切れない
Being unable to finish or complete
Structure
Explanation
When attached to the stem form of a verb, the 切れない ending indicates that an action is 'impossible to complete'. Take a look at the following sentences.
- この本は長すぎて、一週間では読みきれないと思うよ。This book is so long, I don't think I can possibly finish reading it in a week.
- 仕事が多すぎて、今日中にはやり切れない。I have so much work, there's no way I can get it all done today.
While 切る often means to do something until there's nothing left, 切れない typically signifies the opposite. This implies that an action cannot be finished, specifically because the quantity or volume involved is simply too great.
- 人が多すぎて、全員の名前は覚え切れない。There are so many people, I can't possibly remember everyone's name.
- このケーキは大きすぎて一人では食べ切れない。This cake is so big, there's no way I can eat it all by myself.
切れない can also convey that something cannot be done 'fully' or 'adequately'. This is often because of strong emotions or abstract limitations that feel overwhelming to the speaker.
- 感謝の気持ちでいっぱいで、お礼を言いきれない。I'm so full of gratitude, I can't thank you enough.
- あんなにひどいことをされて、もう彼のことは信じきれない。After he did such a terrible thing, I just can't bring myself to trust him completely anymore.
Examples
お年玉をたくさんもらったので、使い切れない。
I got so much New Year's money, I can't possibly use it all.
単語が多すぎて、一日では覚え切れない。
There are too many vocabulary words, so I can't possibly memorize them all in one day.
どっちのドレスも素敵で、決め切れないよ。
Both dresses are lovely, I just can't completely decide which one to get.
彼が犯人だなんて、まだ信じ切れない。
I still can't fully believe that he is the culprit.
思い出の品は、なかなか捨て切れないものだ。
It's hard to bring yourself to completely throw away things with sentimental value.
このジュースは量が多すぎて、一人では飲み切れない。
There's too much juice in this bottle, I can't finish drinking it all by myself.
足が痛くて、マラソンを走り切れなかった。
My leg hurt, so I was unable to finish running the marathon.
一人では守り切れない約束はするべきではない。
You shouldn't make a promise that you can't completely keep on your own.
先輩からの誘だったので、断り切れなかった。
Because the invitation was from my senior, I couldn't bring myself to turn it down.
こぼしたジュースを拭いたけど、シミが拭き切れない。
I wiped up the juice I spilled, but I can't get the stain out completely.
驚きの気持ちを隠し切れない。
I am unable to completely hide my surprise.
彼がしたことは、一生許し切れないだろう。
I probably won't ever be able to completely forgive what he did.