Expresses the feeling that although an ideal action or state isn't possible, at least the next best action or state should be available. Even if something can't attain a certain level, at least it is attaining a slightly lower level. It is a nuance of “at least,” or “at the minimum "
I wouldn't say it's used every day, but it's not a rare grammar pattern. As you can see from the sample sentences people have submitted, it essentially means that even if you don't do a thing (although it would be great if that thing were done), something else can/will still happen. So for example, 'Even if you don't clean your room, we're having guests' - 部屋を掃除しないまでも客が来ます - it would be great if the room were cleaned, but even if it's not, the people will still be coming. Does that help?
That helps a lot, thank you for replying!
It seemed like a consturction (if that's the right word) I've seen before a few times, but wasn't too sure because it was tagged N1 level grammar.
The thing with the JLPT levels is that they don't always correspond to how rare they are - I actually once had an acquaintance complain about the JLPT 2級(old-style), saying it was only grammar patterns that you never actually see in everyday life - his example? とともに. I immediately gave him 3 examples of とともに in song lyrics and modern literature to shut him up :P N1 is more advanced, but it doesn't mean you'll never see those terms in regular speech!
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11 years ago
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