Structure
Verb + に堪えない
Adverb + に堪えない
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一般
About に堪えない
に堪えない is a construction that will translate as ‘to not be able to bear (A)’, or ‘to not be able to tolerate (A)’. It is a mix of the case-marking particle に, and the negatived form of the る-Verb 堪える ‘to tolerate’, 堪えない.
In this meaning, に堪えない will be used following verbs. This is in contrast to the に堪えない grammar point that follows nouns, and means ‘to be very (A)’, but is more literally ‘to be so (A) I can’t stand it’.
In this meaning, に堪えない will be used following verbs. This is in contrast to the に堪えない grammar point that follows nouns, and means ‘to be very (A)’, but is more literally ‘to be so (A) I can’t stand it’.
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あの映画に出ている役者さんみんなが大根役者だったので、見るに堪えなかったです。Since all the actors that were in that movie were bad actors, I couldn’t bear to watch it.
- 田中さんの話はいつも人の悪口ばかり言っているので、聞くに堪えない。I can’t tolerate listening to Tanaka-san because he is always talking ill about others.
- この本には過激な表現がありすぎるので、読むに堪えない。There are too many graphic expressions in this book that I can’t bear to read it.
-
仕事の環境がひどすぎて続けるに耐えない。The working conditions are so bad that I cannot bear to continue.
- お客さんの所有物を壊してお客さんをだますなんて怒りに絶えない。I am extremely outraged that they destroyed their customers’ property and lied to them.
Caution
The affirmative form of に堪える may also be used to express that something is ‘worth doing’. A closer interpretation of this would be similar to an English phrase like ‘to be passable for (A)’. Rather than meaning that something is particularly suitable, it just highlights that it also acceptably falls in the category of (A), despite not being intended for it, or perhaps not expected.-
この漫画は内容がとてもよく、大人でも読むに堪える。This manga is worth reading, even for an adult, because it is well written.
- やっと公開するに堪える音楽ができました!I have finally made a song that is worth publishing!
Examples
くりやまさんの歌声は酷すぎて聞くに堪えなかった。
Kuriyama-san's singing voice was so terrible that I couldn't bear to listen.
このホラー映画には正視にたえない、すごく残虐なシーンが多い。
In this horror movie, there are so many brutal scenes that I cannot bear to watch it.
最近、新聞で悪いニュースばかりが続いているから読むに堪えない。
With all the bad news in the newspaper lately, I cannot bear to read it.
この捨てられた、負傷した子犬があまりに不憫で、直視に耐えなかった。
I felt so sorry for this abandoned, injured puppy that I couldn't bear to look directly at it.
嘘をついてばかりいる政治家のインタビューはもう聞くに堪えない。
I can't tolerate listening to interviews with politicians who tell nothing but lies.
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に堪えない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (1 in total)
Flupply
What’s the difference to にたまらない? Are they interchangeable?
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