せざるを得ない
せざるをえない
cannot avoid doing; cannot help but (do); is compelled to do; (feel) obliged to (do)
Meanings
Expression, I-adjective
cannot avoid doing; cannot help but (do); is compelled to do; (feel) obliged to (do); has to do
Forms
| Plain | Polite | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | せざるを得ないせざるをえない | せざるを得ないですせざるをえないです |
| Negative | せざるを得なくないせざるをえなくない | せざるを得なくないですせざるをえなくないです |
| Past | せざるを得なかったせざるをえなかった | せざるを得なかったですせざるをえなかったです |
| Past negative | せざるを得なくなかったせざるをえなくなかった | せざるを得なくなかったですせざるをえなくなかったです |
| Te-form | せざるを得なくてせざるをえなくて |
|---|---|
| Conditional (ば) | せざるを得なければせざるをえなければ |
| Conditional (たら) | せざるを得なかったらせざるをえなかったら |
Example sentences
そうせざるを得ないね。
I have no choice but to do that.
-
We have no choice but to compromise.
いや反対せざるをえません。
Well, I must disagree.
-
You must speak out against injustice.
-
I cannot help deciding so.
More examples (10)
-
One can't quarrel with destiny.
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I could not help feeling sympathy with him.
-
There is nothing for it but to put off our departure.
-
I have to oppose this idea.
-
I cannot help wondering at his progress.
-
I cannot but object to his proposal.
-
We could not help admiring the beautiful sunset.
-
The factory had to cut back its production.
-
We cannot help respecting his courage.
-
We had to abandon our plan.