でもなんでもない
Not at all, By no means, Definitely not, Nothing like that, Not really
Structure
［な］Adjective + でもなんでもない
Explanation
The structure でもなんでもない is used after nouns and な-Adjectives to express a strong denial, similar to 'by no means (A)' or '(A)? Not in the slightest'. It is formed from the particle でも, which can mean 'even'; 何でも, which means 'anything'; and the い-Adjective ない, meaning 'not'. Combining these gives the phrase a literal sense of 'it isn't even (A) or anything like that', emphasizing the complete lack of truth in the statement.
- わたしは経済の専門家でもなんでもないので、詳しいことはわかりません。I'm by no means an expert on economics, so I don't know the details.
- えっ、彼と付き合ってるの？いえいえ、恋人でもなんでもないですよ。職場の同僚です。What, you're dating him? No, no, he's not my boyfriend or anything. He's just a coworker.
- このくらいのお手伝い、大変でもなんでもないですから、気にしないでください。Helping out this much is no trouble at all, so please don't worry about it.
- 料理が得意でもなんでもないのに、作ってきてなんて言わないでほしい。I wish they wouldn't ask me to cook for them when I'm not good at it in the slightest.
でもなんでもない can be used in both negative and positive contexts. When used positively to downplay something, it often carries the meaning that '(A) is not a problem at all' or '(A) is really no trouble'.
Caution
A less frequent but possible variation exists for い-Adjectives, where the adjective's く-form is combined with もなんでもない instead.
- 宝くじに外れたけど、どうせ当たらないと思ってたから、悔しくもなんでもない。I lost the lottery, but I didn't expect to win anyway, so I'm not frustrated at all.
- これ、見た目は赤いけど、辛くもなんでもないね。This looks red, but it's not spicy whatsoever.
Examples
これは失敗でもなんでもない。すごくいい経験になったよ。
This is by no means a failure. It was a really good learning experience.
彼は友達でもなんでもない、ただの顔見知りだよ。
He's not my friend or anything; he's just an acquaintance.
記念日でもなんでもないのに、妻が豪華な夕食を用意してくれた。
Even though it wasn't an anniversary or anything special, my wife prepared a lavish dinner for me.
私は専門家でもなんでもないので、詳しいことは分かりません。
I'm no expert by any means, so I don't know the specifics.
約束を平気で破るなんて、あいつは正直者でもなんでもない。
To think he'd break a promise without a second thought... that guy is anything but an honest person.
Ａ：「それは冗談でしょ？」
Ｂ：「いや、冗談でもなんでもない。本気だよ。」
A: 'You're joking, right?'
B: 'No, this is no joke at all. I'm completely serious.'
Ａ：「手間をかけさせてごめん。」
Ｂ：「ううん、全然。手間でもなんでもないから気にしないで。」
A: 'Sorry for making you go to all that trouble.'
B: 'Not at all. It was no trouble whatsoever, so please don't worry about it.'
この絵は有名でもなんでもないけど、私にとっては宝物なんです。
This painting is not famous or anything, but to me, it's a treasure.
私の日本語なんて、上手でもなんでもないですよ。まだまだ勉強中です。
My Japanese is by no means good. I'm still very much in the process of learning.
ただ道に迷っただけだよ。緊急事態でもなんでもないんだから、大騒ぎしないでくれ。
I just got a little lost. This is hardly an emergency, so please don't make such a big fuss.
これは奇跡でもなんでもない。彼の長年の努力が実んだ結果だ。
This is not a miracle by any stretch of the imagination. It's the result of his many years of hard work paying off.
《子どもが料理を手伝おうとする》
子：「お手伝いするよ！」
親：「ありがとう。でも特別な料理でもなんでもないから、大丈夫よ。」
《A child tries to help with the cooking》
Child: 'I'll help!'
Parent: 'Thank you. But it's not a special meal or anything, so it's okay.'