に堪えない expresses something one cannot bear, or an emotion felt very deeply. It is formal, especially in writing and speeches.
The idea
Attach に堪えない to the dictionary form of verbs such as 見る and 聞く: 見るに堪えない means a sight is too painful or unpleasant to bear. With 感謝の念 or 悲しみの念, it conveys profound feeling rather than an unpleasant sight.
Examples
- あの残酷な場面は、見るに堪えません。I cannot bear to watch that cruel scene.
- その騒音は聞くに堪えません。The noise is unbearable to listen to.
- 災害の後の町は見るに堪えません。I cannot bear to see the town after the disaster.
- 温かいご支援に、感謝の念に堪えません。I am deeply grateful for your kind support.
- 彼の訃報に、悲しみの念に堪えません。I am deeply saddened by the news of his death.
- 彼の無神経な発言は聞くに堪えません。His thoughtless remarks are unbearable to hear.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not read 感謝の念に堪えない as being unable to tolerate gratitude: it means one is deeply grateful. The verb pattern is restricted; it is not a general replacement for every cannot.
Try it yourself
残酷な場面は、＿＿に堪えません。（見る）
Show answer or example answer
見る
見る — Use the dictionary form before に堪えません for a sight one cannot bear.
騒音は、＿＿に堪えません。（聞く）
Show answer or example answer
聞く
聞く — The dictionary form names the act of hearing the unbearable noise.
ご支援に、感謝の＿＿に堪えません。
Show answer or example answer
念
念 — 感謝の念に堪えません is a formal expression of deep gratitude.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
残酷な場面は、＿＿に堪えません。（見る）
騒音は、＿＿に堪えません。（聞く）
ご支援に、感謝の＿＿に堪えません。
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe an unbearable sight and express gratitude in a formal sentence. Explain how the two uses differ.