～ては居られない
Can't afford to, Unable to
Structure
［い］Adjective［て］+ はいられない
［な］Adjective + では(1) + いられない
Noun + では(1) + いられない
(1) じゃ
Explanation
The grammar pattern てはいられない is formed by combining the て-form of a word with the particles は and いられない, which is the negative potential form of the verb いる ('to be'). It is commonly used to express that one 'cannot afford to' or is 'in no position to' do something. Its literal sense, 'cannot remain in the state of doing (A)', highlights why it is impossible to continue the action it is attached to.
While this grammar is most often attached to verbs, it can also follow い-adjectives, な-adjectives, and nouns on occasion.
- 明日は期末試験だから、のんびりテレビを見てはいられない。My final exam is tomorrow, so I can't just sit around watching TV.
- 赤ちゃんが泣いているから、寝てはいられない。The baby is crying, so I can't be sleeping.
- 仕事がたくさんあるんだから、文句を言ってはいられない。There's so much work to do, I don't have time to complain.
When used with a verb, てはいられない expresses that one cannot continue doing that action because of some pressing circumstance, whether it's a time constraint or an emotional reason. It often carries the feeling that 'because of (B), I cannot continue doing (A)', where (B) is the reason stated or implied in the sentence.
When this grammar follows adjectives or nouns, the nuance shifts to emphasize that one 'cannot remain' in that state or condition. As is standard, ては will change to では when used with な-adjectives and nouns.
- 一度の失敗で、いつまでも悲しくてはいられない。You can't stay sad forever over just one failure.
- チームのリーダーになったからには、無責任ではいられない。Now that I'm the team leader, I can't afford to be irresponsible.
- もう大人なんだから、いつまでも子供ではいられないよ。You're an adult now; you can't act like a child forever.
Examples
締切が迫っている。ゲームしては居られない。
The deadline is approaching. I can't afford to be playing games.
ライバル会社が新製品を出した。うちも休んでは居られません。
The rival company has released a new product. We can't afford to rest on our laurels.
外が騒がしくて、本に集中してはいられません。
It's too noisy outside. I'm unable to concentrate on my book.
赤ちゃんちゃんが生まれたんだ。もうのんびり寝ては居られないよ。
The baby was born. I can no longer afford to sleep in.
誰かが困っているのに、黙って見ては居られません。
Someone is in trouble, so I can't just stand by and watch.
火事だ！大事な物なんか探しては居られない。
It's a fire! This is no time to look for valuables.
仕事が山積みだ。一つ一つ確認しては居られない。
Work is piled up. I can't afford to check every single thing.
彼女は大のコーヒー好きで、コーヒーなしでは居られないそうだ。
She's a huge coffee lover; apparently, she can't live without it.
もうすぐ終電の時間だから、買い物しては居られない。
It's almost time for the last train, so I don't have time to go shopping.
文句ばかり言っては居られない。自分たちで行動しないと。
We can't just sit around complaining. We have to take action ourselves.
母：「まだ寝てるの？学校に遅れるわよ！」
息子：「あっ、もうこんな時間か！のんびりしては居られない、急いで準備しないと！」
Mother: 'Are you still sleeping? You'll be late for school!'
Son: 'Oh, is it that time already! I can't afford to take my time, I have to hurry up and get ready!'
後輩に仕事のアドバイスをする：「もう新人じゃないんだから、いつまでも先輩に頼ってばかりじゃ居られないだろ？」
Giving work advice to a junior colleague: 'You're not a rookie anymore, so you can't just keep relying on your seniors all the time, right?'