なくてもいい

なくてもいい is used to say that something is not necessary or okay even if it is not done.

🔹 Basic Meaning

• “don’t have to …”
• “it’s okay not to …”
• “it’s fine even if … doesn’t exist / isn’t done”

🔹 When to use なくてもいい

• When something is not required
• To give permission not to do something
• To say something is optional
• Common in daily conversation (N5)

🔹 Simple Examples

行かなくてもいいです。
→ You don’t have to go.

宿題をしなくてもいいです。
→ You don’t have to do homework.

傘がなくてもいいです。
→ It’s okay even if you don’t have an umbrella.

今日は来なくてもいいです。
→ You don’t have to come today.

🔹 Difference (N5-friendly)

なくてもいい means “don’t have to,” while ～てはいけません means “must not.”

⭐ The Grammar Summary

• なくてもいい = “don’t have to / it’s okay not to”
• Used with the ない-form of verbs
• Expresses permission or lack of necessity (N5)