expression

Idiomatic expression.
  1. so miserable that it is painful to look at, can't bear to look at, painful to watch.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
 
 
 
見るに堪えない みるにたえない

Contained Kanji Breakdown

see, hopes, chances
み.る ケン (1st, N5)
eye, class, look
め モク ボク (1st, N4)
legs radical (no. 10)
ジン ニン がい (Kentei 1)
withstand, endure, support
カン こた.える タン (Early High School, N1)
soil, earth, ground
ド つち は (1st, N5)
tremendously, very, great
ジン はなは.だ じ (Early High School, N1)
sweet, coax, pamper
あま.い カン うま.い (Early Jr. High, N2)
twenty
にじゅう ジュウ ニュウ (Kentei Pre-1)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
equal, head, counter for small animals
ひき ヒツ (Early Jr. High, N2)
hiding enclosure radical (no. 23)
ケイ (Kentei 1)
legs radical (no. 10)
ジン ニン がい (Kentei 1)