Japanese grammar · no level in the source

〜ないでmeaning and usage

Meaning

Do B without doing A. Emphasizes that A is not done, as if it might be done in other circumstances

How to form it

  • verb (nai-form)でverb

How it is used

'Do B without doing A', or 'do B instead of A'. Same meaning as the more written 「〜ずに」; 「ないで」 is more conversational. Don't mix it up with 「〜なくて」, which gives a reason.

Examples

  1. 今朝は朝ごはんを食べないで学校に来ました。

    I came to school this morning without eating breakfast.

  2. 弟は勉強しないで、ずっとゲームをしている。

    Instead of studying, my little brother keeps playing games.

  3. 辞書を使わないで、この本を最後まで読みました。

    I read this book all the way through without using a dictionary.