GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜てたまらない
Expresses a sensation or desire so intense that it is difficult to bear.
Examples
部屋が暑くてたまらないので窓を開けた。
The room was unbearably hot, so I opened the window.
Words used
足が痛くてたまらないので、少し休んだ。
My foot hurt so badly that I had to rest for a while.
Words used
朝から歯が痛くてたまらない。
My tooth has been hurting unbearably since this morning.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
たまらないfollows the te-form or de-form of a sensation, desire, or emotion to emphasize an intensity that is hard to bear. - Basic usage:
朝から歯が痛くてたまらない。means that the toothache has been extremely difficult to bear since morning.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- It also describes strong positive feelings
- It is not limited to unpleasant sensations, as shown by
うれしくてたまらない. A na-adjective connects withで, as in楽しみでたまらない.
- It is not limited to unpleasant sensations, as shown by
- Intensity versus an excessive amount
眠くてたまらないdescribes intensely feeling sleepy.寝すぎたevaluates the amount of sleep as excessive, so distinguish the strength of a sensation from too much of an action.