Japanese from zero · N1 Lesson 32
The new hires
〜ほどの ことではない ・ 〜ないまでも ・ 〜に難くない ・ 〜くらいの ものだ
In this lesson, you will learn to say that something is not worth a reaction with 〜ほどの ことではない, to say 'not quite this, but at least that' with 〜ないまでも, to say something is easy to imagine with 〜に難くない, and to name the only one who would do something with 〜くらいの ものだ. Two new hires have joined the trade department, and Lisa, a senpai now, is training one of them.
By the end you will be able to say
小さな 誤字は、心配するほどの ことでは ない。A small typo is nothing to worry about.
完璧とは 言わないまでも、よく できて いる。I won't say it's perfect, but it's well done.
新しい 職場での 緊張は、想像に難くない。It's easy to imagine the nerves of a new workplace.
うちで 万年筆を 使うのは、部長くらいの ものだ。The manager is about the only one in our department who uses a fountain pen.
毎日とは 言わないまでも、週に 一度は 電話する。I won't say every day, but I call at least once a week.
The grammar in this lesson
- 〜ほどの ことではない — it's not worth (doing) — A verb's dictionary form + ほどの ことではない says a matter is too small for that reaction.
- 〜ないまでも — even if not (quite) ..., at least — A verb's ない form + までも names a high level that is not reached, then the lower level that is.
- 〜に難くない — it is easy to (imagine) — A noun of thinking + に難くない says anyone can easily imagine or understand something.
- 〜くらいの ものだ — about the only one (who would) — Noun + くらいの ものだ names the one exception: about the only person or thing that does it.