〜なき (~naki) — without ~ / with no ~

The old written form of 「ない」— it comes before a noun in announcements, headlines and slogans.

Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)

N + なき + N

Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)

When to use it

Listen to the announcement as you get off the train: 「お忘れ物なきよう、お気をつけください」.
In news headlines: 「根拠なき噂」(groundless rumours); in Hiroshima's peace declaration: 「核兵器なき世界」(a world without nuclear weapons).

Meaning

This 「なき」is simply the old written form of 「ない」: it stands before a noun and says 'without that'.
The meaning is exactly that of 「〜のない N」(根拠のない噂), but 「なき」sounds stronger, more literary and serious — which is why headlines, editorials, speeches and slogans love it.

How to attach

Attach 「なき」straight after a noun, then right away another noun (根拠なき噂).
The 「〜なきよう」you hear in announcements and letters (お忘れ物なきよう・ご心配なきよう) means 「〜のないように」— shorter and more formal than the earlier 「〜ことのないよう」.

Versus what you know

It differs from the earlier 「〜なくして(は)」: that is a condition, 'without X, Y is impossible'; 「なき」just describes a noun.

Watch out

The key rule: it only follows nouns, and it can't end a sentence or mean 'because there is no…' — 「お金がなき、…」is wrong; say 「お金がなくて」there.

Examples (उदाहरणहरू)

お降りの際は、車内にお忘れ物なきようお気をつけください。

おおりのさいは、しゃないにおわすれものなきようおきをつけください。

When getting off, please take care not to leave anything behind on the train.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) お降りの際は = when getting off → 車内に = inside the train → お忘れ物 = forgotten items (N) → 「なき」= with none → 「よう」= so that (= のないように) → お気をつけください = please take care.

根拠なき噂がSNSで広がり、店は大きな損害を受けた。

こんきょなきうわさがSNSでひろがり、みせはおおきなそんがいをうけた。

A groundless rumor spread on social media, and the shop suffered heavy losses.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 根拠 = grounds, evidence (N) → 「なき」= without → 噂 = rumor (a noun) → 根拠なき噂 = a rumor without grounds → SNSで広がり = spread on social media → 店は大きな損害を受けた = the shop suffered heavy losses.

核兵器なき世界の実現を目指して、市は平和宣言を発表した。

かくへいきなきせかいのじつげんをめざして、しはへいわせんげんをはっぴょうした。

Aiming for a world without nuclear weapons, the city issued its peace declaration.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 核兵器 = nuclear weapons (N) → 「なき」= without → 世界 = world → 核兵器なき世界 = a world without nuclear weapons → の実現を目指して = aiming to make it real → 市は平和宣言を発表した = the city issued a peace declaration.

Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)

Question: 1/3

「根拠＿＿批判は、相手を深く傷つける。」— fill the blank.

💡 Hint: A noun (批判) follows.