「Learn Japanese」 ~訳ではない as “it’s not like~” (わけ Grammar Patterns Pt. 3)

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訳 (わけ) MASTERPOST:
http://learnjapanese.becauseofdreams.com/2017/03/01/the-%e8%a8%b3-%e3%82%8f%e3%81%91-masterpost/

As might be predicted from the grammar (since it is simply the negative form of 訳だ), 訳ではない literally translates to “is not the reason for~.” However, the more natural meaning of the expression is something along the lines of “it’s not like~.” Here, we are again employing 訳’s variant definition of “conclusion based upon something said, something heard, or other such contextual clues,” or more simply, “result,” as opposed to “reason.” By doing so, our literal translation of the grammar pattern, which is now “it’s not the result~,” actually becomes more fitting to its actual meaning. Other phrasings that this grammar pattern could translate to include “it’s not as though~,” “it’s not the case that~,” “it doesn’t have much to do with~,” “it doesn’t mean that~,” “it’s not the case that~,” “not necessarily~,” “not altogether~,” “not particularly~,” etc.

In short, 訳ではない is used when we want to deny the “result” partially but not completely. The word choice in most of the translations above denote this nuance of partial denial.

Construction:

Plain-Form VERB + (という) + 訳ではない
い-ADJECTIVE + (という) + 訳ではない
な-ADJECTIVE + (な/だという) + 訳ではない
*Parenthesis is not optional in this な-ADJECTIVE case, either method needs to be used.
NOUN + (という) + 訳ではない

Example(s):

難しいわけじゃない
Muzukashii wake jyanai
“it’s not that hard”

完璧なわけではない
Kanpeki na wake dewanai
“it’s not like it’s perfect”

不可能だというわけではない
Fukanou da toiu wake dewanai
“it’s not necessarily impossible”

天才というわけじゃない
Tensai toiu wake jyanai
“it’s not like he’s a genius/he’s not necessarily a genius”

何でも知っているわけじゃない
Nandemo shitte iru wake jyanai
“It’s not like I know everything”

いつも部屋でゲームするわけではない
Itsumo heya de game suru wake dewanai
“It’s not like I’m always in my room just playing games”

誰でもプロになれるわけじゃないよ
Daredemo pro ni nareru wake jyanaiyo
“Not everyone has what it takes to become a pro”

どんな勝負もみんな勝てるわけではない
Donna shoubu mo minna kateru wake dewanai
“You can’t win them all”

私はいつも元気だというわけではない
Watashi wa itsumo genki toiu wake dewanai
“It’s not like I’m always full of spirit.”

それは決まったわけではない
Sore wa kimatta wake dewanai
“That’s not necessarily decided upon.”

勘違いしないでよね、べつにあんたの事が好きなわけじゃないんだから
Kanchigai shinaide yo ne. Betsu ni anta no koto ga suki na wake jyanai da kara
“Don’t get me wrong! It’s not like I like you or anything!”
*In this signature tsundere line frequent in anime and dramas, note how the speaker is only partially denying that they have feelings for the addressee in line with the tsundere personality but is not completely denying it.

彼女の友達になれなかったが友達作りができないわけではない。
Kanojo no tomodachi ni narenakatta ga tomodachi tsukuri ga dekinai wake dewanai
“Just because you weren’t able to become friends with that girl doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to make any friends at all.”

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