expression, i-adjective
unbearable; intolerable; too much to stand
Negative use for pain, heat, smells, pressure, annoyance, and other things one feels unable to endure.
この暑さはたまらない。
This heat is unbearable.
腐った魚
The smell of rotten fish is intolerable.
expression, i-adjective
irresistible; fantastic; out of this world
Positive, often conversational use for something so good, appealing, or pleasurable that one can hardly resist it.
風呂上がりの冷たいビールがたまらない。
A cold beer after a bath is irresistible.
このラーメンのスープがたまらない。
The soup in this ramen is out of this world.
expression, i-adjective
cannot help doing or feeling; be extremely; be eager to
Used after the te-form, as in 気になってたまらない, 眠くてたまらない, or 好きでたまらない. It emphasizes that a feeling, desire, or state is so strong that it cannot be suppressed.
試験の結果が気になってたまらない。
I can't help worrying about the exam results.
昨夜あまり寝ていないので、眠くてたまらない。
I barely slept last night, so I'm unbearably sleepy.
この漫画が好きでたまらない。
I can't get enough of this manga.