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〜かねる

can't, be unable to (politely)

Verb ます-stem + かねる / かねます

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かねる is a polite, indirect way to say you can't do something, usually because it would be difficult, inappropriate or against the rules: その質問にはお答えしかねます, "I'm afraid I'm unable to answer that question".

It's a staple of customer service and business: ご要望には応じかねます, "we're unable to meet your request". It softens a refusal: the speaker could, in theory, but can't bring themselves to.

It also expresses hesitation about agreeing or understanding: その意見には賛成しかねます, "I can't quite agree with that".

The set phrase 見るに見かねて means "unable to stand by and watch". Don't confuse かねる with かねない, which means "could well happen".

Examples

  • その質問しつもんにはお答こたえしかねます。

    I'm afraid I'm unable to answer that question.

  • 申もうし訳わけありませんが、ご要望ようぼうには応おうじかねます。

    I'm sorry, but we're unable to meet your request.

  • その意見いけんには賛成さんせいしかねます。

    I'm afraid I can't agree with that opinion.

  • 見みるに見みかねて、手伝てつだった。

    I couldn't bear to just stand by and watch, so I helped.

  • 彼かれの話はなしは理解りかいしかねる。

    I find what he says hard to understand.

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