[Student’s sentence]

家族に会えないでさびしいです。
I feel lonely because I cannot see my family.

*かぞくにあえないでさびしいです。

 

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[My correction]

家族に会えないでさびしいです。
→家族に会えなくてさびしいです。
I feel lonely because I cannot see my family.

 

AないでB suggests doing B without doing A. Conversely, AなくてB implies that B is the result of not doing A. In our example, we want to express ‘I feel lonely (B=result) because I can’t see my family (A=reason),’ so the correct phrase is ‘会えなくて.

 

Examples:

漢字(かんじ)がわからなくて困(こま)っています。
I am having trouble because I don’t understand Kanji.

 

先生(せんせい)が来(こ)なくて授業(じゅぎょう)が始(はじ)まりません。
The class can’t start because the teacher isn’t coming.

 

コーヒーに砂糖(さとう)を入(い)れないで飲(の)みます。
I drink coffee without adding sugar.

 

朝(あさ)ごはんを食(た)べないで学校(がっこう)に来(き)ました。
I came to school without eating breakfast.

 

I hope this helps! 😊

 

In the JLPT course, each lesson includes homework. Submit your homework, and I’ll provide corrections. I’ll break down Japanese grammar, highlighting mistakes and explaining structures and nuances in a simple way. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need—I’m here to help you understand!