GRAMMAR DETAIL

〜てしょうがない

cannot help feeling ... · so ... one cannot stand it

Expresses an emotion or sensation so strong that the speaker finds it difficult to control.

Examples

試験の結果が気になってしょうがない。

I cannot stop worrying about the exam results.

明日の面接が心配でしょうがない。

I cannot help worrying about tomorrow's interview.

久しぶりの旅行が楽しみでしょうがない。

I am so excited about my first trip in a long time that I can hardly contain myself.

Structure: After the te-form or de-form of an emotion or sensation, しょうがない describes a feeling too strong to control easily.
Basic usage: 久しぶりの旅行が楽しみでしょうがない。 expresses intense anticipation of the first trip in a long time.

A similar expression and register
- Both 心配でしかたがない and 心配でしょうがない can express intense worry. しょうがない is conversational in form.
Resignation versus a strong feeling
- 雨だからしょうがない expresses resignation because it is raining. うれしくてしょうがない intensifies happiness, so check whether a preceding feeling expression connects through its te-form.