Translation guide
Expresses being forced or driven to do something, either by external pressure or internal necessity. Japanese uses various constructions depending on whether the compulsion is from outside circumstances, a sense of duty, or an unavoidable urge.
The speaker is forced to act by circumstances beyond their control, leaving no alternative.
A formal pattern meaning 'cannot help but do' or 'have no choice but to'. Used when circumstances force an action, often reluctantly. Attaches to the negative stem of verbs (e.g., する → せざるを得ない).
悪天候のため、試合を中止せざるを得なかった。
Due to the bad weather, we were compelled to cancel the game.
I am compelled to disagree with his opinion.
Means 'cannot avoid doing' due to social obligation, duty, or strong expectation. More about personal responsibility than external force. Uses negative verb form + わけにはいかない.
上司に頼まれたので、やらないわけにはいかない。
Since my boss asked me, I'm compelled to do it.
友達の結婚式だから、出席しないわけにはいかない。
It's my friend's wedding, so I'm compelled to attend.
Expresses that there is no other choice but to do something. More casual and direct than ざるを得ない. Attaches to dictionary form of verb.
最終電車に乗り遅れたから、タクシーで帰るしかない。
I missed the last train, so I'm compelled to go home by taxi.
Literary equivalent of ～しかない, meaning 'there is no way but to'. Sounds more formal and emphatic.
こうなった以上、最後まで戦うよりほかない。
Now that it's come to this, we are compelled to fight to the end.
The speaker feels a strong inner drive or temptation to do something, often against their better judgment.
Means 'cannot help doing' due to an uncontrollable emotional or psychological impulse. Attaches to the negative stem of verbs (e.g., 泣く → 泣かずにはいられない).
その映画を見て、涙を流さずにはいられなかった。
Watching that movie, I was compelled to shed tears.
彼の冗談には笑わずにはいられない。
I can't help but laugh at his jokes.
Indicates doing something unintentionally or despite oneself, often with a nuance of regret. In casual speech, ～ちゃう／～じゃう.
ダイエット中なのに、ケーキを食べてしまった。
Even though I'm on a diet, I was compelled to eat the cake.
Expresses an unbearable desire to do something. Literally 'so want to do that I can't stand it'. Uses the ～たい form of verb + てたまらない.
彼に会いたくてたまらない。
I'm compelled to see him; I can't stand not seeing him.
The speaker is bound by duty, law, or principle to act.
The standard way to say 'must' or 'have to'. Implies a rule, duty, or strong expectation. Casual form: ～なきゃならない／～なくちゃならない.
法律に従わなければならない。
We are compelled to obey the law.
約束を守らなければならない。
I am compelled to keep my promise.
Expresses moral obligation or what one ought to do. Stronger sense of personal conviction than なければならない. Attaches to dictionary form of verb.
彼は自分の過ちを認めるべきだ。
He is compelled to admit his mistake.
Someone else forces or causes the subject to act.
Causative-passive form meaning 'be made to do' or 'be forced to do' by someone. Often implies reluctance or suffering.
母に部屋を掃除させられた。
I was compelled to clean my room by my mother.
上司に残業させられた。
I was compelled to work overtime by my boss.
～ざるを得ない emphasizes external circumstances forcing an action, often reluctantly. ～ないわけにはいかない emphasizes social or moral obligation, where not doing it would be unacceptable. For example, if it rains, you 中止せざるを得ない (have no choice but to cancel). If your boss asks you to attend a party, you 出席しないわけにはいかない (can't not attend).
雨で試合を中止せざるを得なかった。
We were compelled to cancel the match due to rain.
上司の送別会だから、行かないわけにはいかない。
It's my boss's farewell party, so I'm compelled to go.
English 'be compelled to' can sound formal or literary. In Japanese, directly translating with 強制される (be forced) is often too strong and unnatural. Use the patterns above depending on the nuance. For everyday obligation, ～なければならない is usually sufficient.