Grammar Info
N2 Lesson 7: 5/21

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
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Details
Register Formal
使用域 硬い
Information
  • [Used to say that someone wants to do something, but because of some (external or psychological) circumstances, cannot]
  • [Unlike 〜得ない, 兼ねる exhibits a reluctance or hesitance that prevents someone from doing something]
  • [かねる is used to indicate that while something can be done, the act of doing that thing would spread the speaker too thin - this is why it is often used to describe taking too many jobs/responsibilities]
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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）はこれ以上（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
    〜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
    Expressing what cannot be done
    Tae Kim
    Books
    Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
    Page 327
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