This means you cannot stop yourself from doing or feeling something. It is like saying "I can't help but..."
Verb [ない-form, drop い] + ずにはいられないPrimary
This means you cannot stop yourself from doing or feeling something. It is like saying "I can't help but..."
彼の熱意あるスピーチを聞くと、感動して応援せずにはいられない。
When I hear his passionate speech, I'm so moved that I can't help but support him.
会議中、彼の失礼な発言に怒りを感じずにはいられませんでした。
During the meeting, I couldn't help but feel angry at his rude remark.
心配せずにはいられないわけではないが、やはり少し気になる。
It's not that I can't help but worry, but I am still a little concerned.
あの店のケーキは絶品で、前を通るたびに買わずにはいられないんだ。
That shop's cake is exquisite; every time I pass by, I can't help but buy it.
真実を知ってしまった以上、それを公表せずにはいられないと、彼は固く決意した。
Having learned the truth, he firmly resolved that he could not refrain from making it public.
This grammar shows you cannot stop yourself. It is like an urge from inside you. It is not about rules or things you must do. It is about feelings you cannot control.
This grammar is like "can't help but do something." It is a bit more formal than "ないではいられない." Both mean you cannot stop yourself. "〜てならない" is for feelings like "I'm so happy." This grammar is more for actions you feel you must do. It can also be for feelings you cannot control.
Don't use this when you can easily stop yourself from doing something. For example, 'I can't help but eat this cake' is okay, but 'I can't help but walk' is not. This grammar uses an old way to make verbs negative. You add 'zu' to the verb. For verbs like 'kaku' (to write), you change it to 'kaka-zu'. For verbs like 'taberu' (to eat), you change it to 'tabe-zu'. The verb 'suru' (to do) becomes 'se-zu'. The verb 'kuru' (to come) becomes 'ko-zu'.
Often confused with(1)
Contrasts with(2)
More formal alternatives(1)
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