cannot help but, cannot stop oneself from

Intermediate

20-25 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Similar to ずにはいられない but uses ない form.

[Verb ない form] + ではいられない

あの光景を見て、涙が出ないではいられなかった。

Ano koukei wo mite, namida ga denai dewa irarenakatta.

I couldn't help but shed tears when I saw that scene.

彼女の言葉に感動しないではいられない。

Kanojo no kotoba ni kandou shinai dewa irarenai.

I can't help but be moved by her words.

More formal than ずにはいられない.

～ずにはいられない

cannot help but, cannot stop oneself from

～ざるを得ない

cannot help but, have no choice but to

～に違いない

must be ~, no doubt that ~, undoubtedly

～に関して/関する

regarding ~, concerning ~, about ~

～について/つい

about ~, concerning ~

～に伴って/伴い/伴う

along with ~, as ~ (changes)

Practice in formal contexts.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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