ず zu

Definition

Ending

1. Attached to the Mizenkei (-a) form of a verb, the ending ～ず -zu is used to negate a verb and imply that the action or state is ongoing. Its usage is commonly translated as "without" or "while not".
   1. おもわず【思わず】
      omowazu
      "(I was) not thinking (when)", "(I) unintentionally", "(I) ~ without thinking", "Without thinking..."
   2. あめにもまけず【雨ニモマケズ】
      ame ni mo makezu
      "While not succumbing to the rain", "Without giving in to the rain"
      (Famous poem title by Kenji Miyazawa)
2. When compounded with the particle に -ni and followed by another verb or phrase, it implies the notion of "without (doing)" or "while not (doing)".
3. When compounded alone with に -ni, it may be used to indicate prohibition.
4. In the construction ～ずにはいられない ~zu ni wa irarenai or ～ずにいられない ~zu ni irarenai, it means "to be unable to help but (do something)", "cannot help (but) ~", "can't help but ~".
   1. せずにはいられない
      sezu ni wa irarenai
      "cannot help but do (it)"