“〜nai made mo”: Though Not to the Point of 〜, At Least [JLPT N1]

By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026

A concession expression of settling for the next best thing.

“〜nai made mo”: Though Not to the Point of 〜, At Least

「(verb nai-form/noun ではない) ＋ までも」 means “though not to the point of 〜 (that high a level), at least …” — settling for the next best thing: the first clause is a high standard (unreachable), and the latter steps back, offering a lower but still acceptable level. E.g. 「優勝とは言わないまでも、入賞は狙いたい」 (though not the championship, I at least want a prize), 「完璧ではないまでも、合格点は取れた」 (though not perfect, I got a passing grade), 「毎日とは言わないまでも、よく通っている」 (though not daily, I go often). ⚠️ Connection: verb nai-form ＋ までも (noun/な-adj ＋ ではない ＋ までも). The first clause often with 「〜とは言わない」.

🧠 Core nuance: can't reach that high standard, but at least this level

The core is settling for the next best: the first clause's high standard is unreachable, the latter steps back to a lower but still acceptable level: 「〜ないまでも」 expresses ‘though not … (that high/that much), at least …' (優勝とは言わないまでも入賞は = not the championship but at least a prize, 完璧ではないまでも合格点 = not perfect but a passing grade, 毎日とは言わないまでも週3回は = not daily but at least three times a week). It carries a ‘not aiming for the highest, but at least meeting this baseline' concession nuance. ⚠️ Structure: first clause = a high standard/ideal (negated: unreachable, can't say); latter = a stepped-back minimum (more achievable, still affirmed). ⚠️ Connection: verb nai-form ＋ までも (言わないまでも); nouns/な-adj use 「ではない ＋ までも」 (完璧ではないまでも). ⚠️ The first clause often with 「〜とは言わないまでも」 (though not …). A somewhat written concession pattern.

📌 How to Connect

💬 Example Sentences

• 優勝とは言わないまでも、せめて入賞は狙いたい。(Though not the championship, I at least want to aim for a prize.) — stepping back
• 完璧ではないまでも、なんとか合格点は取れた。(Though not perfect, I managed a passing grade.) — minimum
• 毎日とは言わないまでも、週に三回はジムに通っている。(Though not daily, I go to the gym three times a week.) — concession
• 全部とは言わないまでも、半分は終わらせたい。(Though not all, I at least want to finish half.) — baseline
• 手伝うとまでは言わないまでも、応援はするよ。(Though not to the point of helping, I'll at least cheer you on.) — at least

🔄 Compare: ないまでも vs ないにしても vs とは言わないが vs どころか

⚠️ Common Mistakes

1. High first, low latter (concession): ないまでも — first clause a high standard (unreachable), latter a stepped-back minimum (at least …).
2. Attaches to the nai-form: verb nai-form ＋ までも (言わないまでも); nouns/な-adj use ではない ＋ までも (完璧ではないまでも).
3. Opposite of どころか: ないまでも = step back, still affirm (at least …); どころか = escalating negation (far from …, not even …) — opposite direction!
4. Often with とは言わない: the first clause often with 「〜とは言わないまでも」.

💡 Nuance & When to Use

「ないまでも」 means “though not to the point of 〜 (that high), at least …,” settling for the next best: the first clause is a high standard (unreachable), the latter steps back to a lower but acceptable level (優勝とは言わないまでも入賞, 完璧ではないまでも合格点). It carries a ‘not aiming for the highest, but at least meeting the baseline' nuance. Attaches to the verb nai-form ＋ までも, the first clause often with 「〜とは言わない」. ⚠️ Opposite direction from the escalating-negation 「どころか」 (far from …, not even …). A must at N1.

🎯 JLPT Exam Tips

• High-frequency N1: verb nai-form ＋ までも = though not 〜, at least … (settling for the next best, concession); followed by a minimum affirmation.
• Structure: first clause high standard (unreachable) → latter stepped-back baseline (at least …); nouns use ではないまでも.
• Distinction: ないまでも (step back, still affirm, at least …) vs どころか (escalating negation, far from …, not even …, opposite direction).

🖊️ Practice Quiz

Q1. 「優勝とは言わ___、入賞は狙いたい。」(if not first place, at least a prize)

(A) ないまでも　(B) ないからには　(C) ないものの　(D) ないどころか

Q2. What's the relationship between the first and latter clauses of 「ないまでも」?

(A) the first is a high standard (not reached); the latter is a stepped-down minimum

(B) the first and latter are identical

(C) the latter is higher than the first

(D) unrelated

Q3. What does 「完璧ではないまでも合格点は取れた」 mean?

(A) not perfect, but at least passed

(B) a total failure

(C) very perfect

(D) didn't take the test

Q4. What precedes 「ないまでも」?

(A) the verb nai-form (nouns use ではないまでも)

(B) the dict. form

(C) the ta-form

(D) the te-form

Q5. Which connection is correct?

(A) 毎日とは言わないまでも、よく通う。

(B) 毎日と言うまでも。

(C) 完璧までも。

(D) 賛成するないまでも。

Answer Key

1. (A) ないまでも ── if not first place, at least aim for a prize.

2. (A) ── the first is a high standard (not reached); the latter is a stepped-down minimum.

3. (A) ── not perfect, but at least passed.

4. (A) ── the verb nai-form (nouns use ではないまでも).

5. (A) 毎日とは言わないまでも、よく通う ── if not daily, at least often (correct connection).