Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 9: 18/23

～てならないVery, Extremely, Can't help but do

Structure

Verb［て］+ ならない
［い］Adjective［て］+ ならない
［な］Adjective + で + ならない

Details

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    Formal

  • Rare Kanji

    成らない

About てならない

てならない is a construction made up of the て-form 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.

Caution

In addition to being spontaneous and uncontrollable, (A) will almost always be something that is ongoing, rather than just being momentary.

Related

Examples

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    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.

    あんなコレクションは無駄(むだ)に思(おも)えてならない。

    I cannot help but think that that collection is worthless.

    去年(きょねん)あなたと見(み)た紅葉(こうよう)が思(おも)い出(だ)されてならない。

    I can't help but remember the fall colors I saw with you last year.

    この毛皮(けがわ)は暑(あつ)くてならない。

    This fur is extremely warm. (I can't help but feel...)

    明日(あした)の見学(けんがく)が楽(たの)しみでならない。

    I can't help but look forward to tomorrow's field trip.

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