Grammar - Grade 2 List View

Review these list items to study and edit your keyphrase and other memory aids.
Grammar Point
adjectival nouns or quasi-adjectives (keiyodoshi)
adj-na 
adverb (fukushi)
adv 
word usually written using kana alone
uk 
A Keyphrase should be a short phrase that brings to mind and helps to remember the information on this frame.
なかなか

very, considerably, easily, readily, fairly, quite, highly, rather

by no means, not readily

with a verb in the negative

なかなか + Affirmative Verb or Adjective

When used with an affirmative verb or adjective, なかなか expresses that something is more than expected or at a higher level than anticipated. It often conveys a sense of being impressed.

Adjectives

Used with adjectives to show that the quality or state is considerable or better than expected.

This coffee is quite good.

That was a fairly difficult problem.

Verbs

Used with verbs or adverbs to show that an action is performed to a high degree.

He speaks Japanese quite well.

の + Noun

Indicates that someone or something possesses a degree of quality, skill, or scale that exceeds expectations.

He is quite a good cook.

Note

When used in the affirmative, なかなか carries a positive nuance of 'better than I thought.' It is generally not used to describe things that are obviously or objectively great without that element of surprise.

なかなか + Negative Verb

When used with a negative verb, なかなか indicates that something does not happen easily or readily, often expressing the speaker's impatience or the difficulty of the situation.

Negative Verbs

Used with the negative form of a verb to mean 'not easily' or 'not readily.'

The bus doesn't come easily.

I can't remember the words easily.

Note

In negative sentences, なかなか emphasizes that despite effort or expectation, the action is taking a long time to occur or is difficult to achieve.

Words: 
中々なかなか
中中なかなか
仲々なかなか
仲仲なかなか
却々なかなか
却却なかなか
Radicals of radicals