にかたくないNot hard to imagine or infer
Says that a conclusion, feeling, or likely result is easy to imagine, understand, or infer from the available facts. It is a formal, set expression rather than a general way to say that an action is easy.
What the expression evaluates
The expression does not primarily evaluate whether someone can perform an action. Instead, it evaluates the mental step from known facts to a conclusion: given the circumstances, the conclusion is not difficult to reach. It is especially natural when discussing another person's feelings, the seriousness of a situation, or a foreseeable result.
Easy conclusions from clear facts
The surrounding facts should provide a genuine basis for the conclusion.
長年支えてきた店を閉じる決断が、店主にとってどれほどつらかったかは察するに難くない。
It is not hard to imagine how painful the decision to close the shop must have been for its owner.
AnalyzeLiterally: How painful it was is not difficult to infer.
物価高がこのまま続けば、家計への負担がさらに増すことは予想に難くない。
If prices continue rising like this, it is easy to foresee a further increase in the burden on household finances.
Analyze突然の方針変更に現場が戸惑ったことは想像に難くない。
It is not hard to imagine that the sudden change in policy caused confusion among the staff involved.
AnalyzeDifficulty versus certainty
With がたい, the action itself is difficult or psychologically hard to carry out; with にかたくない, a mental conclusion is easy to reach. に違いない directly expresses strong certainty, while the target expression presents that conclusion as readily imaginable or understandable from the facts.
More examples
被災地の写真を見れば、復旧までの道のりがいかに厳しいかは想像に難くない。
Looking at the photographs of the disaster area, it is not hard to imagine how difficult the road to recovery will be.
Analyze売上が三か月連続で減少している以上、計画の見直しが必要になることは予想に難くない。
Given that sales have declined for three consecutive months, it is easy to foresee that the plan will need to be revised.
Analyze十年間育てた木を伐採せざるを得なかった庭師の無念は、察するに難くない。
It is not hard to imagine the gardener's anguish at having to cut down a tree tended for ten years.
Analyze詳細な記録が残っているため、事故がどのように起きたかは理解に難くない。
Because detailed records remain, it is not difficult to understand how the accident occurred.
Analyze連日の残業で、担当者が心身ともに疲弊していたことは想像するに難くない。
Given the daily overtime, it is not hard to imagine that the person in charge was exhausted both physically and mentally.
Analyze主要な橋が通行止めになれば、周辺道路が混雑することは予想に難くない。
If a major bridge is closed, it is easy to foresee congestion on the surrounding roads.
Analyze