to be forced to ~, to have no choice but ~

Advanced

20-30 min

occasional

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Formal expression for being compelled to do something against one's will.

[Noun] + を余儀なくされる

台風で、避難を余儀なくされた。

Taifuu de, hinan wo yogi naku sareta.

We were forced to evacuate due to the typhoon.

経営難で、閉店を余儀なくされました。

Keienan de, heiten wo yogi naku saremashita.

Due to financial difficulties, we were forced to close.

Very formal, often used in news and formal writing.

～ならいざ知らず

~ might be one thing, but; leaving ~ aside

～てやまない

earnestly wish/hope, never stop ~ing

～をものともせずに

not being daunted by ~, in spite of ~

～んがため(に)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~ (formal/literary)

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

Study with our comprehensive grammar guides and practice materials.