Meaning & usage
なかなか paired with a negative predicate expresses that something hardly happens or is achieved only with difficulty. It is placed before verbs in the ない form such as 会えない or かからなかった, and before negative adjectives or ありません. It is neutral in tone and common in both speech and writing to convey frustration or rarity.
Example sentences 8
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彼にはなかなか会えない。
It is difficult to gain access to him.
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日本では広い庭はなかなかありません。
It's rare to find big yards in Japan.
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彼はすぐに口に出すが、なかなか実行しない。
He is quick to speak but slow to act.
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エンジンがなかなかかからなかった。
The engine wouldn't start.
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ごめん。なかなかここが見つからなくて。
Sorry. I could hardly find this place.
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この時期にスイカはなかなか手に入らないんだぞ。
It's not easy to come by watermelons at this time of year.
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彼は新しい学校での生活になかなかなじめなかった。
He found it very difficult to adjust himself to life in the new school.
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最近すれ違ってばかりで、なかなか彼に会えないんです。
Recently we seem to just keep missing each other. I never seem to be able to meet up with him.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 6 past exam questions.
And 2 more tests.
