〜なくてもいい
JLPT N4:don't have to
Says something is not necessary: "don't have to", "it's OK not to".
How to form it
- Start from the ない form and replace ない with なくてもいい: 来ない becomes 来なくてもいい.
- Add です to be polite. かまわない can replace いい: 来なくてもかまいません.
- Ask with か: 行かなくてもいいですか (is it OK if I don't go?).
Examples
明日は来なくてもいいです。
You don't have to come tomorrow.
全部食べなくてもいいよ。
You don't have to eat it all.
Common mistakes
- Reading it as a prohibition. 行かなくてもいい means you don't have to go, not that you must not go.
Similar meaning
- 〜なければならないmust / have to
The opposite: "must".
Same form, different meaning
- 〜てもいいmay / it's OK to
〜てもいい: "may", "it's OK to".
- 〜なくてもeven if not / even without
なくても without いい: "even if not".