〜ずに済む
JLPT N2:manage without / avoid having to
Says an undesirable or expected action proved unnecessary: “manage without doing” or “avoid having to do”.
How to form it
- Replace ない in the ない form with ずに済む: 待たない becomes 待たずに済む.
- する becomes せずに済む. Tense and politeness appear on 済む.
Examples
傘を借りたので、ぬれずに済んだ。
Because I borrowed an umbrella, I managed not to get wet.
予約しておけば、長く待たずに済みます。
If you reserve, you will not have to wait long.
Common mistakes
- Saying しず; the する form is せず.
- Using it when the omitted action was wanted rather than avoided.
Same form, different meaning
- 〜ずにwithout doing (formal)
ずに alone means “without doing”; 済む adds that this outcome was fortunate or sufficient.