it doesn't mean that ~, it's not that ~

Intermediate

15-20 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Partial negation. Denies an assumption or expectation.

[Plain form] + わけではない

高いから買わないわけではない。

Takai kara kawanai wake de wa nai.

It's not that I won't buy it because it's expensive.

嫌いなわけじゃないよ。

Kirai na wake ja nai yo.

It's not that I dislike it.

Clarifies misunderstanding or rejects assumption.

～ために (tame ni)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~

～のに (noni)

although ~, despite ~, even though ~

～にもかかわらず

despite ~, in spite of ~

～ようになる

come to ~, become able to ~, reach the point where ~

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

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