てはかなわない
Meanings
- It's unbearable when
- It'd be unbearable if
- I can't stand it when
- I couldn’t stand it if
About this pattern
Explanation
てはかなわない expresses strong irritation or unbearable discomfort about a situation described in the preceding clause. It emphasizes that allowing that situation to continue or occur would be intolerable. The construction uses the te-form of a verb (or the て-form of a na-adjective or a copula with の/で) followed by はかなわない, framing the event as something one cannot tolerate. It often appears in statements about hypothetical or potential scenarios that would be troubling, distasteful, or painful if they happened. This pattern conveys a stronger emotional reaction than more neutral phrases.
Learn in context
Example sentences
I can't stand working in a place this noisy for long.
It would be unbearable if it rained, so I'll take an umbrella.
I can't stand it if I tell him a lie.
I can't bear it if the child cries.
Keep studying
More N1 patterns
from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including
View detailsNo matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~
View detailslike; similar to; as if; the same as
View detailsto be worthy of; to be enough for; to be sufficient
View detailsextreme; extremely; unbearably; to an extreme degree
View detailsEven though; Even if; Although; Despite
View details