〜ないで

do not...; without doing...

1. Overview

The expression 「〜ないで」 in Japanese is used to indicate "do not..." or "without doing...". It describes a situation where an action is not performed under certain conditions. This structure is often used for requests, commands, or to describe the state of an action.

2. Structure

3. Usage Explanation

• Indicating Non-Execution of an Action:

  • 「〜ないで」 is typically combined with the negative form of a verb to indicate the non-performance of an action.

• Requests or Suggestions:

  • It can be used to request someone not to do something.

• Translation:

  • Generally translated as “do not...” or “without doing...”.

4. Example Sentences

1. 宿題をしないで遊びに行った。
   (I went out to play without doing my homework.)

2. もう少し静かにしないでください。
   (Please do not be too loud.)

3. このまま行かないでください。
   (Please do not go like this.)

4. 食べないで待っていて。
   (Please wait without eating.)

5. 彼は何も言わないで、出て行った。
   (He left without saying anything.)

5. Notes

• Context:

  • 「〜ないで」 is commonly used in both spoken and written language, and its specific meaning depends on the context.

• Form Changes:

  • Be mindful of the changes in the negative form of different verbs and sentence structures.

6. Summary

「〜ないで」 is a grammatical form used to express non-execution of an action, widely applicable in daily conversation to convey requests and negations.