it’s not like; it isn’t as if ~ (ではあるまいし) – Japanese Grammar ではあるまいし (dewa arumai shi)

Q: What JLPT level is ではあるまいし?

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Q: How do you use ではあるまいし in a sentence?

Attach ではあるまいし to the appropriate verb or noun form. It’s not like; it isn’t as if ~

Q: Is ではあるまいし formal or casual Japanese?

ではあるまいし is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

ではあるまいし

N1 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

dewa arumai shi

it’s not like; it isn’t as if ~

ことなしに koto nashi ni こととて koto tote 甲斐もなく kai mo naku とっさに tossa ni かたわら katawara ても差し支えない temo sashitsukaenai こそ「〜が・けれど」 koso~ga/keredo にとどまらず ni todomarazu までだ / までのことだ made da/no koto da てみせる te miseru あくまでも akumade mo 嫌いがある kirai ga aru なりとも nari tomo を押して /を押し切って o oshite /o oshikitte であれ〜であれ de are~de are が/も〜なら、〜も〜だ ga/mo~nara, ~mo~da ものと思われる /ものと見られる mono to omowareru/ mirareru とて tote だの〜だの dano~dano べくして beku shite ことなしに koto nashi ni こととて koto tote 甲斐もなく kai mo naku とっさに tossa ni かたわら katawara ても差し支えない temo sashitsukaenai こそ「〜が・けれど」 koso~ga/keredo にとどまらず ni todomarazu までだ / までのことだ made da/no koto da てみせる te miseru あくまでも akumade mo 嫌いがある kirai ga aru なりとも nari tomo を押して /を押し切って o oshite /o oshikitte であれ〜であれ de are~de are が/も〜なら、〜も〜だ ga/mo~nara, ~mo~da ものと思われる /ものと見られる mono to omowareru/ mirareru とて tote だの〜だの dano~dano べくして beku shite

🃏 Flashcard

ではあるまいし

dewa arumai shi

Tap to reveal usage

it’s not like; it isn’t as if ~

Tap to test your recall · +10 XP

📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N1

Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Reading dewa arumai shi

Post ID 51213

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

it’s not like; it isn’t as if ~

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

ではあるまいし

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat ではあるまいし three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

🃏

Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using ではあるまいし. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns

← Previous

ではあるまいか

isn't it; I wonder if it’s not ~

では済まない

it doesn’t end with just ~

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern ではあるまいし mean? ▼

It’s not like; it isn’t as if ~

What JLPT level is ではあるまいし? ▼

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. To pass JLPT N1 you need to recognise and use this pattern correctly in reading and listening sections.

How do you use ではあるまいし in a sentence? ▼

Attach ではあるまいし (dewa arumai shi) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is ではあるまいし formal or casual Japanese? ▼

ではあるまいし is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember ではあるまいし long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review at 10 minutes, 1 day and 3 days (spaced repetition). Writing two original sentences at each review session is the fastest way to reach production-level mastery.