中々～ない
Not really, Hardly, Not easily or readily, By no means, Far from
Structure
Explanation
While なかなか can mean 'quite' or 'considerably' in an affirmative context, its meaning changes when paired with a verb in the negative ない (or ありません) form. In this case, it expresses that something is 'not easily' or 'not as expected'. This grammar pattern often conveys a sense of frustration that a desired or anticipated outcome is failing to materialize.
As an adverb, なかなか (or its kanji form, 中々) is placed before the phrase it modifies, most commonly appearing directly before the negative verb.
- 先生、新しい漢字がなかなか覚えられないんですけど、何かいい方法はありますか？Teacher, I just can't seem to memorize the new kanji; do you have any good methods?
- ダイエットしているのに中々体重が減らないんだよね。Even though I'm on a diet, the weight just won't come off.
Fun Fact
The kanji 中々 relates to the idea of being 'in the middle' of something. Therefore, this expression can be interpreted as something not progressing or being 'stuck' far from the middle (its ideal state). This is why it so often expresses the speaker's impatience or disappointment with a situation that isn't proceeding as hoped.
- バスがなかなか来ないね。もう時間がないから、歩いて行こう。This bus is really not coming, is it? We're out of time, so let's just walk.
Examples
このバスは中々来ない。
This bus is taking forever to arrive.
最近、中々寝つけない。
Recently, I've found it really hard to fall asleep.
このパソコンは、中々起動しない。
This computer is taking forever to start up.
薬を飲んでも、熱が中々下がらない。
Even after taking medicine, my fever just won't go down.
彼の話は中々信用できません。
His stories are hardly believable.
赤ちゃんが中々泣き止まない。
The baby is far from stopping its crying.
シャツについたインクのシミが中々落ちない。
The ink stain on this shirt is proving difficult to remove. (hardly)
この問題の答えが中々分からない。
I can hardly figure out the answer to this problem.
このジャムの瓶の蓋が、中々開かない。
The lid on this jam jar just won't open. (hardly)
仕事が多すぎて、中々終わらない。
There is so much work to do, I am far from being finished.
何度練習しても、この曲が中々うまく弾けない。
No matter how much I practice, I am far from being able to play this song well.
電話が中々つながらない。
The phone is taking quite some time to connect. (by no means)