に難くない
Not hard to, Not difficult to, Easy to, Is obvious that
Structure
想像 + （する）+ に難くない
Less common patterns:
予想 + （する）+ に難くない
察する + に難くない
理解 + （する）+ に難くない
推測 + （する）+ に難くない
Explanation
にかたくない is a formal expression that utilizes an alternative, more literary reading of the い-Adjective 難しい (difficult), which is 難い. When used in this pattern, it always appears in the negative form to convey that something is 'not hard to' or 'easy to' do. The particle に connects this grammar point to a very specific set of verbs related to mental processes like imagination and comprehension.
- 長年の努力が報われた彼の喜びは、察するに難くない。It is easy to imagine his joy, seeing his many years of hard work finally pay off.
- この状況では、会社が倒産するだろうことは予想に難くない。Given the circumstances, it is not difficult to predict that the company will go bankrupt.
- 大切なペットを失った人の悲しみは理解に難くない。The sadness of someone who has lost a beloved pet is not hard to understand.
This grammar pattern is almost exclusively used with a small set of verbs related to cognition. The most common of these are 想像 (to imagine), 予想 (to predict), 察する (to infer/sense), 理解 (to understand), and 推測 (to guess).
Fun Fact
In Japanese, it is common for a single concept to have multiple words, some of which are more formal or literary than others. Japanese dictionaries often label these as (A) の改まった表現, meaning 'a more formal expression of (A)'. The verb 改まる, while often meaning 'to be renewed', carries a nuance of 'becoming formal'. In this relationship, (A) is typically the more standard, everyday word—just as 難しい is the common counterpart to 難い in this grammar structure.
Examples
あの人気歌手が引退すれば、ファンがどれほど悲しむかは想像に難くない。
It is not hard to imagine how sad the fans will be if that popular singer retires.
彼の疲れ切った表情を見れば、彼が経験した苦労は察するに難くない。
Looking at his exhausted expression, it is not hard to surmise the hardships he has experienced.
チームのエースが怪我をすれば、チームが弱体化することは予想に難くない。
It is not hard to predict that the team will be weakened if their star player gets injured.
あの政治家が支持を失った理由は、その言動の不一致を見れば理解に難くない。
Looking at the inconsistency between his words and actions, it is not hard to understand why that politician lost support.
幼い頃に親を亡くした子供の心の痛みは、想像に難くありません。
It is not hard to imagine the heartache of a child who lost their parents at a young age.
大地震の後、被災者たちが直面したであろう困難は察するに難くない。
It is not hard to guess the difficulties the victims must have faced after the major earthquake.
その画期的な商品がなぜ大ヒットしたのかは、その便利さを考えれば理解に難くない。
Considering its convenience, it is not hard to understand why that groundbreaking product became a huge hit.
全く勉強しなかったのだから、彼が試験に落ちることは予想に難くありません。
Since he didn't study at all, it is not hard to predict that he would fail the exam.
長年の遠距離恋愛の末に別れてしまった二人の気持ちは、想像に難くない。
It is not hard to imagine the feelings of the couple who broke up after a long-term, long-distance relationship.
経営陣の無謀な投資が続けば、会社が倒産に至った経緯は理解に難くない。
Given the management's continued reckless investments, it is not hard to understand the circumstances that led to the company's bankruptcy.
初めての優勝を決めた瞬間の、選手たちの喜びようは察するに難くない。
It is not hard to imagine the immense joy of the players at the moment they secured their first championship victory.
このまま地球温暖化が進めば、将来どのような災害が起こるかは予想するに難くありません。
If global warming continues at this rate, it is not hard to predict what kind of disasters will occur in the future.
親友に裏切られた彼の絶望がいかばかりかは、想像に難くない。
It is not hard to imagine the depth of his despair after being betrayed by his best friend.