Grammar › N1 · 08 Extremes and impossibility

〜に堪えない: cannot bear; deeply (feeling)

N1 · 08 Extremes and impossibility

Expresses a strong feeling you cannot hold back, or something too unpleasant to bear.

Two uses. 1) Feeling noun + に堪えない: 感謝に堪えない (deeply grateful), 遺憾に堪えない. 2) Verb + に堪えない: 聞くに堪えない (unbearable to hear). Formal, used in speeches and letters.

Examples

皆様みなさまの温あたたかいご支援しえんに、感謝かんしゃの念ねんに堪たえません。

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone's warm support.

あの人ひとの悪口わるぐちは、聞きくに堪たえない。

His slander is unbearable to listen to.

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