もしないで
🃏 Flashcard
もしないで
mo shinai de
Tap to reveal usage
without even doing ~
N1
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
mo shinai de
Post ID
51267
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
without even doing ~
📖 How to use it
Expresses doing something without even performing a minimal expected action.
Attaches to
Attach to the ます-stem of a verb (the form before ます). For example, 言い (from 言います), 食べ (from 食べます), 来 (from 来ます).
This pattern emphasizes that someone does something without even taking the smallest step that would normally be expected. It often carries a tone of criticism, surprise, or disappointment. The も adds the nuance of 'even', so もしないで means 'without even doing'.
彼は挨拶もしないで、部屋に入ってきた。
Kare wa aisatsu mo shinai de, heya ni haitte kita.
He came into the room without even greeting.
朝ごはんも食べないで、学校に行った。
Asagohan mo tabenai de, gakkou ni itta.
I went to school without even eating breakfast.
理由も聞かないで、彼女を責めた。
Riyuu mo kikanai de, kanojo o semeta.
He blamed her without even asking the reason.
Not ないで (without doing)
ないで simply means 'without doing' without the emphasis of 'even'. もしないで adds the nuance that the action was minimal or expected, so it is stronger. For example, '挨拶しないで' just states he didn't greet, while '挨拶もしないで' implies he didn't even bother to greet, which is surprising.
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This pattern is used in both spoken and written Japanese, but it is more common in narrative or descriptive contexts, often in news or storytelling, rather than casual daily conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
もしないで
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat もしないで three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using もしないで. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern もしないで mean?
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Without even doing ~
What JLPT level is もしないで?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use もしないで in a sentence?
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Attach もしないで (mo shinai de) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is もしないで formal or casual Japanese?
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もしないで is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember もしないで long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.