Japanese grammar
What does ～もしないで mean? Japanese grammar N1
～もしないで means without even trying to…; without even doing….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vます形 + もしないで Nも + しないで |
| Romaji | moshinaide |
| Meaning | without even trying to…; without even doing… |
Forming it
| Noun | 勉強 + もしないで |
|---|---|
| Verb (masu-stem) | 調べ + もしないで |
How to use it
Critical: didn't even do basic step A before doing B. Colloquial, carries a disapproving tone.
- 「～もしないで」 = didn't even bother doing A (a basic thing) before doing B. The 「も」 emphasizes "not even A".
- Carries a CRITICAL/reproachful tone, unlike the neutral 「～ないで」.
- Attaches to the MASU-STEM of the verb; for noun + する, it splits as 「勉強もしないで」.
Examples
調べもしないで、いい加減なことを言うな。
Don’t talk nonsense without even looking it up.
彼は勉強もしないで試験に臨んだ。
He went into the exam without so much as studying.
Keep in mind
- Attaches to the masu-stem.
- Always carries a disparaging tone.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong調べるもしないで、答えた。
He answered without even bothering to check.
Correct調べもしないで、答えた。
Attaches to the MASU-STEM (調べ), not the dictionary form.
-
Wrong傘を持ちもしないで出かけて、ぬれなかった。
I went out without even bothering to bring an umbrella, and yet I didn't get wet.
Correct傘を持ちもしないで出かけて、ずぶぬれになった。
This pattern carries a CRITICAL tone, so the following clause is usually a bad consequence.
Exam tips
- 「もしないで」 = didn't even bother with A before B (disapproving); attaches to the masu-stem.