N1 Contrast and Concession

~ないまでも: meaning, usage and examples

~ないまでも means: even if not... / even if one doesn't go as far as...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 満点まんてんを取とれないまでも、合格点ごうかくてん以上いじょうは取とりたい。

   Even if I don't get a perfect score, I at least want to get above passing.

2. 毎日まいにちはしないまでも、週しゅうに2、3回かいは運動うんどうすべきだ。

   Even if you don't do it every day, you should exercise 2 or 3 times a week.

3. 毎日まいにちとは言いわないまでも、せめて週しゅうに一度いちどは連絡れんらくしてほしい。

   I will not say every day, but I would like you to contact me at least once a week.

4. プロ並なみとはいかないまでも、人前ひとまえで弾はじけるくらいにはなりたい。

   I may not reach a professional level, but I want to get good enough to play in front of people.

When to use it

Means "even if not (the higher level), at least (a lower level)." The speaker gives up the ideal and asks for, or expects, a smaller step. For example, 毎日まいにちとは言いわないまでも、週しゅうに一度いちどは連絡れんらくしてほしい (I will not say every day, but I would like you to contact me at least once a week).

Nuance

Used in speech and writing. The second half usually contains せめて, 少すくなくとも or は and expresses a wish, duty or judgment (〜たい, 〜べきだ, 〜てほしい). Common fixed forms: とは言いわないまでも, とはいかないまでも.

Compare

Compare ないにしても: 行いかないにしても連絡れんらくはして has a similar meaning but is more conversational and does not always imply a scale. ないまでも always compares a higher and a lower level. Compare までもない (no need to): 言いうまでもない is a different pattern.

Tip: Picture a ladder: ないまでも skips the top rung and asks for the one below. Look for せめて or 少すくなくとも in the second half.