JLPT N2 Grammar
· Upper Intermediate
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· Upper Intermediate
Extremely; couldn't be more... (indescribable degree)
Category: Emotional Expression
The grammar pattern "[A-i / A-na / N] + といったらない" is used to express that a state is so extreme that it cannot be described in words. It often conveys both very positive and very negative emotional states. This pattern emphasizes the intensity of the feeling, making it difficult to put into words. It is commonly used in situations where the speaker is overwhelmed by their emotions, and they struggle to find the right words to describe their experience.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adjective (i-adjective or na-adjective) | [A-i / A-na] + といったらない | 美しいといったらない (beyond beautiful) |
| Noun | [N] + といったらない | 悔しさといったらない (beyond regretful) |
| Adjective (na-adjective) in the -na form | [A-na] + といったらない | 残念といったらない (beyond disappointing) |
富士山頂から見た景色の美しさといったらない、言葉では表現できないほどだ。
Fuji-san chō kara mita keshiki no utsukushisa to ittaranai, kotoba de wa hyōgen dekinai hodo da.
The beauty of the view from the top of Mount Fuji is beyond description, it's impossible to put into words.
富士山頂 (Fuji-san chō, the top of Mount Fuji) + 見た (mita, saw) + 景色 (keshiki, view) + の美しさ (no utsukushisa, beauty) + と (to, and) + いたったらない (ittaranai, beyond) + 言葉では (kotoba de wa, in words) + 表現できない (hyōgen dekinai, cannot be expressed) + ほど (hodo, to such an extent) + だ (da, it is)
不意に後ろから声をかけられて、驚いたといったらない。
Fui ni ushiro kara koe o kakerarete, odorita to ittaranai.
I was completely surprised when someone called out to me from behind.
不意に (fui ni, unexpectedly) + 後ろから (ushiro kara, from behind) + 声をかける (koe o kakeru, to call out) + されて (sarete, because) + 驚いた (odorita, surprised) + と (to, and) + いたったらない (ittaranai, beyond)
試験に落ちた時の悔しさといったらない、今思い出しても涙が出る。
Shiken ni ochita toki no kanashisa to ittaranai, ima omoide shimatte mo namida ga deru.
The regret I felt when I failed the exam is beyond description, even thinking about it now makes me cry.
試験に落ちた (shiken ni ochita, failed the exam) + 時の (toki no, at the time) + 悔しさ (kanashisa, regret) + と (to, and) + いたったらない (ittaranai, beyond) + 今 (ima, now) + 思い出 (omoide, thinking about) + して (shite, because) + 涙が出る (namida ga deru, tears come out)
This pattern is used to express extreme emotions, and it is often used in situations where the speaker is overwhelmed by their feelings. It can be used with both positive and negative emotions, but it is more commonly used with negative emotions. The pattern is typically used in formal or written language, and it is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
This pattern is used to express extreme emotions, so it's not suitable for simple facts that don't evoke strong feelings.
～といっても is used to express a contrast or a correction, whereas といったらない is used to express extreme emotions.
This pattern is used to express extreme emotions, so it's not suitable for nouns that don't have a strong emotional connotation.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to choose nouns or adjectives that have a strong emotional connotation. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with other patterns that have similar meanings.
富士山頂から見た景色の美しさ______、言葉では表現できないほどだ。
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