Japanese grammar

What does ～に耐える mean? Japanese grammar N1

～に耐える means withstand; be able to endure.

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N1
Structure	N + に耐える V辞書形 + に耐える
Romaji	nitaeru
Meaning	withstand; be able to endure

Forming it

Noun (hardship)	厳しい訓練 + に耐える
Noun (external force)	強風 + に耐える

How to use it

States the ability to WITHSTAND something, physically or mentally. Different from 「堪える」 (worth doing…).

「～に耐える」 = able to withstand A: strong wind, earthquakes, hardship, pain.
The character 耐 is for the capacity to ENDURE; 堪 is for VALUE (worth doing…) — the two are pronounced the same, so they're easily confused.
The potential form 「～に耐えられる／耐えられない」 is very commonly used.

Examples

この橋(はし)は強風(きょうふう)にも耐(た)えられる設計(せっけい)だ。
This bridge is designed to withstand strong winds.
彼(かれ)は厳(きび)しい訓練(くんれん)によく耐(た)えた。
He endured the harsh training well.

Keep in mind

耐える = to endure; 堪える = to be worth.
Used for both physical and mental meanings.

Common mistakes

Wrongこの小説(しょうせつ)は読(よ)むに耐(た)える作品(さくひん)だ。

This novel is a work worth reading.

Correctこの小説(しょうせつ)は読(よ)むに堪(こた)える作品(さくひん)だ。

The meaning "WORTH reading" uses 「堪える」; 「耐える」 means to endure.
Wrongこの橋(はし)は強風(きょうふう)にも堪(こた)えられる設計(せっけい)だ。

This bridge is designed to withstand strong winds as well.

Correctこの橋(はし)は強風(きょうふう)にも耐(た)えられる設計(せっけい)だ。

Withstanding an external force uses 「耐える」.

Exam tips

「に耐える」 = to endure (耐); 「に堪える」 = worth doing (堪) — the two are easily confused.

Related patterns

All N1 grammar →