やむにやまれず

Meanings

can't help but; compelled; irresistible urge

usually written using kana alone

Describes a situation where one is driven by an inner compulsion or unavoidable circumstances, not by rational choice. Often used with verbs like する or なる to express doing something against one's will or better judgment.

See also: やむにやまれない · やむにやまれぬ

やむにやまれず、彼かれは会かい社しゃを辞やめた。
He couldn't help himself and quit the company.
止やむに止やまれず、欠けっ席せきします。
I have no choice but to be absent.

Kanji

止stop, halt
已stop, halt, previously

Related words

止やむを得えず
やむを得ず means 'unavoidably' or 'out of necessity', focusing on external circumstances. やむにやまれず emphasizes an internal, irresistible compulsion.
思おもわず
思わず means 'unintentionally' or 'without thinking', often for spontaneous actions. やむにやまれず implies a deeper, often emotional, driving force.

Written forms

止やむに止やまれず
Kanji spelling using 止む; less common but still encountered.
已やむに已やまれず
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 已む; it is rarely used.

Etymology

From the verb 止む (to stop) in a classical negative form, literally 'without being able to stop'. The repetition やむにやまれず intensifies the meaning of being unable to cease or resist.