～ないで

When to use

ないで: without doing (朝ご飯を食べないで出かけた). Not a reason: なくて.

Explanation

The ～ないで grammar point is used to express the idea of 'without doing something' or 'without ~ing' in English. It is formed by attaching the ない-form of the verb and adding で (de). This is used for expressing when an action is not taken or avoided, without interfering with the main action.

• 会あわないでその電話でんわをかけました。

  I made the phone call without meeting them.

  Awanai de sono denwa wo kakemashita.

• 雨あめが降ふるのを待またないで、家いえを出でました。

  I left the house without waiting for it to rain.

  Ame ga furu no wo matanai de, ie wo demashita.

• 誰だれにも聞きかないで、その秘密ひみつを知しりました。

  I found out the secret without asking anyone.

  Dare ni mo kikanai de, sono himitsu wo shirimashita.

• 遅おくれることを知しらないで、駅えきに向むかいました。

  I headed to the station without knowing I was late.

  Okureru koto wo shiranai de, eki ni mukaimashita.

Without X (Cannot Do Without)

• Noun なくして～はないNoun nakushite ~ wa naiN1Expresses 'without ~, there can't be ~'; 'can't do ~…
• Noun なしでは～ないNoun nashi de wa ~naiN1Expresses the necessity of something; 'cannot do without'…
• Verb ことなく~kotonakuN2Means 'without doing', 'not doing', or 'without happening'.
• Verb ないことには Verb ない~nai koto ni wa ~ naiN2Express that something cannot be done without meeting a…
• ～てからでないと〜te kara denai toN2Indicates that something cannot be done before a certain…
• Noun + あっての + NounA atte no BN1Expresses 'B cannot exist without A'; 'B only exists…
• Verb ずとも〜zu tomoN1Means 'Even without doing (X), (Y) can still happen'.
• Verb もしないで~ mo shinai deN1Means 'without even doing'.
• Verbる こと なし にVerb-ru koto nashi niN1Used to express 'without doing something'.

Compare when to use each