ないでもないNot entirely untrue; do to some extent
ないでもない makes a guarded admission that you do understand, feel, think, or sometimes do something, but only to a limited degree. It is a weak and often reluctant “yes,” not an enthusiastic affirmation.
A deliberately weak affirmation
The construction contains two negatives. Together, however, they normally produce a limited positive meaning: “I cannot say that I do not…” or “it is not entirely untrue that….” The speaker acknowledges a point while keeping some distance from full agreement.
Understanding without full agreement
A typical sentence first admits that another person's position is understandable, then adds a reason for disagreement or hesitation.
彼の言いたいことは分からないでもないが、その結論には賛成できない。
I can understand what he is trying to say, but I cannot agree with his conclusion.
AnalyzeThe speaker grants that his point is understandable without accepting his conclusion.
この説明なら納得できないでもないが、まだ証拠が足りない。
I could accept this explanation to some extent, but there still is not enough evidence.
AnalyzeWhere it sounds natural
This form is especially natural when the speaker is weighing a thought or reaction rather than stating a simple fact. It often implies “there is some truth in that, though….” With an action verb, it can instead mean that the action does happen, but only rarely or without much enthusiasm.
An occasional action
私もたまには甘い物を食べないでもないが、普段はほとんど口にしない。
I do eat sweets once in a while, but normally I hardly touch them.
AnalyzeThe action is real, but the following clause keeps its frequency clearly low.
Nearby double-negative forms
ないことはない is a more transparent and broadly usable way to express reluctant possibility or partial truth. なくはない is a compact way to concede that something exists or applies to some degree. ないものでもない overlaps considerably with the target form, but it more readily presents an action or result as feasible if suitable conditions are met. These are tendencies rather than absolute boundaries; for the present form, guarded acknowledgment of a thought, feeling, judgment, or limited behavior is the safest prototype.
More examples
彼の不満も理解できないでもないが、あの言い方は失礼だった。
I can understand his frustration to some extent, but the way he said it was rude.
Analyzeそう考えられないでもないが、少し結論を急ぎすぎている。
I can see how one might think that, but the conclusion is a little too hasty.
Analyzeこの案に魅力を感じないでもないが、実行には大きなリスクがある。
I do see some appeal in this proposal, but carrying it out involves considerable risk.
Analyzeあの映画をもう一度見たいと思わないでもないが、三時間は長い。
Part of me would like to see that film again, but three hours is a long time.
Analyze私も休日には料理をしないでもないが、簡単なものばかりだ。
I do cook on my days off sometimes, but only simple things.
Analyze彼女が怒った理由は想像できないでもない。だが、あの反応は行き過ぎだ。
I can more or less imagine why she became angry. Still, that reaction went too far.
Analyze