JLPT N1 Grammar – Difference between “～ずにはおかない” and “～ずにはすまない”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “～ずにはおかない” and “～ずにはすまない”
2. 〜ずにはおかない
3. 〜ずにはすまない
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “〜ずにはおかない” and “〜ずにはすまない”?

A:“〜ずにはおかない” expresses a strong intention or emotion that compels someone to act, meaning “I will definitely do it.” “〜ずにはすまない” reflects a social or moral obligation, meaning “I must do it or I won’t be forgiven.”
Let’s take a closer look at each expression.

～ずにはおかない (JLPT N1)

[Rule]
[V] Verb ない form ない + ずにはおかない
[V] Verb ない form + では + おかない
*しない → せずにはおかない

① Naturally Occurring Emotions or Situations (Spontaneous)

[Meaning]
Indicates that a certain emotion or situation naturally arises, regardless of the speaker’s will. It expresses a strong influence that makes the result inevitable.

[Examples]
あの最新さいしん作さくの映画えいがは、観みる人ひとの心こころを感動かんどうさせずにはおかない。(Emotion)
That latest movie is sure to move the hearts of those who watch it.

こんな給料きゅうりょうでは、生活せいかつは厳きびしくならずにはおかない。(Situation)
With such a low salary, life is bound to become difficult.

This usage expresses either “a naturally arising emotion” or “a situation or action that is triggered.” In both cases, the key point is that it has some influence on a person’s feelings or on a situation.

・In the case of emotions:
It is often used with words that evoke emotions and tends to appear in the causative form.

[Examples]
彼かれの発言はつげんは多おおくの人ひとを怒おこらせずにはおかない。
His remark is sure to make many people angry.
⇒ It means that the content naturally aroused anger.

子供こどもたちの努力どりょくする姿すがたは、見みる人ひとを泣なかせずにはおかない。
The sight of the children trying so hard is sure to bring tears to the eyes of those watching.

生徒せいとの「ありがとう」に、先生せんせいも喜よろこばずにはおかないだろう。
The students’ honest “thank you” will surely make the teacher happy.

・In the case of a situation:
It indicates that some kind of action is triggered as a response to the situation.

[Examples]
理り不尽ふじんな態度たいどに、抗議こうぎせずにはおかないほど腹はらが立たちました。
I was so angry at the unreasonable attitude that I couldn’t help but protest.

会社かいしゃの不正ふせいを社員しゃいんは非難ひなんせずにはおかなかった。
The employees couldn’t help but criticize the company’s wrongdoing.

社員しゃいんの不満ふまんが放置ほうちされれば、トラブルを引き起ひ　おこさずにはおかないだろう。
If the employees’ dissatisfaction continues to be ignored, it will inevitably lead to serious trouble.

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② Speaker’s strong will or policy (Determination / Policy)

[Meaning]
Expresses a strong will such as “I will definitely do it,” or the stance of an organization such as “We will not overlook it” or “We will not leave it unaddressed.”

[Examples]
弁護べんご士しとして、彼かれの無実むじつを証明しょうめいせずにはおかない。（Determination）
As a lawyer, I will stop at nothing to prove his innocence.

会社かいしゃは小ちいさな不正ふせいでさえ見逃みのがさずにはおかない。（Policy）
The company will not overlook even the smallest act of misconduct.

This usage expresses either a “strong will or determination” or a “policy of an organization.”

・Speaker’s determination or intention:
It conveys the idea of “not giving up until it is done.”

[Examples]
このプロジェクトは、必かならず成功せいこうさせずにはおかない。
I will make sure this project succeeds no matter what.

彼かれが真実しんじつを語かたるまで、問い詰と　つめずにはおかない。
I won’t stop pressing him until he tells the truth.

夢ゆめを叶かなえずにはおかない。
I will definitely make my dream come true.

・Organizational policy:
This shows the stance of an entity such as a government or company acting with a sense of obligation or authority.

[Examples]
政府せいふは事件じけんの真相しんそうを解明かいめいせずにはおかない構かまえだ。
The government is determined to uncover the truth behind the incident.

