N1 Uncertainty, Hedging, and Inference

~ないでもない / ~ないものでもない: meaning, usage and examples

~ないでもない / ~ないものでもない means: it's not that... / ...is not impossible.

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

Examples

1. 条件じょうけん次第しだいでは、引ひき受うけないでもない。

   Depending on the conditions, I might be willing to take it on.

2. 今いまから頑張がんばれば、合格ごうかくできないものでもない。

   If you work hard from now, passing isn't impossible.

3. 山田やまださんが怒おこる気持きもちも、わからないでもない。

   I can sort of understand why Ms. Yamada is angry.

4. 今いまから急いそげば、最終さいしゅう電車でんしゃに間まに合あわないものでもない。

   If we hurry now, making the last train isn't impossible.

When to use it

A soft, partial yes: "it is not that I don't..." or "it is not impossible to..." The speaker admits a feeling or possibility exists, but only a little or under conditions. Common verbs: わかる, 気きがする, 考かんがえる, 引ひき受うける. Example: 「その気持きもちもわからないでもない」.

Nuance

ないでもない is common in speech for mild feelings and conditional willingness. ないものでもない is stiffer and more written, and leans toward possibility: "it could be done." Both sound reserved, never enthusiastic.

Compare

なくもない is almost the same as ないでもない and slightly more casual: 行いかなくもない. ないとも限かぎらない is about risk, not willingness: 雨あめが降ふらないとも限かぎらない (it might rain). ないでもない is about the speaker's own reluctant feeling or ability.

Tip: Translate with "sort of," "might be willing," or "it's not impossible." If the result sounds strong, the translation is wrong.