なくして〜ない

Cannot be achieved without / There is no ~ unless ~ exists Used to state that something is absolutely indispensable for a result to occur.

N1

Meaning

Cannot be achieved without / There is no ~ unless ~ exists Used to state that something is absolutely indispensable for a result to occur.

Formation

Noun + なくして + は / も + Verb (negative)

Explanation

なくして〜ない is a formal, logical expression used to say that a certain condition is essential, and without it, the result is impossible.

It strongly emphasizes necessity, not probability.

Key nuance:

  • The speaker presents a logical dependency

  • The result is completely impossible without the condition

  • No emotional tone — purely objective and reasoned

  • Common in:

    • policies

    • academic writing

    • business analysis

    • JLPT N1 reading passages

This grammar often appears in statements explaining:

  • success

  • achievement

  • realization of goals

  • existence of outcomes

It sounds stronger and more absolute than expressions like なしには.