企業きぎょうは社員しゃいんの不正ふせいに厳きびしく対処たいしょせずにはおかない方針ほうしんです。
The company has a policy of taking strict action against employee misconduct.

教育きょういく委員いいん会かいはいじめ再発さいはつ防止ぼうし策さくを講こうじずにはおかないと表明ひょうめいした。
The board of education declared that it will implement measures to prevent the recurrence of bullying.

～ずにはすまない (JLPT N1)

[Meaning]
This expression conveys a sense of duty or responsibility, indicating that, given the situation or social norms, one is obligated to take a certain action—“not doing so would be unacceptable.”

[Rule]
[V] Verb ない form ない + ずにはすまない
[V] Verb ない form + では + すまない
*しない → せずにはすまない

[Examples]
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。
Since I caused so much trouble, I have no choice but to apologize.

約束やくそくを破やぶったのだから、何なんらかの説明せつめいをせずにはすまない。
Because I broke the promise, I must give some kind of explanation.

It reflects a strong sense of duty, responsibility, or moral judgment based on the circumstances or common sense.

[Examples]
こんなにも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。
I caused so much trouble that I must apologize.
⇒ The speaker feels deeply responsible and sees apology as unavoidable.

彼かれの気持きもちを傷きずつけてしまったのだから、説明せつめいせずにはすまないだろう。
I hurt his feelings, so I’ll probably have to give him some kind of explanation.

あれだけの失敗しっぱいをしたのだから、上司じょうしに報告ほうこくせずにはすまない。
After making such a serious mistake, I have no choice but to report it to my boss.

Let’s Compare

Which expression is appropriate in the following sentence?

[Examples]
①この件けんは私わたしの責任せきにんだから、自分じぶんで対応たいおうせずにはおかない。
②この件けんは私わたしの責任せきにんだから、自分じぶんで対応たいおうせずにはすまない。


The correct answer is ② “すまない.”
This is because the speaker is expressing a moral or social obligation—“I must take responsibility and deal with it myself.” The phrase “～ずにはすまない” naturally conveys a sense of duty or ethical responsibility in this context.

Then, how about the following case?

[Examples]
①ここまで来きたら、何なにがあっても成功せいこうさせずにはおかない。
②ここまで来きたら、何なにがあっても成功せいこうさせずにはすまない。


The correct answer is ① “おかない.”
This is because the speaker is expressing a strong determination or will to succeed—“I will absolutely see this through.” The expression “～ずにはおかない” is appropriate when conveying such unwavering resolve.

Summary

	Meaning & Usage	Point	Examples
～ずにはおかない① (Spontaneous)	Naturally occurring emotions or situations drive people’s actions.	Emotions or situations naturally drive people’s feelings or actions.	彼かれの発言はつげんは多おおくの人ひとを怒おこらせずにはおかない。 His remark is sure to make many people angry. 子供こどもたちの頑張がんばる姿すがたは、見みる人ひとを泣なかせずにはおかない。 Seeing the children’s efforts will move people to tears. その態度たいどには抗議こうぎせずにはおかないほど腹はらが立たった。 His attitude was so unreasonable that I couldn’t help but protest.
～ずにはおかない② (Will/Determination/Policy)	Expresses strong will, resolve, or policy.	・Speaker shows unwavering determination. ・Organization shows readiness to act.	このプロジェクトは成功せいこうさせずにはおかない。 I will make this project a success no matter what. 彼かれが真実しんじつを語かたるまで、問い詰と　つめずにはおかない。 I won’t stop questioning him until he tells the truth. 政府せいふは事件じけんの真相しんそうを解明かいめいせずにはおかない構かまえを見みせている。 The government shows determination to get to the bottom of the case.
～ずにはすまない	Describes unavoidable actions based on social norms, a sense of duty, or moral judgment.	Expresses a sense of obligation or responsibility, as in “I must do it” or “I won’t be forgiven if I don’t.”	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。 I caused trouble, so I must apologize. 彼かれの気持きもちを傷きずつけたのだから、説明せつめいせずにはすまない。 I hurt his feelings, so I must explain. あれだけ失敗しっぱいしたのだから、報告ほうこくせずにはすまない。 I failed so badly, I have no choice but to report it.

Similer Articles

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