not really, not particularly (別に～ない) – Japanese Grammar 別に～ない (betsu ni~nai)

Q: What JLPT level is 別に～ない?

JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Q: How do you use 別に～ない in a sentence?

Attach 別に～ない to the appropriate verb or noun form. Not really, not particularly

Q: Is 別に～ない formal or casual Japanese?

別に～ない can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

別に～ない

N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

betsu ni~nai

not really, not particularly

とみえる / とみえて to mieru / to miete すでに sude ni ふりをする furi o suru つい tsui を込めて o komete っぽい ppoi ことになっている koto ni natteiru たびに tabi ni ことはない koto wa nai たて tate 一方だ ippou da は別として wa betsu toshite というより to iu yori として toshite ぶりに buri ni かける kakeru と共に to tomo ni すなわち sunawachi ついでに tsuide ni か何か ka nani ka とみえる / とみえて to mieru / to miete すでに sude ni ふりをする furi o suru つい tsui を込めて o komete っぽい ppoi ことになっている koto ni natteiru たびに tabi ni ことはない koto wa nai たて tate 一方だ ippou da は別として wa betsu toshite というより to iu yori として toshite ぶりに buri ni かける kakeru と共に to tomo ni すなわち sunawachi ついでに tsuide ni か何か ka nani ka

🃏 Flashcard

別に～ない

betsu ni~nai

Tap to reveal usage

not really, not particularly

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N3

Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Reading betsu ni~nai

Post ID 50825

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

not really, not particularly

📖 How to use it

Used to say that something is not particularly the case, often to downplay or deny something.

Attaches to 別に attaches to the negative form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns. For verbs, use the ない-stem + ない (e.g., 行かない). For い-adjectives, replace the final い with くない (e.g., おいしくない). For な-adjectives and nouns, attach じゃない or ではない (e.g., 好きじゃない). The pattern is 別に + [negative phrase].

別に～ない means 'not really' or 'not particularly.' It is often used to respond to a question or to soften a statement, implying that something is not the case to a significant degree. For example, if someone asks if you like coffee, you might say 別に好きじゃない (I don't particularly like it), meaning you don't have a strong positive or negative feeling.

This pattern is common in casual conversation. You can use it with verbs, adjectives, and nouns, but the negative form is essential. The nuance is that the speaker is downplaying something, often sounding a bit indifferent or nonchalant. It's different from just saying 'not' because it adds a sense of 'not especially' or 'nothing really.'

Be careful not to overuse it in formal writing, as it sounds conversational. In polite speech, you can still use it, but the negative form should be polite (e.g., 別に好きじゃないです).

今日は別に忙しくないよ。

Kyou wa betsu ni isogashikunai yo.

I'm not really busy today.

その映画、別に面白くなかった。

Sono eiga, betsu ni omoshirokunakatta.

That movie wasn't particularly interesting.

別にあなたのことが嫌いじゃないよ。

Betsu ni anata no koto ga kirai ja nai yo.

I don't dislike you or anything.

Not 特に～ない特に～ない also means 'not particularly,' but 特に is more neutral and can be used in polite contexts without the same indifferent nuance. 別に often carries a slight sense of detachment or 'nothing special,' and is more casual. For example, 特に用事がない (I have no particular business) sounds neutral, while 別に用事がない sounds like you're brushing off the question.

Register Casual to semi-formal; commonly used in everyday conversation. In formal writing or speech, 特に～ない or 別段～ない (more formal) might be preferred.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

別に～ない

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Press Hear it and repeat 別に～ない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using 別に～ない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns

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べきではない

should not do~; must not do~

ぶりに

for the first time in (period of time)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern 別に～ない mean? ▼

Not really, not particularly

What JLPT level is 別に～ない? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use 別に～ない in a sentence? ▼

Attach 別に～ない (betsu ni~nai) 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 別に～ない formal or casual Japanese? ▼

別に～ない is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember 別に～ない 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 later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.