「〜ずに済む」- Avoiding Trouble

Explanation

「〜ずに済む」 (zuni sumu) is a commonly used Japanese expression that means "to manage without doing something" or "to avoid trouble by not doing something." This expression is primarily used to emphasize that a certain action is unnecessary, thereby avoiding potential inconvenience or trouble.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
〜ずに済む	Negative form of a verb (ない形) + ずに済む	This form is typically used in written language to express that a problem can be solved without doing something.

Basic Usage

Examples

• インフルエンザインフルエンザは息子むすこだけで、家族かぞくにうつうつらずに済んだ。
• Infuruenza wa musuko dake de, kazoku ni utsura zuni sunda.
• Only my son got the flu, and it didn't spread to the rest of the family.
  

• メモメモしておけば忘わすれずに済む。
• Memo shite okeba wasure zuni sumu.
• If you take notes beforehand, you won't forget.
  

• ちゃんとちゃんと説明せつめいしたら怒おこられずに済んだのではないか。
• Chanto setsumei shitara okorare zuni sunda no dewa nai ka.
• If I had explained properly, I wouldn't have been scolded, right?
  

Deep Dive

Grammar Structure

• 「〜ずに済む」
  • This form is typically used in written language to express that a problem can be solved without doing something.
  • Connection: Negative form of a verb (ない形) + ずに済む

Comparison and Differences

「〜ずに済む」and「〜ないで済む」

Both expressions mean "to manage without doing something" or "to avoid trouble by not doing something," but 「〜ずに済む」 is more formal and often used in written language, while 「〜ないで済む」 is more colloquial.

Expression	Usage	Example
〜ずに済む	Written language	周まわりにバレバレずに済んだ。
〜ないで済む	Spoken language	周まわりにバレバレないで済んだ。

Summary

「〜ずに済む」 is an important expression in Japanese for avoiding trouble. It is very practical in everyday conversations and helps to accurately and naturally express the necessity of avoiding certain actions. By understanding this grammar point, you can better master Japanese expression techniques.