Japanese grammar

What does ～をよぎなくされる mean? Japanese grammar N1

～をよぎなくされる means be forced to…; be compelled to… (by circumstance).

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N1
Structure	N + を余儀なくされる
Romaji	woyoginakusareru
Meaning	be forced to…; be compelled to… (by circumstance)

Forming it

Noun (change)	計画の変更 + を余儀なくされる
Noun (cancellation)	中止 + を余儀なくされる

How to use it

States being forced into B by objective circumstances, against one's will. Written style.

「～を余儀なくされる」 = "forced by circumstances into B, against one's will". The subject is the party being forced (passive).
B is a noun denoting something done reluctantly: 中止 (cancellation), 変更 (change), 撤退 (withdrawal), 辞任 (resignation).
The active form is 「を余儀なくさせる」 (to force someone into).

Examples

台風(たいふう)で、試合(しあい)は中止(ちゅうし)を余儀(よぎ)なくされた。
Due to the typhoon, the match was forced to be canceled.
経営(けいえい)悪化(あっか)で、社長(しゃちょう)は辞任(じにん)を余儀(よぎ)なくされた。
Amid worsening management, the president was forced to resign.

Keep in mind

Attaches to a noun indicating something unavoidable.
The subject is passive, forced by circumstances.

Common mistakes

Wrong自分(じぶん)から中止(ちゅうし)を余儀(よぎ)なくされた。

Because of the typhoon, [it] had to be postponed.

Correct台風(たいふう)で中止(ちゅうし)を余儀(よぎ)なくされた。

「を余儀なくされる」 emphasizes being forced by CIRCUMSTANCES, against one's will; not by one's own initiative.
Wrong中止(ちゅうし)を余儀(よぎ)なくした。

Had to be postponed / forced to cancel.

Correct中止(ちゅうし)を余儀(よぎ)なくされた。

The party BEING forced uses the passive form 「される」; 「させる」 is for the party applying pressure.

Exam tips

「を余儀なくされる」 = forced by circumstances (passive, reluctant).

Related patterns

All N1 grammar →