JLPT N1 grammar
〜ずに済ませる: meaning and usage
Meaning
Get something done without doing A
How to form it
- verb (nai-form without ない)ずに済ませる
- verb (nai-form)で済ませる
- する → せずに済ませる
How it is used
Deliberately manage without A, to save money or effort or avoid trouble. 「〜ずに済む」 only reports the outcome ('didn't have to'); 「〜ずに済ませる」 stresses the choice. Speech often says 「〜ないで済ませる」.
Examples
今日の化粧は鏡を見ずに済ませたの。
I got my makeup done today without looking in the mirror.
タクシーを使わずに済ませたくて、駅から歩いた。
I wanted to manage without a taxi, so I walked from the station.
会議を開かずに済ませるため、メールで意見を集めた。
To get it done without holding a meeting, we gathered opinions by email.