Japatan
Formation
- V辞書形 + に堪えない(見る・聞く・読む など)
- N + に堪えない(感謝・感激・喜び など)
Explanation
There are two uses. (1) After the dictionary form of 見る, 聞く, 読む, etc., it means something is too awful to watch, hear or read, expressing strong criticism: 聞くに堪えない. (2) After nouns such as 感謝 (gratitude) or 感激 (deep emotion), it means the feeling is overwhelming: 感謝に堪えません (I cannot thank you enough). Use (2) is polite and formal, used in speeches and greetings.
Examples
二人の口げんかは、周りの人にとって 聞くに堪えないものだった。
The two people's quarrel was unbearable for those around them to listen to.
長い間手入れされていない庭は荒れ果てて、見るに堪えない。
The garden, neglected for a long time, has gone to ruin and is painful to look at.
多くの方にご支援いただき、感謝に堪えません。
I am deeply grateful for the support of so many people.
恩師から直接お祝いの言葉をいただき、感激に堪えない。
I am overwhelmed to receive words of congratulation directly from my old teacher.
Notes
The affirmative 〜に堪える means "worth ~" (鑑賞に堪える作品, a work worth appreciating). Use (1) is limited to verbs like 見る, 聞く and 読む.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1その番組の内容はあまりにひどく、（ ）ものだった。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 見るに堪えない
"The content of that program was so bad that it was unbearable to watch." 見るに足る means "worth watching", the opposite, and 3 and 4 mean "no need".
2皆様の温かいご支援に、（ ）に堪えません。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 感謝
"I am deeply grateful for everyone's warm support." 感謝に堪えません fits. 失望 (disappointment) does not suit the situation, and 注意 and 参加 are not feelings.
3彼の文章は誤りが多く、とても（ ）に堪えない。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 読む
"His writing is so full of errors that it is unbearable to read." With a verb, に堪えない follows the dictionary form: 読むに堪えない.
