Verb ないまでも JLPT N1 Very formal / literary
Verb nai made mo
'Even if not to the extent of...', 'although not completely...'.
Formal, literary "even if not fully X, at least..." - a partial concession.
Formation
Verb-ない form + までも
Explanation
The pattern ないまでも is used when acknowledging that something doesn’t reach a certain extreme, but at least some part or degree of it applies. Often translated as 'even if not entirely...' or 'though not as far as...'.
Example sentences
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Even if you don't understand everything, I'd like you at least to grasp the basics.
Subete o rikai shinai made mo, kihonteki na koto wa wakatte hoshii.
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Even if we can’t meet, I still want to hear your voice over the phone.
Aenai made mo, denwa de koe o kikitai.
-
Even if not everyone will like me, I still want to face them sincerely.
Zen'in ni ki ni irarenai made mo, seijitsu ni mukiai tai.