“〜ni arazu”: Is Not / Is No 〜 (classical negative) [JLPT N1]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

The modern use of a literary negative form

「我、聖人にあらず」 — the classical, dignified version of “is not ～”

In aphorisms, declarations, solemn discourse, “is not ～” takes a more archaic, dignified phrasing — 「我、聖人にあらず (I am no saint).」 「〜にあらず」 = is not ～, is by no means ～, the classical, written, literary version of 「ではない.」 This guide clarifies its “classical negation ＋ solemn dignity” feel, its use in modern formal notices, the origin of 「非」 being read 「あらず」 in kanbun reading, and separating it from the colloquial 「ではない.」

Core: is not ～, is by no means ～ (a classical, solemn negation)

「noun ＋ にあらず」 means “is not ～, is by no means ～” — it equals the modern 「ではない,」 but its tone is solemn, archaic, with dignity and weight:

• これは、単なる偶然にあらず (this is no mere coincidence).
• 我、決して聖人にあらず (I am by no means a saint).
• 過ちを認めるは、恥にあらず (to admit a fault is no shame).

Feel: 「にあらず」 is a classical, written, literary negation meaning “is not ～,” its tone solemn and archaic, common in aphorisms, famous sayings, declarations, solemn discourse (this is no coincidence, I am no saint, ～ is no shame). It equals the modern 「ではない,」 but with more dignity and weight. Everyday speech entirely uses 「ではない」; you meet it when reading aphorisms and classical-flavored texts. In English: “is not ～, is by no means ～, is no ～.”

Attachment rules

Examples in use

• 成功の秘訣は才能にあらず、努力なり。(The secret of success is not talent, but effort.)
• これは我々だけの問題にあらず、社会全体の課題だ。(This is not our problem alone, but a challenge for all society.)
• 沈黙は、必ずしも同意にあらず。(Silence is not necessarily consent.)
• 人はパンのみにて生くるものにあらず。(Man does not live by bread alone.) — a famous saying
• 本稿は個人の見解であり、所属機関の公式見解にあらず。(This paper is a personal view, and not the official stance of the author's institution.)

⚠️ Where learners slip up

① Attachment: a noun attaches directly, without 「だ／な／を.」 This is the most error-prone attachment point. 「にあらず」 precedes a noun, directly, needing no (and not allowing) 「だ／な／を」: ×「偶然だにあらず」「才能をにあらず」 → ○「偶然にあらず」「才能にあらず.」 It's just “noun ＋ にあらず” = the classical version of “(noun) ではない.” Test: attach 「にあらず」 directly after a noun (偶然にあらず, 聖人にあらず), don't add extra particles.

② ⭐It's a classical, written, literary negation — everyday speech entirely uses 「ではない.」 This is the register core. 「にあらず」 is a classical, literary, solemn negation, with dignity and weight, common in aphorisms, famous sayings, declarations, solemn discourse. Everyday speech never uses it — for “this isn't ～,” friends just say 「〜ではない」「〜じゃない,」 never 「にあらず」 (which would sound like reciting classical text, extremely affected). So 「にあらず」 is mostly met in reading aphorisms and classical-flavored texts; to use it yourself, only in written settings deliberately evoking an archaic, solemn, aphoristic feel. Test: reading aphorisms, classical text → recognize “にあらず = ではない (is not)”; everyday speech → always ではない／じゃない.

③ ⭐In modern formal notices, statements, academic discourse, it's used to solemnly clarify a stance, draw a line. Beyond aphorisms and literature, 「にあらず」 still appears in modern formal notices, statements, academic discourse — especially where one must solemnly clarify a stance, draw a line, with a touch of gravity and distance: 本稿は執筆者個人の見解であり、所属機関の公式見解にあらず (this paper is the author's personal view, and not the institution's official stance). This use carries a touch more gravity, solemnity, line-drawing than 「ではない,」 common in paper disclaimers, formal statements. Test: in a formal statement or paper disclaimer, to solemnly draw a line “this is not ～ (the official stance／intended meaning)” → にあらず (more solemn, with distance, than ではない).

