Posted inN1 Grammar

Mastering ～でもあるまい: Expressing Strong Denial at JLPT N1

Posted inN1 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

Expresses strong negation, meaning ‘surely not’, ‘it’s not likely that’, ‘it can’t be’, or ‘it’s not as if it is X’. It denies the likelihood or possibility of something being the case.

🎯 Primary Function

To emphatically state that something is not true, not possible, or not the case, often correcting a potential assumption or highlighting the clear absence of a state or identity.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Noun / Na-adjective stem] + でも + あるまい

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Appropriate in formal discussions, lectures, or assertive statements.

😊 Informal Situations

Rarely used, can sound overly strong, dramatic, or old-fashioned.

✍️ Written Language

Commonly found in essays, articles, literature, and formal correspondence.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used but sounds quite assertive or literary; less frequent than simpler negation forms.

💡 Common Applications

Denying a state or situation
Used to state that a specific situation or condition is definitely not happening or isn’t the case.
Example: 急ぎの用でもあるまいし、そんなに慌てなくてもいい。 (It’s not as if it’s urgent business, so you don’t have to rush so much.)
Denying an identity or status
Used to state that someone or something is definitely not a particular type or doesn’t have a certain status.
Example: 子供でもあるまいし、そんなことで泣くな。 (You’re not a child, don’t cry over something like that.)
Strongly refuting an idea or possibility
Used to assert that a certain explanation or possibility is highly unlikely or definitely not true.
Example: これは単なる偶然でもあるまい。何か裏があるはずだ。 (This isn’t just a mere coincidence. There must be something going on behind the scenes.)
📊
Frequency
Moderate in written language, low in casual spoken language.
🎚️
Difficulty
N1
Example Sentences
彼はプロの選手でもあるまいし、そのレベルの技はできないだろう。
He’s not a professional player, so he probably can’t do that level of technique.
こんな簡単なミス、初心者でもあるまいし、なぜしたんだ？
Such a simple mistake, you’re not a beginner, so why did you make it?
これは冗談でもあるまい。真剣に考えなさい。
This is not a joke. Think about it seriously.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Connection to 「である」
「あるまい」 is the negative conjecture form of the formal copula 「である」. Thus, 「でもあるまい」 literally means something like “it is surely not even X”.
Example: これは事実である。 (This is a fact.) vs. これは事実でもあるまい。(This is surely not a fact.)
Often used with 「し」
Frequently followed by 「し」 when stating a reason for something based on the strong denial.
Example: 雨でもあるまいし、傘は要らない。(It’s not as if it’s raining, so I don’t need an umbrella.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using in casual conversation
✅ Use less formal negation forms like ～じゃない or ～ではない in casual settings.
「～でもあるまい」 sounds stiff or overly assertive in informal speech.
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✅ undefined
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Generally formal or assertive.
Social Situations: Used in situations requiring clear, emphatic statements or in written communication. Can be used when reprimanding or correcting someone (e.g., 子供でもあるまいし).
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese grammar.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～でもあるまい vs. ～はずがない / ～わけがない
～でもあるまい strongly denies the *identity or state* itself (“It’s not X”), while ～はずがない / ～わけがない deny the *likelihood* or *possibility* (“There is no way that…”).
When to use: Use ～でもあるまい to assert that something definitely *is not* X. Use ～はずがない / ～わけがない to assert that something is *impossible* or *highly improbable*.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

Attaches directly to Nouns and Na-adjective stems. Not typically used with verbs or I-adjectives in this exact form; variations exist for other word types (e.g., V-dictionary + の + ではあるまいか).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounce 「でもあるまい」 smoothly, with a slight emphasis on 「まい」 for the negative assertion.

🧠 Memory Tips

Break down 「でもあるまい」: でも (even) + ある (is, formal) + まい (negative conjecture/volition, similar to ～ないだろう). Think “it is surely not even X”.

Practice Exercises
彼は疲れている（　　　）し、今日は早く帰らせよう。
わけでもない
でもあるまい
はずもない
とでもいう
こんな簡単な計算、（　　　）子供でもあるまいし、間違えるはずがない。
いくら
たとえ
もし
まさか
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