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〜てたまらない・〜てしょうがない

unbearably, terribly, dying to

い-adj くて · な-adj で · Verb て-form + たまらない / しょうがない / しかたがない

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てたまらない says a feeling or sensation is so strong you can't stand it: 暑くてたまらない, "it's unbearably hot". たまる means "to bear", so it's literally "can't bear it".

It's used for your own feelings and physical sensations: hot, cold, sleepy, painful, worried, lonely, and wanting something (会いたくてたまらない, "dying to see them").

てしょうがない and てしかたがない mean the same: "it can't be helped, it's so…". しょうがない is the more casual of the two.

い-adjectives use the くて form, な-adjectives take で (心配でたまらない), and verbs use the て-form. Don't use them for other people's feelings without そう or らしい.

Examples

  • 暑あつくてたまらない。

    It's unbearably hot.

  • 国くにの家族かぞくに会あいたくてたまらない。

    I'm dying to see my family back home.

  • 試験しけんの結果けっかが心配しんぱいでたまらない。

    I'm terribly worried about my exam results.

  • 足あしが痛いたくてしょうがない。

    My feet are killing me.

  • 朝あさから眠ねむくてしかたがない。

    I've been terribly sleepy since this morning.

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