にしのびない (ni-shinobinai): Cannot bear to; have no heart to
～にしのびない (ni-shinobinai)
Meaning
Cannot bear to; have no heart to
Formation and usage
V dictionary + に忍びない
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Cannot bear an action or sight for emotional or compassionate reasons, rather than physical inability.
Examples
大切に作られた資料を捨てるに忍びない。
I cannot bear to throw away the documents, which was prepared with such care.
大切に作られた報告書を捨てるに忍びない。
I cannot bear to throw away the report, which was prepared with such care.
大切に作られた説明書を捨てるに忍びない。
I cannot bear to throw away the instructions, which was prepared with such care.
大切に作られた計画書を捨てるに忍びない。
I cannot bear to throw away the written plan, which was prepared with such care.
大切に作られた申込書を捨てるに忍びない。
I cannot bear to throw away the application form, which was prepared with such care.
How related patterns differ
に堪える can mean worth viewing or able to withstand; に堪えない can express overwhelming emotion with an emotion noun. に忍びない means having no heart to act. を禁じ得ない cannot suppress a feeling; ないではおかない predicts an inevitable effect, and てはかなわない complains of an unbearable situation.