JLPT N1 Grammar

〜ずにはおかない (zu ni wa okanai)

〜ずにはおかない (zu ni wa okanai)
“Will certainly; will not fail to; cannot help but...”

This grammar point expresses a strong, almost inevitable result or a firm determination that a certain action or state will be realized. It suggests that once a situation starts, it cannot be stopped until a specific outcome is achieved.

  • Formality: Highly formal and literary. It is rarely heard in daily conversation and is mostly found in written novels, formal speeches, or high-level journalism.
  • Context: Used in two primary ways:
    1. Natural/Spontaneous feeling: To describe a situation or work of art that naturally moves or affects people (e.g., "This movie will certainly move everyone to tears").
    2. Strong Resolve: To express a speaker’s iron-clad determination to do something (e.g., "I will not fail to punish them").
  • Nuance: It carries a sense of "not leaving things as they are." There is a powerful energy behind this expression—either the power of an emotion that cannot be suppressed or the force of a person’s will.

Format

  • Verb (Nai-form) + ずにはおかない
    • 彼女の無実を証明せずにはおかない。 I will not fail to prove her innocence.
    • その歌声は、聴く者を感動させずにはおかない。 That singing voice cannot help but move the listeners.
  • Suru: せずにはおかない

Example sentences

  • 、。
    His tenacity finally ensured the project’s success.
  • 、。
    This scandal will undoubtedly have a major impact on society.
  • 、。
    The detective vowed that he would not fail to catch the criminal.
  • 、。
    Those with true ability will definitely stand out, no matter what adversity they face.
  • 、。
    As history proves, dictatorship will eventually and inevitably collapse.
  • 、。
    This legal amendment will definitely bring changes to the citizens' lives.
  • 、。
    After receiving such a terrible insult, I will not stay silent (I will definitely speak out/retaliate).
  • 、。
    The powerful performance of the great actors will definitely move the audience.
  • 、。
    If we continue destroying nature, humanity will eventually and surely meet its ruin.
  • 、。
    In this once-in-a-lifetime match, I will not fail to produce the best result.

Similar Grammar

〜ないではおかない (nai de wa okanai)

“Will definitely; cannot help but...”

Difference:

  • This is essentially the same meaning and formality as 〜ずにはおかない.
  • The only difference is the grammatical structure (~ない vs ~ず). They are interchangeable in most formal contexts.

〜ずにはいられない (zu ni wa irarenai)

“Can’t help but (do); can’t stop oneself from...”
泣かずにはいられない。 I can't help but cry.

Difference:

  • This focuses on a personal, internal emotion or physiological urge that the speaker cannot control.
  • 〜ずにはおかない is more about an external result or an objective inevitability.

〜ざるを得ない (zaru o enai)

“Have no choice but to...”
中止せざるを得ない。 We have no choice but to cancel.

Difference:

  • This expresses a sense of being forced by circumstances to do something against one's will.
  • It lacks the "inevitable force" or "strong determination" of 〜ずにはおかない.

〜を禁じ得ない (o kinji enai)

“Cannot suppress (an emotion).”
怒りを禁じ得ない。 I cannot help but feel anger.

Difference:

  • This is used exclusively with nouns representing emotions (anger, sympathy, etc.).
  • It is very formal but limited to feelings.

〜に相違ない (ni sōi nai)

“Without a doubt; certainly.”
彼が犯人に相違ない。 He is undoubtedly the criminal.

Difference:

  • This expresses a strong conviction or logical conclusion (it must be so).
  • It does not express the "action/process" of making something happen.

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. のなは、のを（　　　）。
A. ずにはおかない
B.
C. に相違ない
D. ずにはおかない

Q2. なを、で、を（　　　）。
A. せずにはおかない
B. するまでもない
C. するに及ばない
D. するのみだ

Q3. がにされたため、を（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. ののは、者すべてを（　　　）。
A. ぐまずにはおかない
B. ぐませずにはおかない
C. ぐみかねない
D. ぐむべくもない

Q5. のだったが、で（　　　）。
A. を
B. が
C. を
D. が

Q6. がこのまま、になを（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. （　　　）、というものがある。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q8. のをため、を（　　　）。
A. せずにはおかない
B. しずにはおかない
C. せずにはいられない
D. するにいたる

Q9. のなは、のを（　　　）。
A. かねない
B.
C.
D.

Q10. に、もがを（　　　）。
A. ずにはおかない
B. ざるを得ない
C. んばかりだ
D. てしかるべきだ

Q11. がしたからには、が（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q12. でのをするため、を（　　　）。
A. せずにはおかない
B. するに忍びない
C. するかたわら
D. してまで

Q13. のなには、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q14. を、なに（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. なをまでとしたを、として（　　　）。
A. するにたらない
B. せずにはおかない
C. するまでもない
D. せずにもあらず

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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