Japanese grammar

What does ～ないで済む mean? Japanese grammar N2

～ないで済む means gets by without having to…; avoids having to.

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N2
Structure	Vない + で済む
Romaji	naidesumu
Meaning	gets by without having to…; avoids having to

Forming it

Connection	Vない + で済む

How to use it

States the good fortune of AVOIDING a troublesome task. A positive outcome.

「～ないで済む」 = get to skip doing A, avoid A. Implies GOOD FORTUNE.
Equivalent forms: 「～ずに済む」 (more literary), 「～なくて済む」.
Different from 「～ないではすまない」 (MUST be done) — the two patterns have opposite meanings, differing by only a few characters.

Examples

予約(よやく)したので、長(なが)く待(ま)たないで済(す)みました。
Because I made a reservation, I did not have to wait long.
オンラインなら、会社(かいしゃ)へ行(い)かないで済(す)む。
If it is online, I can avoid going to the office.

Keep in mind

Implies good fortune.
OPPOSITE in meaning to 「ないではすまない」.

Common mistakes

Wrong会社(かいしゃ)へ行(い)かなくて済(す)む。

Correct会社(かいしゃ)へ行(い)かないで済(す)む。

The standard formula is Vない + で済む.

Exam tips

「ないで済む」 = get to skip doing something (fortunate); OPPOSITE of 「ないではすまない」 (must do).

Related patterns

All N2 grammar →