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Cannot bear; unbearable; worth doing (in the negative sense)
Definition
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.
Structure
| 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 |
Examples
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。
Context
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).
Watch out
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.
Strategy
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.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows N / V-る + に堪えない used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
先生には、多大なるご指導をいただき、感謝に堪えません。
Pattern used: に堪えません
感謝に堪えない is a set phrase meaning 'I cannot express how grateful I am'.
目を覆いたくなるような、見るに堪えない惨状だった。
Pattern used: に堪えない
V-る + に堪えない here means the situation is so tragic it is unbearable to witness.
あまりに稚拙な議論で、聞くに堪えない内容だ。
Pattern used: に堪えない
Use に堪えない to indicate that the content is so poor it's not worth listening to or is painful to hear.
Interactive
先生には、多大なるご指導をいただき、感謝______。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.