て仕方がない (te ganai)

Meaning & usage

て仕方がない attaches to the て-form of a verb or i-adjective and expresses that a feeling or urge is so strong the speaker cannot help it. It typically follows desire or emotion words like 飲みたい, 逢いたい, or うるさい, and is used for the speaker's own uncontrollable feelings.

Example sentences 4

1. 今日きょうは月曜日げつようびなのに、日曜日にちようびのような気きがして仕方しかたがない。

   Today's Monday, but I can't help feeling like it's Sunday.

2. コーヒーが飲みたくて仕方がない。

   I'm dying for a cup of coffee.

3. 逢いたくて仕方がないんだ。

   I'm dying to see you.

4. 甥っ子と姪っ子が遊びに来たのはいいが、朝から晩までどたばたと家中を走り回り、うるさくて仕方がない。

   It's great that my nephew and niece came over to play, but they're so annoying making such a racket running all over the house all day that I can't stand it.