とても～ない
Not ~ at all, Cannot ~ at all
Structure
Explanation
When used with a verb in its negative form (ending in ない), とても adds a strong emphasis of impossibility, similar to saying 'absolutely cannot (do something)' or '(do something) is not possible at all'. As this expression focuses on a lack of ability, it is most commonly seen used with verbs in their potential form.
- この箱は重すぎて、一人ではとても運べない。This box is so heavy, there's no way I can carry it by myself.
- あんなにたくさんの漢字は、一日でとても覚えられない。I absolutely cannot memorize that many kanji in a single day.
Fun Fact
The verb itself does not have to be in the negative form, as long as another part of the sentence communicates that something is impossible. This is most frequently done with the word 無理(むり).
- たった一週間で日本語が話せるようになるなんて、とても無理だ。Becoming able to speak Japanese in just one week is completely impossible.
- 給料日まであと十日もあるから、新しいパソコンを買うのはとても無理だ。Payday is still ten days away, so buying a new computer right now is just not possible.
Examples
とても我慢できない。
I can't endure it at all.
とても納得できません。
I cannot be convinced at all.
とても許せない。
I cannot forgive you at all.
とても返事できません。
I cannot possibly reply at all.
こんなに辛い料理はとても食べられない。
There is no way I can eat food this spicy at all.
私にはとてもそんな高価なものは買えません。
There is no way I can afford something that expensive at all.
彼の言うことは、とても信用できない。
I cannot trust what he says at all.
この問題は難しすぎて、とても解けません。
This problem is too difficult; I can't solve it at all.
一人でこの量の仕事は、とても終わらせられない。
There's no way I can finish this amount of work by myself at all.
彼女ほどの美人には、とても声をかけられないよ。
She is so beautiful, there is no way I could talk to her at all.
一晩でこの本を読み終えるなんて、とてもできません。
Finishing this book in one night is something I can't possibly do at all.
あの店の長い行列には、とても並べない。
There's no way I can wait in that store's long line at all.