JLPT N1 Grammar
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Extremely; words cannot describe
Category: Emphasis and Degree
The grammar pattern "いA / なA + といったらない" is used to emphasize an extreme degree, suggesting that it is beyond what words can express. This pattern can be used to convey both positive and negative extremes. For example, if someone is extremely happy, you can say "彼の喜びは言葉では言い表せない" (His happiness is beyond words). Similarly, if someone is extremely disappointed, you can say "彼の失望は言葉では言い表せない" (His disappointment is beyond words). This pattern is often used to add emphasis to a statement and convey a strong feeling or emotion.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adjectival na-form | いA / なA + といったらない | 美しい + といったらない |
| Adverbial i-form | いA / なA + といったらない | すごい + といったらない |
| Adjectival i-form | いA / なA + といったらない | すばらしい + といったらない |
彼の喜びは言葉では言い表せない
Kare no yorokobi wa kotoba de wa ieba nasenai
His happiness is beyond words
彼の喜び (His happiness) + は (is) + 言葉では (beyond words) + 言い表せない (cannot be expressed)
彼女の失望は言葉では言い表せない
Kanojo no shitsubou wa kotoba de wa ieba nasenai
Her disappointment is beyond words
彼女の失望 (Her disappointment) + は (is) + 言葉では (beyond words) + 言い表せない (cannot be expressed)
彼の部屋の散らかりようは言葉では言い表せない
Kare no heya no maikariyō wa kotoba de wa ieba nasenai
His room's messiness is beyond words
彼の部屋の散らかりよう (His room's messiness) + は (is) + 言葉では (beyond words) + 言い表せない (cannot be expressed)
彼女の美しさは言葉では言い表せない
Kanojo no utsukushisa wa kotoba de wa ieba nasenai
Her beauty is beyond words
彼女の美しさ (Her beauty) + は (is) + 言葉では (beyond words) + 言い表せない (cannot be expressed)
This pattern is used to add emphasis to a statement and convey a strong feeling or emotion. It can be used in both formal and informal situations. It is often used to express extreme degrees of happiness, sadness, surprise, or other emotions. It can also be used to describe extreme situations or circumstances.
For example, "彼の部屋の散らかりようは言葉では言い表せない" is correct, but "彼の部屋は言葉では言い表せない" is incorrect.
For example, "もし彼が来れば、言葉では言い表せない" is a conditional sentence, but "彼の喜びは言葉では言い表せない" is an extreme degree sentence.
For example, "彼は言葉では言い表せない" is incorrect, but "彼の喜びは言葉では言い表せない" is correct.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct form of the adjective or adverb, and use the 'da' or 'no' particle with nouns and verbs. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with other patterns such as 'to ieba' or 'to ittara'.
頂上から見た景色の美しさ______、言葉では言い表せない。
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