Translation guide
The English word 'without' is used to indicate the absence of something, an action not happening, or a condition not being met. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various particles, verb endings, and set phrases depending on the context. The most common equivalent is the particle なしで (nashi de) or the negative て-form (なくて/ないで). Learners should be careful not to directly translate 'without' as a single word, as Japanese often uses negative verb forms or noun + なし patterns.
Expressing that something is done or exists in the absence of a particular object, substance, or person.
Attach なしで to a noun to mean 'without (noun)'. This is the most common and versatile way to express the absence of something. It can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
砂糖なしでコーヒーを飲みます。
I drink coffee without sugar.
彼は許可なしで部屋に入った。
He entered the room without permission.
Similar to なしで, but slightly more formal or literary. Often used in written language or set phrases.
断りなしに借りてはいけません。
You must not borrow it without asking.
Uses the negative て-form of ある (to exist) to mean 'without (noun)'. It implies a cause or reason, often translated as 'because there is no...' or 'without...'. More colloquial than なしで.
お金がなくて買えなかった。
I couldn't buy it because I didn't have money. / Without money, I couldn't buy it.
Means 'without' or 'omitting' something that is normally included. Often used for ingredients, steps, or people. Can imply a deliberate exclusion.
わさび抜きでお願いします。
Without wasabi, please.
冗談抜きで真面目に話そう。
Let's talk seriously, without joking.
Expressing that an action is not performed while another action occurs, or that a state is achieved without performing an action.
The negative て-form of a verb. Used to mean 'without doing (verb)' when connecting two clauses. It indicates that the second action is done while the first action is not done. Very common in everyday speech.
朝ごはんを食べないで学校に行った。
I went to school without eating breakfast.
傘を持たないで出かけた。
I went out without taking an umbrella.
A more formal or literary equivalent of ないで. It is formed by replacing ない with ず and adding に. Often used in written language or formal speech.
彼は何も言わずに去った。
He left without saying anything.
休まずに働いた。
I worked without resting.
A more emphatic and formal way to say 'without doing'. It attaches to the dictionary form of a verb and is often used in written or formal contexts to stress the absence of an action.
彼は一度も振り返ることなく歩き続けた。
He kept walking without looking back even once.
Expressing that something cannot happen or is not possible unless a certain condition is fulfilled. Equivalent to 'without' in conditional sentences.
The conditional form of the negative verb. It means 'if (one) does not...' or 'without...'. Often used in sentences like 'You can't succeed without trying.'
努力しなければ成功できない。
You cannot succeed without making an effort.
許可がなければ入れません。
You cannot enter without permission.
A more casual conditional form. It is short for ～ないといけない (must do) but can also mean 'without doing...'. Often used in spoken Japanese.
急がないと遅れるよ。
We'll be late without hurrying. / If we don't hurry, we'll be late.
Similar to なければ, but slightly more emphatic or formal. It can be used in the same way to express a necessary condition.
練習しなくては上手になれない。
You can't become good without practicing.
Expressing that an action is done in the absence of a person, or that something is missing. Often used with verbs like 行く (go) or する (do).
Means 'without (someone/something)' or 'leaving out'. It is often used when someone or something is excluded from a group or activity. More formal than 抜きで.
彼を抜きにして会議を始めましょう。
Let's start the meeting without him.
Emphasizes that something is impossible or very difficult without a particular person or thing. Often used in the phrase ～なしではいられない (can't do without).
あなたなしでは生きていけない。
I can't live without you.
Describing something that lacks a particular quality, feature, or attribute. Often used with adjectives or descriptive nouns.
Uses the negative form of ある (to exist) to modify a noun, meaning 'without (noun)' or 'lacking (noun)'. It is a relative clause structure.
A nominalized form meaning 'the absence of...' or 'being without...'. Used in more abstract or formal contexts.
愛のないことは悲しい。
Being without love is sad.
Telling someone not to do something, equivalent to 'without doing' in imperative sentences like 'Leave without making noise.'
Polite negative request: 'Please do not do (something).' It is the standard way to ask someone to refrain from an action.
ここで写真を撮らないでください。
Please do not take photos here. (Please without taking photos.)
Casual negative request or command: 'Don't do (something).' Used among friends or in informal situations.
泣かないで。
Don't cry. (Without crying.)
なしで is used with nouns to mean 'without (something)', while ないで is used with verbs to mean 'without (doing something)'. Do not confuse them. For example, 'without an umbrella' is 傘なしで, but 'without taking an umbrella' is 傘を持たないで.
傘なしで出かけた。
I went out without an umbrella.
傘を持たないで出かけた。
I went out without taking an umbrella.
English 'without' cannot be directly translated as a single Japanese word in most cases. Learners often mistakenly use ない (nai) alone, but it must be part of a grammatical pattern. For example, 'without eating' is not 食べるない but 食べないで.
When you want to emphasize that something is intentionally left out (like an ingredient or a person), 抜き (nuki) is a good choice. It is common in requests like わさび抜きで (without wasabi).
あなたなしでは生きていけない。
I can't live without you.
彼はさよならも言わずに去った。
He left without saying goodbye.
ノックしないで入ってください。
Please come in without knocking.