てはいられない
N2 GRAMMAR 0s study 📖 0 today
tewa irarenai
can’t afford to; unable to~
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🃏 Flashcard
てはいられない
tewa irarenai
Tap to reveal usage
can’t afford to; unable to~
N2
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading tewa irarenai
Post ID 51156
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

can’t afford to; unable to~

🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
てはいられない
📚 How to Master This Pattern
🔊
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat てはいられない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
✍️
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using てはいられない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern てはいられない mean?
Can’t afford to; unable to~
What JLPT level is てはいられない?
JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. To pass JLPT N2 you need to recognise and use this pattern correctly in reading and listening sections.
How do you use てはいられない in a sentence?
Attach てはいられない (tewa irarenai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is てはいられない formal or casual Japanese?
てはいられない is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember てはいられない long-term?
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review at 10 minutes, 1 day and 3 days (spaced repetition). Writing two original sentences at each review session is the fastest way to reach production-level mastery.