堪たえない

expression

cannot suppress one's emotions; cannot help but feel

Used with emotion nouns like 感謝, 同情, 喜び, 悲しみ, often in the pattern ～に堪えない to express an overwhelming feeling one cannot hold back.

See also: こらえる

• 皆みな様さまのご親しん切せつに感かん謝しゃの念ねんに堪たえません。

  I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone's kindness.

• 彼かれの不ふ幸こうな話はなしを聞きいて、同どう情じょうに堪たえなかった。

  Hearing his unfortunate story, I couldn't help but feel sympathy.

expression

cannot bear the responsibility; unable to cope with one's duties

Used with nouns like 責任, 重責, 任務, often in the pattern ～に堪えない to express that the responsibility is too heavy to handle.

• 彼かれはその重じゅう責せきに堪たえないとして辞じ任にんした。

  He resigned, saying he could not bear the heavy responsibility.

• 私わたしにはこの大たい役やくの任にんに堪たえない。

  I am not equal to such an important role.