Grammar › N2 · 10 Emphasis and attitude

〜ずにはいられない: can't help doing

N2 · 10 Emphasis and attitude

Says you cannot stop yourself from doing something.

Verb ない-form (without ない) + ずにはいられない; する becomes せずにはいられない. The spoken form is 〜ないではいられない. It is about an action coming out of your feelings. Don't use it for physical states.

Examples

かわいい子犬こいぬを見みると、つい声こえをかけずにはいられない。

When I see a cute puppy, I can't help talking to it.

この話はなしを聞きいたら、笑わらわずにはいられないよ。

If you hear this story, you can't help laughing.

Study 〜ずにはいられない in the course →