GRAMMAR
やむを得ない
unavoidable
Explanation
NOTE
やむを得ない means unavoidable, cannot be helped, or inevitable — a fixed idiomatic phrase used to describe a situation that one is forced to accept.
大雪のため、試合の中止はやむを得ない。
Due to heavy snow, canceling the match is unavoidable.
Often used in formal speech, news, or written announcements to justify a difficult decision.
NOTE
やむを得ない carries a tone of reluctant acceptance — the speaker would prefer otherwise but has no choice given the circumstances.
NOTE
As a fixed phrase, やむを得ない attaches directly to a noun (predicate use) or precedes a noun to mean unavoidable N (e.g. やむを得ない事情 unavoidable circumstances).
STRUCTURE
N辞
やむを<ruby>得<rt>え</rt></ruby>ない家族の病気のため、欠席はやむを得ない。
Kazoku no byouki no tame, kesseki wa yamu o enai.
Due to a family illness, being absent is unavoidable.
やむを得ない事情で、会議を延期します。
Yamu o enai jijou de, kaigi o enki shimasu.
Due to unavoidable circumstances, the meeting will be postponed.
台風のため、飛行機の欠航はやむを得ない。
Taifuu no tame, hikouki no kekkou wa yamu o enai.
Due to the typhoon, the flight cancellation is unavoidable.
Practice exercises
1
残念だが、会合の延期もやむを得ない。
It's regrettable, but postponing the meeting is also **unavoidable**.
Answer
やむを得ない
2
悪天候で、続行しかねるので、中止もやむを得ない。
Due to bad weather, continuing is difficult, so **cancellation is unavoidable**.
Answer
やむを得ない
3
信じがたいことだが、この決定もやむを得ない。
It's hard to believe, but this decision is also **unavoidable**.
Answer
やむを得ない
4
状況は改善しそうにないので、計画変更もやむを得ない。
The situation is unlikely to improve, so a change in plans is also **unavoidable**.
Answer
やむを得ない
5
この事態では、提案を受け入れるのもやむを得ない。
Given this situation, accepting the proposal is also **unavoidable**.
Answer
やむを得ない