取り付く島がない（とりつくしまがない）
JLPT N1 · i-adjective
Meaning: no way to approach
Conjugation
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| te-form | 取り付く島がなくて | とりつくしまがなくて |
| ta-form (past) | 取り付く島がなかった | とりつくしまがなかった |
| nai-form (negative) | 取り付く島がなくない | とりつくしまがなくない |
Example sentences
- 冷たく断られ、取り付く島がない。 — He was coldly turned down, leaving no room to even approach the subject.
- 忙しすぎて取り付く島がない。 — She's so busy there's no getting near her.
Related words
See it used in real works
- Example sentences from Japanese novels & web fiction (Massif)
- Hear “取り付く島がない” pronounced in real videos (YouGlish)