中々
Very, Quite, Considerably
Structure
なかなか + の + Noun
Explanation
The adverb なかなか, which can be written in kanji as 中々, often means 'quite', 'rather', or 'pretty'. It can be used to modify adjectives directly, or it can describe nouns by placing の after it.
- この映画は中々面白いですね。This movie is quite interesting, isn't it?
- あの新しいレストランはなかなか素敵だったよ。That new restaurant was pretty lovely.
- 彼の日本語はなかなかの物だ。His Japanese is really something.
- 彼はなかなかの才能があったが、怠け者だったので成功しなかった。He had considerable talent, but because he was lazy, he didn't succeed.
In some contexts, なかなか carries the feeling of something being 侮れない, meaning 'not to be underestimated'. This nuance is similar to saying that something is 'quite a thing' or 'no small matter' in English.
- あいつ、社長にあんな口の聞き方をするなんて、なかなかの勇気だな。To talk to the company president like that... he's got some serious guts.
Fun Fact
なかなか often expresses that something has exceeded one's expectations. It implies a sense of pleasant surprise, suggesting that a quality is 'much more (A) than anticipated'. Think of it as upgrading a 'good' to a 'surprisingly good'.
- これ、自分で描いたの？なかなか才能があるじゃないか。You drew this yourself? You're actually quite talented!
Fun Fact
The origin of なかなか is tied to the kanji 中, which means 'middle' or 'inside'. This connection hints at something being 'at the core' of a quality, or a prime example of it.
Examples
この映画は中々面白かった。
This movie was quite interesting.
この宿題は中々量が多いですね。
This is quite a lot of homework, isn't it?
彼女の日本語は中々上手ですね。
Her Japanese is quite good, isn't it?
あの公園は中々静かで良い場所だ。
That park is a considerably quiet and nice place.
彼は中々の人物だよ。
He's quite an impressive individual.
この料理は中々複雑な味がする。
This dish has a remarkably complex flavor.
山田さんのプレゼンは中々説得力がありました。
Mr. Yamada's presentation was quite persuasive.
あの店の予約を取るのは中々骨が折れる。
Getting a reservation at that restaurant is quite an ordeal.
中々見事な演奏だった。
That was a truly impressive performance.
彼の言うことは中々鋭い。
His observations are remarkably sharp.
この旅館の温泉は中々気持ちいい。
The hot spring at this traditional inn feels quite nice.
彼の歌声は中々のものです。
His singing voice is really quite something.