でもない

expression, i-adjective

is not ... either; is neither ... nor ...; is not even ...

Used after a noun or noun-like phrase as Xでもない. It can deny an alternative, form a 'neither X nor Y' pattern, or add the nuance 'not even X.'

• 彼かれは医い者しゃでもないし、弁べん護ご士しでもない。

  He is neither a doctor nor a lawyer.

• これは高こう級きゅう品ひんでもないが、安やす物ものでもない。

  This is neither a luxury item nor cheap junk.

• 彼かれは専せん門もん家かでもないのに、偉えらそうに説せつ明めいした。

  He explained it pompously even though he is not even an expert.

expression, i-adjective

does not ... either; neither does ... nor ...; does not even ...

Used after a verb, often in forms such as Vでもない, Vでもなく, or Vでもなかった. It denies the action as an option or expected action, sometimes with a 'not even' nuance.

• 彼かれは謝あやまるでもなく、言いい訳わけを始はじめた。

  He did not even apologize; he started making excuses.

• 参さん加かするでもないし、断ことわるでもないし、彼かれの態たい度どははっきりしない。

  He neither says he will participate nor refuses, so his attitude is unclear.