Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
Noun なしには~ない (Noun nashi ni wa ~nai)

Noun なしには~ない (Noun nashi ni wa ~nai)

Short explanation:

It means 'without', 'cannot do without', 'not possible without'.

Formation:

Noun + なしには + Verb-negative

Examples:

お金なしには生活ができない。
Okane nashi niwa seikatsu ga dekinai.
Without money, life is not possible.
愛情なしには子育てができない。
Aijou nashi niwa sodate ga dekinai.
You cannot raise a child without love.
彼なしにはこのプロジェクトを進められない。
Kare nashi niwa kono purojekuto wo susumerarenai.
Without him, I cannot advance this project.
水なしには生きていけない。
Mizu nashi niwa ikite ikenai.
I cannot live without water.

Long explanation:

The なしには~ない grammar point is used to express the necessity of something. It means that without the thing mentioned before なしには, it's not possible to do the action stated after ない. It can be translated as 'without', 'cannot do without', or 'not possible without' in English.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: Noun なしには~ない (Noun nashi ni wa ~nai)

Japanese Grammar Point: Noun なしには~ない (Noun nashi ni wa ~nai)

Noun なしには~ない (Noun nashi ni wa ~nai)


1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the grammar point 「Noun なしには~ない」, which is used to express that without something, something else cannot happen. This structure emphasizes the necessity of the noun for the occurrence of an action or event.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

  • Without [Noun], cannot [Verb]
  • It's impossible to [Verb] without [Noun]

Structure

Noun + なしには + Verb (negative form)

Formation Diagram

Component Role
Noun The necessary thing or condition
なしには Without
Verb (~ない) The action that cannot occur

3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Grammar Point: ~なくしては~ない (~nakushite wa ~nai)

  • Structure: Verb (ない形) + くしては + Verb (negative form)
  • Usage: Also means "cannot do without doing something"
  • Difference:
    • なしには is used with nouns.
    • なくしては is used with verbs.

4. Examples in Context

Formal Context

  • 日本の歴史 なしには、京都を理解することはでき ません
    • Nihon no rekishi nashi ni wa, Kyōto o rikai suru koto wa deki masen.
    • Without Japanese history, you cannot understand Kyoto.

Informal Context

  • なしには 生きていけ ない
    • Kimi nashi ni wa ikite ike nai.
    • I can't live without you.

Written Context

  • 適切な計画 なしには、プロジェクトは成功し ない
    • Tekisetsu na keikaku nashi ni wa, purojekuto wa seikō shi nai.
    • Without an appropriate plan, the project won't succeed.

Spoken Context

  • 努力 なしには 何も得られ ない よ。
    • Doryoku nashi ni wa nani mo erare nai yo.
    • You can't gain anything without effort.

5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

  • なしには can be used in both formal and informal settings.
  • It adds emphasis on the indispensability of something.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • なしには 生きられ ない
    • Ai nashi ni wa ikirare nai.
    • Cannot live without love.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

  1. Using verbs instead of nouns before なしには
    • Incorrect: 食べるなしには 生きられない。
    • Correct: 食事なしには 生きられない。
  2. Forgetting the negative form of the verb
    • Incorrect: 努力なしには成功する。
    • Correct: 努力なしには成功しない

Tips

  • Ensure that the word before なしには is a noun.
  • Remember to use the negative form of the verb after なしには.
  • If using a verb, nominalize it using こと or .

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • Noun + なしには + Verb (negative form) is used to express that something cannot happen without the noun.
  • It emphasizes the necessity of the noun for the action to occur.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Fill in the blank: 資金 ______ プロジェクトは進められない。
    • Answer: なしには
  2. True or False: The following sentence is correct -
    • 経験なしには、この仕事はできない。
    • Answer: True

By mastering 「Noun なしには~ない」, you can effectively express necessity and prerequisites in Japanese, enhancing both your spoken and written communication.

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Public Alpha version Open Source (GitHub). This site is currently undergoing active development. You may (will) encounter bugs, inconsistencies, or limited functionality. Lots of sentences might not sound natural. We are progressively addressing these issues with native speakers.


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