てはいられない (tehairarenai)

Meaning & usage

てはいられない attaches to the te-form of a verb and expresses that one cannot keep doing that action or stay in that state, because there is no time or it must not continue. It carries a sense of urgency, as in hurrying up or refusing to let something go on.

Example sentences 4

1. いちいち細こまかいことを気きにしてはいられない。

   I can't be bothered with every little detail.

2. 急いで。ぐずぐずしてはいられない。

   Hurry up. We've little time to waste.

3. 君が虐待されているのを放ってはいられない。

   I will not allow you to be ill-treated.

4. あの太った魔女は世界で一番綺麗であるかの如く振る舞っているのを見ると笑わなくてはいられない。

   I can't help but laugh when I see that fat witch behaving as if she were the prettiest in the whole world.