GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜てならない
Expresses an emotion or thought that keeps arising regardless of the speaker's will.
Examples
事故の知らせを聞いて家族のことが心配でならない。
After hearing about the accident, I cannot stop worrying about my family.
Words used
祖父の声が聞きたくてならない。
I cannot help wanting to hear my grandfather's voice.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Add
ならないafter the te-form or de-form of an emotion or sensation expression to describe a strong feeling that arises spontaneously. - Basic usage:
事故の知らせを聞いて家族のことが心配でならない。means that news of the accident leaves the speaker unable to shake concern for their family.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Connecting different adjective types
- I-adjectives take
くて, as in寂しくてならない, while na-adjectives takeで, as in不安でならない.
- I-adjectives take
- Unlike an obligation
確かめたくてならないexpresses a strong desire to check.確かめなければならないimposes an obligation to check, so the preceding form and function differ despite the sharedならない.