What does ～にたえない mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

TWO completely separate meanings: (a) so bad it can't be watched/listened to; (b) an emotion so strong it can't be held back.

• Meaning (a) — 「見る／聞く／読む＋にたえない」: the quality or scene is too awful. 「見るにたえない映像」 (footage too painful to watch).
• Meaning (b) — 「N (emotion)＋にたえない」: 感謝・喜び・悲しみ・遺憾 + にたえない = overwhelmingly grateful/glad/sad. 「感謝にたえません」 is a very formal expression of thanks.
• Don't confuse with 「～にたえる」 (able to withstand / worth doing): 「鑑賞にたえる作品」 = a work worth appreciating. Same root but nearly opposite meaning.

Examples

• その映像(えいぞう)は見(み)るにたえないほど悲惨(ひさん)だった。

  The footage was too horrific to watch.

• 皆様(みなさま)のご支援(しえん)には感謝(かんしゃ)にたえません。

  I cannot express enough gratitude for your support.

Keep in mind

• The particle is 「に」: 「見るにたえない」, not 「見るをたえない」.
• Meaning (b) only combines with an emotion noun, not with an ordinary verb.

Common mistakes

• Wrong見(み)るをたえない映像(えいぞう)だ。

  Correct見(み)るにたえない映像(えいぞう)だ。

  The object being judged takes にたえない.

Exam tips

• 「にたえない」 = (a) too awful to watch/listen to; (b) 感謝にたえない = overwhelmingly grateful.

Related patterns

• ～にたえる
• ～てたまらない
• ～きれない