に忍びない
ni shinobinai
cannot bear to; too painful to
[Cannot bear to; too painful to]
Connection: Verb dictionary form + に忍びない (にしのびない)
Usage: A formal literary expression meaning one cannot bear to do something because it is too painful, pitiful, or emotionally difficult. Expresses deep sympathy, reluctance, or compassion. Common with verbs of perception: 見るに忍びない (too painful to watch), 聞くに忍びない (too painful to hear).
Examples:
被災者の姿は見るに忍びなかった。(The sight of the disaster victims was too painful to watch.)
老いた母を一人残して行くのは忍びない。(I cannot bear to leave my aging mother alone.)
彼の悲しい話は聞くに忍びなかった。(His sad story was too painful to listen to.)