Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 5: 14/18

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

  • Part of Speech

    Expression

  • Register

    Formal

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.

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'.

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)'.

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.' (even if you are not on target)

    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（スリー）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.'

    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.' (even if they do not learn)

    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.' (without・even if)

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