JLPT N1 grammar
〜ずにはおかない — Meaning & Examples
"Inevitably causes / will definitely do." Subject is often a thing or authority: 感動させずにはおかない = never fails to move. する→せずにはおかない.
〜ずにはおかない — "Will Inevitably..."
ずにはおかない looks like ずにはいられない but works differently: the SUBJECT (often a thing!) inevitably causes an effect, or an organisation will definitely carry something out.
Pattern: [verb ない-stem] + ずにはおかない
（する → せずにはおかない ※irregular）
Use 1 — something inevitably stirs emotion (often causative):
この映画は、見る者を感動させずにはおかない。
= This film never fails to move those who see it.
彼女の歌声は聴く人の心を打たずにはおかない。
= Her voice cannot but strike the hearts of listeners.
Use 2 — a strong will to definitely do something:
今回の不正は、処罰せずにはおかない。
= This misconduct will not go unpunished.
真相を明らかにせずにはおかない。
= We will get to the truth without fail.
vs ずにはいられない (N2):
・ずにはいられない → subject is a PERSON who can't suppress their own urge
・ずにはおかない → subject (often a work, an event, an authority) inevitably brings the effect about
Key feeling: Inevitability with force — the effect WILL happen; resistance is futile.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on 〜ずにはおかない. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 「この映画は、見る者を感動させ___。」 (never fails to move viewers)
- ずにはいられない (zu ni wa irarenai)
- ずにはおかない (zu ni wa okanai)
- ないでは済まない (nai de wa sumanai)
- を禁じ得ない (o kinji enai)
Show answer
Answer: ずにはおかない (zu ni wa okanai)
ずにはおかない = the subject (the film) inevitably brings the effect about. 感動させずにはおかない.
2. ずにはいられない vs ずにはおかない — which is right?
- They are identical
- おかない is casual speech
- いられない: a person can't suppress their urge; おかない: the subject inevitably causes the effect
- いられない only takes nouns
Show answer
Answer: いられない: a person can't suppress their urge; おかない: the subject inevitably causes the effect
いられない = inner urge of a person; おかない = a work/event/authority that will definitely bring something about.
Practise 〜ずにはおかない in the free app
This point is part of the “Uncontainable — を禁じ得ない・を余儀なくされる・ずにはおかない” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: Uncontainable — を禁じ得ない・を余儀なくされる・ずにはおかない
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜ずにはおかない mean?
"Inevitably causes / will definitely do." Subject is often a thing or authority: 感動させずにはおかない = never fails to move. する→せずにはおかない.
Is 〜ずにはおかない on the JLPT N1 test?
〜ずにはおかない is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Uncontainable — を禁じ得ない・を余儀なくされる・ずにはおかない”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜ずにはおかない?
Open the “Uncontainable — を禁じ得ない・を余儀なくされる・ずにはおかない” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.