JLPT N1 grammar
〜にたえない — Meaning & Examples
Two meanings: 見る／聞く + にたえない = unbearable to witness; emotion noun (感謝・感激) + にたえない = overwhelmed with feeling (formal speech).
〜にたえない — Two Opposite Meanings!
にたえない has TWO distinct uses — context tells them apart.
Use 1 — "unbearable to..." (with perception verbs: 見る・聞く):
彼の惨めな姿は見るにたえなかった。
= His miserable state was unbearable to watch.
そのニュースは聞くにたえない内容だった。
= The news was unbearable to listen to.
Use 2 — "cannot help but feel... / overwhelmed with" (with emotion nouns, formal speech):
このたびのご支援、感謝にたえません。
= I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this support. (formal speech register)
皆様のご厚意に感激にたえない次第です。
= I find myself deeply moved by everyone's kindness.
Telling them apart: 見る・聞く + にたえない = something is too awful to witness. Emotion noun (感謝・感激) + にたえない = a formal, positive overflow of feeling — similar in spirit to を禁じ得ない from the compulsion lesson, but even more formal/ceremonial.
Key feeling: Either wincing away from something terrible, or bowing with overwhelming gratitude — context is everything.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on 〜にたえない. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 彼の惨めな姿は見るにたえなかった。 — which use of にたえない is this?
- Overwhelmed with gratitude
- Unbearable to witness
- Easy to imagine
- No need to even check
Show answer
Answer: Unbearable to witness
見る／聞く + にたえない = unbearable to witness — something too awful to watch or listen to.
2. 「このたびのご支援、感謝にたえません。」 — which use of にたえない is this?
- Overwhelmed with gratitude (formal speech)
- Unbearable to witness
- Easy to imagine
- No need to even check
Show answer
Answer: Overwhelmed with gratitude (formal speech)
Emotion noun (感謝・感激) + にたえない = overwhelmed with feeling — a formal, ceremonial, positive use.
Practise 〜にたえない in the free app
This point is part of the “Limits & Restriction — をおいて他にない・にたえない・にかたくない・までもない” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: Limits & Restriction — をおいて他にない・にたえない・にかたくない・までもない
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜にたえない mean?
Two meanings: 見る／聞く + にたえない = unbearable to witness; emotion noun (感謝・感激) + にたえない = overwhelmed with feeling (formal speech).
Is 〜にたえない on the JLPT N1 test?
〜にたえない is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Limits & Restriction — をおいて他にない・にたえない・にかたくない・までもない”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜にたえない?
Open the “Limits & Restriction — をおいて他にない・にたえない・にかたくない・までもない” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.