GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜てはいられない
Indicates that urgent circumstances leave no time or room to continue the current action.
Examples
出発時刻が近いので、ここで待ってはいられない。
The departure time is approaching, so we cannot afford to wait here.
Words used
皆が待っているから、ここで迷ってはいられない。
Everyone is waiting, so I cannot afford to hesitate here.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
はいられないafter a verb's te-form means urgent circumstances leave no room to continue that action or state. - Basic usage:
出発時刻が近いので、ここで待ってはいられない。says that the approaching departure time leaves no room to keep waiting here.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- No room to continue versus prohibition
待ってはいられないconcerns circumstances preventing continued waiting, while待ってはいけないprohibits waiting. The ending distinguishes lack of room from a ban despite the similar beginning.
- The form without wa
迷っていられないcan also mean having no room to keep hesitating.迷ってはいられないmore explicitly sets continued hesitation apart as something that cannot be maintained.