Grammar › N1 · 10 Obligation and prohibition

〜ずにはすまない: cannot get away without

N1 · 10 Obligation and prohibition

Says it is impossible to avoid doing something because the situation or social norms demand it.

Verb ない-stem + ずにはすまない (する becomes せずにはすまない). Often about apologizing, paying, or being punished: 謝らずにはすまない. Subject can be you or others. Written and polite spoken.

Examples

これだけ迷惑めいわくをかけたのだから、謝あやまらずにはすまないだろう。

Since I caused so much trouble, I cannot get out of it without apologizing.

彼かれのミスは大おおきく、責任を取せきにんをとらずにはすまない状況じょうきょうだ。

His mistake was big, and it is a situation where he cannot avoid taking responsibility.

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