Structure
Verb[なくて]+ Phrase
[い]Adjective[なくて]+ Phrase
[な]Adjective + ではなくて(1) + Phrase
Noun + ではなくて(1) + Phrase
(1) じゃなくて、でなくて
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
About なくて
なくて is often used when the phrase that comes before it is being highlighted as an example/reason for a specific result. In these situations, the translation is usually 'because not (A), (B)', or 'because I didn't (A), (B)'.
- あなたが来れなくて残念です。It is unfortunate that you were not able to come. (Not being able to come is the reason that it was unfortunate)
- 今日は寒くはなくて暖かいから、今日はジャケットを着なくてもいいね。Because it is not cold today, but warm, we don't have to wear our jackets, right? (Not being cold is the reason that it was hot)
- このスマホは便利ではなくて残念だ。Since this smartphone is not useful, it's a letdown.
- 虫歯ではなくて安心した。I am relieved because it was not a cavity.
- 昨日は良く寝れなくて、疲れている。I am tired because I did not sleep well yesterday.
- 明日は仕事がなくて嬉しい。I am happy because I don't have work tomorrow.
Synonyms
Examples
店にトイレットペーパーがなくて大変です。
There is no toilet paper in the stores and it's terrible. (because)
重病じゃなくてホッとした。
I was relieved because it wasn't a serious illness.
「試験に合格したか分からなくて不安だね。」
'I don't know if I passed the exam, and I am anxious.' ('I am anxious because I don't know if I passed the exam')
「孫がまだ来ていなくて心配です。」
'My grandchild hasn't come yet and I am worried.' ('I am worried because my grandchild hasn't come yet')
彼氏が子猫が好きじゃなくて、がっかりした。
My boyfriend doesn't like kittens and I was let down. (I was let down because my boyfriend doesn't like kittens)
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Reasons (Causation)
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なくて vs ないで
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なくて – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (12 in total)
IcyIceBear
About 4 months ago
I believe it’s potential form. When making ichidan る verbs into potential the “official” way is られる→寝られる able to sleep, but younger generations are just omitting the ら if the context is clear. So if you assume this is what the sentences are doing, the sentences make sense.
昨日は良く寝れなくて、疲れている
I wasn’t able to sleep well yesterday and (because of it) I’m tireddomi650
About 4 months ago
Thank you for the explanation, that’s probably how it is intended
MikkaT
About 2 months ago
Hi, it is probably a bit nitpicky, but I think the structure part in the lesson should be like here in the forum.
In the lesson it is
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