Structure
Verb[ない]+ ざるを得ない
Details
Register
Formal
使用域
硬い
About ざるを得ない
ざる is the 連体形 (attributive form) of the old-fashioned auxiliary verb ざり. ざり carries the same meaning as the modern ない, in negating what comes before it.
When joined with a combination of the る-Verb 得る 'to gain', or 'to acquire', and the auxiliary verb ない, it becomes a double-negative structure meaning that one 'cannot help doing (A)', or 'there is no choice but to (A)'. More literally, it means that one 'can't not (A)'.
For the most part, this structure will conjugate with other verbs in exactly the same way as ない.
When joined with a combination of the る-Verb 得る 'to gain', or 'to acquire', and the auxiliary verb ない, it becomes a double-negative structure meaning that one 'cannot help doing (A)', or 'there is no choice but to (A)'. More literally, it means that one 'can't not (A)'.
For the most part, this structure will conjugate with other verbs in exactly the same way as ない.
- 山の頂上まで登りたかったが、天候が悪くなって来たので諦めざるを得ない。I wanted to hike to the peak of the mountain, but the weather was getting worse so we had no choice but to give up.
- 先輩に指示されたので従わざるを得ない。Because my senpai told me to do it, I had no choice but to obey.
Caution - As ざり is an old-fashioned structure, it conjugates a little bit differently with する than the regular ない.
- フランスの大学へ行くため、フランス語を勉強しざるを得ない。In order to go to a college in France, I have no choice but to study French. (Unnatural Japanese)
- フランスの大学へ行くため、フランス語を勉強せざるを得ない。In order to go to a college in France, I have no choice but to study French. (Natural Japanese)
Synonyms
てならない
Very, Extremely, Can't help but do
Not studied yet
ないわけにはいかない
Can't not, No way to avoid
Not studied yet
てたまらない
Can't help but want to, Very, Extremely
Not studied yet
てしょうがない
Extremely, Very, Really, It can't be helped
Not studied yet
しかない
Have no choice but, Only, Just
Not studied yet
ずにはいられない
Cannot help doing something, Cannot resist doing something
Not studied yet
Examples
田中さんはとても忙しかったのでゴルフの誘いを断らざるを得なかった。
Mr. Tanaka was so busy he had no choice but to turn down an invitation to play golf.
今まで使った顕微鏡が壊れたから、新しいのを買わざるを得ない。
The microscope I have been using until now broke, so I have no choice but to buy a new one.
工場の排気を低くせざるを得ない。
We have no choice but to lower exhaust in the factory.
話し合いが終わらない。会議室を借りる時間を延長せざるを得ない。
The discussion is not coming to an end. We have no choice but to extend the amount of time allotted to use this meeting room.
地元のチームではないが、甥っ子が入団したから応援せざるを得ない。
The team isn't from my home town, but my nephew joined the team so I can't help but cheer for them.
Get more example sentences!
Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.
Self-Study Sentences
Study your own way!
Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Online
The various forms of ない
NihongoDayByDay
Breakdown, comparisons and examples
日本語教師のN1et
Offline
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 324
Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar
Page 606
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
ざるを得ない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (8 in total)
Greenlama
My answer to 思掛かけない出会であいに、感動_______________
is せざるをえない。 But it is marked as incorrect. Why? The example of the same sentence seems to add せ to 感動 but the exercise does not. I have logged out and logged back in (and even entered my answer w/out せ)but Bunpro will not mark my answer as correct.
Thank you very much in advance for any suggestions from anyone.FredKore
You’re using the right verb but the wrong tense.
せざるをえない
せざるをえなかったGreenlama
Oh, duh!! Can’t believe I overlooked that. Thanks so much for replying.
Got questions about ざるを得ない? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!
Join the Discussion