JLPT N1 grammar

〜を禁じ得ないmeaning and usage

Meaning

Can't help but do A; can't hold back from A (emotional response to something)

How to form it

  • nounを禁じ得ない

How it is used

Very formal and written: 'cannot hold back A', where A is a noun of emotion such as 「同情」, 「怒り」, 「驚き」 or 「涙」, usually the speaker's own. In everyday speech, 「ずにはいられない」 is used.

Examples

  1. 彼女の生い立ちには同情を禁じ得ない。

    I can't help but feel sympathy towards her upbringing.

  2. 彼の日本語がわずか一年でここまで上達したことには、驚きを禁じ得ない。

    I can't help being amazed that his Japanese has come this far in just one year.

  3. 彼のあまりに見え透いた言い訳には、苦笑を禁じ得なかった。

    His all too obvious excuse made me smile wryly in spite of myself.