〜てたまらない
JLPT N3:unbearably / dying to
Says a feeling or sensation is so strong you can hardly stand it: "unbearably…", "dying to…".
How to form it
- Put an adjective or feeling verb in the て-form and add たまらない: 暑くてたまらない (unbearably hot).
- With たい, it means "dying to": 会いたくてたまらない (I'm dying to see you).
- な-adjectives take で: 心配でたまらない (worried sick).
- The subject is usually the speaker.
Examples
暑くてたまらない。
It's unbearably hot.
早く会いたくてたまらない。
I can't wait to see you.
Notes
- 〜てしょうがない and 〜てしかたがない mean much the same and are more conversational.
Similar meaning
- 〜てならないcan't help feeling
Much the same; more formal, for feelings that arise on their own.