ざる
(zaru)
~zaru (Not; -un)
Usage Frequency
RARE
N1
JLPT
Definition
Not; -un (expresses absence or negation of action/state)
How to Use
Negative form of archaic classical Japanese, mainly used in set phrases or literary contexts.
Formal Usage
Verb (未然形 - mizenkei) + ざる
Context, Limitations and Specificities
When to use?
Primarily used in literature or set phrases. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
Limitations and specificities
Used mostly with classical or set phrases and not in common spoken Japanese.
Does not conjugate with all verbs easily; often found in fixed expressions.
Requires understanding of the mizenkei (irrealis form) of verbs.
Example Sentences
見るに堪えざる光景だ
みるにたえざるこうけいだ
miru ni taezaru koukei da
It’s an unbearable sight.
聞くに堪えざる話
きくにたえざるはなし
kiku ni taezaru hanashi
A story that's unbearable to hear.
知る由もなきこと
しるよしもなきこと
shiru yoshi mo naki koto
Something not to be known.
いずれは知るべき真実とされざる言葉
いずれはしるべきしんじつとされざることば
izure wa shiru beki shinjitsu to sarezaru kotoba
Words not regarded as truth to be known someday.
言うに語らざる悲劇
いうにかたらざるひげき
iu ni katarazaru higeki
An unspeakable tragedy.
成すべからざること
なすべからざること
nasu bekarazaru koto
Something that must not be done.
読むに価せざる本
よむにあたいせざるほん
yomu ni ataisezaru hon
A book not worth reading.
乗るに堪えざる車
のるにたえざるくるま
noru ni taezaru kuruma
A car that is unbearable to ride.
愛するに値せざる者
あいするにあたいせざるもの
aisuru ni ataisezaru mono
Someone not worth loving.
見るべくもあらざる景色
みるべくもあらざるけしき
miru beku mo arazaru keshiki
A view that shouldn’t even be seen.