By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The grammar pattern ～ことなしに means “without doing something” or “without the need to do something”. It emphasizes that one action is carried out without performing another action that might normally be expected.
Translation: Without doing / Without having to do
Form:
- Verb (dictionary form) + ことなしに
Used when:
- Describing that something happens without another action occurring
- Emphasizing exceptions, efficiency, or unexpected outcomes
- Common in written/formal language
💡 Example Sentences
- 努力することなしに、成功はあり得ない。
Without making an effort, success is impossible. - 彼は一度も練習することなしに、試合に勝った。
He won the match without practicing even once. - 説明することなしに、彼女は部屋を出て行った。
She left the room without offering any explanation. - 誰にも相談することなしに、彼は会社を辞めた。
He quit his job without consulting anyone. - 苦労することなしに、成功を手に入れるのは難しい。
It’s hard to achieve success without going through hardship.
📚 Grammar Notes
- This is a formal expression often used in academic writing or news.
- It typically precedes a result that seems impressive or surprising.
- Can be replaced by ～ないで in casual speech, though less nuanced.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
- 準備＿＿＿＿、本番に臨むのは無謀だ。
- 彼は一言も言う＿＿＿＿、立ち去った。
- 人の助け＿＿＿＿、ここまで来られなかった。
✔ Answers:
- することなしに
- ことなしに
- を得ることなしに
2. Translate into Japanese
- He succeeded without trying.
- They made a decision without discussing it.
- You can’t gain trust without being honest.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 彼は挑戦することなしに成功した。
- 彼らは話し合うことなしに決定した。
- 正直であることなしに信頼は得られない。
🔗 Related Grammar
- ～ないで: without doing (casual form)
- ～ことなく: literary equivalent, slightly different nuance
- ～ずに: formal negative form of ないで
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: Without doing something
- Level: JLPT N2/N1
- Form: Verb (dictionary form) + ことなしに
- Formality: Formal / Written language
- Usage: Highlights a result achieved without a certain action
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I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
