N1 · Structured courses

Ni Taenai: Unbearable / Unworthy

"Unbearable" or "unworthy of"—negative evaluation. This lesson combines form, context, examples, common mistakes, and practice so you can use the pattern in real communication.

12 minNihongo Hub Editorial TeamPublished 2026-06-06Updated 2026-06-06

Learning objectives

  • Lesson goals: "Unbearable" or "unworthy of"—negative evaluation.
  • Form and connection: [Noun/Verb辞书形] に堪たえない
  • Nuance in real use: に堪えない marks the boundary of your endurance—some things are too good to deserve, others too bad to bear watching.

Form and connection

[Noun/Verb辞书形] に堪たえない

Core Explanation

"Unbearable" or "unworthy of"—negative evaluation.

Cultural Note

に堪えない marks the boundary of your endurance—some things are too good to deserve, others too bad to bear watching.

Practical examples

I am deeply grateful.
It was a sight too terrible to watch.

Common pitfalls

Build the base form before adding the pattern

Complete the required conjugation first. Do not keep polite and plain endings at the same time.

Match politeness to the situation

The examples are reliable starting points; relationships and context can still change the most natural wording.

Practice and answers

1. Write the connection formula for this lesson.
Show answer[Noun/Verb辞书形] に堪たえない
2. Explain the meaning of the first example.
Show answerI am deeply grateful.
3. Rewrite the final example using this lesson pattern.
Show answer見みるに堪たえない光景こうけいだった。 ([Noun/Verb辞书形] に堪たえない)

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