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Needless to say; no need to
Definition
The grammar pattern "V-辞書形 + までもない" is used to indicate that something is so obvious or simple that performing the action is unnecessary. It is often used after verbs related to communication or confirmation, such as "言う" (to say), "調べる" (to investigate), or "確認する" (to confirm). This pattern emphasizes the obviousness of a situation, making the action redundant. For example, if someone asks you to confirm that Tokyo is the capital of Japan, you can respond with "東京は日本の首都であることは、改めて言われるまでもない" (It's needless to say that Tokyo is the capital of Japan).
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 基本形 (dictionary form) | V-基本形 + までもない | 言う + までもない = 言うまでもない |
| 一段動詞 (one-gradation verb) の連用形 | V-連用形 + までもない | 知る + までもない = 知るまでもない |
| 五段動詞 (five-gradation verb) の連用形 | V-連用形 + までもない | 見る + までもない = 見るまでもない |
Examples
そんなこと、わざわざあなたに言われるまでもない、百も承知です。
Sonna koto, wazawaza anata ni iwareru mamonai, hyaku mo shōchi desu.
It's needless to say that such a thing is well-known to you.
そんなこと (such a thing), わざわざ (unnecessarily), あなたに (to you), 言われる (to be told), までもない (needless to say), 百も (well-known), 承知 (to know)
日本の首都が東京であることは、改めて言われるまでもないことだ。
Nihon no shuto ga Tōkyō de aru koto wa, kaiten iwareru mamonai koto da.
It's needless to say that Tokyo is the capital of Japan.
日本の首都 (capital of Japan), が (is), 東京 (Tokyo), である (to be), ことは (thing), 改めて (again), 言われる (to be told), までもない (needless to say)
これだけの証拠が揃っている以上、犯人が誰かは言われるまでもない。
Kore dake no shōko ga tobitte iru yūjō, hametsu ga dareka wa iwareru mamonai.
It's needless to say that the perpetrator is already known.
これだけの (this much), 証拠 (evidence), が (is), 揃っている (to be gathered), 以上 (above), 犯人が (perpetrator), 誰か (someone), は (is), 言われる (to be told), までもない (needless to say)
Context
This pattern is used to emphasize the obviousness of a situation, making the action redundant. It is often used in formal or written language. Be careful not to confuse it with "～ことはない" (which indicates lack of necessity rather than obviousness).
Watch out
Negative potential forms (e.g. できない) do not work with this pattern. Use the basic form or continuous form instead.
This pattern emphasizes the obviousness of a situation, so it's not suitable for actions that are actually difficult or complex.
～ことはない indicates lack of necessity rather than obviousness, so use the correct pattern depending on the context.
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct form and context. Pay attention to the nuances of meaning and avoid common mistakes.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V-辞書形 + までもない used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
そんなこと、わざわざあなたに言われるまでもなく、百も承知です。
Pattern used: までもなく
The speaker is saying it is 'needless to say' because they already know it well (百も承知).
日本の首都が東京であることは、改めて言うまでもないことだ。
Pattern used: 言うまでもない
'までもない' emphasizes that the fact is so obvious that stating it is redundant.
これだけの証拠が揃っている以上、犯人が誰かは調べるまでもない。
Pattern used: 調べるまでもない
With all the evidence present, searching for the culprit is unnecessary because it is already clear.
Interactive
そんなこと、わざわざあなたに言われる______、百も承知です。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.