Grammar Info
N1 Lesson 5: 13/17

ずとも
even if not, without, don't have to

Structure
Verb［ない］+ ず + とも
Noun + ならずとも(1)

1. なる［ない］ + ず + とも

Exceptions:
する ￫ せずとも
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Details
Register Formal
使用域 硬い
Information
  • [AずともB is a formal phrase meaning "even if not A, B." While it is generally used in writing, some expressions are also fairly common in modern spoken language, especially when it is followed by わかる. 良い is also used in B, meaning "don’t have to"]
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久（ひさ）しぶりに会（あ）った友達（ともだち）の話（はなし）、まさお：「こんな可愛（かわい）い女（おんな）の子（こ）とどういう関係（かんけい）だ？ まさかガールフレンドか？」
あおしま：「まあ、当（あ）たらずとも遠（とお）からずなんだよ。我（わ）が妻（つま）だ。」
Chat with friends who met after a long time, Masao: "What is your relationship with such a cute girl? Don’t tell me she is your girlfriend?"
Aoshima: "Well... Even if you’re not spot on, you are close. She’s my wife."
「当たらずとも遠からず」is a set expression meaning "near the mark"
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    • 妹（いもうと）：「でも、どうやってわかった？」
    兄（あに）：「家族（かぞく）だから言（い）わずともわかる。」
    Younger sister: "But, how did you know?"
    Older brother: "We are a family, so I understand you even if you don’t say anything."
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    • ゲーム評論（ひょうろん）：「RPGゲームファンならずとも、ウィッチャー３に興味（きょうみ）をひかれずにはいられません。」
    Game review: "Even if I am not an RPG fan, I cannot help but be captivated by Witcher 3."
    [Noun + ならずとも is generally less common than でなくとも]
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