Verb ないではすまない
Verb nai dewa sumanai
JLPT N1 Very formal, literary
Formation
Verb-ない form + ではすまない
'Cannot end without doing', 'must do' - an unavoidable moral or social necessity.
When to use
Formal, literary "cannot end without doing/is a moral obligation" - a social/moral necessity, not just circumstance.
Explanation
The grammar Verb ないではすまない expresses that something must be done (often for moral, social, or personal reasons) and cannot be left undone. It implies an obligation or inevitability, akin to 'I can't get away without doing it.'
Example sentences
-
If you make a mistake, you have to apologize—there’s no way around it.
Shippai o shitara, ayamaranai de wa sumanai.
-
This issue is so serious that I must report it.
Kono mondai wa jūdai na node, hōkoku shinai de wa sumanai.
-
This movie is so moving that you can’t help but cry.
Kono eiga wa totemo kandōteki de, nakanai de wa sumanai.
-
If a child makes a mistake, you must correct them—there’s no avoiding it.
Kodomo ga machigaetara, oshienai de wa sumanai.
Inevitable (Cannot Help But)
- Verb ざるを得ない~ zaru wo enaiN1'Cannot but', 'have no choice but to', 'forced to'
- ～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…
- 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…