Structure
Verb[ます]+ かねる
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Formal
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硬い
About かねる
兼ねる, a る-Verb meaning 'to spread across' (usually 2 different activities or thought processes), often follows the ます-stem of other verbs in order to highlight that '(A) is not possible'. However, 兼ねる often indicates that the speaker would actually like to do (A), but cannot due to some external circumstances such as difficulty, already being busy, being hesitant, etc.
This particular grammar pattern will most frequently be seen in its non-kanji form, although both are possible.
This particular grammar pattern will most frequently be seen in its non-kanji form, although both are possible.
- こう言う場合でも返金はできかねます。Even in situations like this we can't give you a refund.
- それはお客様のプライバシーに関わる情報なのでお答えしかねます。That is information regarding our client's privacy so we cannot answer that.
- お電話での予約受付は受けかねます。We cannot accept reservations by phone.
Fun-fact - As 兼ねる means 'to spread across', this expression can be thought of as similar to 'to be a stretch' in English. It just indicates that doing the action of (A) would be a stretch of the speaker's ability or capacity.
- 弊社は内装専門なので外装に関わるお仕事はお引き受けしかねます。It would be a bit of a stretch for us to accept exterior work, as we specialize in interiors.
Synonyms
〜得ない
Unable to, Cannot
Not studied yet
わけにはいかない
Cannot afford to, No way, Impossible to do
Not studied yet
切れない
Being unable to finish or complete
Not studied yet
を兼ねて
And also, Also (partly) to, Also (partly) for (the purpose of), At the same time, To double as, When … also, While … as well, And as
Not studied yet
Antonyms
Examples
生徒:時間旅行ができると思います。
先生:そのような意見には、とうてい同意しかねます。Student: 'I think that time travel is possible.'
Teacher: 'I just cannot agree with such an opinion.'悪いけど、試験はこれ以上良い点数をつけかねる。
I am sorry, but I cannot give you a better score on the exam than that.
匿名の大臣さん: 「将来の財政赤字に関する首相の言葉は信じかねる。反対するわけにもいかないので、うなずくしかない。」
Anonymous cabinet minister: 'It is hard to believe the prime minister's words about the future budget deficit. However, because I can't oppose them, I just nod.'
個人的な理由での払い戻しは応じかねます。
I cannot accept a refund based on personal reasons.
そんな無茶な要望はお引受けしかねます。
I cannot accept such an absurd demand.
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Online
〜かねる VS ~がたい
日本語の森 [video]
Additional example sentences
JapaneseTest4You
かねる・かねない
Maggie Sensei
Offline
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 327
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かねる – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
s1212z
Just to be sure, 〜えない can’t be substituted for any of these sentence, right? If you have a personal circumstance that is 100% impossible, I’m guessing 〜えない would be the choice and these examples are based on personal hesitation rather than impossibility.
Fuga
Hey @s1212z !
You are correct, because these are based on personal hesitation or external circumstances, ~得ない cannot be used!
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