と言うものでもない
There is no guarantee that…, Not necessarily
Structure
［な］Adjective + というものではない(1)
［い］Adjective + というものではない(1)
Noun + というものではない(1)
(1) でもない、じゃない
Explanation
The expression というものではない is used to state that something is 'not necessarily true', or that 'it doesn't automatically mean (A)'. It's formed by combining the quoting particle と, the verb 言う (to say), the noun もの (thing), and the negative copula ではない. Literally, it can be understood as 'it is not something that can be said to be (A)'.
The particle は can be substituted with も for a slight shift in nuance. The use of も often adds a touch of emphasis, strengthening the idea that something is not an absolute rule.
というものではない can attach to the plain form of verbs and い-adjectives. With nouns and な-adjectives, it can be used directly or with the copula だ preceding it.
- 謝れば何でも許されると言うものではない。Apologizing doesn't mean that everything will be forgiven.
- スマホは新しければいいと言うものでもない。When it comes to smartphones, newer isn't necessarily better.
- 子供の言うことだからと、全てが間違いだと言うものではない。Just because a child says it, doesn't mean that everything they say is wrong.
- 有名人が使っているからと言って、その商品が本当にいいと言うものでもない。Just because a celebrity uses a product, it's not a given that it's actually any good.
This grammar structure is often used to challenge a common assumption, suggesting that what is generally thought to be true isn't always the case.Fun-fact
While not a requirement, というものではない is frequently used after a conditional phrase like であれば. This combination highlights that 'just because (A) is true, it doesn't automatically follow that (B) is also true'.
- 若ければ健康に気をつけなくてもいいと言うものではない。Just because you're young, it doesn't mean that you don't have to pay attention to your health.
- 値段が高ければ品質もいいと言うものではない。A high price doesn't automatically mean high quality.
Examples
たくさん勉強すれば、試験に合格できるというものでもない。
There is no guarantee you'll pass the exam just because you study a lot.
値段が安いからといって、品質が悪いというものでもない。
Just because the price is low, it's not necessarily true that the quality is bad.
静かな人がいつも内気だというものでもない。
It's not necessarily the case that a quiet person is always shy.
外国語が話せるからといって、教えられるというものでもない。
Just because you can speak a foreign language doesn't necessarily mean you can teach it.
成功は才能だけで決まるというものでもない。
It's not as if success is decided by talent alone.
お金がなくても楽しめないというものでもない。
It's not necessarily true that you can't have fun without money.
有名なレストランが常に美味しいというものでもない。
There is no guarantee that a famous restaurant will always be delicious.
謝れば何でも許されるというものでもない。
It's not as if everything will be forgiven just because you apologize.
本をたくさん読めば賢くなるというものでもない。
Reading a lot of books doesn't necessarily mean you'll become wise.
便利だからといって常に安全だというものでもない。
Just because something is convenient doesn't guarantee that it's always safe.
最新モデルだからといって、欠陥がないというものでもない。
Even if it's the latest model, there is no guarantee it will be free of defects.
一生懸命働けば昇進できるというものでもない。
Working hard doesn't necessarily mean you will get a promotion.