JLPT N1 Shinkanzen Grammar Lesson 13: ～にかたくない・～に～ない・～べくもない (Not hard to... / Impossible to...)

～にかたくない・～に～ない・～べくもない (Not hard to... / Impossible to...)

JLPT N1
Shinkanzen N1 • 6 key grammar patterns
Point 1N1_L13_G1

1. ～にかたくない（難くない）

Sentence Pattern
Noun N (typically mental/cognitive activity) + にかたくない
Vる (Dictionary form) + にかたくない
Meaning: It is not difficult to imagine / understand / infer...

Explanation: Indicates that, judging from the situation or circumstances, something can easily be understood or felt even without seeing it directly or experiencing it personally.
✓ It is generally limited to verbs involving mental or emotional activity, such as 想像する (imagine), 察する (infer/empathize), and 理解する (understand).

Example Sentences (2)
初はじめて海外留学かいがいりゅうがくする我わが子こを思おもう親おやの心配しんぱいは、想像そうぞうにかたくない。
It is not difficult to imagine the anxiety of parents thinking about their child studying abroad for the first time.
長年飼ながねんかっていた愛犬あいけんを亡なくした彼女かのじょの悲かなしみは、察さっするにかたくない。
It is not difficult to understand and empathize with her grief after losing the beloved dog she had kept for many years.
Point 2N1_L13_G2

2. ～に～ない / ～（よ）うにも～ない

Sentence Pattern
Vる + に + same V in negative potential form
V (volitional よう/う) + にも + same V in negative potential form
Meaning: Want to do..., but cannot do it

Explanation: The same verb is repeated. It means that although the speaker strongly wants to do something, a reason or circumstance prevents it.
✓ ～に～ない often involves psychological or emotional restraint.
✓ ～（よ）うにも～ない often involves physical or practical circumstances.

Example Sentences (2)
子供こどもにそこまで大泣おおなきされては、その場ばを去さるに去されない。
With the child crying that desperately, I cannot bring myself to leave the place even if I want to.
スマートフォンを家いえに忘わすれてきてしまい、家族かぞくに連絡れんらくしようにも連絡れんらくできない。
I left my smartphone at home, so even if I want to contact my family, I cannot.
Point 3N1_L13_G3

3. ～て（は）いられない

Sentence Pattern
Vて + はいられない / いられない
Meaning: Cannot keep... / Cannot afford to remain... any longer

Explanation: Expresses urgency: because there is no time or mental room to spare, one cannot continue the present state and must move on to the next action immediately.
✓ The subject is usually the first person (the speaker).

Example Sentences (2)
来週らいしゅうは重要じゅうような試験しけんがあるので、いつまでもゲームをしてはいられない。
I have an important exam next week, so I cannot keep playing games forever.
今いま、会社かいしゃが人手不足ひとでぶそくなので、少すこしぐらい体調たいちょうが悪わるくても休やすんではいられない。
The company is currently short-staffed, so even if I feel a little unwell, I cannot afford to take time off.
Point 4N1_L13_G4

4. ～べくもない

Sentence Pattern
Vる (Dictionary form) + べくもない
* Exception: Verb する -> するべくもない / すべくもない
Meaning: There is naturally no way to... / How could one possibly...?

Explanation: Strongly emphasizes that, considering the present situation or circumstances, doing or knowing something is naturally impossible.
✓ Often used with verbs of cognition or thought, such as know, understand, judge, guess, or expect.

Example Sentences (2)
一介いっかいの平社員ひらしゃいんである私わたしには、会社かいしゃの複雑ふくざつな財務状況ざいむじょうきょうなど知しるべくもない。
For an ordinary rank-and-file employee like me, there is naturally no way to know the company's complicated financial situation.
その絵画かいがが本物ほんものかどうかなど、素人しろうとの私わたしには判断はんだんするべくもない。
As an amateur, there is no way I can judge whether that painting is genuine.
Point 5N1_L13_G5

5. ～べからず / ～べからざる

Sentence Pattern
Vる (Dictionary form) + べからず
Vる (Dictionary form) + べからざる + Noun N
Meaning: Must not / Prohibited

Explanation: Expresses prohibition: an action must not be performed.
✓ ～べからず commonly appears sentence-finally on notices, prohibition signs, and strict rules.
✓ ～べからざる + N is a stiff written expression modifying a noun, such as an impermissible act or something indispensable.

Example Sentences (2)
「この場所ばしょにゴミを捨すてるべからず」という看板かんばんが立たてられている。
There is a sign that says, 'Do not dump garbage in this area.'
豊ゆたかな自然環境しぜんかんきょうは、人類じんるいにとって欠かくべからざる財産ざいさんである。
A rich natural environment is an indispensable asset for humankind.
Point 6N1_L13_G6

6. ～まじき

Sentence Pattern
Noun N + にあるまじき + Noun
Vる + まじき + Noun
Meaning: Unbecoming / unacceptable for someone in that position

Explanation: Expresses strong criticism: considering a person's position, circumstances, or profession, the action is morally absolutely unacceptable.
✓ What follows must be a noun denoting an act, statement, attitude, etc., such as 行為, 発言, or 態度.

Example Sentences (2)
賄賂わいろを受うけ取とるなど、政治家せいじかにあるまじき行為こういだ。
Accepting a bribe is conduct utterly unbecoming of a politician.
部下ぶかに対たいするあの暴言ぼうげんは、上司じょうしとして許ゆるすまじき発言はつげんである。
Those abusive words directed at a subordinate are statements unforgivable for someone in a managerial position.
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