〜と言わざるを得ない

one has to say, it must be said (reluctant, usually critical judgment)

Formation: plain form + と言わざるを得ない; N / な-adj + (だ) + と言わざるを得ない

The speaker states a judgment they feel forced to make by the facts, even if they would rather not. The judgment is usually negative or critical, so the phrase sounds firm while still seeming fair. It is formal, typical of editorials, commentaries, reports and official statements. It is a set use of 〜ざるを得ない ("have no choice but to") with 言う, and it softens a blunt assertion into "I must conclude that…". Compare 〜にほかならない, which asserts an identification ("is nothing other than") without the reluctant tone.

Variants: 〜と言わざるを得ません

Examples

今回の政府の対応は遅すぎたと言わざるを得ない。
It has to be said that the government's response this time came far too late.
この計画は現実的ではないと言わざるを得ない。
I have to say this plan is not realistic.
彼の発言は無責任だと言わざるを得ない。
His remarks, I'm afraid, can only be called irresponsible.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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