は言うまでもない ①
It goes without saying (that), (It is) needless to say, I don't need to remind you
Structure
Verb + ということ(1)は + 言うまでもない
［い］Adjective + ということ(1)は + 言うまでもない
［な］Adjective + ということ(2)は + 言うまでもない
Noun + は + 言うまでもない
(1) こと、の、というの
(2) というの、なこと、なの、
Explanation
The phrase は言うまでもない is composed of the topic marker は, the verb 言う, the particles まで and も, and the negative ない. It is used to state that something is so obvious it doesn't even need to be mentioned. This is commonly translated as 'it goes without saying that (A)' or 'needless to say, (A)', where (A) is the preceding statement.
While this grammar pattern can follow many types of phrases, it is frequently attached to clauses that have been nominalized by こと or の. Using ということ or というの can further clarify that the preceding statement is the topic being discussed.
- 彼女が親切なのは言うまでもない。It goes without saying that she is a kind person.
- 勉強しなければ、試験に落ちることは言うまでもない。If you don't study, it goes without saying that you will fail the test.
- 日本のアニメが世界中で人気だということは言うまでもない。It goes without saying that Japanese anime is popular worldwide.
- 彼は英語がペラペラだ。日本語も言うまでもない。He's fluent in English. Needless to say, in Japanese as well.
Taken literally, this grammar point is a sum of its parts.
は - Marks the preceding clause as the topic of the sentence.
言う - Indicates the action of 'saying' or 'stating'.
まで - Shows the limit or extent, meaning 'even to the point of'.
も - Adds emphasis to that limit, with a nuance of 'even'.
ない - Negates the action, implying 'there is no need to go that far'.Fun Fact
This grammar pattern is often followed by a conjunction like が, which introduces a contrasting or additional point.
- このレストランがおいしいのは言うまでもないが、値段が少し高い。It goes without saying that this restaurant is delicious, but it's a little expensive.
- お金を貯金するべきだというのは言うまでもないが、実行するのは難しい。It goes without saying that you should save money, but actually doing it is difficult.
Examples
健康のために運動するべきと言うのは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that you should exercise for your health.
毎日練習すれば、日本語が上手になることは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that if you practice every day, your Japanese will improve.
このレストランのラーメンがおいしいことは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that the ramen at this restaurant is delicious.
彼が今世紀最高のサッカー選手の一人であることは言うまでもないだろう。
It goes without saying that he is one of the best soccer players of this century.
水が人間にとって大事なことは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that water is essential for human beings.
ケンさんは料理が上手だ。掃除は言うまでもない。
Ken-san is good at cooking, not to mention cleaning.
あの映画がとても面白いのは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that that movie is very entertaining.
インターネットなしの生活がどれだけ不便か言うまでもないでしょうね。
I don't need to tell you just how inconvenient life without the internet would be, right?
ここ数年で、スマートフォンの性能が飛躍的に向上したことは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that smartphone performance has improved dramatically over the last few years.
子供の頃の夏休みが楽しかったと言うのは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that summer vacation during childhood was fun.
Ａ：「彼、本当に才能があるよね。」
Ｂ：「うん、それは言うまでもないね。」
A: 'He's really talented, isn't he.'
B: 'Yeah, that goes without saying.'
彼が正直な人であることは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that he is an honest person.