Omissions – casual Japanese
Meaning, explanation and example sentences with translations.
〜ないといけない · ないといけない → ないと
an obligation, with the “or else” part left unsaid
Nothing contracts. The いけない simply stops being said.
This is omission, not shortening: 〜ないと ends on a conditional that never gets its answer.
Casual, and very common in speech.
〜ないと on its own is not a conditional clause waiting for more. It is a finished sentence.
Examples
- 買い物に行かないといけない。 → 買い物に行かないと。I have to go shopping.
- そろそろ準備しないといけない。 → そろそろ準備しないと。I need to start getting ready.
〜なくてもいい · なくてもいい → なくていい
saying that something is not necessary
Nothing contracts — the も simply drops out.
This is the opposite of 〜なきゃ, and it is the one learners reach for least often.
Casual. Politely 〜なくてもいいです.
Dropping も does not weaken the sentence. 〜なくていい still means “no need”.
Examples
- 急がなくてもいい。 → 急がなくていい。You don't have to hurry.
- 無理に食べなくてもいい。 → 無理に食べなくていい。You don't have to force yourself to eat it.
〜ないでください · ないでください → ないで
asking someone not to do something
Nothing contracts — ください is simply not said.
Dropping ください drops the asking as well. What is left is closer to an instruction than a request.
Casual. To anyone you are not close to, keep ください.
This is not the 〜ないで that means “without doing”. 見ないで食べた is “ate without looking”.
Examples
- まだ言わないでください。 → まだ言わないで。Don't tell them yet.
- 心配しないでください。 → 心配しないで。Don't worry.
Where this comes from
Everything above comes from the free part of the Kuzushi app and has passed its content review.
- Kuzushi: Casual JapaneseAnime, drama and slang
App Store →Free app with an in-app purchase