兼ねる

かねる

to be unable to

N2SuffixFreq. #11548

Meanings

1to be unable to
2to find difficult (unpleasant, awkward, painful) to do
3to serve two or more functions or roles simultaneously
4to contain (or combine) two or more features
5to work in two or more jobs simultaneously (positions, etc.)
6to do alongside
7to hesitate to do something (out of consideration for others)
8to think of the future (as well as the present)

Example Sentences

Neutral

彼(かれ)の頼(たの)みを断(ことわ)りかねます。

Casual

彼(かれ)の頼(たの)みを断(ことわ)りかねる。

I find it hard to refuse his request.

1/3

頼みrequest, favor断るto refuse, to decline兼ねるto be unable to, to find it hard to〜かねるto be unable to ~, to find it difficult to ~

Neutral

この部屋(へや)はリビングと書斎(しょさい)を兼ね(かね)ています。

Casual

この部屋(へや)はリビングと書斎(しょさい)を兼ね(かね)てる。

This room serves as both a living room and a study.

2/3

部屋room書斎study, home office兼ねるto serve dual functions, to combine roles〜を兼ねるto serve as both ~〜ていますcurrently in a state of ~

Neutral

予想外(よそうがい)のことだったため、その場(ば)で明確(めいかく)な返答(へんとう)をしかねる状況(じょうきょう)でした。

Casual

予想外(よそうがい)のことだったから、その場(ば)で明確(めいかく)な返答(へんとう)をしかねる状況(じょうきょう)だった。

Since it was an unexpected matter, I could not easily give a firm answer on the spot.

3/3

予想外unexpected, beyond expectationその場on the spot, at that moment明確clear, definite返答reply, answer兼ねるto be unable to状況situation, circumstances〜ためbecause of ~, due to ~〜しかねるto be unable to do ~〜状況だit is a situation where ~

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Meanings

1to be unable to

2to find difficult (unpleasant, awkward, painful) to do

3to serve two or more functions or roles simultaneously

4to contain (or combine) two or more features

5to work in two or more jobs simultaneously (positions, etc.)

6to do alongside

7to hesitate to do something (out of consideration for others)

8to think of the future (as well as the present)