GRAMMAR
〜ずとも
even if not
without
Explanation
NOTE
〜ずとも means even if not or without — something holds true even without doing the action.
言わずとも、気持ちは伝わる。
Even without saying it, my feelings are conveyed.
NOTE
It is formal and literary — a written, classical-sounding version of 〜なくても.
急がずとも間に合う。
Even without hurrying, we will be on time.
ずとも often appears before a statement of reassurance or a general truth.
NOTE
Attach ずとも to the negative stem of a verb — drop ない and add ずとも.
STRUCTURE
Vない
ずとも説明を聞かずとも分かる。
Setsumei o kikazutomo wakaru.
I understand even without hearing the explanation.
無理をせずとも、ゆっくり進めばいい。
Muri o sezutomo, yukkuri susumeba ii.
Even without overdoing it, you can proceed slowly.
確かめずとも、結果は明らかだ。
Tashikamezutomo, kekka wa akiraka da.
Even without checking, the result is obvious.
見ずとも、その美しさは想像できます。
Mizutomo, sono utsukushisa wa souzou dekimasu.
Even without seeing it, I can imagine its beauty.
言わずとも、みんな分かっています。
Iwazutomo, minna wakatte imasu.
Even if I don't say it, everyone understands.
行かずとも、結果は分かるでしょう。
Ikazutomo, kekka wa wakaru deshou.
Even if I don't go, I'm sure I'll know the result.
Practice exercises
1
説明を聞かずとも分かる。
I understand even without hearing the explanation.
Answer
聞かずとも
2
急がずとも間に合う。
Even without hurrying, we will be on time.
Answer
ずとも
3
結果を確かめずとも、それは明らかだ。
Even without checking the result, it is obvious.
Answer
確かめずとも
4
上司から命令され命令されずとも、任務を怠るのは指導者としてあるまじき行為だ。
Even without being ordered by a superior, neglecting one's duties is an unbecoming act for a leader.
Answer
命令されずとも
5
言葉を発発せずとも、彼女の深い悲しみは誰にでも分かった。
Even without uttering a word, her profound sadness was evident to everyone.
Answer
発せずとも
6
事態の深刻さは、言言わずとも、もはや否めない。
The seriousness of the situation is undeniable, even without being told.
Answer
言わずとも
7
相手の意図は、尋ね尋ねずとも読み取るべきだ。
One should be able to discern the other person's intentions even without asking.
Answer
尋ねずとも
8
忠告され忠告されずとも、このような過ちは繰り返すべからず。
Even without being advised, one must not repeat such a mistake.
Answer
忠告されずとも