~ざるを得ない
〜zaru wo enai
JLPT N2 Very formal, literary
Formation
Verb-ない form (drop ない) + ざるを得ない
Have no choice but to; cannot help but.
When to use
"Have no choice but to/cannot avoid doing" - the more common, less literary version of ざるを得ない.
Explanation
The ~ざるを得ない grammar point is used to indicate that one has no choice but to do something or cannot avoid doing it. It is formed from the negative form (ない) but replaces ない with ざる, followed by を得ない. (Note: する -> せざるを得ない.)
Example sentences
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Since the deadline is near, I have no choice but to work overtime.
Kono shigoto wa shimekiri ga chikai no de, zangyou sezaru wo enai.
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Because the train was delayed, I had no choice but to take a taxi.
Densha ga okureta tame, takushii ni noru zaru wo enakatta.
彼女の説明が納得できなかったが、とりあえず信じざるを得ない。
I couldn’t really accept her explanation, but for now I have no choice but to believe her.
Kanojo no setsumei ga nattoku dekinakatta ga, toriaezu shinjizaru wo enai.
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In this situation, we have no choice but to revise the new plan.
Kono joukyou de wa, atarashii keikaku wo tatenaosazaru wo enai.
Inevitable (Cannot Help But)
- Verb ざるを得ない~ zaru wo enaiN1'Cannot but', 'have no choice but to', 'forced to'
- 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.