expression, adjective

  1. cannot be helped, unavoidable.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
 
 
 
やむを得ない やむをえない
 
 
 
 
止むを得ない やむをえない
 
 
 
 
已むを得ない やむをえない

Contained Kanji Breakdown

gain, get, find
トク え.る う.る (4th, N3)
stop, linger, loiter
テキ たたず.む (Kentei 1)
katakana no radical (no. 4)
ヘツ えい よう (Kentei 1)
human radical (no. 9)
to get, complacent, to obstruct
daybreak, dawn, morning
タン あき.らか あきら (11th, N1)
day, sun, Japan
ひ にっ ニチ (1st, N5)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
measurement, tenth of a shaku, a little
スン す みき (6th, N1)