modality N2 uncommon casualpolitewritten
てはいられない — can't afford to keep ~ing
てはいられない
Builds on て形
Meaning
- can't afford to (keep) ~ing / can't stay ~ing — there's no time or room to remain in the current action or state; circumstances force you to act
Key sentence
締切が近い。のんびりしてはいられない。
The deadline is near — I can't afford to keep taking it easy.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (て form) + はいられない | V(て) + はいられない | 休んではいられない / 黙ってはいられない |
Examples
子どもが熱を出した。仕事なんてしてはいられない。
My child has come down with a fever — I can't afford to be at work.
ライバルが先に動いた。こうしてはいられない。
Our rival made the first move — we can't just sit here like this.
Easily confused with
ずにはいられない The trap: ずにはいられない = 'can't help DOING ~' (an involuntary urge); てはいられない = 'can't afford to KEEP doing ~' (you must stop and act). Similar shape, opposite stance. てばかりはいられない てばかりはいられない adds ばかり ('nothing but'): 'can't keep ONLY ~ing.' てはいられない just says you can't remain in the action at all.
Notes
- いられない is the potential-negative of いる ('exist / stay'), so literally 'cannot remain ~ing.'
See てはいられない in real sentences
Jengo shows てはいられない the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.