〜てはいられない
JLPT N2:cannot afford to keep doing
Circumstances make it impossible to continue an action or remain in a state; the speaker must move on or act differently.
How to form it
- Add はいられない to the て-form: 迷ってはいられない.
- In speech, は often contracts with て to ちゃ: 待ってちゃいられない.
Examples
もう時間がないから、迷ってはいられない。
There is no time left, so I cannot afford to keep hesitating.
被害の大きさを見たら、黙ってはいられなかった。
After seeing the scale of the damage, I could not remain silent.
Common mistakes
- Using it for a simple lack of permission.
- Confusing it with 〜ずにはいられない, which describes an irresistible urge.
Similar meaning
- 〜ずにはいられないcan't help doing
ずにはいられない is driven by an internal urge; てはいられない by circumstances.