Structure
More common patterns:
Noun + といったらない(1)
[い]Adjective[さ](2) + といったらない(1)
Less common patterns:
Verb + といったらない(1)
[な]Adjective + といったらない(1)
(1)ったらない
(2)[い]Adjective
Details
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Standard
About ったらない・といったらない
といったらない is a casual expression used when something is at a level such that not even (A) is sufficient to describe it. It is usually translated as 'there are no words to express (A)', or 'too (A) for words'. This structure is a combination of the case-marking particle と, the conjunction particle たら 'when', or 'if', and the い-Adjective ない. It may be used in either positive or negative contexts.
といったらない, or the shortened form ったらない may appear after adjectives or nouns in their standard forms.
The ない in this grammar pattern is commonly thought to be an abbreviation of ありはしない, or ありゃしない, the conjunctive form of the う-Verb ある combined with the case marking particle は, and the negated form of する, しない. In this way, a more literal meaning can be thought of as 'if one were to say (A), it's not possible'.
Caution
As this expression highlights an extreme amount, い-Adjectives will often be used with the さ suffix added, specifically to indicate amount.
- あの人の優しさと言ったらありゃしない。I can't describe how nice he is.
Examples
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このラーメンの美味しさったらない…。ついつい食べてしまうんだ。
Words cannot express how delicious this ramen is. I can’t stop eating it.
「車のタイヤが盗まれた。本当に腹が立つったらない。」
'My car tires have been stolen. I can't tell you how angry I am!'
「校長と鹿との戦いを見たときの驚きといったらないよ。」
'I can't describe my surprise at seeing a fight between the principal and a deer.'
メークした時の星野の変わり様と言ったらなかった。まるで別人のようだった。
I couldn't describe how much Hoshino has changed when she put on the makeup. She was like a different person.
数年が経ったのにまだあの日の日没を覚えている。その景色の美しさと言ったらなかった。
Even though years have passed, I can still remember the sunset that day. I couldn't describe the beauty of the scene in words.
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ったらない・といったらない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (1 in total)
Elliotjoyner3
Doesn’t the explanation that “This structure is a combination of the case-marking particle と, the conjunction particle たら ‘when’, or ‘if’, and the い-Adjective ない.” miss the fact that いったら is a conjugation of いう (言う)?
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