Structure
Verb[ない]+ では(1) + いられない
(1) じゃ
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一般
About ないではいられない
In order to express that something cannot be helped or cannot be resisted in Japanese, the phrase ないではいられない will be used. This is a structure that is comprised of verbs in the negative form connected to で, は, and the negative-potential form of the る-Verb 居る 'to be'. In this way it just means 'to be unable to be without (A)'.
ないではいられない primarily expresses the inability of the speaker to tolerate (A) not happening, due to wanting to do it. It may also indicate that they will unfortunately do it despite knowing that they shouldn't.
ないではいられない primarily expresses the inability of the speaker to tolerate (A) not happening, due to wanting to do it. It may also indicate that they will unfortunately do it despite knowing that they shouldn't.
- セール品を見ると、買わないではいられなくなる。When I see something on sale, I can't help but buy it.
- 私は辛い物を食べると、牛乳を飲まないではいられないの。When I eat something spicy, I can't help but drink milk.
- ペットのワンちゃんが自分の尻尾を追いかけているのを見るとおかしくて、笑わないではいられない。When I see my pet dog chasing his tail around, it's so funny that I can't help but laugh.
- 大親友がじこでなくなったときは、泣かないではいられなかった。When my best friend died, I couldn't help but cry. (Emotion)
- おばあさんが困っているのを見ると助けないではいられない。When I see an old lady in need, I can't resist helping them. (Feeling)
- 上司に理不尽に怒られた時には、キレないではいられなかった。When my boss yelled at me unreasonably, I couldn't help but lose my temper. (Reaction)
Synonyms
Examples
引退試合に負けて、泣かないではいられません。
Having lost his last game before retirement, he can't help but cry.
大好きなお笑い番組を見て、笑わないではいられない。
I can't help but laugh while watching the comedy show I love.
彼の辛い状況を見て助けないではいられない。
Seeing his suffering, I can't help but feel like helping. (Literally - Can't help but help)
高級なお寿司が半額だ。食べないではいられない。
Premium sushi is half price. I can't help but eat it.
毛糸が絡まり困っている娘に、手を出さないではいられない。
I can't help but give a hand to my daughter who is tangled up in yarn.
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~ないではいられない/~ずにはいられない
Mojisuke
Grammar Notes and Breakdown
日本語 NET
文法解説:ずにはいられない/ないではいられない
日本語の教師N1et
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ないではいられない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
megatron0000
In
彼の辛い状況を見て助けないではいられない
Would it be correct to say instead
彼の辛い状況を見て助けたくてならない
or
彼の辛い状況を見て助けたくてたまらない
I ask because there is a review question where the second/third forms are not accepted.
mrnoone
@megatron0000
HeyIn Japanese we don’t usually say something like 助けたくてたまらない (and たくてならない is used less often than たくてたまらない).
It would be understandable, but ずにはいられない or ないではいられない sound much better.
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