日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2· hand-written

~かねる

~ kaneru

Unable to; find it difficult to (polished refusal)

When to use it

Attach to a verb's masu-stem to signal that something cannot be done due to circumstances, policy, or propriety — not physical impossibility. More refined than できない (dekinai) and carries an implicit "I wish I could, but…" nuance. Near-universal in formal written refusals and cautious spoken responses in business. Never use for physical inability (lifting, running); reserve for situational or professional inability.

Formation

  1. 誠に恐れ入りますが、その件についてはご要望にお応えしかねます。 Makoto ni osore irimasu ga, sono ken ni tsuite wa go-yōbō ni o-kotae shikanemasu. I sincerely apologize, but I am afraid I am unable to accommodate your request on that matter.

  2. ご提案の内容は承りましたが、現時点では承認しかねる状況でございます。 Go-teian no naiyō wa uketamawarimashita ga, genjiten de wa shōnin shikaneru jōkyō de gozaimasu. We have received the content of your proposal, but at this point we find ourselves unable to approve it.

  3. 個人情報に関わるため、詳細をお伝えしかねます。 Kojin jōhō ni kakawaru tame, shōsai o o-tsutae shikanemasu. As this involves personal information, I am unable to share the details.

Examples

  • At this stage I am unable to give a firm commitment. I will be in touch after next month's board meeting.

  • Understood. We will await your contact.

  • I sincerely apologize, but I am afraid I am unable to accommodate your request on that matter.

  • We have received the content of your proposal, but at this point we find ourselves unable to approve it.

  • As this involves personal information, I am unable to share the details.