〜かねる
- Pattern
- 〜かねる
- Level
- N1
- Reading
- 〜かねる
- Meaning
- cannot (polite refusal/inability)
- Attaches to
- ます-stem
- Nuance & register
A polite and formal way to express inability or refusal, often used in business contexts. Softer than 〜ない.
- Example
申し訳ありませんが、その件についてはお答えしかねます。 I am very sorry, but I cannot answer that matter.