GRAMMAR
〜ては居られない
can't afford to
Explanation
NOTE
〜ては居られない means can't afford to keep doing X or can't just stay doing X. It expresses a strong sense of urgency — the situation is too pressing to continue as before.
試験が近いから、遊んでは居られない。
The exam is close, so I can't afford to keep playing around.
The speaker feels pressured to stop the current behavior and act.
NOTE
The form attaches to the て-form of a verb: [V-て] + は居られない. The 居 here is the verb いる (to be / to remain), so the literal meaning is can't remain doing X.
NOTE
It's often triggered by a change in circumstances — bad news, a deadline, an emergency — that makes the current state untenable.
STRUCTURE
Vて
は<ruby>居<rt>い</rt></ruby>られないこんなところでのんびりしては居られない。
Konna tokoro de nonbiri shite wa irarenai.
I can't afford to relax in a place like this.
母が倒れたと聞いて、黙っては居られない。
Haha ga taoreta to kiite, damatte wa irarenai.
Hearing that my mother collapsed, I can't just stay silent.
締切が明日だから、寝ては居られない。
Shimekiri ga ashita da kara, nete wa irarenai.
The deadline is tomorrow, so I can't afford to sleep.
Practice exercises
1
時間がある限り、待てたが、もう待って待ってはいられない。
As long as there was time, I could wait, but now I can't afford to wait anymore.
Answer
待ってはいられない
2
責任がある限り、ただ見て見てはいられない。
To the extent that I have responsibility, I can't afford to just watch.
Answer
見てはいられない
3
変更せざるを得ないので、現状を維持して維持してはいられない。
Since I have no choice but to make changes, I can't afford to maintain the status quo.
Answer
維持してはいられない
4
事態が深刻だ。休んで休んではいられない。
The situation is serious. I can't afford to rest.
Answer
休んではいられない
5
目標が明確なのだから、道草を食って食ってはいられない。
Since the goal is clear, I can't afford to dawdle.
Answer
食ってはいられない