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〜てはいられない

can't afford to (keep doing)

Verb て-form + はいられない

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てはいられない says you can't stay in a situation or keep doing something, because circumstances demand action: 試験まで一週間だ。遊んではいられない, "the exam is a week away. I can't afford to mess around".

It's literally "can't remain doing". The action is usually passive or idle (waiting, crying, playing, lazing), and the situation pushes you to act.

It often expresses resolve: 負けてはいられない, "I can't let myself be beaten".

Compare てはいけない ("mustn't", a rule) and ずにはいられない ("can't help doing"). てはいられない is "can't afford to keep doing".

Examples

  • 試験しけんまで一週間いっしゅうかんだ。遊あそんではいられない。

    The exam is a week away. I can't afford to mess around.

  • いつまでも泣ないてはいられない。

    I can't go on crying forever.

  • 待まってはいられない。自分じぶんで探さがしに行いこう。

    I can't just wait around. I'll go and look myself.

  • こんな所ところでのんびりしてはいられない。

    I can't afford to be lazing around here.

  • 負まけてはいられない。

    I can't let myself be beaten.

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