ずに
Without doing
Structure
Exceptions:
する ￫ せず(に)
Explanation
While it isn't counted among the main auxiliary verbs of contemporary Japanese, ず is a remnant from classical Japanese that serves the same purpose as ぬ or ない: to create a negative form of a verb. The grammar point ずに is formed by adding the case marking particle に to this classical negative form. This combination creates the meaning 'without doing (something)', functioning much like its counterpart, ないで.
To form this grammar point, connect ずに to the indeterminate form (also known as the A-stem) of the verb you want to negate. This is the very same conjugation you use when attaching ない.
- 傘を持たずに外へ出たから、雨にぬれた。I got wet in the rain because I went outside without taking an umbrella.
- 辞書を使わずに宿題をしていたから、間違いが多い。I have a lot of mistakes because I was doing my homework without using a dictionary.
Compared to ないで, ずに carries a more formal nuance. Despite this, it remains in common use today, particularly in established expressions such as ずにすむ (a grammar point we will cover separately).
Caution
Take care when using this grammar with する verbs. The correct conjugation is せずに, not しずに. While both せ and し are valid indeterminate forms of する, modern Japanese typically pairs し with ない and the classical form せ with ず.
- 連絡せずに遅刻したから、先生に怒られた。I was scolded by the teacher because I was late without contacting them.
- 心配をせずに、ゆっくり休んでくださいね。Please rest well without worrying.
Examples
評判を調べずに新しいレストランに行ったら、がっかりした。
I went to a new restaurant without looking up its reviews and was disappointed.
会議に遅れるのに誰にも連絡せずに申し訳ありませんでした。
I'm very sorry for being late to the meeting without contacting anyone.
パートナーに話さずに大きな買い物をしてしまった。
I ended up making a big purchase without talking to my partner.
ジャケットを着ずに出かけたら、風邪をひいた。
I went out without wearing a jacket and caught a cold.
後のことを考えず、行動するのはよくない。
It's not good to act without thinking about the consequences.
仕事を終わらせずに帰るわけにはいかない。
I can't possibly go home without finishing my work.
誰にも頼らずに、一人で問題を解決しようとした。
I tried to solve the problem by myself, without relying on anyone.
彼女はさようならも言わずに出て行った。
She left without even saying goodbye.
試験の前の日、寝ずに勉強した。
I studied the day before the exam without sleeping.
書類を確かめずに提出してはいけません。
You shouldn't submit the documents without double-checking them.
地図アプリのおかげで、迷わずに着くことができた。
Thanks to the map app, I was able to get there without getting lost.
お金を使わずに貯金するのは難しい。
It's difficult to save money without using it.