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Word 277 of 2252

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なかなか

quite; not easily (with neg.)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. バスがなかなか来ません。

    ばすがなかなかきません。

    The bus is taking a long time to come.

  2. この料理はなかなかおいしいですね。

    このりょうりはなかなかおいしいですね。

    This dish is really rather good.

  3. 仕事がなかなか終わらなくて、困っています。

    しごとがなかなかおわらなくて、こまっています。

    The work just won't finish, and I'm at my wits' end.

  4. 彼はなかなか上手にピアノを弾きますね。

    かれはなかなかじょうずにぴあのをひきますね。

    He plays the piano quite impressively.

Common patterns

なかなか ない
not easily, not for ages
なかなかいい
pretty good
なかなか難しい
quite difficult

Often confused with

Memory tip

The two senses pull in opposite directions: with a negative it means "not easily" and usually carries impatience; with a positive it is mild praise, "better than I expected". Watch the verb ending to tell them apart.

Quick check

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What does なかなか mean?