N1 Inevitability and Necessity

~ずにはおかない / ~ないではおかない: meaning, usage and examples

~ずにはおかない / ~ないではおかない means: cannot help but... / inevitably causes...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. この映画えいがは必かならず人ひとを感動かんどうさせずにはおかない。

   This movie cannot help but move people.

2. 彼かれの演説えんぜつは聴衆ちょうしゅうを納得なっとくさせないではおかないだろう。

   His speech will inevitably convince the audience.

3. 彼女かのじょの新作しんさくは、読者どくしゃに深ふかい印象いんしょうを与あたえずにはおかないだろう。

   Her new novel is sure to leave a deep impression on readers.

4. 今回こんかいの不祥事ふしょうじは、会社かいしゃの信用しんように影響えいきょうを及およぼさずにはおかない。

   This scandal is bound to damage the company's reputation.

When to use it

Two uses. Usually with a causative, something is bound to cause a feeling or effect: 「この作品さくひんは見みる人ひとを感動かんどうさせずにはおかない」. With a person's will, it means "will not rest until": 「必かならず真相しんそうを明あきらかにせずにはおかない」. Both uses express that the result is certain and cannot be stopped.

Nuance

Formal and written, common in reviews, editorials and strong statements. The subject is usually a work, event or situation, not the speaker's spontaneous feeling. The tone is strong and certain.

Compare

ずにはいられない is the speaker's own urge: 笑わらわずにはいられない (I can't help laughing). ずにはおかない is an outside force causing an effect: 人ひとを笑わらわせずにはおかない. ずには済すまない is about obligation: 謝あやまらずには済すまない. On tests, check whether the subject is a person's urge, an outside effect or a duty.

Tip: Look for a causative (させずにはおかない): a thing that makes people feel something. That is the most common test form.