GRAMMAR DETAIL

〜てばかりはいられない

cannot keep ... · cannot just keep ...

Indicates that the current action or state cannot continue and that it is necessary to move on to the next action.

Examples

失敗を悔やんでばかりはいられない。

I cannot keep regretting my failure.

立ち止まってばかりはいられないので、前へ進もう。

We cannot just keep standing still, so let us move forward.

いつまでも人に頼ってばかりはいられない。

I cannot keep relying on other people forever.

Structure: ばかりはいられない follows a verb's te-form to express the need to move beyond merely continuing that action.
Basic usage: いつまでも人に頼ってばかりはいられない。 expresses the need to move beyond depending on others.

Inability to act versus a limit on continuing
- 頼れない means being unable to rely on someone, while 頼ってばかりはいられない means being unable to continue doing nothing but relying on others. The latter focuses on reducing dependence and taking action oneself.