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

Details

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    Formal

  • 使用域

    硬い

About ずとも

When combined with the classical auxiliary verb ず (used for negation), the conjunction particle とも 'even if' implies that regardless of the hypothetical situation of (A), (B) still applies. This often translates as 'even if not (A), (B)', or 'don't have to (A) to (B)'.
ずとも will appear attached to the ない-stem of verbs.
  • 昔(むかし)は練習(れんしゅう)せずとも新(あたら)しい曲(きょく)を完璧(かんぺき)に弾(ひ)けたのに、今(いま)となってはどんだけ練習(れんしゅう)しても上手(うま)く弾(ひ)けないいんだよな。
    I used to be able to play new music without any practice, but now I can't play well no matter how much I practice.
  • あなたが今(いま)ものすごく落(お)ち込(こ)んでいるということは聞(き)かずともわかりますよ。
    I can tell that you are very upset without even asking.
  • 日本(にほん)に留学(りゅうがく)せずとも、日本語(にほんご)を習得(しゅうとく)する方法(ほうほう)はあるが、日本(にほん)に行(い)って勉強(べんきょう)する方(ほう)が楽(たの)しそうだから私(わたし)は日本(にほん)に留学(りゅうがく)したいです。
    I know that there are ways to study Japanese without studying abroad in Japan, but I am going to Japan because it seems fun to study there.
When the speaker wants to express 'not being (A)' rather than 'not doing (A)', ならずとも will follow a noun. This is simply the negated form of the う-Verb なる 'to become'.
  • 専門家(せんもんか)ならずとも、彼(かれ)は政治(せいじ)について色々(いろいろ)と知(し)っている。
    Even though he is not an expert, he knows alot about politics.
  • 親(おや)ならずとも子育(こそだて)てが大変(たいへん)だということは見(み)てわかるはずだ。
    You don't have to be a parent to see that parenting is hard work.
Although ずとも is a formal expression, it may occasionally be used sarcastically. Additionally, it is common for ずとも to be followed by 良(よ)い. This can be interpreted as 'okay even if not (A)'.
  • 来週(らいしゅう)の試合(しあい)の相手(あいて)はあの弱(よわ)いチームだから、そんなに練習(れんしゅう)せずとも良(よ)いだろう。
    Next week's game is against that weak team, so we won't have to practice so much.

Examples

  • 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'.

  • 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.'

  • 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.

  • 記事(きじ)：「アメリカ人とイギリス人は他(ほか)の言語(げんご)を学(まな)ばずとも生(い)きられる言語(げんご)環境(かんきょう)に居(い)ます。」

    Article: 'Americans and Brits are in a language environment where they can live without learning other languages. '

  • 時代小説(じだいしょうせつ)、瀕死(ひんし)の親(おや)：「わたしの身(み)の心配(しんぱい)などせずとも良(よ)い。我(わ)が娘(むすめ)よ。」

    A historical novel, dying parent: 'You don't have to worry about me. My dear daughter.'

    ずともよい is nowadays less common than なくてもいい, but it can still be seen in historical novels.

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