cannot help, extremely

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses uncontrollable feeling or situation.

[Verb て form/Adj] + てしょうがない/しかたがない

眠くてしょうがない。

Nemukute shouganai.

I'm extremely sleepy.

彼のことが心配でしかたがない。

Kare no koto ga shinpai de shikata ga nai.

I can't help but worry about him.

Similar to てたまらない.

～てたまらない

unbearably, extremely

～てならない

cannot help feeling, extremely

～に違いない

must be ~, no doubt that ~, undoubtedly

～に関して/関する

regarding ~, concerning ~, about ~

～について/つい

about ~, concerning ~

～に伴って/伴い/伴う

along with ~, as ~ (changes)

Very common in conversation.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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