を禁じ得ないCannot suppress an emotion
を禁じ得ない says that an emotion or reaction is so strong that it cannot be suppressed. It is a formal, rhetorical expression used mainly in writing.
What the expression emphasizes
The expression presents the feeling as an immediate or powerful reaction that the experiencer cannot hold back. In this fixed pattern, 禁じる means “suppress” or “restrain,” not “prohibit.” The sentence therefore does not say that someone is forbidden to feel the emotion.
A strong immediate reaction
調査報告で明らかになった被害の実態に、深い憤りを禁じ得ない。
It is impossible not to feel deep anger at the realities of the damage revealed in the investigation report.
AnalyzeThe report provides the trigger, and the named reaction is 憤り, a strong sense of anger or indignation.
A reaction to an earlier event
私は公開された記録映像を見て、驚きを禁じ得なかった。
When I watched the released archival footage, I could not suppress my surprise.
AnalyzeHow nearby patterns differ
に堪えない is another highly formal emotion pattern, but it uses に and has its own fixed combinations. てやまない emphasizes that a feeling or wish continues over time; the present expression emphasizes that a reaction cannot be controlled. ずにはいられない attaches to a verb and is the more neutral choice for an irresistible impulse to react or act.
More examples
事故原因の隠蔽が事実なら、関係者への疑念を禁じ得ない。
If the cause of the accident was indeed concealed, doubts about those involved are unavoidable.
Analyze被災地から届いた証言に、深い同情を禁じ得ない。
The testimony from the disaster-stricken area makes deep sympathy impossible to suppress.
Analyze責任を回避するかのような説明には、失望を禁じ得ない。
It is impossible not to feel disappointed by an explanation that appears designed to evade responsibility.
Analyze彼のあまりに大げさな弁明には、苦笑を禁じ得なかった。
His excessively dramatic excuse made it impossible to suppress a wry smile.
Analyze崩れかけた橋を目の前にして、恐怖を禁じ得なかった。
Faced with the crumbling bridge, I could not suppress my fear.
Analyze長年の努力が実を結んだ瞬間、涙を禁じ得なかった。
At the moment when years of effort finally bore fruit, I could not hold back my tears.
Analyze