を禁じ得ない
Cannot help feeling, Cannot but, Cannot hold back
Structure
Verb + の + を禁じ得ない
Explanation
を禁じ得ない is a rather formal expression indicating that the speaker is ‘unable to suppress (an emotion)’, or ‘can't help but feel (A)’. It is most often attached to nouns that describe feelings, or actions resulting from those feelings, like tears or laughter. This grammar is formed by combining the adverbial particle を, the conjunctive form of the る-Verb 禁じる (‘to forbid’), and the 得ない pattern, which means ‘cannot be gained’ and carries a meaning similar to できない.
を禁じ得ない is attached to nouns, but may also follow a verb that has been turned into a noun using の.
- 公園で捨てられた子猫を見て、哀れみを禁じ得なかった。When I saw the abandoned kitten in the park, I couldn't help but feel pity for it.
- 政府の新しい政策には、疑問を禁じ得ない。I can't help but have doubts about the government's new policy.
- 大好きだった作家の最新作があまりにもつまらなくて、失望を禁じ得ない。The latest book from my favorite author was so boring, I can't hide my disappointment.
Caution
This grammar structure is overwhelmingly used to talk about the speaker’s own, personal emotions. Because of this, it often sounds unnatural when used to describe the feelings of another person.
- 先生は私の成績を見て、失望を禁じ得ないようだった。It looked like the teacher could not hide his disappointment when he saw my grades. (Unnatural Japanese)
Examples
親友だと思っていた人に裏切られ、失望を禁じ得ない。
I can't help but feel disappointed after being betrayed by someone I thought was my best friend.
主人を待ち続けた犬の映画を見て、感動を禁じ得なかった。
Watching the movie about the dog that kept waiting for its master, I could not help but be moved.
美しい公園に平気でゴミを捨てる人を見て、憤りを禁じ得ません。
I cannot help feeling indignant when I see people casually throwing trash in a beautiful park.
子猫が自分の尻尾を必死に追いかける姿に、笑いを禁じ得なかった。
I could not help but laugh at the sight of the kitten desperately chasing its own tail.
ニュース：「捨てられて雨に濡れる子犬の記事を読み、憐れみの念を禁じ得ない。」
News: 'Reading the article about the abandoned, rain-soaked puppy, one cannot help but feel a sense of pity.'
彼のいつもと違う言動に、奇妙な違和感を禁じ得なかった。
I could not help but feel a strange sense of unease at his unusual behavior.
長年待ち望んだゲームの続編の予告映像を見て、期待を禁じ得ない。
After watching the trailer for the sequel to the game I've been waiting years for, I can't help but be full of anticipation.
締め切りが迫っているのに作業が全く進まず、焦りを禁じ得ません。
With the deadline drawing near and absolutely no progress being made on my work, I can't help but feel anxious.
政府からのあまりに突然な発表に、国民は混乱を禁じ得なかった。
The public couldn't help but be confused by the government's all-too-sudden announcement.
紛争地域で命を救い続ける医師の話を聞き、尊敬の念を禁じ得ない。
Hearing the story of a doctor who continues to save lives in a conflict zone, I cannot help but feel a profound sense of respect.
自分も手伝った仕事で同僚だけが褒められているのを見て、嫉妬を禁じ得なかった。
Seeing my colleague receive all the praise for a project I also helped with, I couldn't help feeling jealous.
ファンレター：「大好きだったシリーズが完結してしまい、深い悲しみを禁じ得ません。」
Fan Letter: 'Now that my favorite series has come to an end, I can't help but feel a deep sadness.'
宝くじで一等が当たったと知り、興奮を禁じ得なかった。
When I found out I had won first prize in the lottery, I couldn't contain my excitement.
あの政治家の言い訳はあまりにも都合が良すぎて、疑念を禁じ得ない。
That politician's excuse is far too convenient; I can't help but be suspicious.