Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 2/20

～て堪(たま)らない

Can't help but want to, Very, Extremely

Structure

Can't help but want to...
Verb［たい］［て］ + たまらない

Very・Extremely
［い］Adjective［て］+ たまらない
［な］Adjective + で + たまらない

Details

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    Standard

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    一般

About てたまらない

てたまらない is made up of the conjunction particle て, and the negated form of the う-Verb 堪(たま)る meaning 'to bear', 'to endure', or 'to tolerate'. Common translations include 'to not be able to help wanting to (A)', or 'extremely (A)'.
The primary difference between both meanings is that the 'can't help but want to (A)' nuance is seen attached to verbs conjugated with たい, while the 'extremely (A)' nuance is seen conjugated with both い and な-Adjectives. In both of these situations, the more literal interpretation is 'to be unbearably (A)'.
  • 来月(らいげつ)公開(こうかい)される映画(えいが)が見(み)たくてたまらない。
    I can't help but want to watch the movie that is going to be released next month.
  • 昨日(きのう)は３時間(じかん)しか寝(ね)てないから、眠(ねむ)たくてたまらない。
    I only slept for 3 hours last night, so I'm extremely sleepy.
  • 娘(むすめ)をお使(つか)いに行(い)かせたが、ちゃんと一人(ひとり)で行(い)って帰(かえ)ってこれるかが心配(しんぱい)でたまらない。
    I sent my daughter on an errand, but I'm extremely worried about whether she would be able to go and come back by herself.
As always, で will replace て when な-Adjectives are used.

Synonyms

Examples

  • 今日(きょう)はたくさん仕事(しごと)をしたので、眠(ねむ)くてたまらない。

    Because I did a lot of work today, I am extremely tired.

  • 納豆(なっとう)の嫌(きら)いなところは、臭(くさ)くてたまらないところだ。

    What I don't like about natto is that it smells very bad.

  • 暑(あつ)くてたまらない。だからクーラーをつけた。

    It is extremely hot. So, I turned on the air conditioner.

  • 自分(じぶん)の子供(こども)のことが心配(しんぱい)でたまらない。

    I am extremely worried about my own kids.

  • あのコーラスグループのコンサートが見(み)たくてたまらない。

    I can't help but want to see that chorus group's concert.

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