〜ざるをえない
JLPT N3:have no choice but to
Says circumstances force you to do something you would rather not: "have no choice but to…".
How to form it
- Start from the ない form and replace ない with ざるをえない: 認めない becomes 認めざるをえない.
- する becomes せざるをえない, and 来る becomes 来ざるをえない.
- It is often written with kanji: ざるを得ない.
Examples
godan
行く(to go)行かざるをえない
ichidan
認める(to admit)認めざるをえない
irregular
する(to do)せざるをえないnot しざるをえない
Example sentences
雨がひどいので、中止せざるをえない。
The rain is so bad we have no choice but to call it off.
結果を受け入れざるをえない。
I have no choice but to accept the result.
Notes
- It is formal. In conversation, 〜しかない or 〜なければならない are more common.
Similar meaning
- 〜わけにはいかないcan't (because of circumstances)
"Can't" (or with a negative, "can't not") because of duty or circumstances.
- 〜を余儀なくされるbe forced to
"Be forced to" by circumstances; very formal.