Translation guide
In Japanese, 'without doing' is commonly expressed using the negative て-form (〜ないで) or the phrase 〜ずに. The choice depends on formality and the type of action. 〜ないで is the most versatile and natural in everyday speech, while 〜ずに is more formal or written. For nouns, 〜なしで is used.
Expressing that an action is not performed while another action or state occurs.
The negative て-form of a verb. This is the most common and neutral way to say 'without doing' in spoken and written Japanese. It can be used for simultaneous actions, manner, or means.
朝ごはんを食べないで学校に行った。
I went to school without eating breakfast.
彼は何も言わないで部屋を出た。
He left the room without saying anything.
A more formal or literary alternative to 〜ないで. It is often used in writing or formal speech. The verb stem is followed by ずに (for する verbs, use せずに).
彼は休まずに働き続けた。
He continued working without resting.
何も食べずに一日中勉強した。
I studied all day without eating anything.
A very formal and literary expression meaning 'without doing'. It is used in formal writing or speeches. Attach to the dictionary form of the verb.
彼は一度も振り返ることなく去っていった。
He left without ever looking back.
Expressing the absence of a thing or state.
Used with nouns to mean 'without N'. It is common in both spoken and written Japanese.
砂糖なしでコーヒーを飲みます。
I drink coffee without sugar.
許可なしで入ってはいけません。
You must not enter without permission.
Similar to なしで, but often implies 'leaving out' or 'excluding' something that is normally included. It can also mean 'without the help of'.
冗談抜きで真面目に話そう。
Let's talk seriously without joking.
彼の助け抜きではこの仕事は終わらせられない。
I can't finish this job without his help.
Expressing 'without doing' in a more casual or emphatic way, often with a nuance of 'not even doing'.
Emphasizes that the action was not done at all. It uses the verb stem + も + せずに (for する verbs, use しもせずに). It is somewhat literary or emphatic.
彼は返事もせずに立ち去った。
He left without even replying.
Both mean 'without doing', but 〜ないで is more common in everyday speech and neutral writing. 〜ずに is slightly more formal and often used in written language or formal speech. In casual conversation, 〜ないで is preferred.
電気を消さないで寝てしまった。
I fell asleep without turning off the light. (casual/natural)
電気を消さずに寝てしまった。
I fell asleep without turning off the light. (slightly formal/written)
English often uses 'without + -ing', but Japanese does not have a direct equivalent structure. Do not try to translate word-for-word. Use the patterns above instead.
彼は何も言わないで出て行った。
He left without saying anything. (natural)