を余儀なくされる
To be forced to do something
Structure
Explanation
を余儀なくされる is a formal expression in Japanese, often translated as 'to be compelled to (A)' or 'to have no choice but to (A)'. It is formed by combining the adverbial particle を, the noun 余儀 'alternative choice', the conjunctive form of the い-Adjective ない, which is なく, and the passive verb される. As such, its literal meaning is 'to be put in a situation where there is no other choice but to do (A)'.
を余儀なくされる appears after a noun (A), where (A) represents the unavoidable situation or action.
- 悪天候のため、乗客たちは空港での待機を余儀なくされた。Due to the severe weather, the passengers were forced to wait at the airport.
- 家主の都合で、急な引っ越しを余儀なくされた。Due to the landlord's circumstances, I was forced to move out suddenly.
- 台風の接近により、イベントの中止を余儀なくされた。With the typhoon approaching, we had no choice but to cancel the event.
Typically, the subject in sentences using を余儀なくされる is a person or an organization that acts on behalf of people, like a company. However, it is not strictly limited to these cases.
Caution
Both を余儀なくされる 'to be compelled to do' and を余儀なくさせる 'to compel someone to do' are two sides of the same grammatical coin. The causative form, を余儀なくさせる, will be covered in a separate lesson.
Fun Fact
Although 余儀なく is composed of the noun 余儀 and the negative ない, many native speakers perceive it as a single adverb meaning 'unavoidably' or 'out of necessity'.
Examples
部品不足のため、工場は生産縮小を余儀なくされた。
Due to a shortage of parts, the factory was forced to scale back production.
彼は度重なる怪我により、現役引退を余儀なくされた。
Due to repeated injuries, he was forced to retire from his professional career.
利用者の減少で、その地方路線は廃線を余儀なくされるだろう。
With a decrease in passengers, that local train line will likely be forced to shut down.
国際社会からの圧力が高まり、政府は政策変更を余儀なくされました。
As pressure from the international community mounted, the government was forced to change its policy.
台風で飛行機が欠航になり、私たちは旅行計画の変更を余儀なくされた。
Our flight was canceled because of the typhoon, so we were forced to change our travel plans.
大規模なシステム障害により、サービスの一時停止を余儀なくされた。
Due to a large-scale system failure, we were forced to temporarily suspend services.
彼は家庭の事情で、大学の休学を余儀なくされた。
He was forced to take a leave of absence from university due to family circumstances.
記録的な水不足により、住民は給水制限を余儀なくされている。
Due to a record water shortage, residents are being forced to endure water rationing.
資金難で開発の中断を余儀なくされたプロジェクトが、ようやく再開した。
The project, which had been forced to halt development due to funding difficulties, has finally resumed.
このまま赤字が続けば、いくつかの部署の閉鎖を余儀なくされるだろう。
If we continue to operate at a loss like this, we will be forced to shut down several departments.
主演俳優の突然の病気により、映画の撮影は延期を余儀なくされた。
Due to the lead actor's sudden illness, filming for the movie was forced to be postponed.
急な出張が入り、予定の変更を余儀なくされました。
I had to go on a sudden business trip, so I was forced to change my plans.