〜てはいられない te wa irarenai
〜てはいられない（te wa irarenai）means “can't afford to ~; can't keep ~ing”. Expresses that, given the circumstances, one cannot calmly continue the action or state — there's no time or no leeway to keep doing it. Formation: V-て + はいられない
can't afford to ~; can't keep ~ing
N2Formation
V-て + はいられない
Explanation
Expresses that, given the circumstances, one cannot calmly continue the action or state — there's no time or no leeway to keep doing it. Often used when urgency forces a person to stop relaxing and act.
Examples
Note
From 〜ている (continuing) + は + いられない (potential negative of いる). Casual 〜てらんない is also heard.
FAQ
〜てはいられない — what does it mean and how is it used?
can't afford to ~; can't keep ~ing. Expresses that, given the circumstances, one cannot calmly continue the action or state — there's no time or no leeway to keep doing it. Often used when urgency forces a person to stop relaxing and act.
〜てはいられない — how do you form it?
V-て + はいられない
〜てはいられない — any usage notes?
From 〜ている (continuing) + は + いられない (potential negative of いる). Casual 〜てらんない is also heard.