JLPT N2 Grammar
· Upper Intermediate
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· Upper Intermediate
Hard to; difficult to (psychologically)
Category: Possibility & Probability
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).
| 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 |
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)
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).
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).
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.
幼い子供を虐待するなんて、到底許し______行為だ。
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