without, unless

Advanced

25-30 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Emphasizes that something is impossible without a certain condition.

[Noun] + なくして(は)

努力なくして成功はない。

Doryoku nakushite seikou wa nai.

There is no success without effort.

信頼なくしては、良い関係は築けない。

Shinrai nakushite wa, yoi kankei wa kizukenai.

Without trust, a good relationship cannot be built.

Formal emphasis of necessity.

～ずにはおかない

cannot help but, will definitely

～ならいざ知らず

~ might be one thing, but; leaving ~ aside

～てやまない

earnestly wish/hope, never stop ~ing

～をものともせずに

not being daunted by ~, in spite of ~

～んがため(に)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~ (formal/literary)

Used for emphasizing prerequisites.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

Study with our comprehensive grammar guides and practice materials.