GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜なくして
Emphasizes an indispensable condition for success or realization and indicates that the result cannot hold without it.
Examples
市民の協力なくして、この計画を実現することはできない。
This plan cannot be realized without the cooperation of the public.
Words used
正確な情報なくして、判断はできない。
A judgment cannot be made without accurate information.
Words used
地道な努力なくして、大きな成果は得られない。
Great results cannot be achieved without steady effort.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
なくしてto a noun naming an essential condition and follow it with an expression of impossibility to emphasize that the result cannot hold without that condition. - Basic usage:
正確な情報なくして、判断はできない。means that accurate information is indispensable for making a judgment.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- なくして versus なくても
協力なくして実現できないsays cooperation is necessary.協力がなくても実現できるsays realization is possible without it, reversing whether the condition is required.
- Style compared with なしでは
情報なしでは判断できないcan express the same necessary condition.情報なくして判断できないpresents that necessity in a more formal, emphatic style.

