Grammar Info
N2 Lesson 3: 2/23

兼(か)ねる
cannot・be unable to, hard to, hesitant to

Should be used only with transitive words with the exception of わかる and できる

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[ます+ かねる
Verb[ます+ かねます
Details
Register Formal
使用域 硬い
Information
兼(か)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(か)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.
  • こう言(い)う場合(ばあい)でも返金(へんきん)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(きゃくさま)のプライバシーに関(かか)わる情報(じょうほう)なのでお答(こた)えしかねます
    That is information regarding our client’s privacy so we cannot answer that.
  • お電話(でんわ)での予約(よやく)受付(うけつけ)は受(う)けかねます
    We cannot accept reservations by phone.
兼(か)ねる is somewhat formal, and may be used in cases where a phrase like できない would be considered too strong, so the speaker wants to lightly imply that (A) cannot be done.
Fun-fact - As 兼(か)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(へいしゃ)は内装(ないそう)専門(せんもん)なので外装(がいそう)に関(かか)わるお仕事(しごと)はお引(ひ)き受(う)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.
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生徒(せいと):時間(じかん)旅行(りょこう)ができると思(おも)います。
先生(せんせい):そのような意見(いけん)には、とうてい同意(どうい)しかねます
Student: I think that time travel is possible.
Teacher: I just cannot agree with such an opinion.
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悪(わる)いけど、試験(しけん)これ以上(いじょう)良(よ)い点数(てんすう)をつけかねる
I am sorry, but I cannot give you a better score on the exam than that.
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匿名(とくめい)の大臣(だいじん)さん: 将来(しょうらい)の財政(ざいせい)赤字(あかじ)に関(かん)する首相(しゅしょう)の言葉(ことば)は信(しん)じかねる。反対(はんたい)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.
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Online
Books
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 327