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.
It's not quite finished.
Used before a negative statement to soften the negation, implying 'not quite'. It's a very common conversational hedge.
Means 'cannot be said that...', used to express that something is not quite the case, often in more formal or written contexts.
It wasn't quite a complete success.
A casual adverb meaning 'not quite' or 'not entirely satisfactory'. Often used to express mild disappointment.
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.
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.
I'm not quite ready.
ちょっと分かりません。
I don't quite understand.
That's not quite right.
この映画はいまいちだった。
The movie wasn't quite good.
A: Your Japanese is good. B: No, not quite.
Means 'not necessarily', used to say that something is not always true or not quite the case in all situations.
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.
That plan is not quite right, is it?