ては叶わない
It's unbearable when, It'd be unbearable if, I can't stand it when, I couldn’t stand it if
Structure
［い］Adjective［
［な］Adjective＋では(2)＋かなわない
Noun＋では(2)＋かなわない
(1) ちゃ
(2)じゃ
Explanation
To express that a certain situation is intolerable, you can use the grammar pattern てはかなわない. It is formed from the conjunction particle て, the adverbial particle は, and the negative of the う-Verb 叶う, meaning 'to come true' or 'to be realized'. Common translations include 'I can't take it if (A)' or 'it's awful when (A)'. A more literal interpretation would be 'it is not a wish granted if (A) happens'.
When this structure follows a verb, the verb is frequently in the passive voice. This emphasizes that the speaker is negatively affected by the action, as if they are the victim of (A). Despite this, using standard non-passive verb forms is also common.
- こんなに暑い日にエアコンが壊れてはかなわないから、早めに点検しておこう。I couldn't bear it if the air conditioner broke on a hot day like this, so I'll get it inspected ahead of time.
- こんなに腰が痛んではかなわない。I can't take it when my back hurts this much.
- 夜食のプリンを弟に食べられてはかなわないから、名前を書いておこう。It would be awful if my little brother ate my pudding for a midnight snack, so I'm going to write my name on it.
- 締め切り前なのに、パソコンに壊れられてはかなわない。I really can't have my computer breaking down on me right before the deadline.
Furthermore, てはかなわない can be used after the conjunctive form (`く` form) of an い-Adjective. When used with a な-Adjective, the structure becomes ではかなわない.
- 毎日こう暑くてはかなわない。I can't stand it being this hot every day.
- この説明書はこんなに複雑ではかなわない。It's just awful when the instruction manual is this complicated.
Caution
While this grammar point is often written only in hiragana, it is crucial not to confuse its origin verb, 叶う (to be granted), with the homophone 敵う (to be a match for). These two verbs have distinct kanji and very different grammatical functions.
- 速さでは、あの選手にはかなわない。When it comes to speed, I'm no match for that athlete.
Examples
このカレーは辛くてはかなわない。
I can't stand how spicy this curry is.
隣の部屋のテレビの音が大きくてはかなわない。
It's unbearable when the TV sound from the next room is so loud.
赤ちゃんに夜中に泣かれてはかなわない。
I can't stand it when the baby cries in the middle of the night.
駅までこんなに遠くてはかなわない。
It's unbearable when the station is this far away.
パソコンがこう何度も壊れてはかなわない。
I can't deal with my computer breaking so many times like this.
この辺りは交通が不便ではかなわない。
It's unbearably inconvenient that the transportation around here is so poor.