〜ないことには〜ない~nai koto ni wa ~nai

Nai koto ni wa nai (〜ないことには〜ない) means “unless, it cannot happen”.

本人ほんにんhonnin確認かくにんkakuninがgaできないことdekinaikotoにniは、わ、wa、カードかーどkaadoをo発行はっこうhakkouできません。dekimasen。

We cannot issue a card unless we can verify your identity.

Use 〜ないことには〜ない to stress that a condition is essential for a result to be possible, without guaranteeing it.

In the course

How it works

Why can’t you enter the meeting room? A reservation is required; without one, you can’t use it.
In the first clause, add ことには to a verb’s ない form. In the picture, できない means identity verification cannot be completed.
The second clause uses a negative expression, such as できません, to show that the result is impossible. It isn’t an order telling someone not to act.
To return a book, you must hand it directly to the service counter. Unless you do this, the return process cannot be completed.
This emphasizes that the condition is essential. Meeting it does not guarantee that the result will happen.

本人ほんにんhonnin確認かくにんkakuninがgaできないことdekinaikotoにniは、わ、wa、カードかーどkaadoをo発行はっこうhakkouできません。dekimasen。
We cannot issue a card unless we can verify your identity.

A
すみません、今日きょうの終了しゅうりょう時刻じこくまでにこの本ほんを返却へんきゃくしたいのですが。
A: Excuse me, I would like to return this book by today's closing time.
B

Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Unless you fill in the required information on the application form, you cannot register to use it.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
申込用紙の必要事項を書か____、利用登録はできません。
Unless you fill in the required items on the application form, you cannot complete the registration.