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N1
〜を禁じ得ない
Meaning
Expresses being unable to suppress an emotion that naturally wells up at some event. A formal expression attaching to emotion nouns, as in 「涙を禁じ得ない」 (cannot hold back tears) or 「怒りを禁じ得ない」 (cannot suppress anger).
Examples
- あまりに理不尽な仕打ちに、怒りを禁じ得なかった。 Faced with such unreasonable treatment, I could not help but feel anger.
- 被災地の惨状を前に、涙を禁じ得ない。 Seeing the devastation in the disaster area, I could not hold back my tears.
- 彼の身勝手な言い分には、あきれを禁じ得ない。 I cannot help but feel exasperated at his selfish arguments.
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