～なかなか
nakanaka nai
Not easily; not for a long time; quite
Formation 接続
なかなか + negative verb. In a separate positive use: なかなか + adjective, meaning quite or better than expected.
Explanation 説明
With a negative verb, it describes something that does not happen easily or takes longer than hoped. With an affirmative adjective, it can mean quite or better than expected. The negative use is the focus of this entry.
Examples 例文
-
バスがなかなか来ません。
The bus is taking a long time to come.
-
この漢字はなかなか覚えられません。
I cannot seem to memorize this kanji.
-
忙しくて、なかなか友達に会えません。
I am so busy that I rarely get a chance to see my friends.
-
昨日は心配でなかなか眠れませんでした。
Yesterday I was worried and could not get to sleep for a long time.
-
雨がなかなかやみません。
The rain shows no sign of stopping.
How related patterns differ 比較
なかなか～ない describes a desired result that does not come easily. ず negates an action or means without doing, without itself implying a long wait. だらけ describes a state full of usually undesirable things, not a negative verb form.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～なかなか | Not easily; not for a long time; quite | バスがなかなか来ません。 The bus is taking a long time to come. |
| ～ず | Without doing; not doing | 辞書を使わずに、この文章を読みました。 I read this passage without using a dictionary. |
| ～だらけ | Covered in; full of undesirable things | この作文は漢字の間違いだらけです。 This essay is full of kanji mistakes. |
| ～っけ | What was it again?; checking one's memory | 明日の会議は何時からだっけ。 What time does tomorrow's meeting start again? |
| ～っこない | There is no way; absolutely cannot | こんな難しい問題は、一人では解けっこない。 There is no way I can solve such a difficult problem alone. |
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