JLPT N2 Grammar – Difference between “〜てはいられない” and “〜ないではいられない”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜てはいられない” and “〜ないではいられない”
2. 〜てはいられない
3. 〜ないではいられない
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similer Articles
8. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “〜てはいられない” and “〜ないではいられない”?

A: “〜てはいられない” is used when the situation doesn’t allow you to remain in the current state and you must take action.
“〜ないではいられない” is used when you act based on strong emotions that you can’t suppress.

〜てはいられない (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
Used when there is no situational leeway and one cannot continue doing something / it is not the time or situation to be doing it.

[Rule]
[V] Verb て form + はいられない

[Examples]
こんなところで休やすんではいられないよ。
I can’t afford to rest in a place like this.

いつまでも泣ないてはいられない。前まえを見みなければ。
I can’t keep crying forever. I have to look ahead.

返事へんじをいつまでも待まってはいられません。
I can’t wait for a reply forever.

This expression is used when there is no mental or time-related leeway and one cannot stay in the current state.
It is typically used in urgent situations where immediate action is required, so it may sound unnatural in light or casual everyday contexts.

[Examples]
急いそぎの案件あんけんなのに、いつまでも上司じょうしの返事へんじを待まってはいられない。
It’s an urgent matter, so I can’t wait forever for my boss’s reply.
⇒ This indicates there’s no time to spare and action must be taken quickly.

失敗しっぱいしたからと、いつまでも泣ないてはいられない。
I made a mistake, but I can’t keep crying about it.

来年らいねんから受験じゅけん生せいだから、今いままでのように遊あそんではいられません。
I’ll be a exam candidate starting next year, so I can’t keep playing around like I used to.

〜ないではいられない／〜ずにはいられない (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
You end up doing something no matter what—an action that happens regardless of your will.
① You strongly feel the urge to do something
② You can’t resist and naturally do it

[Rule]
[V] Verb ない form + ではいられない
[V] Verb ない form ない + ず + ではいられない
*しない⇒せず

[Examples]
困こまっている人ひとをみたら、助たすけないではいられません。（①）
When I see someone in trouble, I can’t help but help them.

このバラエティ番組ばんぐみを見みると笑わらわずにはいられないよ。（②）
I can’t help but laugh when I watch this variety show.

あまりに疲つかれてしまって、座すわらずにはいられなかった。（①②）
I was so tired that I couldn’t help sitting down.

This expression is used to describe emotions or reactions that arise naturally in a given situation. It applies to both psychological impulses and physical or emotional reactions.

・Psychological aspect: When seeing a situation or event, you strongly feel “I want to do something,” and can’t suppress that feeling.

[Examples]
わたしも外国がいこくに住すんでいたから、日本にほんで外国がいこく人じんを見みると助たすけないではいられない。
Since I’ve also lived abroad, when I see a foreigner in Japan, I can’t help but want to help them.
⇒ This means I strongly feel the urge to help and can’t hold back my actions.

子供こどもたちが一生いっしょう懸命けんめいに募金ぼきんを呼よびかけている様子ようすを見みると、募金ぼきんせずにはいられない。
When I see children earnestly calling for donations, I can’t help but donate.
⇒ The feeling of wanting to donate arises naturally and can’t be suppressed.

・Physical/emotional aspect: An action that happens reflexively due to a physical condition or emotional response.

[Examples]
子供こどもが変へんな顔かおをするたびに、笑わらわずにはいられない。
Every time the child makes a funny face, I can’t help but laugh.
⇒ This means I laugh impulsively.

この曲きょくを聞きくと、口くちずさまないではいられません。
I can’t help but hum along when I hear this song.
⇒ Hearing the song naturally makes me start singing without thinking.

Let’s Compare

In the following situations, which expression is more appropriate?

[Examples]
① このドキュメンタリーを見みると、泣ないてはいられないんです。

② このドキュメンタリーを見みると、泣なかずにはいられないんです。


The correct answer is ②: “泣なかずにはいられない.”

Watching the documentary stirs up deep emotion, making it impossible to hold back tears. Since this expression reflects a spontaneous emotional reaction, “〜ずにはいられない” is the appropriate choice.

Now, what about the next case?

[Examples]

① いつまでも落ち込お　こんではいられない。次つぎの計画けいかくを考かんがえよう。

② いつまでも落ち込お　こまないではいられない。次つぎの計画けいかくを考かんがえよう。


The correct answer is ①: “落おち込こんではいられない.”

This sentence expresses a rational decision to move on, indicating that one can’t afford to remain in a negative state. Therefore, “〜てはいられない” is appropriate.
In contrast, ② describes being emotionally overwhelmed and unable to avoid feeling down, which doesn’t fit the intended context.

Summary

[〜てはいられない]

• Used in urgent situations where there is no mental or time-related leeway, to express that “one cannot remain in the current state any longer.”

[〜ないではいられない／〜ずにはいられない]

• Expresses an inability to suppress a certain feeling or action due to a psychological or physical impulse.
  Mental aspect: Triggered by an event or scene that makes the person strongly feel “I have to do this,” and they can’t hold back the emotion.
  Physical/emotional aspect: A state in which emotions or physical reactions that arise in a given situation cannot be resisted.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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Similer Articles

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