ざるを得ない (zaruwo nai)

Meaning & usage

Cannot help -ing; cannot (help) but; have no choice but to ~; have to | An auxiliary indicating that there is no other choice but to do something.

Example sentences 5

1. これだけの人が拳銃で殺されているのだから、拳銃所持をより厳しくコントロールせざるを得ないと思う。

   Because this many people have been murdered by guns, I feel that we cannot help but control possession of guns more strictly.

2. それは高かったが、教科書だったから買わざるを得なかった。

   It was a textbook so I had no choice but to buy it, although it was expensive.

3. ジョンは一年で日本語がすらすら話せて、新聞が楽に読めるようになったのだから、語学の天才と言わざるを得ない。

   Since John was able to speak Japanese fluently and read newspapers with ease in one year we cannot help calling him a genius of language learning.

4. 上司じょうしに飲みに行こうと言われれば、部下は行かざるを得ない。

   If a subordinate is told by his superior to go out drinking he cannot help going with him.

5. 日本へ行けば、日本の習慣に従わざるを得ない。

   If you go to Japan you cannot help but adapt yourself to Japanese customs.