JLPT N1 Grammar
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Cannot bear; unbearable; worth doing (in the negative sense)
Category: Emotion and Sincerity
The grammar pattern "N / V-る + に堪えない" is used to express a strong emotion that cannot be suppressed or to indicate that something is too terrible to look at or listen to. It is often used in formal speeches or writing to convey a sense of deep regret, gratitude, or revulsion. The pattern is formed by combining a noun or verb ending in -ru with the suffix に堪えない, which literally means 'cannot bear' or 'unbearable'. The resulting phrase is often used to describe situations or emotions that are so intense they cannot be endured or tolerated.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-ru form | N / V-る + に堪えない | 見る + に堪えない = 見るに堪えない |
| V-ru form with te-form | N / V-る + に堪えられない | 見る + に堪えられない = 見るに堪えられない |
| Noun | N + に堪えない | この惨状 + に堪えない = この惨状に堪えない |
先生には、多大なるご指導をいただき、感謝できません。
Sensei ni wa, taiyōnaru go shidō o itadakimasu, kanjō dekinai.
I cannot bear the great guidance I received from my teacher.
先生には多大なるご指導をいただき感謝できません。
目を覆いたくなるような、見るに堪えない惨状だった。
Me o makura itakunaru yūna, miru ni kanenai satsujō datta.
The scene was so terrible that it was unbearable to look at.
目を覆いたくなるような見るに堪えない惨状だった。
あまりに稚拙な議論で、聞くに堪えない内容だ。
Amari ni chishaku na kiron de, kiku ni kanenai naiyō da.
The content was so childish and naive that it was unbearable to listen to.
あまりに稚拙な議論で聞くに堪えない内容だ。
このような惨状に堪えないことを、誰も知らない。
Kono yūna satsujō ni kanenai koto o, dare mo shiranai.
No one knows the unbearable situation like this.
このような惨状に堪えないことを誰も知らない。
This pattern is typically used in formal speeches or writing to convey a sense of deep regret, gratitude, or revulsion. It is not suitable for casual conversation. It can be confused with ～にたえる, which means 'is worth doing' or 'can handle', or ～に足りない (not worth/sufficient).
This pattern is typically used in formal speeches or writing to convey a sense of deep regret, gratitude, or revulsion. It is not suitable for casual conversation.
～にたえる means 'is worth doing' or 'can handle', which is different from ～に堪えない.
～に足りない means 'not worth/sufficient', which is different from ～に堪えない.
Pay attention to the context and the tone of the sentence. This pattern is typically used in formal speeches or writing, so be aware of the register and the level of formality.
先生には、多大なるご指導をいただき、感謝______。
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