抜きで
Without, Unless
Structure
Noun + 抜きに(は)
Noun + を + 抜きにして(は)
Noun + は + 抜きとして(は)
Noun + 抜き + の + Noun
Explanation
抜きで, formed from the noun form of the verb 抜く (to pull out/to remove) plus the particle で, is a construction used to mean 'without (A)' or 'excluding (A)'. Since ぬき implies taking something away, this grammar point is most often used to talk about omitting or leaving aside something that is usually present.
抜きで functions as a suffix, attaching directly to a noun to specify what is being excluded. It is common to see this grammar written in both kanji and hiragana. When ぬき modifies a noun that comes immediately after it, の is used instead of で.
- 先生、お世辞抜きで、この授業は本当に面白いです。Teacher, all flattery aside, this class is genuinely interesting.
- 田中さんはまだだけど、彼抜きで会議を始めましょう。Tanaka-san isn't here yet, but let's start the meeting without him.
- 砂糖抜きのコーヒーをお願いします。I'd like a coffee without sugar, please.
In some instances, にして can take the place of で. This form, ぬきにして, is most often used when the clause that follows has a negative verb, such as ない or できない. It is used to convey that something 'would not be possible without (A)', or 'cannot be considered without (A)'.
- 皆の協力抜きにしては、このイベントの成功はあり得なかった。The event could not have succeeded without everyone's cooperation.
- インターネット抜きにして、現代の生活は考えられない。It's impossible to imagine modern life without the internet.
However, this is not a strict rule. The standard forms ぬきで and ぬきでは can also be found in negative sentences, where they carry the same meaning.
Examples
努力抜きには成功はあり得ない。
Success is impossible without effort.
部長は怖いから、部長抜きで会議をしましょう。
The boss is intimidating, so let's have the meeting without him.
私は砂糖抜きのコーヒーが好きです。
I like coffee without sugar.
Ａ：「あの人、お金持ちだから結婚するの」Ｂ：「うそでしょ？愛情抜きで結婚するつもり？」
A: 'I'm going to marry him because he's rich.' B: 'You're kidding, right? You're planning to get married without any love?'
友達同士の会話：「仕事のことは抜きで、今日は楽しもうぜ！」
A conversation between friends: 'Let's just have fun today, without thinking about work!'
私としては、コーヒー抜きで朝を始めるなんて考えられない。
As for me, starting the morning without coffee is unthinkable.
インターネットを抜きにして現代の技術を語ることはできない。
It is impossible to discuss modern technology without the internet.
ダイエットのために、炭水化物抜きの食事を続けている。
For my diet, I've been continuing with a carb-free meal plan.
今ではカメラ抜きのスマートフォンは想像しにくい。
Nowadays, it is hard to imagine a smartphone without a camera.
同僚Ａ：「ちょっと話せますか？」同僚Ｂ：「ええ。建前抜きで、本音で話し合いましょう。」
Colleague A: 'Can we talk for a minute?' Colleague B: 'Of course. Let's speak frankly, without any formalities.'
カフェの店員：「お飲み物はいかがなさいますか？」お客さん：「アイスティーを氷抜きでお願いします。」
Cafe staff: 'What would you like to drink?' Customer: 'I'll have an iced tea, without ice, please.'