JLPT N1 grammar
〜なしに(は) — Meaning & Examples
"Without X" — formal, flexible negative. 許可なしに入るな (prohibition); 彼の助けなしには終わらなかった. Also powers 〜ことなしに for verbs. Cf. なくして(は), which leans more literary/dramatic.
〜なしに(は) — "Without X"
なしに(は) means "without X" — close in meaning to the なくして(は) you already know, but slightly less literary and comfortable in prohibitions.
Pattern: [noun] + なしに(は) ／ [verb dictionary form] + ことなしに
許可なしに入ってはいけません。
= You may not enter without permission.
彼の助けなしには、この仕事は終わらなかっただろう。
= Without his help, this work would never have been finished.
努力することなしに、成功は望めない。
= Without making an effort, you cannot hope for success.
なしに vs なくして(は): Both mean "without X, Y" formally. なくして(は) leans toward abstract nouns paired with big, dramatic negatives (努力なくして成功はない). なしに is more flexible — it also powers prohibitions (許可なしに入るな) and the verb pattern 〜ことなしに, which なくして doesn't take as naturally.
Key feeling: A precise, formal negative — X simply isn't present, and everything downstream depends on that absence.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜なしに(は). Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 「許可なしに入ってはいけません。」 means?
- You may not enter without permission
- You must enter with permission
- Entry is always forbidden
- Permission is unnecessary
Show answer
Answer: You may not enter without permission
なしに(は) = without X — here powering a prohibition: entering without permission is not allowed.
2. How does なしに differ from なくして(は) in usage?
- They are never interchangeable
- なしに is more flexible, also powering prohibitions and 〜ことなしに; なくして(は) leans literary/dramatic with abstract nouns
- なくして(は) is used only in questions
- なしに cannot follow nouns
Show answer
Answer: なしに is more flexible, also powering prohibitions and 〜ことなしに; なくして(は) leans literary/dramatic with abstract nouns
なしに is more flexible (許可なしに入るな, 努力することなしに); なくして(は) leans toward big, dramatic abstract-noun statements (努力なくして成功はない).
3. 「努力することなしに、成功は望めない。」 uses which construction?
- なしに alone with a noun
- をものともせず
- ならいざしらず
- ことなしに after a verb dictionary form
Show answer
Answer: ことなしに after a verb dictionary form
〜ことなしに attaches なしに to a verb via こと — "without doing X" — a construction なくして doesn't take as naturally.
Practise 〜なしに(は) in the free app
This point is part of the “Without, Let Alone & Undaunted — なしに(は)・をものともせず・はおろか・ならいざしらず” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: Without, Let Alone & Undaunted — なしに(は)・をものともせず・はおろか・ならいざしらず
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜なしに(は) mean?
"Without X" — formal, flexible negative. 許可なしに入るな (prohibition); 彼の助けなしには終わらなかった. Also powers 〜ことなしに for verbs. Cf. なくして(は), which leans more literary/dramatic.
Is 〜なしに(は) on the JLPT N1 test?
〜なしに(は) is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Without, Let Alone & Undaunted — なしに(は)・をものともせず・はおろか・ならいざしらず”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜なしに(は)?
Open the “Without, Let Alone & Undaunted — なしに(は)・をものともせず・はおろか・ならいざしらず” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.