InitialJ
N3inabilityformal

～かねる (kaneru) - Cannot / Unable to

[Verb masu-stem] + かねる

Quick answer

[Verb masu-stem] + かねる means "Cannot / Unable to / Difficult to". It is a N3 Japanese grammar point with examples and drills on this page.

Meaning

Cannot / Unable to / Difficult to

Explanation

Expresses inability or difficulty in doing something, often for social or moral reasons.

Examples

その件については、お答えしかねます。
そのけんについては、おこたえしかねます。
I'm unable to answer regarding that matter.
件—Case答—Answer
彼の意見には賛成しかねる。
かれのいけんにはさんせいしかねる。
I cannot agree with his opinion.
彼—He意—Idea賛—Agree成—to become

Practice this grammar

[Verb masu-stem] + かねる

Which sentence correctly uses "～かねる (kaneru) - Cannot / Unable to"?

Vocabulary from these examples

彼HeN3成to becomeN3意IdeaN4件CaseN3答AnswerN4賛AgreeN3彼He答Answer

Last updated Jul 4, 2026