兼ねない
Might, Could be, Capable of, Possible
Structure
Noun + に + かねない
Explanation
The grammar pattern 兼ねない, the negative form of the verb 兼ねる ('to combine' or 'to serve two purposes'), is used to express that there is a real possibility of an undesirable event occurring. It is often used for situations outside of the speaker's control, and can be translated as 'might (A)', 'could (A)', or 'it is possible that (A)'.
This grammar is formed by attaching 兼ねない to the stem of a verb (the ます-form without ます), or to a noun followed by the particle に. It can be written using either kanji or hiragana.
- そんな小さなミスが大事故に繋がりかねない。Such a small mistake could lead to a major accident.
- ちゃんと休まないと、病気になりかねないよ。If you don't get proper rest, you might get sick, you know.
- そういう言い方は誤解を招きかねないので、気をつけた方がいい。That way of speaking could invite misunderstanding, so you should be careful.
- 子供を一人で留守番させるのは、危険なことになりかねない。Leaving a child home alone could lead to a dangerous situation.
You will often find 兼ねない used after conditional forms like と, ば, or たら. This creates the meaning 'if (A) happens, then there is a risk that (B) will also happen'.
- 彼に本当のことを言ったら、怒りだしかねない。If you tell him the truth, he might get angry.
- ただの風邪でも、油断すると悪化しかねない。Even if it's just a cold, it could get worse if you let your guard down.
Caution
Although this grammar point typically points to negative possibilities, it can occasionally be used sarcastically to talk about something you hope for, or a surprising positive outcome.
- あの天才なら、勉強しなくても合格しかねない。That genius might just pass without even studying.
Fun-fact
Since the original meaning of 兼ねる is 'to serve two functions simultaneously', its negative form can be conceptually linked to the English idea of something being 'not out of the question'. It implies the event is well within the scope of what could happen.
- あの監督なら、アカデミー賞を取りかねない。With that director, it wouldn't be a stretch to say he could win an Academy Award.
Examples
そんなに働き続けたら、いつか体をこわし兼ねないよ。
If you keep working that much, you could ruin your health someday.
あんな些細な嘘が、大げんかに発展し兼ねない。
A trivial lie like that could escalate into a huge fight.
根拠のないうわさを広めると、周りからの信用を失い兼ねない。
If you spread baseless rumors, you might lose the trust of those around you.
彼は感情的になりやすいから、カッとなって仕事をやめ兼ねない。
He's prone to getting emotional, so he's capable of quitting his job in a fit of anger.
専門家の警告を無視すれば、大きな問題につながり兼ねない。
If we ignore the expert's warning, it could lead to a major problem.
そのような強引なやり方は、国民の反発をまねき兼ねない。
Such a forceful approach could very well invite public backlash.
このシステムの弱点を放置しておくと、個人情報がろうえいし兼ねない。
If we leave this system's vulnerability unaddressed, personal information could be leaked.
彼は金のためなら、仲間さえもうらぎり兼ねない男だ。
He's the kind of man who is capable of betraying even his own friends for money.
人の悪口ばかり言っていると、周りから孤立し兼ねない。
If you're always bad-mouthing people, you could end up isolated from everyone.
たった一度のミスが、試合の勝敗を決し兼ねない。
Just one mistake could potentially decide the outcome of the entire match.
確認を怠ると、会社に大きな損害をあたえ兼ねない。
If you neglect to double-check, it could cause huge losses for the company.
不用意な一言が、相手を深くきずつけ兼ねない。
A single careless word can potentially hurt someone deeply.