Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 5: 23/23

少(すく)なくないQuite a few, Quite a lot, Many, Not a few, Not a little

Structure

Noun + は(1) + 少(すく)なくない

(1) が、も

Details

  • Standard

About すくなくない

Another expression that utilizes the 少(すく) kanji (meaning 'few'), in its い-Adjective form, is 少(すく)なくない. This is an example of a double negative in Japanese, as 少(すく)ない 'a few' is being negated in 少(すく)なくない. Therefore, the meaning is 'not a few', and translates more closely to 'quite a few', or 'quite a lot'.

To use this expression, simply pair a noun with は, が, or も, and then follow it with 少(すく)なくない (or 少(すく)なくありません).

Caution

The ない in 少(すく)ない is not the い-Adjective ない, but part of the word 少(すく)ない itself. There are several い-Adjectives like this in Japanese, and they will need to be remembered.

Antonyms

Vocab Coverage

All Bunpro Vocab that appears on this item.

Examples

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  • アニメと漫画(まんが)が好(す)きな人(ひと)は少(すく)なくないですよ。

    There are quite a few people that like anime and manga.

  • ハセガワ：「僕(ぼく)は友達(ともだち)が少(すく)なくないよ。」

    Hasegawa: 'I have quite a few friends.'

  • 朝(あさ)ごはんを食(た)べない人(ひと)も少(すく)なくないです。

    There are quite a few people who do not eat breakfast.

  • そう思(おも)っている人(ひと)も少(すく)なくない。

    Quite a few people think like that.

  • 彼女(かのじょ)の欲(ほ)しがっているものが少(すく)なくないんだ。

    There are many things that she wants.

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      すくなくない – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (8 in total)

      • IcyIceBear

        IcyIceBear

      • RadicalC

        RadicalC

        I feel like ive heard 結構ある more often than 少なくない。
        What would you say the difference between the two is.

      • Zeric

        Zeric

        How did: quite a few, quite a lot, and many; get added to this as a proper translation and it not be only: not a few, and not a little? (not blaming anyone at Bunpro for this only wondering on the history of this grammar point)

        Because even in English there is subtle nuances when using phases like, not a few, and not a little. Or double negatives in general.
        Just seems like lazy translating to me.

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