GRAMMAR
〜なくて
successive actions
conjunction (negation)
Explanation
NOTE
The form なくて is the te-form of the negative. It connects clauses with a negative meaning — not doing A, and then B — or gives a reason in the negative.
NOTE
For verbs, replace ない with なくて. For i-adjectives, drop い from the negative くない and add くて — giving くなくて. For na-adjectives and nouns, use じゃなくて.
STRUCTURE
Vなくて
朝ごはんを食べなくて、元気がない。
Asagohan wo tabenakute, genki ga nai.
I didn't eat breakfast, so I have no energy.
薬を飲まなくて、頭が痛い。
Kusuri wo nomanakute, atama ga itai.
I didn't take medicine, so my head hurts.
傘を持って行かなくて、濡れた。
Kasa wo motte ikanakute, nureta.
I didn't bring an umbrella, so I got wet.
Practice exercises
1
勉強しなくて、テストに落ちた。
I didn't study, so I failed the test.
Answer
なくて
2
寝なくて、眠い。
I didn't sleep, so I'm sleepy.
Answer
なくて
3
お金がなくて、買えない。
I don't have money, so I can't buy it.
Answer
なくて
4
水を飲まなくて、のどが痛い。
I didn't drink water, so my throat hurts.
Answer
飲まなくて
5
傘を持たなくて、濡れてしまった。
I didn't bring an umbrella, so I got wet.
Answer
持たなくて
6
準備をしなくて、試合に負けた。
I didn't prepare, so I lost the match.
Answer
しなくて
7
連絡しなくて、友人を心配させた。
I didn't contact them, so I made my friend worry.
Answer
連絡しなくて
8
十分に確認しなくて、ミスが発生した。
I didn't confirm thoroughly enough, so an error occurred.
Answer
確認しなくて