This means you do something without doing another thing. It is like saying 'without doing X' or 'instead of doing X'.
Verb [ない-form] + でPrimary
This means you do something without doing another thing. It is like saying 'without doing X' or 'instead of doing X'.
電気を消さないで寝てしまった。
I fell asleep without turning off the lights.
彼は何も言わないで、部屋を出て行った。
He left the room without saying anything.
彼は何も食べないで一日過ごしたが、特に体調は悪くならなかった。
He spent the day without eating anything, but he didn't feel particularly unwell.
夜遅くに大きい音を出さないでください。
Please don't make loud noises late at night.
辞書を引かないでこの記事が読めますか。
Can you read this article without using a dictionary?
This grammar has two main uses. It can show you do something without doing another thing. Like going to school without eating breakfast. It can also tell someone not to do something. Like saying 'Don't run.' The rest of the sentence helps you know which one it is.
You use 〜ないで for "without doing" in everyday talk. 〜ずに is for writing or formal speech. They both mean "without doing." But only 〜ないで works for negative requests. For example, you can say "Don't eat." You cannot use 〜ずに for this. 〜ことなく is the most formal way. It is mostly for writing. It makes the lack of action sound stronger.
Watch out: People often mix up 〜ないで and 〜なくて. They both connect negative ideas. But they have different jobs. Use 〜ないで to say you do something without doing another thing. It means 'without doing X'. Or 'instead of doing X'. Use 〜なくて to give a reason. It means 'because X did not happen'. For example, you cannot say '時間がないで'. To say 'because I don't have time', you must say '時間がなくて'.
Contrasts with(1)
Track your mastery
Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.