫌(きら)いというわけがない。今(いま)は食(た)べたくないだけ。
    It is not that I SO don't not like cakes. I just don't want any right now. (Grammatically correct, but very confusing for the listener)

Examples

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    トムが悪(わる)いとは別(べつ)にいっていないよ。

    I'm not really saying that Tom is bad. (not particularly)

    それは別(べつ)に悪(わる)いことではないよ。

    That's not particularly a bad thing.

    別(べつ)に夢(ゆめ)がないわけではないよ。

    It is not that I don't really have a dream.

    私(わたし)はそんなに音楽(おんがく)がうるさくても、別(べつ)に気(き)にしない。

    Even if the music is that loud, I don't particularly care.

    別(べつ)に楽(たの)しくないわけではない。少(すこ)し疲(つか)れているだけだ。

    It is not like I am not particularly having fun. I am just a bit tired.

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      別に〜ない – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

      • someone2020

        someone2020

        What’s the nuance/difference between this, もっとも。。ない、とても。。ない、and すこしも。。ない？

      • Daru

        Daru

        Nuance and degree!

        最も～ない - Least of all
        とても～ない - Not at all
        少しもない - Not in the slightest
        別に～ない - Not particularly

        They resemble each other, but the basic meaning is easy to tell from the kanji! Hope this helps.

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