JLPT N1 Grammar

〜てやまない (te yamanai)

〜てやまない (te yamanai)
“Always; sincerely; never-ending; cannot stop ~ing”

This expression is used to describe a professional or personal feeling that is constant, deep, and sincere. It literally means the feeling "does not stop" (from the verb 止む yamu).

  • Formality: Highly formal and literary.
  • Context: Used in formal speeches (weddings, funerals, retirement), official letters, prefaces of books, or solemn public statements. You will rarely, if ever, hear this in casual conversation.
  • Nuance: It is limited to verbs of emotion or prayer (e.g., wishing, hoping, loving, admiring). It implies the speaker has held this feeling for a long time and continues to hold it strongly. Crucially, it is not used for physical actions or negative feelings like "I can't stop sneezing" or "I can't stop hating him." It is almost always used for positive, sincere sentiments.

Format

  • Verb (te-form) + やまない
    願ってやまない (Pray/Hope)
    祈ってやまない (Pray)
    期待してやまない (Expect/Hope for)
    愛してやまない (Love)
    尊敬してやまない (Respect/Admire)
    卒業生の皆さんの、今後のご活躍を願ってやみません。 I sincerely hope for the continued success of all the graduates.

Example sentences

  • 、。
    I sincerely pray for the reconstruction of the hometown I love so dearly.
  • 。
    He is a person whom I have endless respect for as my mentor.
  • 。
    I strongly hope that the friendly relations between our two countries will last forever.
  • 、。
    This movie is a masterpiece that continues to be loved worldwide even today.
  • 。
    I sincerely pray for the success of the new project.
  • 、。
    Many fans are looking forward to her return with great anticipation.
  • 。
    I cannot help but be in awe of his talent.
  • 。
    I strongly wish for the realization of a peaceful world.
  • 。
    I sincerely pray for the best efforts and success of my juniors.
  • 。
    I cannot help but wish for the happiness of the people who visit this land.

Similar Grammar

〜てならない (te naranai)

“Cannot help but...; extremely”
残念でならない。 I can't help but feel it's deeply regrettable.

Difference:

  • 〜てならない is used for spontaneous, uncontrollable feelings (like "unbearably itchy" or "anxious").
  • 〜てやまない is for a conscious, long-held, sincere "will" or "prayer."

〜禁じ得ない (kinji enai)

“Cannot suppress; cannot help but feel”
怒りを禁じ得ない。 I cannot suppress my anger.

Difference:

  • Used for emotions that are forced out of the speaker by a situation, often negative ones like anger or tears.
  • 〜てやまない is typically for noble, positive sentiments.

〜ずにはいられない (zu ni wa irarenai)

“Cannot help but...; can't stop oneself from...”
言わずにはいられない。 I can't help but say it.

Difference:

  • This describes an impulsive urge or a lack of self-control over an action.
  • 〜てやまない is a steady, constant state of heart.

〜を禁じ得ない (o kinji enai)

“Cannot help but (feel)...”
同情を禁じ得ない。 I cannot help but feel sympathy.

Difference:

  • Very similar to 〜禁じ得ない, used with nouns representing emotion.
  • More about an immediate reaction than a long-standing wish.

〜てばかりいる (te bakari iru)

“Doing nothing but...”
遊んでばかりいる。 He does nothing but play.

Difference:

  • This is a critical, casual expression for repeated actions.
  • It has none of the formal or "prayer-like" nuance of 〜てやまない.

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. でをの、を（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q2. のは、としてのを（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q3. はを、なのを（　　　）という。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. のをもってしても、のは（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q5. のを、に（　　　）を禁じ得ない。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q6. の人々に（　　　）名曲を、。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. へのが、にことを（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q8. ならずまでものだから、のは（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q9. のに（　　　）は、にとってだ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q10. のさんの、を（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q11. のでをすることは、を（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q12. がのでに、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q13. のを、でも（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q14. のに、は（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. のを（　　　）親心は、いつの時代も変わらない。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Continue Your Journey to Native-Level Fluency

Great work finishing this session! Achieving N1-level precision is about layering these subtle distinctions until they become second nature in your professional life.

To maintain your momentum and eliminate any remaining blind spots, head back to our JLPT N1 Grammar List. Use it to systematically check off each point and refine your ability to navigate complex Japanese environments with the confidence of a native speaker.

JLPT N1 Grammar List

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