Japatan
Formation
- Vて形 + やまない(願う・祈る・望む・期待する・愛する・尊敬する など)
Explanation
Attached to verbs of feeling such as 願う (wish), 祈る (pray), 期待する (expect), 愛する (love) and 尊敬する (respect), it shows that the feeling is strongly and continuously held from the heart. It is a formal expression used in speeches, letters and ceremonies, often as 〜てやみません. It is not used with ordinary action verbs.
Examples
皆様のご健康を 願ってやみません。
I sincerely wish you all good health.
卒業生の今後の活躍を 期待してやまない。
I have the highest hopes for our graduates' future success.
彼は生涯、故郷の海を 愛してやまなかった。
All his life, he never stopped loving the sea of his hometown.
多くの研究者が 尊敬してやまない先生が、今年退職される。
The professor whom so many researchers deeply respect is retiring this year.
Notes
It mainly expresses the speaker's own feelings. For a third person, it is often used in the past (〜てやまなかった) or to modify a noun.
Mini quiz
1新しい社員の皆さんの活躍を期待して（ ）。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 やみません
"We have high hopes for all of our new employees." 期待してやみません means "sincerely hope / expect". The other choices do not give a meaning that fits this situation.
2旅の無事を（ ）やまない。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 祈って
"I sincerely pray for your safe journey." やまない follows the て-form, so 祈って is correct.
3正しい使い方の文はどれですか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 子どもたちの幸せを願ってやまない。
"I sincerely wish for the children's happiness." てやまない is used with verbs of feeling like 願う, not with actions like 飲む, 忘れる or 走る.
