Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 1: 13/18

なくて (Reasons and Causes)

Not ~ and, Not so, Because not (Examples)

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

  • Register

    Standard

About なくて

In Japanese, なくて is a construction that combines ない (in its conjugation form, なく), with the conjunction particle . This results in the same 'and' meaning as the standard form, but with the negative meaning of ない.

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)'.

When なくて is used in this way, it is often followed by the speaker's feelings (in the form of an adjective), verbs in the potential form, or something that is generally beyond the control of the speaker. It is due to this fact that the result is 'beyond control' that the translation becomes 'because'.

Some examples of words that express things beyond the control of the speaker are (こま)る (to be troubled), (うれ)しい (to be happy), (つか)れている (to feel weary), 心配(しんぱい) (to feel anxiety/worry), 安心(あんしん) (to feel relief).

Examples

--:--

    重病(じゅうびょう)じゃなくてホッとした。

    I was relieved because it wasn't a serious illness.

    「お(ちゃ)しか()さなくてすみません。」

    'I am sorry because I cannot serve you anything but tea.'

    試験(しけん)合格(ごうかく)した()からなくて不安(ふあん)。」

    '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')

    (まご)まだきていなくて心配(しんぱい)です。」

    'My grandchild hasn't come yet and I am worried.' ('I am worried because my grandchild hasn't come yet')

    彼氏(かれし)子猫(こねこ)()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)

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

なくて – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (12 in total)

  • IcyIceBear

    IcyIceBear

    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 tired

  • domi650

    domi650

    Thank you for the explanation, that’s probably how it is intended

  • MikkaT

    MikkaT

    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

Got questions about なくて? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion