N2 — outside your level filter
ざるを得ない
ざるをえないzaru o enaiN2formal
Same meaning10
must do
- ないといけないmust do; have to doattaches at
- なければならないmust do; have to doattaches at
- なくてはいけないmust do; have to doattaches at
- ねばならないmust do; is obliged to do (written)attaches at
- わけにはいかないcan't very well do — ruled out by the situation, not a ruleattaches at
- よりほかないnothing for it but to do; no course is left butattaches at
classical negative (ぬ・ず・ざる)
- ねばならないmust do; is obliged to do (written)attaches at
- ぬdoes not — the classical negative endingattaches at
- ずに済むget by without doing; turn out not to have to doattaches at
- ずにwithout doingattaches at
All examples3
have no choice but to — every alternative closed off
台風で新幹線が止まり、旅行を諦めざるをえなかった。
taifuu de shinkansen ga tomari, ryokou o akirame zaru o enakatta.
The typhoon stopped the bullet trains, so we had no choice but to give up the trip. neutral
ここまで証拠がそろうと、彼の主張を認めざるをえない。
koko made shouko ga sorou to, kare no shuchou o mitome zaru o enai.
With this much evidence lined up, I have no choice but to accept his claim. neutral
原材料の高騰が続いており、値上げに踏み切らざるをえないと判断いたしました。
genzairyou no koutou ga tsuzuite ori, neage ni fumikira zaru o enai to handan itashimashita.
With raw-material costs continuing to soar, we have concluded that we have no choice but to go ahead with a price increase. formal
How it's formed1
All forms2
- pastざるをえなかったzaruwoenakatta
味わわざるをえなかった
- politeざるをえませんzaruwoemasen
味わわざるをえません
Notes
する becomes せざるを得ない (never しざる); ある becomes あらざるを得ない.
The act is always forced on you, never freely chosen.
The act is always forced on you, never freely chosen.