④ ⭐The kanbun-reading origin: 「非」 is read 「あらず,」 sometimes written in kanji 「非ず,」 still read 「あらず.」 This is an easily-misread origin point. In the tradition of kanbun reading (reading Chinese texts in Japanese), the predicate 「非」 in Chinese (as in 「非才」「非礼」) is read 「あらず」 in reading. So classical-flavored texts sometimes write 「あらず」 directly in kanji 「非ず」 — but the reading is still 「あらず,」 not 「ひず,」 so don't misread it. So 「才に非ず」 is read 「才にあらず」 (is not talent), 「礼に非ず」 read 「礼にあらず.」 Test: on seeing kanji 「〜に非ず,」 read it 「〜にあらず」 (= is not ～), don't misread 「非ず」 as 「ひず.」

🔄 Compare with similar forms: にあらず／ではない／というものではない／まじ

💡 Learning tip

「〜にあらず」 = is not ～, is by no means ～, the classical, dignified version of 「ではない」 — four points: ① attachment: a noun attaches directly, without だ／な／を (偶然にあらず); ②⭐it's a classical, written, literary negation — everyday speech entirely uses ではない (met when reading aphorisms, classical text); ③⭐in modern formal notices, statements, academic discourse, it's used to solemnly clarify a stance, draw a line (本稿は…公式見解にあらず); ④⭐in kanbun reading 「非」 is read 「あらず,」 and when written in kanji 「非ず」 it's still read 「あらず,」 not 「ひず.」 This expression's value is its dignity and weight — 「これは偶然にあらず」 is more emphatic, more aphoristic in force than 「偶然ではない.」 The key in learning it is to read the “にあらず (= is not)” of aphorisms, classical text, formal statements; for everyday “is not ～,” just use 「ではない,」 don't make small talk sound like classical prose.

❓ Questions you might have

Q: What's the difference between 「にあらず」 and 「ではない」? Same meaning?

Same meaning (both “is not ～, is by no means ～”), differing in ‘register, solemn dignity.' 「〜にあらず」 = is not ～ (classical, written, literary, solemn, dignified): it's the classical, literary version of 「ではない,」 its tone solemn, archaic, with dignity and weight, common in aphorisms, famous sayings, declarations, solemn discourse, formal statements: これは偶然にあらず (this is no coincidence — emphatic, weighty), 人はパンのみにて生くるものにあらず (man does not live by bread alone — a famous saying). It carries a classical dignity and distance beyond 「ではない.」 Everyday speech never uses it. 「〜ではない」 = is not ～ (neutral, general, spoken and written): it's the most neutral, general negation, used in everyday speech and general writing, without special solemnity: これは偶然ではない (this isn't a coincidence — a neutral statement). Difference: 「にあらず」 classical, solemn, dignified (for aphorisms, declarations, formal statements); 「ではない」 neutral, general (everyday, general). Test: to solemnly, with dignity, say “is not ～” in an aphorism, declaration, formal statement → にあらず; to everyday, plainly say “is not ～” → ではない／じゃない. In short, 「にあらず」 is a classical, dignified upgrade of 「ではない,」 flavorful only in the right setting (solemn writing), affected in everyday use.

Q: On seeing the 「非ず」 of 「才に非ず,」 how is it read? Is it 「ひず」?

It's read 「あらず,」 not 「ひず.」 「非ず」 is simply the kanji spelling of 「あらず,」 read 「あらず.」 This comes from the tradition of kanbun reading (reading Chinese texts in Japanese): the predicate 「非」 in Chinese (meaning “is not”) is read 「あらず」 in reading. So 「非才」 in reading is 「才にあらず,」 「非礼」 is 「礼にあらず.」 Thus classical-flavored Japanese texts sometimes write the 「あらず」 of 「にあらず」 directly in kanji 「非ず」 — but this is only the spelling using kanji; the reading is still 「あらず,」 by no means the on-reading 「ひず.」 Test: on seeing 「〜に非ず,」 always read 「〜にあらず」 (= is not ～). E.g. 「これ、道に非ず」 is read 「これ、道にあらず」 (this is not the (right) way), 「彼は凡人に非ず」 read 「彼は凡人にあらず」 (he is no ordinary man). Remember: 「非ず」 = the kanji spelling of 「あらず,」 always read 「あらず,」 don't misread it 「ひず.」

🖊️ Practice Questions (5)

Q1. 「この結果は偶然___。努力の賜物だ。」(not a coincidence — literary)

(A) にあらず　(B) にすぎず　(C) にあたらず　(D) にかかわらず

Q2. What register (文体) does 「にあらず」 belong to?

(A) Literary, classical (formal written)

(B) Intimate colloquial

(C) Children's speech

(D) Internet slang

Q3. 「我、聖人にあらず」の意味は?

(A) I am not a sage

(B) I am a sage

(C) Want to become a sage

(D) Sages don't exist

Q4. 「にあらず」の現代語は?

(A) ではない

(B) に違いない

(C) かもしれない

(D) はずだ

Q5. 接法が正しいのは?

(A) 夢にあらず、現実だ。　(B) 夢だにあらず。

(C) 夢をにあらず。　(D) 夢なにあらず。

Answer Explanations

1. (A) にあらず ── Not a coincidence.

2. (A) ── Literary, classical.

3. (A) ── I am not a sage.

4. (A) ではない ── The modern equivalent is ではない.

5. (A) ── A noun directly ＋ にあらず.