でもない
(Demo nai)
not entirely / not completely (negation hedged).
Connection rules
- ＋まんざら + noun / adjective / V plain + でもない.
- ＋Hedging — 'not entirely X, perhaps secretly Y'.
- ＋Common for observing subtle feelings.
Examples
1.
褒められて、彼はまんざらでもない顔をしていた。
Home rare te, kare wa manzara de mo nai kao o shi te i ta.
Being praised, he looked not entirely displeased.
「not entirely / not completely (negation hedged)」
2.
嫌がっていたが、まんざらでもなさそうだ。
Iyaga te i ta ga, manzara de mo na sa sou da.
He was protesting, but he didn't seem entirely unhappy.
「not entirely / not completely (negation hedged)」