“〜nai to wa ienai・〜tomo ienai”: Can't Say It's Not 〜 / Can't Quite Say 〜 [JLPT N2]

By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026

A strategy of hedged, vague negation.

“〜nai to wa ienai・〜tomo ienai”: Can't Say It's Not 〜 / Can't Quite Say 〜

This pair uses “negative + negative” to express a hedged, reserved judgment: 〜ないとは言えない = “can't say it's not 〜, it's not as if there's no 〜” (double negative → hedged partial affirmation): 「その計画にリスクがないとは言えない」 (can't say the plan has no risk → it does have some risk); 〜とも言えない = “can't quite say it's 〜” (negating an assertion, leaving reservation): 「一概に悪いとも言えない」 (can't simply call it bad either). They avoid stating things absolutely, using vague negation to express the subtle judgment of ‘there's a bit, not necessarily.'

🧠 Core nuance: not overstating, hedging via double negation

The core is expressing a reserved judgment via negative + negative, in a hedged way: ① ないとは言えない — double negation canceling out = a hedged partial affirmation (リスクがないとは言えない = can't say there's no risk → there is risk, 正しくないとは言えない = can't say it's wrong → there's some merit); ② とも言えない — negating an assertion, ‘can't quite say it's…' (一概に悪いとも言えない = can't simply call it bad, there's a good side). ⚠️ They both avoid absolutes, leaving room, cautious and hedged. 「ないとは言えない」 is hedged affirmation (there actually is); 「とも言えない」 reserves an assertion (can't say it's just that). Common in argument and commentary for a nuanced, non-dogmatic view.

📌 How to Connect

💬 Example Sentences

• その計画にリスクがないとは言えない。慎重に進めよう。(Can't say the plan has no risk. Let's proceed carefully.) — hedged affirmation (there is risk)
• 彼の言い分も、正しくないとは言えない。(Can't say his point is wrong either → it has some merit.) — hedged acknowledgment
• この方法が効果がある。一概に間違いとも言えない。(This method works; can't simply call it wrong either.) — reserved assertion
• 値段は高いが、品質を考えれば高いとも言えない。(The price is high, but considering quality, can't quite call it expensive either.) — reservation
• 彼の判断が正しくないとは言えないが、リスクも大きい。(Can't say his judgment is wrong, but the risk is also great.) — hedged

🔄 Compare: ないとは言えない vs とは言えない vs ないことはない vs とは限らない

⚠️ Common Mistakes

1. Reversing direction: ないとは言えない = hedged affirmation (there actually is); とは言えない = negating an evaluation (isn't quite) — opposite!
2. Double negation = hedged affirmation: ないとは言えない is ‘can't say there's none → there actually is,' not emphasized negation.
3. とも言えない: can't quite say it's just… (reserved assertion), often with 一概に.
4. Cautious tone: these are for hedged, non-dogmatic judgments, leaving room.

💡 Nuance & When to Use

ないとは言えない uses double negation for a hedged partial affirmation (can't say there's no risk → there is risk, can't say it's wrong → some merit); とも言えない negates an assertion, leaving reservation (can't simply call it bad). They avoid stating things absolutely, using vague negation for cautious, nuanced, non-dogmatic judgments. ⚠️ Note it's the opposite direction from 「とは言えない (isn't quite, negating an evaluation)」. Common in argument and commentary. A must at N2.

🎯 JLPT Exam Tips

• High-frequency N2: 〜ないとは言えない (hedged affirmation, there actually is) vs 〜とも言えない (reserved assertion, can't quite say it's just that).
• Core: double negation = hedged partial affirmation; avoiding absolutes, cautious tone.
• Distinction: ないとは言えない (hedged affirmation) vs とは言えない (negating an evaluation, isn't quite) — opposite directions!

🖊️ 練習題（5題）

Q1. 「その計画にリスクが___。慎重に進めよう。」（不能說沒有風險）

(A) ないとは言えない　(B) あるはずがない　(C) どころではない　(D) っこない

Q2. 「正しくないとは言えない」の意味は?

(A) 不能說(它)不對（＝有點道理，委婉肯定）

(B) 完全錯誤

(C) 絕對正確

(D) 不知對錯

Q3. 「一概に悪いとも言えない」の意味は?

(A) 也不能一概說是壞的（有保留）

(B) 一定是壞的

(C) 絕對是好的

(D) 不在乎好壞

Q4. 「ないとは言えない」の論理は?

(A) 雙重否定＝委婉的部分肯定

(B) 單純否定

(C) 強烈肯定

(D) 強烈否定

Q5. 用法が自然なのは?

(A) 効果がないとは言えない。　(B) 効果があるとは言えないない(重複)。

(C) ないとは言えない行く。　(D) とも言えないだ高い。

答案解析

1. (A) ないとは言えない ── 不能說沒有風險。

2. (A) ── 不能說不對(委婉肯定)。

3. (A) ── 也不能一概說是壞的。

4. (A) ── 雙重否定＝委婉部分肯定。

5. (A) ── 「効果がないとは言えない」正確。