～かねる
〜kaneru
JLPT N2 Formal
Formation
Verb-ます stem + かねる
Express inability or impossibility of doing an action (often as a polite refusal).
When to use
ます stem + かねる: politely, 'I can't' (お答えしかねます).
Explanation
The ～かねる grammar point is used to express that someone cannot do an action or that something is impossible to do. It typically has a nuance of reluctance or polite refusal and is formed by adding かねる to the ます-stem of the verb.
Example sentences
-
Since that problem is difficult, I cannot solve it.
Sono mondai wa muzukashii no de, watashi ni wa kaiketsu shi-kanemasu.
-
I cannot judge whether what he is saying is true or not.
Kare no itte iru koto ga shinjitsu ka dō ka handan shi-kanemasu.
-
I cannot immediately know whether she will come or not.
Kanojo ga kuru ka dō ka ima sugu ni wa wakari-kanemasu.
-
I cannot explain the details.
Kuwashii naiyō ni tsuite wa setsumei shi-kanemasu.
Unlikely / Impossible
- ～そうにない〜sou ni naiN2Express the unlikelihood of something happening; 'not…
- ～ようがない〜you ga naiN2Expresses that there is no way (method) to do something…
- ～っこない〜kkonaiN2Expresses the impossibility or very low probability of…
- ～ものか〜mono kaN2Definitely not; no way; no chance.
- ～わけがない〜wake ga naiN3Expresses that something is impossible or unreasonable…
- Verbる べくもないVerb-ru beku mo naiN1Means 'it's impossible to...' or 'there's no way to...'.
- Verb ようにも〜you ni moN1Used to express 'even though one wants to do something…
- Verb やしない~ yashinaiN1Expresses a strong denial or refusal: 'I would never...'…