Skip to content

てはかなわない・てたまらない・てならない: the difference

Meaning

It's unbearable when, It'd be unbearable if, I can't stand it when, I couldn’t stand it if

Past papers

Not yet

Example

こう寒さむくてはかなわない。

It's unbearable when it's cold like this.

Meaning

Can't help but want to, Very, Extremely

Past papers

Tested 2 times in past papers

Example

サイレンの音おとがうるさくてたまらない。

The sound of the siren is so loud I can't stand it.

Meaning

Very, Extremely, Can't help but do

Past papers

Tested 2 times in past papers

Example

詐欺さぎにあった気きがしてならない。

I can't help but feel it was a scam.

How to tell them apart

「〜てはかなわない」: can't take an annoying outside burden; always a complaint, never for good things.

「〜てたまらない」: a very strong bodily feeling or desire, good or bad, e.g. 「喉が渇いてたまらない」, 「会いたくてたまらない」.

「〜てならない」: a thought or worry that keeps welling up by itself, e.g. 「気になってならない」.

All about てはかなわない ›All about てたまらない ›All about てならない ›