Topic N3
Japanese Learning
8. 別に～ない : Not particularly / Not really.
✏️Structure
別に + Verb/Adjective (negative)💡Usage
Used to negate gently, or express indifference, "nothing special".
📚Examples
暗そうな顔をしているけど、どうしたの？「別に何でもないよ」
Kurasou na kao wo shiteiru kedo, doushita no? "Betsu ni nan demo nai yo"
You look down; what's wrong? "It's nothing special."
誤解しないでほしいんだけど、別に彼のことが嫌いなわけではないんだ。
Gokai shinaide hoshii n dakedo, betsu ni kare no koto ga kirai na wake dewa nai n da.
I don't want you to misunderstand, but it's not like I particularly dislike him.
「さっきから黙っているけど、怒ってる？」「ううん、別に怒ってないよ」
"Sakki kara damatteiru kedo, okotteru?" "Uun, betsu ni okottenai yo"
"You've been quiet for a while; are you angry?" "No, I'm not particularly angry."
誕生日だから何かプレゼントをあげたいけど、欲しいものは別にないですか？
Tanjoubi dakara nanika purezento wo agetai kedo, hoshii mono wa betsu ni nai desu ka?
It's your birthday, so I want to give you a present; is there nothing in particular that you want?
今から遊びに行かない？「忙しくなければいいけど」「別に忙しくないよ」
Ima kara asobi ni ikanai? "Isogashikunakereba ii kedo" "Betsu ni isogashikunai yo"
"Wanna go hang out?" "If you're not busy..." "I'm not particularly busy."
どうしてあんなことをしたの？「別に深い理由はないけど、なんとなく」
Doushite anna koto wo shita no? "Betsu ni fukai riyuu wa nai kedo, nantonaku"
Why did you do that? "There's no particular deep reason; I just felt like it."
評判が良かったから見てみたけど、その映画、別に面白くなかった。
Hyouban ga yokatta kara mitemita kedo, sono eiga, betsu ni omoshirokunakatta.
I watched it because of the good reviews, but that movie wasn't particularly interesting.
陰で色々言われているみたいだけど、私は別に気にしていない。
Kage de iroiro iwareteiru mitai dakedo, watashi wa betsu ni ki ni shiteinai.
Apparently, people are saying various things behind my back, but I don't particularly care.
「喉が渇いたでしょう。何か飲む？」「ありがとう、でも今は別にいらない」
"Nodo ga kawaita deshou. Nanika nomu?" "Arigatou, demo ima wa betsu ni iranai"
"You must be thirsty. Want something to drink?" "Thanks, but I don't really need anything right now."
そんなに恐縮しないで。謝る必要は別にないよ。
Sonna ni kyoushuku shinaide. Ayamaru hitsuyou wa betsu ni nai yo.
Don't be so apologetic. There's no particular need to apologize.