GRAMMAR
〜なくはない
it's not that ~ (double negative)
Explanation
NOTE
〜なくはない is a double negative meaning it's not that ~ doesn't or it's possible to ~. It gives a mild, reserved positive answer.
納豆は食べなくはないけど、好きじゃない。
It's not that I don't eat natto, but I don't like it.
Used to give a softened, hedged affirmation — *I do, but reluctantly*.
NOTE
Compared to a direct yes, 〜なくはない sounds hesitant — the speaker admits the possibility while leaving room for reservation.
NOTE
With verbs, attach なくはない to the ない-stem of the verb (行く → 行かない → 行かなくはない).
STRUCTURE
Vない
はない時間があれば、手伝わなくはない。
Jikan ga areba, tetsudawanakuhanai.
If I have time, it's not that I won't help.
彼の気持ちが分からなくはない。
Kare no kimochi ga wakaranakuhanai.
It's not that I don't understand his feelings.
お酒は飲まなくはないが、弱い。
Osake wa nomanakuhanai ga, yowai.
It's not that I don't drink alcohol, but I'm a lightweight.
NOTE
With i-adjectives, replace the final い with くはない (高い → 高くはない). This gives the meaning it's not that it isn't ~.
STRUCTURE
Adj-Iい
くはないこの店は高くはないが、安くもない。
Kono mise wa takakuhanai ga, yasuku mo nai.
It's not that this shop isn't expensive, but it's not cheap either.
新しい仕事は難しくはない。
Atarashii shigoto wa muzukashikuhanai.
It's not that the new job isn't easy.
あの映画は面白くはないけど、時間つぶしにはいい。
Ano eiga wa omoshirokuhanai kedo, jikantsubushi ni wa ii.
It's not that the movie isn't interesting, but it's good for killing time.
Practice exercises
1
失敗し得るが、成功できなくはない。
It's possible to fail, but it's not that I can't succeed.
Answer
なくはない
2
難しすぎて理解し得ないが、学ばなくはない。
It's too difficult to understand, but it's not that I can't learn it.
Answer
なくはない
3
その提案は承諾しかねるが、検討しなくはない。
I'm unable to accept that proposal, but it's not that I won't consider it.
Answer
なくはない
4
困難ではあるが、克服できなくはない。
Though it is difficult, it's not that it can't be overcome.
Answer
なくはない
5
彼の主張は少なくとも一理あると、認めなくはない。
It's not that I won't admit that his claim has at least some truth to it.
Answer
なくはない