～でならない
〜de naranai
JLPT N2 Neutral
Formation
な-Adjective + でならない / い-Adjective (く) + てならない / Verb-て + ならない
Indicates an uncontrollable emotion or feeling; 'can’t help but', 'overwhelmingly'.
When to use
"Can't help but feel.../overwhelmingly" - specifically for an uncontrollable emotion, not an action.
Explanation
The ～でならない grammar pattern expresses a very strong, often involuntary feeling - e.g., '不思議でならない' (it’s so mysterious I can’t help thinking about it), '残念でならない' (I’m so disappointed), '心配でならない' (I’m extremely worried).
Example sentences
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I can’t help but be amazed at his wonderful performance.
Kare no engi ga subarashikute naranai.
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I can’t stop worrying about the exam results.
Gōkaku happyō ga ki ni natte naranai.
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My friend moved away, and I feel unbearably lonely.
Tomodachi ga hikkoshite shimatte, sabishikute naranai.
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It’s my first trip abroad, and I’m extremely anxious.
Hajimete no kaigai ryokō de, fuan de naranai.
Can't Help But (Overwhelming Feeling)
- ～ていられない〜te irarenaiN2Expresses that one cannot afford to do something; 'can't…
- ～でたまらない〜de tamaranaiN2Express extremely strong feelings or sensations; 'can't…
- Verb てやまないVerb te yamanaiN1Used with certain emotional/mental verbs to show a strong…
- Verb ずにはすまないVerb zuni wa sumanaiN1'Cannot do without...', 'unavoidable', 'have to'.
- ～ずにはいられない〜zu ni wa irarenaiN2Cannot help but; cannot resist doing; an irresistible urge.
- ～てかなわない〜te kanawanaiN2Expresses that something cannot be endured, tolerated, or…
Corpus examples (6)
気になってならない俺は思わず、目の前の学生に聞いてしまった。
It was on my mind so much that I unthinkingly asked the pupil in front of me.
行けども行けども、やはり同じ場所をグルグル回っている気がしてならない。
The further I went the more irresistible became the feeling that I was going round and round in circles.
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I can't help but feel that I've been set up.
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That's my sole concern.
政府というものはテロリストの要求に屈服するかに見られてならない。
The government cannot be seen to give in to terrorists' demands.
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I can't help thinking Father is still alive.