Meaning and Usage
"必ずしも" is an adverb used to express that something is not always or not necessarily the case. It often appears with negative verbs or expressions like "とは限らない" (not necessarily). It softens statements, showing that the speaker does not claim something is always true.
Common Collocations
- 必ずしも〜とは限らない: used to say "not necessarily" or "not always".
- 必ずしも正しいとは限らない: "not necessarily correct."
Nuance and Register
This phrase is neutral and common in both spoken and written Japanese. It is useful for expressing doubt or exceptions politely.
Learner Tips
A common mistake is to use "必ずしも" with positive statements without a negative phrase, which sounds unnatural. Always pair it with a negative or limiting expression like "とは限らない" to convey the intended meaning.