かねる
(Kaneru)
cannot (quite) / hard to / difficult to.
Connection rules
- ＋V ます-stem + かねる (polite: かねます).
- ＋Polite / softened inability — used for refusals and hedging.
- ＋Formal register — common in business and customer service.
Examples
1.
その質問にはお答えしかねます。
Sono shitsumon ni wa okotae shi kane masu.
I cannot quite answer that question.
「cannot (quite) / hard to / difficult to」
2.
ご要望には応じかねます。
Go youbou ni wa ouji kane masu.
I'm afraid we cannot meet your request.
「cannot (quite) / hard to / difficult to」
Practice
I am afraid we cannot accept any returns of items once they have been opened.
開封後の商品の返品は、受け付け___。
Romaji also accepted