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〜かねない

could well (happen), might (something bad)

Verb ます-stem + かねない

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かねない warns that something bad could easily happen: そんな運転をしていたら、事故を起こしかねない, "driving like that, you could easily cause an accident".

It attaches to the ます-stem and is only used for unwelcome outcomes. It's a warning or a criticism, stronger than かもしれない and more personal than おそれがある.

It can also describe someone's character: あの人なら、そんなことも言いかねない, "that person is quite capable of saying something like that".

Be careful: despite the ない, it doesn't mean "can't". It's the opposite of かねる, which means "can't (bring myself to)". The double negative works out as "can't be ruled out".

Examples

  • そんな運転うんてんをしていたら、事故じこを起おこしかねない。

    Driving like that, you could easily cause an accident.

  • このままでは、会社かいしゃは倒産とうさんしかねない。

    At this rate, the company could go bankrupt.

  • 無理むりをすると、体からだを壊こわしかねない。

    If you overdo it, you could ruin your health.

  • あの人ひとなら、そんなことも言いいかねない。

    That person is quite capable of saying something like that.

  • 小ちいさなミスが大おおきな問題もんだいになりかねない。

    A small mistake could turn into a big problem.

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