Meaning and Usage
「無し」(なし) is a noun used to indicate the absence or lack of something. It often attaches to another noun to express "without [something]." It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
Common Collocations
- 〜無し (〜なし): "without ~"; used to negate the presence of something.
- 保証書無し (ほしょうしょなし): "without a warranty card"; common in sales and returns.
- 経験無し (けいけんなし): "without experience"; often used in job contexts.
Usage Notes
When using 「無し」, it usually follows the noun it negates and can be combined with particles like で to indicate "without [noun]." For example, 「砂糖無しで」 means "without sugar." This word is neutral in tone and can be used in various situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 「無し」 with the adjective 「無い」 (ない), which also means "not existing" or "without." 「無し」 is a noun and often used in compound expressions, while 「無い」 is an adjective used to describe the state of something directly. For example, "砂糖が無い" (there is no sugar) vs. "砂糖無しで" (without sugar).