
GRAMMAR
中々〜ない
not really
hardly
Explanation
NOTE
中々〜ない means "not easily" or "hardly" — something is difficult to do or rarely happens.
中々眠れない。
I just can't seem to fall asleep.
Used here to express that something is not happening as easily or as quickly as desired.
STRUCTURE
中々 ... ない
中々時間が取れない。
Nakanaka jikan ga torenai.
I just can't seem to find the time.
この問題は中々解けない。
Kono mondai wa nakanaka tokenai.
This problem is not easy to solve.
中々機会がない。
Nakanaka kikai ga nai.
There just aren't many opportunities.
Practice exercises
1
雨が中々止まない。
The rain just won't stop.
Answer
ない
2
バスが中々来ない。
The bus just won't come.
Answer
ない
3
答えが中々見つからない。
The answer just can't be found easily.
Answer
ない
4
荷物が中々届かない。
The package is not arriving for a long time.
Answer
届かない
5
渋滞がひどくて、車が中々進めない。
The traffic is so bad that the car hardly moves.
Answer
進めない
6
中々眠れない。
I just can't seem to fall asleep.
Answer
ない
7
忙しすぎて、中々友人に連絡できない。
I'm too busy and just can't seem to contact my friends.
Answer
ない
8
交渉が長引いて、中々合意に達せない。
The negotiations have dragged on and we just can't seem to reach an agreement.
Answer
ない