あるかなきか

あ

る

か

な

き

か

Meanings

expression

barely there; almost nonexistent

usually written using kana alone

Describes something so faint, small, or subtle that it is practically absent. Often used with nouns like 差 (difference), 可能性 (possibility), or 程度 (degree).

両りょう者しゃの間あいだには、あるかなきかの差さしかない。
There is only a barely perceptible difference between the two.
成せい功こうの可か能のう性せいはあるかなきかだ。
The chance of success is almost nonexistent.