Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
Noun を余儀なくされる (Noun wo yogi naku sareru)

Noun を余儀なくされる (Noun wo yogi naku sareru)

Short explanation:

Expresses the idea of being forced into a certain situation, 'to be compelled', 'to be obliged'.

Formation:

Noun + を + 余儀なくされる

Examples:

彼は経済的困難により、退学を余儀なくされた。
Kare wa keizai-teki konnan ni yori, taigaku wo yogi naku saremashita.
Due to financial difficulties, he was forced to drop out of school.
厳しい天候によって、私たちは遠足を中止する余儀なくされた。
Kibishi tenkou ni yotte, watashitachi wa ensoku wo chushi suru yogi naku sareta.
We were forced to cancel the excursion due to the severe weather.
怪我のため、彼は退院を余儀なくされた。
Kega no tame, kare wa taiin wo yogi naku sareta.
He was forced to be discharged from the hospital because of his injury.
リストラの恐怖により、多くの従業員が転職を余儀なくされた。
Risutora no kyoufu ni yori, ooku no juugyouin ga tenshoku wo yogi naku sareta.
Fear of layoffs forced many employees to change jobs.

Long explanation:

The grammar pattern 'Noun を余儀なくされる' is used to describe circumstances where a person or party is compelled or obliged to do something, they would have otherwise preferred not to do due to necessity or unavoidable circumstances. This can be translated as 'to be forced to', 'to be compelled to', or 'to have no choice but to' in English. This form is often used in formal or written Japanese.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: Noun を余儀なくされる (Noun wo yogi naku sareru)

Japanese Grammar Point: Noun を余儀なくされる (Noun wo yogi naku sareru)

Noun を余儀なくされる (Noun wo Yogi Naku Sareru)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the grammar point "Noun を余儀なくされる", a formal expression used to indicate that someone is forced to do something due to unavoidable circumstances. This structure is often found in formal writing, news reports, and official statements.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

  • To be forced to [Noun]
  • To be compelled to [Noun] This expression conveys that someone has no choice but to undergo a certain action or state, not out of their own will, but because of external factors that leave no alternatives.

Structure

[ Noun ] + を + 余儀なくされる
  • Noun: An action noun (often a verbal noun)
  • : Object particle
  • 余儀なくされる: Passive form meaning "to be forced to"

Formation Diagram

Component Function
Noun Action being forced
Object marker
余儀なくされる Passive verb phrase meaning "to be forced to"

Detailed Explanation

  1. 余儀なくされる is a passive construction derived from 余儀なくする (to force).
  2. 余儀 means "other means" or "alternatives," and なく is a negation meaning "without."
  3. The phrase collectively implies that there are no other alternatives, hence one is compelled to take the action denoted by the noun.
  4. The subject (often implied) experiences the action passively due to external circumstances.

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with Similar Grammar Points

1. 〜ざるを得ない (〜zaru wo enai)

  • Structure: Verb (negative stem) + ざるを得ない
  • Meaning: "Cannot help but do ~" / "Have no choice but to ~"
  • Usage: Used with verbs to indicate being compelled to act.
  • Nuance: Conveys a sense of resignation but can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

2. 〜しかない (〜shika nai)

  • Structure: Verb (dictionary form) + しかない
  • Meaning: "Have no choice but to ~"
  • Usage: More casual, commonly used in spoken language.
  • Nuance: Suggests that there are no other options; often used when discussing personal decisions. Summary Table
    Grammar Point Structure Formality Used With
    〜を余儀なくされる Noun + を余儀なくされる Formal Nouns
    〜ざるを得ない Verb (neg. stem) + ざるを得ない Formal Verbs
    〜しかない Verb (dict. form) + しかない Casual Verbs

4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

  1. 災害のため、多くの人々が避難を余儀なくされた。 Due to the disaster, many people were forced to evacuate.
  2. 経済不況により、会社は人員削減を余儀なくされた。 Due to the economic recession, the company was forced to reduce staff.
  3. 彼の病気は入院を余儀なくさせた。 His illness compelled him to be hospitalized.
  4. 新しい規制で、企業は製品の改良を余儀なくされている。 With the new regulations, companies are being forced to improve their products.
  5. 天候の悪化により、試合は中止を余儀なくされた。 Due to worsening weather, the match was forced to be canceled.

Context Variations

  • Formal/Written Context: This expression is primarily used in formal writing, academic texts, newspapers, and official announcements.
  • Subject Omission: In Japanese, the subject is often omitted if it is clear from context.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

  • Indirect Expression: Japanese language often uses indirect expressions to convey actions without assigning direct blame.
  • Emphasis on External Factors: This grammar point highlights how external circumstances compel actions, reflecting a cultural tendency to consider the influence of the environment and society.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

  • Formality: Highly formal; not typically used in casual conversation.
  • Usage: Suitable for official statements, legal documents, and news reporting.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • 余儀なくされる is an idiomatic expression in itself, often used to describe situations in politics, economics, and society where actions are taken due to unavoidable circumstances.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  1. Using Verbs Instead of Nouns
    • Incorrect: 彼は退職するを余儀なくされた。
    • Correct: 彼は退職を余儀なくされた。 Tip: Ensure that you use a noun before を余儀なくされる. Convert verbs to their nominal forms if necessary.
  2. Incorrect Passive Form
    • Incorrect: 会社は閉鎖を余儀なくする。
    • Correct: 会社は閉鎖を余儀なくされる。 Tip: Remember that 余儀なくされる is a passive form and should be used accordingly.

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic Device: Think of "余儀 (alternative means) なく (without) される (be made to)" – being made to act without alternatives.
  • Practice Noun Forms: Familiarize yourself with common nouns that describe actions or states (e.g., 中止, 閉鎖, 退職).
  • Contextual Usage: Read news articles or official statements to see how this expression is used naturally.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • Noun を余儀なくされる is a formal expression meaning "to be forced to [Noun]" due to unavoidable circumstances.
  • It emphasizes that the action is not by choice but because there are no other options.
  • This grammar point is used mainly in formal writing and should be paired with nouns, not verbs.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence: 彼は病気のため、入院___余儀なくされた。 a) が
    b) を
    c) に
    Answer: b) を
  2. True or False: "〜を余儀なくされる" can be used in casual conversation. Answer: False
  3. Correct the mistake in the following sentence: 新しい法律で、企業は変更を余儀なくする。 Corrected Sentence: 新しい法律で、企業は変更を余儀なくされる。

By understanding and practicing this grammar point, you'll enhance your ability to comprehend formal Japanese texts and express complex situations where actions are compelled by external factors.

Additional Exercise

Create a sentence using "Noun を余儀なくされる" to describe an unavoidable action due to environmental factors. Example Answer: 大雨の影響で、イベントは延期を余儀なくされた。

Remember: Focus on using nouns that represent actions, and use this expression in appropriate formal contexts to convey forced circumstances accurately.

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