ISORI

〜なくても

JLPT N4:

even if not / even without

"Even if (you) don't…" or "even without…": the result is the same either way.

How to form it

  • Start from the ない form and replace ない with なくても: 急(いそ)がない becomes 急(いそ)がなくても.
  • After a noun, がなくても means "even without": 辞書(じしょ)がなくても (even without a dictionary).
  • With いい, it means "don't have to". See 〜なくてもいい.

Examples

辞書(じしょ)がなくても読(よ)めます。

I can read it without a dictionary.

急(いそ)がなくても間(ま)に合(あ)うよ。

You'll make it even if you don't hurry.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing it with なくてはいけない (must). なくても means "even if not".

Same form, different meaning