Meaning
「I can't help」は、英語で「どうしようもない」、「避けられない」という意味を持つ表現です。このフレーズは、特定の行動や感情を抑えられない、または避けることができない状況を表す際に使われます。
例えば、「I can't help laughing」は「笑いを抑えられない」という意味になります。このように、何かをせずにはいられない、あるいは自然にしてしまうことを伝えるのに非常に便利です。
「I can't help」には、しばしば動名詞（-ing形）が続きます。例えば、「I can't help feeling sad」（悲しい気持ちを抑えられない）や「I can't help thinking about it」（それについて考えずにはいられない）などがあります。
この表現は、感情や行動に対する自分の制御できない様子を示すため、日常会話でよく使われるフレーズです。何かをしてしまう自分を説明したり、他人にその状況を共有したりする際に非常に役立ちます。
Today's Sentences
- I can't help feeling sorry for him.
- I can't help smiling when I see her.
- I can't help eating so much.
- I can't help biting my nails.
- I can't help smoking when I have been drinking.
- Writer's Note
01
I can't help feeling sorry for him.
Situation 1
It looks like this little puppy is lost.
He looks so scared.
I can’t help feeling sorry for him.
Let’s walk around and see if anyone is looking for him.
Situation 2
He lost his first big game.
He must be disappointed.
But there are many more games to come!
しかし、まだたくさんの試合が待っていますよ！
I can’t help feeling sorry for him.
Maybe show him that a gracious winner or loser can say ‘good game’ after.
02
I can't help smiling when I see her.
Situation 1
Congratulations on the new addition to your family!
Thank you.
I can’t help smiling when I see her.
彼女を見ると、思わず微笑んでしまいます。
You look really happy.
I’m a little scared for the sleepless nights though.
Situation 2
Congratulations on your engagement!
Thank you for coming to the party.
You look really happy.
I can’t help smiling when I see her.
03
I can't help eating so much.
Situation 1
I was so busy at work today.
Is that why you bought all these snacks?
Yes.
I can’t help eating so much.
食べ過ぎてしまうのをやめられません。
I understand.
A stressful day makes me lose track of my appetite.
ストレスの多い日は食欲を失ってしまいます。
Situation 2
I have such a sweet tooth.
I do too.
Some days, I can’t help eating so much.
I know what you mean.
04
I can't help biting my nails.
Situation 1
Are you nervous about something?
Yes, I can’t help biting my nails.
You know, they have special polish for nail biters?
I tried to quit so many times.
Situation 2
Your nails are so short!
Yes, I can’t help biting my nails.
Look at my nails! I’m a nail-biter too.
It looks like we have something in common.
05
I can't help smoking when I have been drinking.
Situation 1
Is it time for a smoke?
How did you know?
I can’t help smoking when I have been drinking.
お酒を飲むと、どうしてもタバコを吸ってしまうんだ。
It seems like a common habit.
I wish I could control it.
Writer’s Note
The phrase "I can’t help" is a useful and expressive structure in English. Below are the key points to understand its meaning, structure, and usage.
- Key Points for "I can’t help"
👉 "I can't help" means you are unable to stop yourself from doing or feeling something, often unintentionally.
👉 It expresses something natural, automatic, or emotional.
Examples:
👉 I can’t help laughing when he talks like that.
👉 I can’t help feeling nervous before interviews. - Structure:
"I can’t help" + verb-ing (gerund)
Examples:
👉 I can’t help smiling when I see babies.
👉 She can’t help crying during sad movies.
👉 They can’t help worrying about their exams.
👉 「I can't help」は、何かをすることや感じることを自分で止められない、しばしば無意識的な状況を意味します。
👉 それは自然なこと、自動的なこと、または感情的なことを表現します。
例:
👉 彼があのように話すと、笑わずにはいられません。
👉 面接の前は緊張せずにはいられません。
「I can’t help」 + 動詞-ing (動名詞)
例:
👉 赤ちゃんを見ると、つい微笑んでしまいます。
👉 悲しい映画を見ると、彼女はつい泣いてしまいます。
👉 試験のことを心配せずにはいられません。
The situations above are quite short but I wanted to have to reader imagine the setting of the dialogue. In other words, I want you to understand the context surrounding the given sentence. You should consider context because it provides meaning and clarity to the intended message.
Have you been consistent and diligent in your studies? It’s tricky to set a fixed time to study because we all have work, families, and the unanticipated surprises of life. How has life been treating you? What kind of obstacles stood in your way that kept you from studying?
