JLPT N5+ · Permission and obligation

Vなくてもいい

Removes the obligation to perform an action

Meaning

Removes the obligation to perform an action.

13 sentences

明日あしたは来こなくてもいいです
You do not have to come tomorrow.
全部ぜんぶ食べたべなくてもいい
You do not have to eat everything.
明日あしたは休みやすみですから、早くはやく起きなくてもおきなくてもいいです
Tomorrow is a day off, so you do not have to get up early.
小さなちいさな荷物にもつを運ばはこばなくてもいいです
You do not have to carry the small luggage.
青いあおい封筒ふうとうを選ばえらばなくてもいいです
You do not have to choose a blue envelope.
古いふるい雑誌ざっしを捨てすてなくてもいいです
You do not have to throw away the old magazines.
台所だいどころの窓まどを開けあけなくてもいいです
You do not have to open the kitchen window.
旅行りょこうの写真しゃしんを見みなくてもいいです
You do not have to look at the travel photos.

5 more examples

なくてもいい removes an obligation — 行かなくてもいい (you don't have to go), while going is still allowed. 書かなくてもいいですか asks whether you may skip something.

It is not a request not to act: 'please don't come' is 来ないでください. Do not confuse it with 行ってはいけない (must not go).

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: 短いみじかい手紙てがみを書かかかなくてもいいです You must not throw away important letters.You do not have to write a short letter.May I carry the small luggage?
Sentence 2: 駅えきの名前なまえを覚えおぼえなくてもいいです May I choose a blue envelope?You do not have to memorize the station name.You must not smoke here.
Sentence 3: 晩ご飯ばんごはんの準備じゅんびをしなくてもいいです May I throw away the old magazines?You must not enter this room.You do not have to prepare dinner.

The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.

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