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〜を禁じ得ない

can't help (feeling), can't hold back

Emotion noun (涙, 怒り, 同情, 驚き) + を禁じ得ない

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を禁じ得ない means "can't suppress a feeling": 彼の話を聞いて、涙を禁じ得なかった, "hearing his story, I couldn't hold back my tears".

The noun is an emotion or its sign: 涙, 怒り, 同情 ("sympathy"), 驚き, 憤り ("indignation"), 失笑 ("laughter"). It's usually a reaction to someone else's situation or behaviour.

It's literally "can't forbid (the feeling)", and it's very formal, found in editorials, speeches and statements. The everyday equivalent is ずにはいられない (N2): 泣かずにはいられなかった.

Don't confuse it with を余儀なくされる, "be forced to do", which is about actions, not feelings.

Examples

  • 彼かれの話はなしを聞きいて、涙なみだを禁きんじ得えなかった。

    Hearing his story, I couldn't hold back my tears.

  • その判決はんけつには、怒いかりを禁きんじ得えない。

    I can't help feeling angry at that verdict.

  • 被害者ひがいしゃの話はなしには、同情どうじょうを禁きんじ得えない。

    I can't help feeling for the victims.

  • 彼かれの無責任むせきにんな発言はつげんには、驚おどろきを禁きんじ得えない。

    I can't help being astonished at his irresponsible remarks.

  • 事件じけんの残酷ざんこくさに、憤いきどおりを禁きんじ得えない。

    The cruelty of the crime fills me with indignation.

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