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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.