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Formation: V-ない + までも; N + とは言わないまでも

〜ないまでも sets a higher level aside ('maybe not X') and then states a lower level that is still expected or hoped for ('but at least Y'). The main clause often contains せめて, 少なくとも or 〜くらいは, and it often expresses a wish, an obligation, advice or a judgment (〜たい, 〜てほしい, 〜べきだ, 〜ほうがいい). It is somewhat formal but common in both writing and speech, especially in the set phrase 〜とは言わないまでも. Do not confuse it with 〜までもない ('there is no need to'), which looks similar but means something unrelated. Compare also 〜ないことはない, which means 'it is not that one can't' rather than comparing two levels.

Variants: 〜とは言わないまでも

Examples

• 毎日とは言わないまでも、週に一度は運動したほうがいい。
  Maybe not every day, but you should at least exercise once a week.
• 優勝はできないまでも、決勝には進みたい。
  Even if we can't win the title, we want to at least reach the final.
• 全額は返せないまでも、せめて半分は今月中に返したい。
  Even if I can't repay it all, I want to pay back at least half this month.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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