Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 8: 20/23

ずには居(い)られないCannot help doing something, Cannot resist doing something

する → せず

Structure

Verb［ない］+ ずにはいられない

Details

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    Formal

About ずにはいられない

As mentioned in our ずに lesson, ず is an auxiliary verb that is not commonly used in modern Japanese, except for in set expressions. It has the equivalent role of ない, in expressing that something 'has not', or 'will not' happen. The case marking particle に is then combined with the adverbial particle は, and the negative-potential form of いる, いられない. ずにはいられない may be translated as 'cannot help doing (A)', or 'cannot resist doing (A)'.

ずにはいられない will be attached to the indeterminate form of verbs. This is the same stem form as ない uses.

Although ずにはいられない is often translated as 'cannot resist (A)', the literal meaning is simply 'cannot be without (A)'.

Caution

As the modern indeterminate form of する has several different forms, care will need to be taken when conjugating する verbs. While ない joins with し to create しない, ず will join with せ to create せず.

  • この10年間(ねんかん)色々(いろいろ)とお世話(せわ)になったから、先輩(せんぱい)には感謝(かんしゃ)をせずにはいられない。
    This past 10 years, I have been helped a lot by my senpai, so there is no way I can go on without showing them some appreciation.
  • 私(わたし)は猫(ねこ)アレルギーなのでくしゃみをせずにはいられない。
    I am allergic to cats so I can't not sneeze.

Synonyms

Examples

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    子供(こども)が生(う)まれて泣(な)かずには居(い)られない。

    You can't help but cry when your child is born.

    彼(かれ)はよく嘘(うそ)をつくから、疑(うたが)わずには居(い)られない。

    I can't help but be suspicious because he always tells lies.

    事故(じこ)を目撃(もくげき)したら、助(たす)けずには居(い)られない。

    When you witness an accident, you can't help but help out.

    それを思(おも)い出(だ)すたびに恥(は)ずかしくならずには居(い)られない。

    Everytime I recall that I can't help but get embarassed.

    彼(かれ)の変顔(へんがお)は面白(おもしろ)すぎて、笑(わら)わずには居(い)られません。

    His strange faces are just too funny, I can't help but laugh.

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      ずにはいられない – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

      • ShinobiTay

        ShinobiTay

        Is this different from わけにはいかない? the both seem to be personal

      • Fuga

        Fuga

        Hey @ShinobiTay !

        Although these seem similar, they have very different nuances.
        ずにはいられない has the nuance of ‘cant stop myself from’, while わけにはいかない has the nuance of ‘cannot afford to’.

        This means that ずにはいられない is used when you cannot ‘resist’ doing something and わけにはいかない is used when you ‘have’ to do something undesirable since you have an obligation or there is no other option.

        困っている人がいたから、助けずにはいられなかった。
        Nuance: Someone was in trouble, so I couldn’t ‘resist’ myself from helping them.

        勤務中の警察官は、困っている人を助けないわけにはいかない。
        Nuance: There is no way that an on duty police officer would not help a person in trouble.

        I hope this helps!

      • ShinobiTay

        ShinobiTay

        Yes it does! Thank you

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