This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

ざるを得ない

Reading

Kana: ざるをえない
Romaji: zaruwoenai
Kana
Romaji

Definition

exp
1

cannot help (doing); have no choice but to; am compelled to; am obliged to; it is incumbent upon (me) to

Kanji

Readings: トク、 え.る、 う.る
Meanings: gain, get, find, earn, acquire, can, may, able to, profit, advantage, benefit

Example Sentences

そう(かんが)えざるを()ない。
➥I can not but think so.
Full Entry➤
指示(しじ)(したが)わざるを()ない。
➥There is nothing for me to do except to obey the order.
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(わたし)たちは()かざるを()ない。
➥We have no choice but to go.
Full Entry➤
彼女(かのじょ)(わら)わざるを()ない。
➥She cannot but laugh.
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(わたし)はそう(かんが)えざるをえない。
➥I cannot help thinking so.
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我々(われわれ)妥協(だきょう)せざるをえない。
➥We have no choice but to compromise.
Full Entry➤
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