JLPT N2 reference · Evidentiality and judgment
かねない
It warns that an undesirable or dangerous outcome could occur.
Core meaning and form
Attach かねない to the ます-stem. Although grammatically negative-looking, it expresses possibility; contrast かねる, which means being unable or unwilling.
- Form: Attach かねない to the ます-stem.
- Core use: It warns that an undesirable or dangerous outcome could occur.
- Context: Although grammatically negative-looking, it expresses possibility; contrast かねる, which means being unable or unwilling.
Examples in context
このままでは事故が起こりかねない。Kono mama dewa jiko ga okorikanenai.At this rate, an accident could occur.
誤解を招きかねない表現だ。Gokai o manekikanenai hyōgen da.It is wording that could cause misunderstanding.
無理をすると健康を損ないかねません。Muri o suru to kenkō o sokonaikanemasen.Overdoing it could damage your health.
Common errors
- Do not select this pattern from an English translation alone; check its attachment and discourse function.
- Keep the surrounding sentence in a consistent plain, polite, spoken, or written register.
Quick summary
- Attach かねない to the ます-stem.
- It warns that an undesirable or dangerous outcome could occur.
- Although grammatically negative-looking, it expresses possibility; contrast かねる, which means being unable or unwilling.