Meaning
"I can't help"는 특정 행동이나 감정을 억제할 수 없음을 의미하는 표현입니다. 이 표현은 뒤에 동사 원형이 오는 형태로 자주 사용되어, 어떤 행동을 하지 않을 수 없다는 뜻을 전달합니다.
예를 들어, "I can't help laughing"이라고 하면 "웃음을 참을 수 없다"는 의미가 됩니다. 이때 "laughing" 대신 다른 동작을 나타내는 동사 원형을 사용하면 다양한 상황에서 활용할 수 있습니다.
또한 "I can't help but" 형태로도 쓰이는데, 이 경우 뒤에 동사 원형이 따라와서 마찬가지로 어떤 행동을 하지 않을 수 없다는 의미를 강조합니다. 예를 들어, "I can't help but notice"는 "눈치채지 않을 수 없다"는 뜻입니다.
이 표현은 감정이나 충동을 설명할 때 유용하게 사용되며, 일상적인 대화에서 자주 등장합니다. 사용자가 특정 상황에서 자신의 감정을 통제하기 어렵다는 것을 표현하고자 할 때 적합한 표현입니다.
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!
하지만 앞으로 더 많은 경기가 남아 있습니다!
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.
그녀를 보면 저절로 미소가 지어져요.
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.
저는 음식을 많이 먹지 않을 수 없어요.
I understand.
A stressful day makes me lose track of my appetite.
스트레스가 많은 날에는 식욕을 잃게 돼요.
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.
술을 마시면 담배를 피우지 않을 수가 없어요.
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"는 무언가를 하거나 느끼는 것을 멈출 수 없다는 의미로, 종종 의도치 않게 발생하는 경우입니다.
👉 이는 자연스럽고 자동적이거나 감정적인 것을 표현합니다.
예시:
👉 그가 그렇게 말할 때 웃음을 멈출 수가 없어요.
👉 인터뷰 전에 긴장감을 멈출 수가 없어요.
"I can’t help" + 동사-ing (동명사)
예시:
👉 나는 아기를 보면 미소를 짓지 않을 수 없어.
👉 그녀는 슬픈 영화를 보면서 울지 않을 수 없어.
👉 그들은 시험에 대해 걱정하지 않을 수 없어.
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?
