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.
without something
Used with nouns. For example, 'without sugar' is 砂糖なしで.
without doing something
Used with verbs. For example, 'without eating' is 食べないで.
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.
I drink coffee without sugar.
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.
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.
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.
Without wasabi, please.
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.
Expressing that something cannot happen or is not possible unless a certain condition is fulfilled. Equivalent to 'without' in conditional sentences.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I went out without an umbrella.
I can't live without you.
You must not borrow it without asking.
Let's talk seriously, without joking.
I went to school without eating breakfast.
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.
He left without saying anything.
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.
He kept walking without looking back even once.
You cannot succeed without making an effort.
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.
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.
You can't become good without practicing.
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).
I can't live without you.
a room without windows
endless possibilities (possibilities without limit)
A nominalized form meaning 'the absence of...' or 'being without...'. Used in more abstract or formal contexts.
Being without love is sad.
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.
Don't cry. (Without crying.)
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).
He left without saying goodbye.
Please come in without knocking.