〜ないで
JLPT N4:without doing / instead of
"Without doing X" or "instead of doing X": the action is done with something else left undone.
How to form it
- Put the verb in the ない form and add で: 食べないで (without eating).
- The same person does both actions: 朝ご飯を食べないで学校に行った (I went to school without eating breakfast).
- It also means "instead of": バスに乗らないで歩いた (I walked instead of taking the bus).
- At the end of a casual sentence it is a request: 行かないで (don't go). See 〜ないでください.
Examples
朝ご飯を食べないで学校に行った。
I went to school without eating breakfast.
テレビを見ないで勉強しなさい。
Turn off the TV and study.
Notes
- The formal, written version is 〜ずに.
Common mistakes
- Using ないで for a reason. Say お金がなくて買えなかった, not お金がないで.
Similar meaning
- 〜ずにwithout doing (formal)
The same meaning in formal speech and writing.
- 〜なくてnot…, and / because not
なくて: "not X, and so…", often giving a reason.