modality N2 common politewritten
〜ざるを得ない — cannot help but ~
〜ざるを得ない ・ ざるをえない
Builds on ない形
Meaning
- have no choice but to ~ / cannot help ~ing / am forced to ~ (formal)
Key sentence
規則だから、従わざるを得ない。
It's the rule, so I have no choice but to comply.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb (negative stem) | V-ない (drop ない) + ざるを得ない | 従う → 従わざるを得ない |
| する | irregular: する → せざるを得ない | 中止せざるを得ない |
Examples
台風のため、試合は中止せざるを得なかった。
Because of the typhoon, the match had to be cancelled.
これだけの証拠を見せられては、認めざるを得ない。
Shown this much evidence, I can't help but admit it.
赤字が続けば、店を閉じざるを得ないだろう。
If the losses continue, we'll have no choice but to close the shop.
When you can't use it
- する becomes せざるを得ない, never ✗しざるを得ない. The 〜ざる is an old negative form, so it only attaches to the negative stem.
Easily confused with
ないわけにはいかない ざるを得ない = forced by circumstances/logic, reluctantly (often no moral element); ないわけにはいかない = can't avoid it because of social duty or a promise. Circumstance vs obligation. 〜しかない 〜しかない = '(there's) nothing to do but ~,' plainer and more spoken; 〜ざるを得ない = formal/written and stresses being compelled against one's preference.
See 〜ざるを得ない in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜ざるを得ない 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.