日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2· hand-written

~ざるを得ない

zaru o enai

Have no choice but to ~; cannot help but ~; forced to ~

When to use it

Delivering an unavoidable conclusion driven by circumstance — markets, regulation, legal, cost. Slightly formal / written tone; conveys weight without sounding dramatic. Ideal for principal-level "this is forced on us" messaging where you want to soften that the call is not a preference.

Formation

  1. 市場環境を踏まえると、計画を見直さざるを得ません。 Shijō kankyō o fumaeru to, keikaku o minaosazaru o emasen. Given the market conditions, we have no choice but to revise the plan.

  2. 法務の見解を尊重し、契約締結を延期せざるを得ない。 Hōmu no kenkai o sonchō shi, keiyaku teiketsu o enki sezaru o enai. Out of respect for legal's view, we have no choice but to postpone the signing.

  3. このコスト構造では、価格改定を実施せざるを得ません。 Kono kosuto kōzō de wa, kakaku kaitei o jisshi sezaru o emasen. With this cost structure, we have no choice but to implement a price revision.

Examples

  • Given the market conditions, we have no choice but to revise the plan.

  • Out of respect for legal's view, we have no choice but to postpone the signing.

  • With this cost structure, we have no choice but to implement a price revision.