ずに済む
Get by without doing something, To get away with
Structure
Verb［なくて］+ 済む
Verb［ないで］+ 済む
Explanation
The Japanese grammar pattern ずに済む expresses that something can be resolved or completed without needing to do a certain action. It implies that one 'manages without doing (A)' or 'avoids having to do (A)'. This expression is formed by combining ず, a classical negative form that functions like ない, the particle に, and the う-Verb 済む, which means 'to be settled' or 'to conclude'. Taken literally, it suggests that 'a situation is resolved without doing (A)'.
Because ず connects to verbs in the same way as ない, this grammar pattern attaches to the negative stem of the verb it modifies.
- お弁当を買えば、料理をせずに済むから楽だ。If I buy a bento box, I can get away without cooking, which is much easier.
- ミーティングはオンラインだったので、会社に行かずに済みました。The meeting was online, so I was able to avoid going into the office.
Since 済む is the core component that defines the meaning, alternative negative forms like ないで済む and なしで済む are also common. While ないで and ずに follow verbs, 無しで acts as a suffix and can be attached directly to nouns.
- レポートを出す前に間違いを見つけたので、書き直さないで済みました。I found the mistake before submitting the report, so I managed to avoid rewriting it.
- 雨が降りそうだったけど、結局降らなかったので傘なしで済みました。It looked like it was going to rain, but in the end it didn't, so I got by without an umbrella.
Generally, the action (A) that is being skipped is something negative or troublesome, so this grammar point frequently conveys the speaker's sense of relief at having been able to avoid it.
Examples
クーポンがあったので、定価で払わずに済んだ。
Since I had a coupon, I got by without paying the full price.
たくさん寝たら風邪が治ったので、薬を飲まずに済んだ。
My cold got better after sleeping a lot, so I managed without taking any medicine.
会議が中止になったおかげで、残業せずに済んだ。
Thanks to the meeting being cancelled, I got away with not working overtime.
友達は気にしていないようだったので、謝らずに済んだ。
My friend didn't seem to mind, so I got away without having to apologize.
インターネットで情報が見つかったので、図書館へ行かずに済んだ。
I found the information online, so I got by without going to the library.
先生の機嫌が良かったので、宿題を忘れたけど怒られずに済んだ。
The teacher was in a good mood, so even though I forgot my homework, I got away without being scolded.
友達が傘を貸してくれるから、新しいのを買わずに済む。
My friend is going to lend me an umbrella, so I can get by without buying a new one.
冷蔵庫の残り物で料理できたので、スーパーに寄らずに済んだ。
I was able to cook with the leftovers in the fridge, so I managed to avoid stopping by the supermarket.
先輩が駅まで車で送ってくれたので、バスを待たずに済んだ。
My senior gave me a ride to the station, so I got by without having to wait for the bus.
担当者の方が親切だったので、詳しい事情を説明せずに済みました。
The person in charge was very kind, so I was able to get by without explaining the detailed circumstances.
幸い飛行機は遅れずに済んだので、乗り継ぎに間に合った。
Luckily, the plane managed to avoid being late, so I made my connecting flight.
パソコンを再起動したら問題が解決したので、修理に出さずに済んだ。
The problem resolved itself after I restarted the computer, so I got by without sending it for repairs.