Translation guide
The English phrase "anything but" is used to emphasize that something is definitely not a particular quality or thing. It often means "not at all" or "far from." This guide covers how to express this negation and contrast naturally in Japanese.
To say that something is definitely not a certain quality, often implying the opposite.
A strong, formal negation meaning 'never' or 'by no means.' Used with a negative verb or adjective.
彼は決して親切ではない。
He is anything but kind.
その仕事は決して簡単ではなかった。
The job was anything but easy.
To say that someone will accept or do anything except a specific thing.
Means 'anything if it's not ~.' Used when offering or accepting anything except one thing.
お茶以外なら何でも飲みます。
I'll drink anything but tea.
The English phrase 'anything but' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Using 何でもない (nandemonai) or similar will not convey the intended meaning. Instead, use the patterns above depending on whether you are negating a quality or excluding an option.
Both mean 'not at all,' but 決して〜ない is more formal and emphatic, often used in writing or serious speech. まったく〜ない is more common in everyday conversation and can sound slightly less intense.
彼は決して嘘をつかない。
He never tells a lie. (formal)
彼はまったく嘘をつかない。
He doesn't tell lies at all. (neutral)
そのテストはまったく簡単じゃなかった。
The test was anything but easy.
彼女は決して怠け者ではない。
She is anything but lazy.
納豆以外なら何でも食べます。
I'll eat anything but natto.
Means 'not at all' or 'completely not.' Common in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼の説明はまったく役に立たなかった。
His explanation was anything but helpful.
その映画はまったく面白くなかった。
The movie was anything but interesting.
Attaches to a noun or na-adjective stem to mean 'far from being ~' or 'anything but ~.' Often implies the reality is much worse or different.
彼は紳士どころではない。
He is anything but a gentleman.
その部屋は快適どころではなかった。
The room was anything but comfortable.
Literally 'far from ~.' Used to say something is far from a certain state or quality. More literary.
彼の演奏は完璧とは程遠い。
His performance is anything but perfect.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'it's not something like ~' or 'it's anything but ~.' Often used to emphasize that something is extreme.
楽しいなんてものじゃなかった。地獄だった。
It was anything but fun. It was hell.
He'll do anything but study.
Means 'I hate only ~' or 'the one thing I don't want is ~.' Used to express strong aversion to a specific option.
負けることだけは嫌だ。
I'll accept anything but losing.
Means 'nothing except ~' or 'anything but ~' when used with a negative verb. Emphasizes exclusion.
This pattern can be ambiguous; context determines if it means 'nothing except' or 'anything but.' In this example, it means 'nothing but complaints.'
彼は文句以外は何も言わなかった。
He said anything but complaints. (He said nothing but complaints.)