Explanation
Indicates something is unbearable or not worth doing (e.g., 'unbearable to watch', 'unbearable to listen to').
Formation
Verb-dictionary form + に堪えない, Noun + に堪えない
Detailed explanation
The ～に堪えない grammar pattern is used when something is so unpleasant, awful, or painful that one cannot tolerate it. Common verbs include 見るに堪えない, 聞くに堪えない, 読むに堪えない, etc., meaning 'unbearable to see/hear/read.'
Examples
彼の冗談は聞くに堪えない。
Kare no joudan wa kiku ni taenai.
His jokes are unbearable to listen to.
その映画は見るに堪えないほどひどい出来だ。
Sono eiga wa miru ni taenai hodo hidoi deki da.
That movie is so bad that it’s unbearable to watch.
この小説は読むに堪えないほど退屈だ。
Kono shousetsu wa yomu ni taenai hodo taikutsu da.
This novel is so boring that it’s unbearable to read.
彼の行動は見るに堪えない。
Kare no koudou wa miru ni taenai.
His behavior is unbearable to watch.
Practice
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.