ざるを得ない
Can't help doing, Have no choice but
Structure
Explanation
The word ざる is the classical 連体形 (attributive form) of the auxiliary verb ざり. This older form, ざり, functions identically to the modern negative form ない.
When it is used with the る-Verb 得る, meaning 'to be able to', and the modern auxiliary verb ない, it forms a double negative. This expresses the idea that one 'is forced to do (A)', or 'can't avoid doing (A)'. Its most literal sense is 'to not be able to not do (A)'.
For almost all verbs, this grammar pattern will conjugate in the same way that ない does.
- お金に困っているので、大切にしていた車を売らざるを得ない。I'm having money troubles, so I have no choice but to sell the car I cherished.
- 事故で電車が止まったので、別のルートで行かざるを得ません。The train stopped due to an accident, so I have no choice but to take a different route.
Caution
Because ざり is a classical form, its conjugation with the verb する differs from the standard conjugation with ない.
- 明日、大事な会議があるから、今日中に準備しざるを得ない。There's an important meeting tomorrow, so I have no choice but to prepare today. (Unnatural Japanese)
- 明日、大事な会議があるから、今日中に準備せざるを得ない。There's an important meeting tomorrow, so I have no choice but to prepare today. (Natural Japanese)
Take note here that the verb will become せざる instead of the expected しざる that would follow the pattern of しない.
Examples
部長の命令だったので、残業せざるを得なかった。
It was an order from my manager, so I had no choice but to work overtime.
息子が高熱を出したため、旅行を中止せざるを得ない。
My son came down with a high fever, so we have no choice but to cancel our trip.
証拠が揃っていたので、彼は罪を認めざるを得なかった。
Since all the evidence was there, he had no choice but to admit his guilt.
彼の感動的なスピーチを聞いて、涙を流さざるを得なかった。
After hearing his moving speech, I couldn't help but cry.
大切なファイルを消してしまったので、一からやり直さざるを得ません。
I accidentally deleted an important file, so I have no choice but to start over from scratch.
大型の台風が接近しているため、イベントを延期せざるを得ない。
A large typhoon is approaching, so we have no choice but to postpone the event.
赤字が続いているので、残念ながら事業を縮小せざるを得ない。
We continue to be in the red, so unfortunately we have no choice but to downsize the business.
彼の意見には賛成できないが、多数決なので従わざるを得ない。
I don't agree with his opinion, but since it was decided by a majority vote, I have no choice but to go along with it.
原材料の価格が高騰したため、商品を値上げせざるを得ません。
Due to the sharp rise in the cost of raw materials, we have no choice but to raise the price of our products.
あんなに可愛い子犬を見たら、飼わざるを得ないでしょう。
If you saw a puppy that cute, you would have no choice but to take it home, right?
医者に手術が必要だと言われたので、受けざるを得なかった。
The doctor told me surgery was necessary, so I had no choice but to go through with it.
彼は責任を取る立場なので、辞職せざるを得ないだろう。
He is in a position where he must take responsibility, so he will likely have no choice but to resign.