泣くに泣けない · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 泣くに泣けない | 泣くに泣けなくない |
| Polite | 泣くに泣けないです | 泣くに泣けなくないですalso 泣くに泣けなくありません |
| Past polite | 泣くに泣けなかったです | 泣くに泣けなくなかったですalso 泣くに泣けなくありませんでした |
| Past | 泣くに泣けなかった | 泣くに泣けなくなかった |
| Te-form | 泣くに泣けなくて | 泣くに泣けなくなくて |
| Adverbial | 泣くに泣けなく | |
| Conditional | 泣くに泣けなければ | 泣くに泣けなくなければ |
| Tara conditional | 泣くに泣けなかったら | 泣くに泣けなくなかったら |
so disappointing one cannot even cry; beyond tears; mortifyingly frustrating
Describes a situation so upsetting or frustrating that it goes past the point of tears, leaving one feeling helpless or bitterly disappointed. Often used when something is extremely vexing but cannot be changed.
Making a mistake like this in an important match is so frustrating I can't even cry.
The long-awaited trip was canceled due to a typhoon; I feel so disappointed I could cry, but I can't.
A set phrase combining 泣く (to cry) with the pattern 〜に〜ない (cannot do even if one wants to). The exact origin is uncertain, but it follows a common Japanese construction for expressing inability to perform an action despite strong desire or need.