Verb ざるを得ない
~ zaru wo enai
JLPT N1 Very formal, literary
Formation
Verb-dictionary form + ざるを得ない (する -> せざるを得ない)
'Cannot but', 'have no choice but to', 'forced to'
When to use
Formal, literary "have no choice but to/cannot avoid doing" - circumstances leave no alternative.
Explanation
The Verb ざるを得ない construction is used when the subject is compelled or forced to do something out of necessity, leaving no other choice. It conveys the idea of 'cannot but...' or 'have no choice but...' in English.
Example sentences
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If you hate this job, you have no choice but to quit.
Kono shigoto ga iya nara mō yamezaru o enai.
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The exam is near, so I have no choice but to study late into the night.
Shiken ga chikai no de, yoru osoku made benkyō sezaru o enai.
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My tears won't stop. I can't help but cry.
Namida ga tomaranai. Nakazaru o enai.
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It's the teacher's order, so I have no choice but to comply.
Sensei no meirei dakara, shitagawazaru o enai.
Inevitable (Cannot Help But)
- ~ざるを得ない〜zaru wo enaiN2Have no choice but to; cannot help but.
- Verb ずにはおかない~zuni wa okanaiN1Expresses 'cannot help but...', 'will definitely...', or…
- Verb ないではすまないVerb nai dewa sumanaiN1'Cannot end without doing', 'must do' - an unavoidable…
- Noun を禁じ得ない〜wo kinjienaiN1'Cannot help but do', or 'inevitable'
- ~よりほかない〜yori hoka naiN2Express that there is no other choice; 'have no choice…
- ~ではすまない〜dewa sumanaiN1Expresses that just doing something is not enough or will…
- Noun だけではすまないNoun dake dewa sumanaiN1Expresses 'it can't be settled with just...', 'cannot be…
Corpus examples (27)
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One can't quarrel with destiny.
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I cannot but object to his proposal.
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I cannot help deciding so.
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There is nothing for it but to put off our departure.
もし私たちが平和な生活を求めるなら、戦争に反対せざるを得ない。
If we want a peaceful life, we cannot help objecting to war.
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I cannot but object to his opinion as to the matter.
そうせざるを得ないね。
I have no choice but to do that.
日本の安倍晋三首相は、2020年夏季東京オリンピックを延期せざるを得ないかもしれないと発言した。
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games may have to be postponed.
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I got a warning from the boss, so I'll have to tread carefully.
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The farmers are forced to produce the crops in the greenhouse.
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I cannot but give up my brother for lost.
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I can not but think so.
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I cannot help wondering about the child.
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There is nothing for me to do except to obey the order.
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I cannot but believe her.
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Sooner or later, we'll have to tackle the problem in earnest.
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We cannot avoid cutting down our living expenses.
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We cannot but rely on your help.
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We have no choice but to go.
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I must admit it was my fault.
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They have to live on his small income.
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I cannot but accept his invitation.
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I cannot help laughing at the joke.
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I cannot help laughing at him.
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She cannot but laugh.