にたえない (ni-taenai): Cannot bear; be deeply
～にたえない (ni-taenai)
Meaning
Cannot bear; be deeply
Formation and usage
V dictionary + に堪えない; emotion N + に堪えない
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
With verbs it means unbearable; with nouns such as gratitude it can express an overwhelming positive feeling.
Examples
被災した町の映像は、見るに堪えなかった。
The footage of the disaster-stricken town was unbearable to watch.
人を傷つける発言は、聞くに堪えない。
Remarks that hurt others are unbearable to listen to.
皆様の温かいご支援に、感謝に堪えません。
I am deeply grateful for everyone's warm support.
長年の夢がかない、感激に堪えない。
My long-held dream has come true, and I am overwhelmed with emotion.
根拠のない悪口ばかりの文章は、読むに堪えない。
A text full of groundless insults is unbearable to read.
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.