1.
it goes without saying; needless to say; obviously
An adverbial expression used to introduce something the speaker considers self-evident or universally understood. Literally 'without even needing to say it.'
言うまでもなく大切なことだ。
It goes without saying that this is important.
健康が大事なのは言うまでもない。
Needless to say, health is important.
彼の実力は言うまでもなく、人柄もすばらしい。
His ability goes without saying, and his character is also wonderful.
Literally 'without it reaching the point of saying' — composed of 言う (to say) + まで (until) + も (even) + なく (without). Expresses that something is so obvious it does not need to be stated.
FORMS:
- 言うまでもなく — adverbial form, used mid-sentence
- 言うまでもない — predicate form, used at the end of a clause
- 言うまでもないことだが — 'this is obvious, but...' (used to preface something)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 言うまでもなく、〜 — Needless to say, ...
- 〜は言うまでもない — ... goes without saying
- 〜は言うまでもなく、〜も — not only ..., but also ...
SIMILAR WORDS:
- もちろん — of course; less formal, used in everyday speech
- むろん — of course; literary variant of もちろん
- 当然 — naturally; focuses on logical expectation rather than rhetorical emphasis
REGISTER:
Somewhat formal. Common in writing, speeches, and structured arguments. In casual speech, もちろん is more natural.