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ざるを得えない (zaru o enai) Meaning Japanese Grammar - Have To

Author Anna Baffa Volpe for article 'ざるを得えない (zaru o enai) Meaning Japanese Grammar - Have To'

Anna Baffa Volpe

The expression ざるを得(え)ない (zaru o enai) means can't help doing, have no choice but and is related to the concept and verb have to.

The translations into various languages have different nuances; let's see together in this post how the expression ざるを得ない is formed and how it is used in the Japanese language with practical examples used in real life.

How ざるを得(え)ない is formed

The structure consists of 3 parts:

  • ざる is an ancient expression indicating the negation and is preceded by the Negative Base of the Verb or Base in あ
  • the particle を indicating the object in the sentence
  • the negative plain form 得(え)ない of the verb 得(え)る gain, acquire

We have a double negation ざる and ない generating an affirmation ⇨ I must do that certain thing, I do that thing.

Ichidan Verb: the final syllable る is omitted+ざるを得ない
食べる
食べる
食べる
食べざるを得ない

⇨ cannot help but eat, have to eat, have no choice but to eat

Godan Verb: Verb Base in あ+ざるを得ない
飲む
飲む
飲む
飲まざるを得ない

⇨ cannot help but drink

ざるを得(え)ない with the Verbs する and 来(く)る

「する」、「来る」は例(れい)外(がい)で「せざるを得(え)ない」、「来(こ)ざるを得(え)ない」となります。 The verbs する and 来る are exceptions and become せざるを得ない and 来ざるを得ない.

その件(けん)に関(かん)しては、私(わたし)は彼(かれ)の意(い)見(けん)に反(はん)対(たい)せざるを得(え)ない。

I have to disagree with him on that issue.

今(こん)週(しゅう)は忙(いそが)しいので毎(まい)日(にち)残(ざん)業(ぎょう)せざるを得(え)ない。

I am so busy this week that I have to work overtime every day.

How and when to use ざるを得(え)ない

The structure ざるを得(え)ない is used in circumstances in which it is inevitable to perform the action, the person must do that thing having no other choice and no other solution.

The subject is often reluctant to perform the action, but the situation demands it and it cannot be done otherwise.

The meaning is ～しなければならない I must do and どうしても〜する必要がある I really need to do.

他(ほか)に誰(だれ)もやる人(ひと)がいないのであれば、私(わたし)がやらざるを得(え)ない。

If there is no one else to do it, then I have to do it.

したくないけどそうせざるを得ない: I don't want to do, but I have to.

指(し)示(じ)に従(したが)わざるを得(え)ない。

We have no choice but to follow the instructions.

Expressions similar to ざるを得(え)ない

There are other expressions with a different structure that translate the concept of can't help doing, can't stop myself from doing, can't help but and are:

  • ～ないではいられない
Negative plain form in ない+ではいられない

あの服(ふく)を買(か)わないではいられなかった。

I couldn't resist buying those clothes.

  • ～ずにはいられない
Negative Base of the Verb or Base in あ+ずにはいられない

笑(わら)わずにはいられなかった。

I couldn't help but laugh.

Negative plain form in ない+わけにはいかない

この本(もと)は図(と)書(しょ)館(かん)から借(か)りたので、返(かえ)さないわけにはいかない。

I borrowed this book from the library, so I can't help but return it.

Examples of ざるを得(え)ない

Would probiotics be necessary, if I have to take antibiotics?
抗(こう)生(せい)物(ぶっ)質(しつ)を飲(の)まざるを得(え)ない: I have to take antibiotics

プロバイオティクスは必(ひつ)要(よう)でしょうか、抗(こう)生(せい)物(ぶっ)質(しつ)を飲(の)まざるを得(え)ないなら?

Would probiotics be necessary, if I have to take antibiotics?

急(きゅう)な出(しゅつ)張(ちょう)が入(はい)はいったため、今(こん)夜(や)の新(しん)人(じん)歓(かん)迎(げい)会(かい)は断(ことわ)らざるを得(え)えない

Due to a sudden business trip, I have no choice but to decline tonight's welcome party for new employees.

彼(かれ)らはわずかな収(しゅう)入(にゅう)で暮(く)らさざるを得(え)ない。

They are forced to live on a meager income.

人(ひと)は運(うん)命(めい)を甘(かん)受(じゅ)せざるを得(え)ない。

People have to accept their fate.

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