Structure
Verb[ます]+ かねない
Noun + に + かねない
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一般
About かねない
The negative form of the る-Verb 兼ねる 'to spread across' (usually 2 different activities or thought processes) is a grammar pattern that indicates a possibility of (A) happening, especially when it is something that the speaker themselves cannot control. 兼ねない is often translated as 'might (A)', 'capable of (A)', or '(A) is a possibility'.
This structure will be seen connected to the ます-stem of verbs, or after nouns followed by に. Both the kanji and non-kanji forms may be used.
This structure will be seen connected to the ます-stem of verbs, or after nouns followed by に. Both the kanji and non-kanji forms may be used.
- それは命を落としかねない感染症らしい。Apparently that is an infectious disease that could lead to death.
- 地震の後には津波が起こりかねないので、出来るだけ早く避難しましょう。A tsunami might follow an earthquake so try to evacuate as soon as possible.
- ベッドでの喫煙は火災になりかねないのでご遠慮ください。Please refrain from smoking on the bed as it might cause a fire.
- 仕事のやりすぎは、鬱の原因になりかねない。Working too much could be a cause of depression.
- 操作を間違えれば怪我人が出かねない。If you operate it wrong, it could cause injuries.
- どんなに注意をしていても、事故は起こりかねない。No matter how careful you are, accidents might happen.
Caution - While this grammar structure is most often used to highlight negative outcomes, it may also be used to indicate or desire or wish sarcastically.
- ちゃんと毎日勉強すれば、来週のテストは合格できかねない。If I study everyday, I might do well on the test next week.
Fun-fact - As 兼ねる means 'to spread across', in the negative, this expression can be thought of as similar to 'to not be a stretch' in English. It just indicates the action of (A) would not be a stretch of the ability or capacity of whoever or whatever is being discussed.
- 彼女はどんな病気でも治しかねない。It wouldn't be a stretch to say that she can cure any disease.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
賞味期限切れの食品は、下痢の原因になりかねない。
Expired food could be a cause of diarrhea.
この犬に噛まれたら、大怪我をしかねない。
If his dog bites you, it is capable of causing serious injury.
この事をそのままにしていたら、摩擦を生みかねない。
If you leave it at that, it might cause conflict.
あの財閥は、目的を達するためなら他人などかまわず何でもやりかねない。
That firm is quite capable of doing anything to reach their goals without any regard to other people.
この書類を開示されてはスキャンダルが 起きかねないから、処分する必要があります。
If those documents are disclosed, it might cause a scandal, so it is necessary to get rid of them.
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How to use かねる and かねない
Maggie Sensei
Additional information and examples
JapaneseTest4You
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JGram
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完全マスター N2
Page 100-2
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
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かねない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (6 in total)
jakedesu2010
About 1 year ago
It appears that this grammar structure can come after a noun, however none of the example sentences show this structure, nor could I find any examples online. Does anyone have any good examples?
sergiop
About 9 months ago
Not sure if you were referring to the を兼ねて grammar point referred above or the one with the negative. But if it is the first case, maybe the reason you were not able to find examples online is because the がてら grammar point that has the same meaning is used instead of it. See the highlight part in the Handbook:
sergiop
About 9 months ago
In classical Japanese, what I found was a correspondence to あわせて or と同時に、
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