modality N2 common casualwritten
〜なくて済む — to get by without ~ing
〜なくて済む ・ なくてすむ
Meaning
- get by without ~ing / be spared having to ~ / end up not needing to ~
Key sentence
友達が手伝ってくれたので、残業しなくて済んだ。
A friend helped out, so I was spared having to work overtime.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb (negative て-form) | V-なくて + 済む | 払わなくて済む / 行かなくて済む |
Examples
セールで買えたから、高いお金を払わなくて済んだ。
I got it on sale, so I didn't have to pay a lot.
オンラインで申し込めば、窓口に行かなくて済む。
If you apply online, you don't have to go to the counter.
傘を持っていたので、濡れなくて済んだ。
I had an umbrella, so I managed not to get wet.
When you can't use it
- 済む here means 'a situation resolves itself.' Use なくて済む for being spared an unwanted action because circumstances worked out — not for simple permission. It usually reports a relief, often in the past (〜なくて済んだ).
Easily confused with
See 〜なくて済む in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜なくて済む the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.