Meaning & usage
がたい expresses that something is hard or almost impossible to do, often for emotional or psychological reasons rather than lack of skill. It attaches to the masu-stem of a verb, as in 忘れがたい or 許しがたい, and conjugates as an i-adjective. It belongs to formal written or literary style, so it is avoided in casual everyday conversation.
Example sentences 8
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気にいったものはなかなか手放しがたいものだ。
It's not easy to part with one's favorite possessions.
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その恐ろしさは名状し難い。
It is frightening beyond description.
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忘れがたい事件が起こった。
An unforgettable event occurred.
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その話は信じがたい内容だった。
That story was hard to believe.
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彼の行為は許しがたいものだ。
His actions are unforgivable.
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夏の暑さは耐えがたいほどだ。
The summer heat is almost unbearable.
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結果を想像しがたい事故だ。
It is an accident whose outcome is hard to imagine.
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この出会いは得がたい機会だ。
This encounter is a rare opportunity.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 6 past exam questions.
And 2 more tests.
