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Hard to; difficult to (psychologically)
Definition
The grammar pattern "V-masu + がたい" is used to express that something is psychologically or emotionally difficult to do, despite being technically possible. It emphasizes the mental or emotional challenge involved in a situation. For example, saying "信じ______ことだ" (It's hard to believe that) implies that the speaker finds it difficult to accept or trust the information. This pattern is commonly used with verbs like 信じる (to believe), 許す (to forgive), 想像する (to imagine), or 納得する (to agree with).
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masu form of a verb | V-masu + がたい | 信じます + がたい = 信じ______ことだ |
| Masu form of a verb | V-masu + がたい (with a negative particle) | 許しません + がたい = 許し______ことだ |
| Masu form of a verb | V-masu + がたい (with a polite suffix) | 納得しても + がたい = 納得しても______ことだ |
Examples
幼い子供を虐待するなんて、到底許し______行為だ。
Osanai kōdo ni tsukau nante, tottemo yurusu______ kōi da.
It's hard to forgive such a cruel act towards a young child.
幼い子供を虐待するなんて (such a cruel act towards a young child), 到底許し______行為だ (it's hard to forgive)
あんなに誠実だった彼が嘘をついたとは、信じ______ことだ。
An'nani makoto datta kare ga usotsu ita to wa, shinji______ koto da.
It's hard to believe that such a honest person told a lie.
あんなに誠実だった彼 (such an honest person), 嘘をついたとは (told a lie), 信じ______ことだ (it's hard to believe)
このパソコンは古くて使い______が、まだ動く。
Kono pasokon wa furuku te tsukau______ ga, mada ugoku.
This old computer is hard to use, but it still works.
このパソコンは古くて (this old computer), 使い______が (it's hard to use), まだ動く (but it still works)
彼は今までに何度も失敗したことあるが、諦め______ことがない。
Kare wa ima made ni nan do mo shippai shita koto aru ga, akirame______ koto ga nai.
Although he has failed many times before, he never gives up.
彼は今までに何度も失敗したことある (he has failed many times before), 諦め______ことがない (he never gives up)
Context
This pattern is used to express psychological or emotional difficulty, not physical difficulty. It's often used with verbs that involve mental states, such as 信じる (to believe), 許す (to forgive), or 納得する (to agree with).
Watch out
For example, "このパソコンは使い______が、まだ動く" is incorrect because it's describing physical difficulty. Instead, use "このパソコンは使い______が、まだ動く" with ～にくい.
For example, "このパソコンは使い______が、まだ動く" is incorrect because it implies pain or effort. Instead, use "このパソコンは使い______が、まだ動く" with ～づらい.
For example, "彼は今までに何度も失敗したことあるが、諦め______ことがない" is incorrect because it's using a verb that doesn't involve a mental state. Instead, use it with verbs like 信じる (to believe), 許す (to forgive), or 納得する (to agree with).
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use it correctly with verbs that involve mental or emotional states. Also, be careful not to confuse it with other patterns like ～にくい or ～づらい.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V-masu + がたい used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
幼い子供を虐待するなんて、到底許しがたい行為だ。
Pattern used: がたい
許すがたい expresses that something is psychologically impossible to forgive.
あんなに誠実だった彼が嘘をついたとは、信じがたいことだ。
Pattern used: がたい
信じがたい is the standard N2 expression for 'hard to believe' due to emotional shock or surprise.
このパソコンは古くて使いにくいが、まだ動く。
Pattern used: にくい
Physical difficulty or functional difficulty uses ～にくい, not ～がたい.
Interactive
幼い子供を虐待するなんて、到底許し______行為だ。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.