なかなか〜ない
なかなか〜ない means not easily; not readily. It is a JLPT N4 grammar point. Use this when an expected thing does not happen easily or takes time. It is followed by a negative expression and often suggests waiting or difficulty.
Japanese sources describe it as 「簡単にはそうならない」.
なかなか〜ない examples
バスがなかなか来ません。
The bus does not come for quite a while.
この問題はなかなか分かりません。
I cannot understand this problem easily.
なかなか〜ない exercises
Pick what belongs in the parentheses. The answer is marked below.
友だちからメールが（ ）来ません。
- なかなか ✓
- すぐ
- よく
- たくさん
An email from my friend is not coming for quite a while.
この漢字は（ ）覚えられません。
- なかなか ✓
- もう
- とても
- いつも
I cannot memorize this kanji easily.
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