JLPT N2

～かねる

Cannot (do something), find it difficult to (do something)

Structure

Verb ます-stem + かねる

How it works

～かねる expresses that one is unable or finds it difficult to do something, often due to personal circumstances, policies, or moral reasons. It's a polite way of declining or expressing an inability.

Examples

誠に申し訳ございませんが、そのご要望にはお応えしかねます。

I am truly sorry, but I cannot meet that request.

Common mistakes

Using it in casual conversations or when a simple ～できない would suffice.

Tip

Think of 'かねる' as 'can't (politely)'. It's a more formal version of ～できない.

More JLPT N2 grammar

に伴いにかけてにかわってにもかかわらずに限りに限らずをはじめを中心に

See ～かねる in real Japanese

Import an article and tap any sentence using it. The explanation comes back about the sentence in front of you, not a textbook example.

Try InputDojo free