cannot help but, have no choice but to

Intermediate

20-25 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Formal expression of unavoidable necessity.

[Verb ない form without ない] + ざるを得ない

会社の方針なので、従わざるを得ない。

Kaisha no houshin na node, shitagawazaru wo enai.

It's company policy, so I have no choice but to comply.

時間がないので、断らざるを得なかった。

Jikan ga nai node, kotowarazaru wo enakatta.

I had no time, so I had no choice but to refuse.

する becomes せざるを得ない (not しざるを得ない).

～ずにはいられない

cannot help but, cannot stop oneself from

～わけがない

there is no way that, it is impossible that

～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)

Formal expression for necessity.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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