Home Learn Japanese Meaning of ではないか in this phraseLLearn JapaneseMeaning of ではないか in this phraseAugust 7, 20236 comments 買いにくくすれば吸う人が少しは減るのではないかI understand what this is saying, but I don’t understand the use of ではないか here Tags:Japanese LanguageLearn Japanese 6 commentsIt’s asking a rhetorical question formally.This is a really common rhetorical device in nonfiction. “Isn’t it the case that…”“Isn’t it the case that if (cigarettes) become harder to buy, the number of smokers will go down by a bit?”“… is it not?”when authors use ではないか, what they are basically saying is “I think~” (just stating it indirectly to make it softer, and more polite)[https://jlptsensei.com/learn-japanese-grammar/%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84%E3%81%8B-dewa-nai-ka-meaning/](https://jlptsensei.com/learn-japanese-grammar/%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84%E3%81%8B-dewa-nai-ka-meaning/)A really confusing but often used form.it’s the rhetorical “isn’t it?” “doesn’t it?”.Leave a ReplyYou must be logged in to post a comment.
This is a really common rhetorical device in nonfiction. “Isn’t it the case that…”“Isn’t it the case that if (cigarettes) become harder to buy, the number of smokers will go down by a bit?”
when authors use ではないか, what they are basically saying is “I think~” (just stating it indirectly to make it softer, and more polite)
[https://jlptsensei.com/learn-japanese-grammar/%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84%E3%81%8B-dewa-nai-ka-meaning/](https://jlptsensei.com/learn-japanese-grammar/%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84%E3%81%8B-dewa-nai-ka-meaning/)A really confusing but often used form.
LLearn Japanesegenki + kanji book or wanikani?June 28, 20227 comments As title, I know it’s a pretty basilar question but I’m feeling overwhelmed by the amount of sources…
LLearn JapaneseAre there any good video resources for learning?March 21, 20235 comments I just don’t seem to be retaining much from textbooks and I’ve watched some videos here and there…
LLearn JapaneseOnline or college courseJanuary 30, 20233 comments Good evening, Long term lurker (and thank you all for your informative posts). I recently decided to take…
6 comments
It’s asking a rhetorical question formally.
This is a really common rhetorical device in nonfiction. “Isn’t it the case that…”
“Isn’t it the case that if (cigarettes) become harder to buy, the number of smokers will go down by a bit?”
“… is it not?”
when authors use ではないか, what they are basically saying is “I think~” (just stating it indirectly to make it softer, and more polite)
[https://jlptsensei.com/learn-japanese-grammar/%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84%E3%81%8B-dewa-nai-ka-meaning/](https://jlptsensei.com/learn-japanese-grammar/%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84%E3%81%8B-dewa-nai-ka-meaning/)
A really confusing but often used form.
it’s the rhetorical “isn’t it?” “doesn’t it?”.