ずとも

even without doing, even without being, even if not, without, don't have to

AI-generated

Structure

[verb ない-form 〜ない → 〜] + ずともする → せずとも [verb ない-form 〜ない → 〜] + ずともよい

Description

ずとも means "even without doing": the main clause holds whether or not the action happens. Take the ない-form of a verb and replace ない with ずとも – 言わない gives いわ言わずとも. It is literary, the written counterpart of 〜～なくても, and you meet it in writing, speeches and a handful of set phrases.

。

I know without being told.

。

I know the answer without asking.

、。

There's still time, even without hurrying.

becomes せずとも, and becomes , read こずとも.

、。

Everyone knows that without it being explained.

× しずとも → せずとも

In conversation the same sentence takes なくても.

、。

It'll work out even if you don't push yourself.

ずともよい

Followed by よい or いい, ずとも gives permission not to do something: "you need not". It is the literary form of なくてもいい, and sounds old-fashioned or stiff.

。

You need not come today.

。

There's no need to worry that much.

Examples

。

I understand even without being told.

、。

Even without hurrying, there is still time.

、。

Even without asking, I could sense his feelings.

、。

Even without looking, I can imagine the result.

、。

Everyone knows that even without it being explained.

、。

Even without forcing it, things will surely go well.

、。

Even without coming all this way, it's a matter that can be handled over the phone.

、。

Even without being taught, children learn naturally.

、。

Even without knowing everything, one can make a judgment.

、。

Even without reading it, I mostly know the contents of that book.

、。

Even without asking him, I can do it myself.

、。

Even without saying much, his expression told the whole story.

。

You need not hurry so much.

References

ずともBunpro

ずじまい

ずにはおかない / ないではおかない