N2necessitycompulsion
~ざるを得ない (zaru wo enai) - Cannot help but / Have no choice but
[Verb nai-stem] + ざるを得ない
Quick answer
[Verb nai-stem] + ざるを得ない means "Cannot help but / Have no choice but to / Must". It is a N2 Japanese grammar point with examples and drills on this page.
Meaning
Cannot help but / Have no choice but to / Must
Explanation
Expresses unavoidable necessity or compulsion.
Examples
事故のため、予定を変更せざるを得なかった。
じこのため、よていをへんこうせざるをえなかった。
Due to the accident, I had no choice but to change the schedule.
この状況では、諦めざるを得ない。
このじょうきょうでは、あきらめざるをえない。
In this situation, I cannot help but give up.
Practice this grammar
[Verb nai-stem] + ざるを得ない
Which sentence correctly uses "~ざるを得ない (zaru wo enai) - Cannot help but / Have no choice but"?