〜ないで means "without doing" or serves as a soft negative request.
Without doing - 食べないで寝た (slept without eating)
Negative request - 行かないで (Don't go / Please don't go)
Instead of - 電話しないで、メールして (Instead of calling, email me)
I went to school without eating breakfast.
Formation: ない form, replace い with で.
ないで vs なくて
- ないで = method (without doing)
- なくて = reason (because of not doing)
ないで is softer than な
- 行かないで (soft request)
- 行くな (harsh command)
ないでください for polite requests
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