Meaning
Links action B to action A not being performed.
Formation
- ない form + で — 食べない → 食べないで
- The main predicate follows: 朝ご飯を食べないで学校へ行った
When to use it
- Core use
- Links action B to action A not being performed
Examples
14 sentences-
朝ご飯を食べないで学校へ行った
I went to school without eating breakfast.
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傘を持たないで出かけました
I went out without taking an umbrella.
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この文は辞書を使わないで読んでみます
I will try reading this sentence without using a dictionary.
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今朝は傘を持たないで家を出ました
This morning I left home without taking an umbrella.
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荷物を持たないで受付へ行きます
I will go to reception without taking my luggage.
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封筒に名前を書かないで手紙を出しました
I sent the letter without writing my name on the envelope.
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古い雑誌を捨てないで部屋を掃除します
I will clean the room without throwing away the old magazines.
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台所の窓を開けないで料理を始めます
I will start cooking without opening the kitchen window.
6 more examples
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旅行の写真を見ないで友達に電話します
I will call my friend without looking at the travel photos.
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手紙を書かないで電話しました
I called instead of writing a letter.
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友達の話を聞かないで自分の経験を話します
I will talk about my own experience without listening to my friend's story.
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駅の名前を覚えないで地図を見ます
I will look at the map without memorizing the station name.
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家の鍵を探さないで家を出ます
I will leave the house without looking for the house key.
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晩ご飯を作らないで外で食べました
I ate out instead of cooking dinner.
Important notes
- ないで means 'without doing' or 'instead of doing': 朝ご飯を食べないで出かけた (went out without breakfast). Both parts usually share one subject.
Common mistakes
- For a cause use なくて: 財布がなくて困った (I was in trouble because I had no wallet). 傘を持たないで出かけた and 傘を持たなくて困った link the parts differently.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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