JLPT N1 Grammar

〜を余儀なくされる (o yogi naku sareru)

〜を余儀なくされる (o yogi naku sareru)
"to be forced to; to have no choice but to; to be compelled"

This expression is used when a person or organization is forced into a difficult or undesirable situation due to external factors, regardless of their own will. It implies that while the subject might have wanted a different outcome, circumstances have made the current course of action unavoidable.

  • Formality: Highly Formal / Literary. It is frequently found in news reports, business press releases, official documents, and formal speeches.
  • Context: Business (restructuring, project cancellations), Economics (market shifts), and Social Issues (disasters, policy changes).
  • Nuance: It carries a heavy, serious tone. It emphasizes that the choice was not made voluntarily but was "imposed" by necessity or external pressure. It often describes negative or burdensome outcomes.

Format

  • Noun + を余儀なくされる
    不祥事により、社長は辞任を余儀なくされた。 Due to the scandal, the president was forced to resign.

Example sentences

  • 、。
    Due to the abrupt change in the market environment, we were forced to conduct a major review of our business strategy.
  • 、。
    With the rise of competitors, we are being forced to enter into a price war.
  • 、。
    Under the pressure of budget cuts, the postponement of the new project was forced upon us.
  • 、。
    As legal regulations were tightened, we had no choice but to change the product specifications.
  • 、。
    Due to repeated system failures, we were forced to temporarily suspend the service.

Similar Grammar

〜ざるを得ない (zaru o enai)

“have no choice but to...”
週末も働かざるを得ない。 I have no choice but to work on the weekend.

Difference:

  • Focuses on the speaker’s subjective judgment or internal feeling of "I must do this."
  • 〜を余儀なくされる is more objective and focuses on the external pressure or situation that caused the result.

〜を余儀なくさせる (o yogi naku saseru)

“to force (someone else) to...”
大雨が試合の中止を余儀なくさせた。 The heavy rain forced the cancellation of the match.

Difference:

  • This is the active/causative version.
  • The subject is the cause that forces someone else into a situation. (e.g., "The storm forced the cancellation.")

〜を禁じ得ない (o kinji enai)

“cannot help but (feel)...”
彼の身の上話を聞いて、同情を禁じ得ない。 I cannot help but feel sympathy after hearing his life story.

Difference:

  • Used for emotions (sympathy, anger, laughter).
  • It means you cannot suppress a certain feeling, whereas 〜を余儀なくされる is about actions or situations.

〜ずにはいられない (zu ni wa irarenai)

“cannot help but do...”
その光景を見て、笑わずにはいられない。 Seeing that sight, I cannot help but laugh.

Difference:

  • Describes a physiological or emotional urge that is impossible to resist.
  • It is much more personal and less formal than the "compelled by circumstances" nuance of 〜を余儀なくされる.

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. のにより、そのはの（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q2. は、に（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q3. のにより、はの（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. のに、たちは（　　　）。
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B.
C.
D.

Q5. の、彼はからの（　　　）。
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B.
C.
D.

Q6. がで、のはな（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. のは、のに（　　　）。
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B.
C.
D.

Q8. のなには、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q9. のにより、はの（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q10. のにより、はの（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q11. せぬに（　　　）、なをしまった。
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B.
C.
D.

Q12. によって、そののは（　　　）。
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B.
C.
D.

Q13. を、のはとして（　　　）。
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B.
C.
D.

Q14. はを、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. のが、の（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Continue Your Journey to Native-Level Fluency

Great work finishing this session! Achieving N1-level precision is about layering these subtle distinctions until they become second nature in your professional life.

To maintain your momentum and eliminate any remaining blind spots, head back to our JLPT N1 Grammar List. Use it to systematically check off each point and refine your ability to navigate complex Japanese environments with the confidence of a native speaker.

JLPT N1 Grammar List

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