Vocab Info

N1 Expression, い-adjective

()()たないunable to compete with, not able to make a dent in (e.g. a problem), not able to get a solid hit in (e.g. in a fight), hard to chew

    Dictionary Definition

    1. Expression, い-adjective

      1. 1.

        unable to compete with, not able to make a dent in (e.g. a problem), not able to get a solid hit in (e.g. in a fight)

        Idiomatic expression
      2. 2.

        hard to chew

    All Forms

    歯が立たない 【はがたたない】

    Details

    Examples

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    • ()()たない難問(なんもん)(まえ)に、受験生(じゅけんせい)絶望(ぜつぼう)している。

      In the face of a problem they have no hope of solving, the test-takers are in despair.

      • N1
    • このフランスパンは(かた)すぎて、(まった)()()たない

      This French bread is too hard, and I can't bite into it at all.

      • N1
    • ()()たない強敵(きょうてき)との試合(しあい)では戦意(せんい)すら()いてきませんでした。

      In a match against a strong opponent I was no match for, I didn’t even have the will to fight.

      • N1
    • (ちち)将棋(しょうぎ)試合(しあい)をしてみたが、棋士(きし)である(ちち)には全然(ぜんぜん)()()たなかった。

      I tried playing shogi with my father, but seeing as he's a pro, I was unable to compete with him.

      • N1
    • (まった)(わたし)()()たなかった問題(もんだい)をあっさり解決(かいけつ)するとは…(かれ)には(まい)ったよ…。

      To think he easily solved the problem I wasn't able to make a dent in... I'm beat...

      • N1
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