Translation guide
The English phrase "not quite" is used to express that something is almost, but not completely, the case. In Japanese, this is expressed through various adverbs, negative forms, and sentence-ending patterns, depending on the nuance.
To say that something is close to being true or complete, but falls short.
Literally 'not yet', this pattern is used to indicate that something hasn't reached the expected state. It's the most common way to express 'not quite' in many contexts.
まだ終わっていない。
It's not quite finished.
まだ準備ができていない。
I'm not quite ready.
To express that something is not precisely true or accurate, often in response to a statement.
A common response meaning 'not really' or 'not quite so'. It's used to politely disagree or correct a slight misconception.
A: 日本語が上手ですね。B: いや、そうでもないです。
A: Your Japanese is good. B: No, not quite.
There is no single Japanese word that directly corresponds to 'not quite'. Translating it word-for-word will sound unnatural. Instead, use the patterns and expressions above based on the context.
Used before a negative statement to soften the negation, implying 'not quite'. It's a very common conversational hedge.
ちょっと分かりません。
I don't quite understand.
ちょっと違う。
That's not quite right.
Means 'cannot be said that...', used to express that something is not quite the case, often in more formal or written contexts.
完全に成功したとは言えない。
It wasn't quite a complete success.
A casual adverb meaning 'not quite' or 'not entirely satisfactory'. Often used to express mild disappointment.
この映画はいまいちだった。
The movie wasn't quite good.
Means 'not necessarily', used to say that something is not always true or not quite the case in all situations.
高いものが必ずしも良いとは限らない。
Expensive things aren't necessarily good. (Not quite always true.)
Literally 'subtle', but used colloquially to mean 'not quite' or 'iffy'. It implies something is hard to judge or not clearly good.
その計画は微妙だね。
That plan is not quite right, is it?