Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 6: 11/24

ではなくて

Not A but B, Conjunctive

なくて = casual・colloquial, なく = formal・written

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb + + ではなく(1)
[い]Adjective + + ではなく(1)
[な]Adjective + ではなく(1)
Noun + ではなく(1)

(1) じゃなく(て)

Details

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About ではなくて・じゃなくて

When the auxiliary verb is seen in its negative conjugated form, it states that (A) is not correct, but (B) is. This form is ではなく, and may appear either with or without the conjunction particle て attached to the end.
ではなくて is commonly seen grouped with nouns, or other words that have been nominalized through the use of の or こと.
  • 事故(じこ)()こしたら()げるではなくて警察(けいさつ)電話(でんわ)してください。
    When you get into an accident, don't run, but call the police please.
  • (あか)いのではなくて(あお)いのください。
    Please give me the blue one, not the red one.
  • 今日(きょう)(ひま)ではなくて(いそが)しいです
    It's not that I am bored today, but busy.
  • メールではなくて、ファックス(おく)てください
    Please send it via fax, and not email.
In ではなくて, the adverbial particle は is not strictly required. However, as this expression is comparing what (A) is 'not' to what (B) 'is', the contrast that は provides means that the phrase will sound far more natural with its inclusion.
  • その建物(たてもの)刑務所(けいむしょ)ではなくて学校(がっこう)です
    That building is not a prison, but a school.
  • (かれ)正社員(せいしゃいん)でなくて、アルバイトです
    He is not a full time worker, but a part time worker.
Caution
て sometimes performs in a similar way to a 'comma' in Japanese, allowing structures to appear together that usually wouldn't. Due to this, if て is omitted from ではなくて, ではなく may not be linked directly to the next word, and a comma will be required. Regarding adjectives, this く form is known as the conjunctive form, and may only be linked directly with other 用言(ようげん) (conjugatable words), altering or adding to their overall meaning.
  • このラーメンは不味(まず)いのではなく、(あじ)(うす)いだけです
    It is not that this ramen tastes bad, but it is bland.
  • (わたし)(たか)いのではなく(やす)いの()った。
    I bought the cheap one, not the expensive one.

Examples

  • (かれ)兄弟(きょうだい)ではなく()従兄弟(いとこ)です。

    He is not my sibling, but my cousin.

  • (さかな)じゃなく()(にく)()べたい。

    I want to eat meat, not fish.

  • 科学(かがく)ではなく()化学(かがく)です。

    Not science, but chemistry.

    Since 科学 and 化学 are homophones, the other reading of 化学, 'ばけがく', can be used instead to avoid confusion.

  • 火曜日(かようび)ではなく()水曜日(すいようび)です。

    It's not Tuesday, but Wednesday.

  • あの選手(せんしゅ)天才(てんさい)ではなく()、努力家(どりょくか)だ。

    That player is not a genius, but a hard worker.

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    • Tobira

      Page 48

    • みんなの日本語 II

      Page 90 [CH 39]

    • A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar

      Page 279 (Casual なくて)

    • A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar

      Page 211 (Formal なく)

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ではなくて・じゃなくて – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • zyoeru

    zyoeru

    About 2 years ago

    I believe this grammar point is incorrectly linked to DBJG, p. 279. The grammar point covered there is 「〜なくて」 on its own which means “do not do ~ and ~” or 'is not ~ and ~".

    The correct grammar point that should be linked is DIJG, p. 211. This grammar point is 「〜なく」 which means “not ~ and” or “not ~ but”.

  • Daru

    Daru

    About 1 year ago

    Double checked both resources.

    DBJG’s p.279 focuses on the ‘not x, so…’ while DIJB’s p.211 focuses on the Grammar Point that Bunpro talks about.

    What I want to highlight here though is that both share the same basic meaning: ‘Not X, so…’. There’s also the fact that they mean the same thing, its just the Register that changes.

    To better reflect that and add in your suggestion, I’ve updated the resources. Thank you!

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