そうでもない
sō de mo nai
The English phrase "not really" can be translated into Japanese as そうでもない (sō de mo nai).
そうでもない is used to express that something is true only to a low degree. It is a helpful way to downplay a situation or to politely disagree with an assumption without being blunt. For discussing preferences, you might use the construction あまり〜ない. To convey the sense of 'not necessarily' or 'not always,' you can use わけではない. In a casual context, the phrase 別に can also mean 'not particularly' or 'not really.'
Meaning: to a low degree (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sō (so/that way), de mo (even) and nai (is not), literally meaning 'it is not even that way'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more casual tone, you can use あんまり instead of あまり. To express 'not particularly' or 'not really' in a casual way, you can use 別に.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite version of this phrase is そうでもありません.
How do you pronounce it?
sō de mo nai
Did you know?
- The word 別に literally means 'separately' or 'individually' before it evolved into a colloquial way to say 'not particularly'.
- While そうでもない is used to say 'not really', the word 別に (betsu ni) can be a dangerous way to say it. If said with a cold tone, it can sound dismissive or even hostile, as if you are saying 'I don't care' or 'Nothing in particular'.
- A common non-verbal accompaniment to そうでもない is a slight tilt of the head or a small smile to further soften the disagreement.
Examples in context
- 「急いでるの？」「そうでもない」"Are you in a hurry?" "Not really."This example shows how to use そうでもない to answer a question about being in a hurry.Tatoeba #9475633 by small_snow, translation #9475627 by DJ_Saidez
- 私はあまりコーヒーが好きではありません。I don't really like coffee.
- 日本人であるわけではありませんが、日本の文化に興味があります。I am not really Japanese, but I am interested in Japanese culture.
- あんまり野菜が好きじゃない。I don't really like vegetables.
- 別に今忙しくないよ。I'm not really busy right now.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 結衣 Yuiあの映画、すごく面白かった？Ano eiga, sugoku omoshirokatta?Was that movie really interesting?
- 陽太 Yotaいや、そうでもないよ。Iya, sō demo nai yo.No, not really.
- 結衣 Yuiそうなんだ。期待してたんだけど。Sō nanda. Kitai shiteta ndakedo.I see. I was expecting a lot.
- 陽太 Yota結衣さんの好みには合わないかも。Yui-san no konomi ni wa awanai kamo.It might not suit your taste, Yui.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
