いられない
(I rare nai)
can't afford to be (doing X) / can't stay (in state X).
Connection rules
- ＋V-て + はいられない (polite: いられません). Casual contraction: 〜ちゃいられない.
- ＋Urgency / pressing concern — the speaker can't stay inactive.
- ＋Casual contraction: 〜ちゃいられない (食べてはいられない → 食べちゃいられない).
Examples
1.
こうしてはいられない。早く行こう。
Koushite wa i rare nai. hayaku iko u.
I can't just stay like this. Let's hurry.
「can't afford to be (doing X) / can't stay (in state X)」
2.
試験が近いので、遊んではいられない。
Shiken ga chikai node, ason de wa i rare nai.
The exam is near, so I can't afford to play around.
「can't afford to be (doing X) / can't stay (in state X)」
Practice
The exam is tomorrow, so I can't afford to be resting now.
明日が試験だから、今___。
Romaji also accepted