仲間なかまが捕つかまった。口くちを割われる前まえに、彼かれを「処理しょり」せざるを得えなかった。
Our guy got caught. Before he could talk, we had no choice but to “handle” him.

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Read the explanation below to understand the nuance of how this grammar structure is used.

This is that “gun to your head, spit a Birdman verse” grammar. You do not want to do it. You hate the very idea of it. But the situation, the boss, or the cops are forcing you to act. It’s all about reluctance.

Common Situation: You find out your boy is a snitch. You love him, he’s family. But the code is the code. You really don’t wanna do it, but you “Have no choice but to” take him out (処理しょりせざるを得えない). It’s a heavy, reluctant decision.

Metaphor: This is like paying your taxes. Nobody wants to do it. You hate seeing that money go. But if you don’t, the feds will be at your door. The situation forces you. Have no choice but to pay” (払はらわざるを得えない).

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Read the table below then use it to conjugate some words you know.

Here’s the build. This one’s got a classic, old-school flavor.

Type	Formula	Example	Translation
V-Groups 1, 2, 3	V (ない-stem) + ざるを得えない	飲のまざるを得えない	Have no choice but to drink.
Exception: する	せざるを得えない	降伏ごうぶくせざるを得えない	Have no choice but to surrender.
Exception: くる	来こざるを得えない	来こざるを得えない	Have no choice but to come.

Pay attention. You take the Nai-stem of the verb (like yomu -> yomanai -> yoma). Then you add ざるを得ない. The big one to remember is する. It’s irregular. It becomes せざるを得ない. Don’t mess that up.

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Listen to and repeat the sentences below.

Here’s what it sounds like when your back’s against the wall.

アニキの命令めいれいだ。やりたくないが、あの男おとこを「消けし」に行いかざるを得えない。
I don’t want to, but I have no choice but to go “erase” that man.

敵てきが俺おれたちのシマに入はいってきた。戦争せんそうを始はじめざるを得えない。 The enemy has entered our turf. We have no choice but to start a war.

警察けいさつにバレた。この「ブツ」は全部ぜんぶ、海うみに捨すてざるを得えない。The cops are onto us. We have no choice but to dump all this “product” in the ocean.

刑務所けいむしょではナメられたら終おわりだ。毎日まいにち、体からだを鍛きたえざるを得えない。
In prison, it’s over if they think you’re weak. You have no choice but to train your body every day.

金かねが底そこをついた。ファミリーを食くわすため、強盗ごうとうを計画けいかくせざるを得えない。
To feed the family, I have no choice but to plan a robbery.

ライバルが俺おれのタグに上書うわがきしやがった。今夜こんや、奴やつの壁かべを爆破ばくはせざるを得えない。
A rival painted over my tag. Tonight, I have no choice but to blow up his wall.

証拠しょうこを握にぎられ、俺おれはあのクソ野郎やろうの命令めいれいを聞きかざるを得えない。
He’s got evidence on me. I have no choice but to obey that bastard’s orders.

アニキは間違まちがっている。だが、ファミリーの一員いちいんとして、従したがわざるを得えない。
The boss is wrong. But as a member of the family, I have no choice but to follow.

毎晩まいばん、敵てきのクルーが近所きんじょをうろつく。シマを守まもるため、見張みはりに立たたざるを得えない。
Every night, the enemy crew cruises the neighborhood. To protect the turf, I have no choice but to stand watch.

警察けいさつに追おわれている。この自慢じまんのローライダーを乗のり捨すてざるを得えない。
The cops are on my tail. I have no choice but to abandon this lowrider I’m so proud of.

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Stay dangerous.