What does ～たまらない mean? Japanese grammar N2

Forming it

How to use it

States a feeling/emotion so strong it becomes UNBEARABLE. Mainly about the speaker's own feelings.

• 「～てたまらない」 = … to an unbearable degree: 「暑くてたまらない」, 「会いたくてたまらない」.
• Mainly used for one's own PHYSICAL SENSATIONS/desires (hot, painful, sleepy, wanting to meet someone).
• Close to 「～てならない」 (more formal, leaning toward a naturally surging emotion) and 「～てしかたがない」.

Examples

• 歯(は)が痛(いた)くてたまらない。

  My tooth hurts unbearably.

• 家族(かぞく)に会(あ)いたくてたまらない。

  I cannot wait to see my family.

Keep in mind

• Mainly for one's own feelings.
• Connects to the て form of adjectives/verbs.

Common mistakes

• Wrong歯(は)が痛(いた)いたまらない。

  Correct歯(は)が痛(いた)くてたまらない。

  An i-adjective connects with ～くてたまらない.

Exam tips

• 「てたまらない」 = to an unbearable degree (one's own feelings).

Related patterns

• ～てならない
• ～てしかたがない
• ～限りだ