have no choice but to, cannot help but

Advanced

25-30 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses that one has no other option but to do something, even if unwillingly.

[Verb ない-form minus ない] + ざるを得ない (する → せざるを得ない)

電車が止まったので、歩いて帰らざるを得なかった。

Densha ga tomatta node, aruite kaerazaru wo enakatta.

The train stopped, so I had no choice but to walk home.

彼の意見に賛成せざるを得ない。

Kare no iken ni sansei sezaru wo enai.

I have no choice but to agree with his opinion.

Remember する becomes せざるを得ない, not しざるを得ない.

～に違いない

must be, no doubt, certainly

～わけにはいかない

cannot possibly, must not, cannot afford to

～ために (tame ni)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~

～のに (noni)

although ~, despite ~, even though ~

～にもかかわらず

despite ~, in spite of ~

～ようになる

come to ~, become able to ~, reach the point where ~

Used in formal situations to express reluctant necessity.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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