Grammar Info
N2 Lesson 9: 18/23

~てならない
very, extremely, can't help but do

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[て]+ ならない
[い]Adjective[て]+ ならない
[な]Adjective + で + ならない
Verb[て]+ ならない
[い]Adjective[て]+ なりません
[な]Adjective + で + なりません
Details
Register Formal
使用域 硬い
成らない
Information
てならない is a construction made up of the て-from of a verb or adjective (で for な-Adjectives), and the negated form of the う-Verb なる, ‘to become’. This expression describes the word that is attached to it as being ‘extremely (A)’, or that one ‘can’t help but do (A)’.
In most cases, てならない will be used when (A) is something that occurs naturally, such as feelings. Due to this, a more literal translation is close to ‘to not be able to move on from (A)’. In this way, it just indicates that (A) is so intense that the person affected by it cannot do anything about it.
  • 昨日(きのう)は徹夜(てつや)して勉強(べんきょう)してたから、眠(ねむ)くてならない
    I was up all night studying yesterday, so I’m extremely sleepy.
  • 愛知県(あいちけん)の夏(なつ)は暑(あつ)くてならない
    Summer in Aichi prefecture is extremely hot.
  • ここ5年間(ねんかん)娘(むすめ)と連絡(れんらく)がつかないから、心配(しんぱい)でならない
    I can’t help but to feel worried because I haven’t heard from my daughter in 5 years.
Caution - In addition to being spontaneous and uncontrollable, (A) will almost always be something that is ongoing, rather than just being momentary.
  • 彼女(かのじょ)はいつも僕(ぼく)に嘘(うそ)をつくからむかついてならない
    I can’t help but be extremely mad at her because she lies to me all the time.
  • この漫画(まんが)はつまらなくてならない
    This manga is extremely boring.
Slow Male
Hide All
Hide Japanese
Hide English
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.
Play  
日本(にほん)に来(き)てから、家族(かぞく)に会(あ)えず、寂(さび)しくてならない
Since coming to Japan, I haven't been able to see my family and can't help but feel lonely.
Play  
今(こん)週末(しゅうまつ)の同窓会(どうそうかい)に行(い)けないので、残念(ざんねん)ならない
Since I can't go to my class reunion this weekend I can't help but feel disappointed.
Play  
Books
A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar
219