なくてもいい — The Optional Exit
Expresses the absence of obligation. It literally means "even if [action] is NOT done, it is fine." Use it to tell someone they may skip an action.
Structure
[Verb nai-form drop ない] + なくてもいい
Examples
今日は来なくてもいいですよ。
Kyou wa konakute mo ii desu yo.
You don't have to come today.
来ない (not come) + ても (even if) + いい (is fine)
全部食べなくてもいいです。
Zenbu tabenakute mo ii desu.
You don't have to eat everything.
食べなくても + いい (permission to leave food)
急がなくてもいいよ。
Isoganakute mo ii yo.
You don't have to rush.
急がなくても + いい (a crucial conversational softener)
• The Relationship: This is the direct opposite of なければならない. If "must" is the lock, なくてもいい is the key. • Usage Tip: Use this to sound considerate when someone is going to trouble for you: "そんなにしなくてもいいですよ" (You don't have to do that much!).
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones なくてもいい is tested against.
vs なければならない / なくてはいけない
These express obligation ('must'); なくてもいい is their opposite, removing the obligation.
vs てもいい
てもいい grants permission to DO something ('you may eat'); なくてもいい grants permission NOT to do it ('you needn't eat').
More modal expressions
Study Japanese grammar on LenGaki
Everything on this page, free to browse
- 7,788 JLPT vocabulary words, N5 through N1, with readings and audio
- 2,057 kanji with on'yomi, kun'yomi and stroke-order practice
- 444 grammar points with examples and commonly-confused comparisons
- Full-length N5 and N4 mock exams, timed, with real listening audio
Get the Android app