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

Verb［ます］+ かねる

Details

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    Formal

About かねる

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.

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.

Examples

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    「役者(やくしゃ)になりたい」だなんて、賛成(さんせい)しかねる。

    I cannot agree to (someone who says) 'I want to be an actor'. (hesitant)

    専門(せんもん)的(てき)なプログラムには対応(たいおう)し兼(か)ねる。

    I cannot deal with a technical program. (hesitant)

    そんな乱暴(らんぼう)なやり方(かた)は承服(しょうふく)し兼(か)ねる。

    I cannot consent to such reckless behavior. (hesitant)

    そんな無茶(むちゃ)な要望(ようぼう)はお引受(ひきう)けし兼(か)ねます。

    I cannot accept such an absurd demand. (hesitant)

    そういう方針(ほうしん)ということでしたら、応援(おうえん)し兼(か)ねます。

    If it is that kind of policy, I cannot support it. (hesitant)

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かねる – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • s1212z

    s1212z

    Just to be sure, 〜えない can’t be substituted for any of these sentence, right? If you have a personal circumstance that is 100% impossible, I’m guessing 〜えない would be the choice and these examples are based on personal hesitation rather than impossibility.

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    Hey @s1212z !

    You are correct, because these are based on personal hesitation or external circumstances, ～得ない cannot be used!

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