N2 Grammar ⑭　ざるを得ない

JLPT N2 Japanese self-study　·　~15 min　·　have no choice but to — forced obligation

'I have no choice but to...' — when circumstances force your hand, ざるを得ない is the word.

What you'll learn

• Form ざるを得ない from the ない-stem (する→せざるを得ない)
• Express reluctant, forced obligation
• Tell it apart from わけにはいかない (moral 'can't')

How to study “N2 Grammar ⑭　ざるを得ない”

“N2 Grammar ⑭　ざるを得ない” (have no choice but to — forced obligation) is a JLPT N2 chapter of our free Japanese self-study course, about 15 min. You learn by doing — flashcard drills and fill-in-the-blank quizzes graded on the spot — completely free, with no sign-up and no ad wall. Once it clicks, read the matching in-depth explainer over in Grammar.