かねない

かねない means (someone) might do something; something might happen. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that a dangerous, undesirable, or concerning outcome could realistically occur.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N2 reading passages. If you want to express that a dangerous, undesirable, or concerning outcome could realistically occur, かねない is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

What does かねない mean?

Use かねない when you want to express that a dangerous, undesirable, or concerning outcome could realistically occur.

Natural translations include:

• (someone) might do something; something might happen

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s or speaker’s purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context.

How to form かねない

Verb (ます-stem) + かねない

Examples of the pattern:

• 起こりかねない
• やりかねない

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.

When is かねない used?

Use かねない in situations like:

• a negative or dangerous outcome is a real possibility
• expressing personal reactions, reasoning, or observations
• connecting ideas in formal and informal contexts

Tone and register:

• neutral; often warns of potential danger
• Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N2 reading

かねない example sentences

• こんなに暑いと、熱中症になりかねない。
• 彼なら秘密をばらしかねない。
• このままでは、プロジェクトは失敗しかねない。
• そんな運転では事故を起こしかねない。
• それを言ったら、彼女を傷つけかねない。

After reading each sentence, ask what job かねない is doing: a dangerous, undesirable, or concerning outcome could realistically occur. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

Nuance of かねない

The key nuance is a dangerous, undesirable, or concerning outcome could realistically occur.

This matters because learners often translate advanced grammar too literally. A pattern may look simple, but it can signal the writer’s attitude, the scope of a rule, or the relationship between two ideas.

For example:

• In context, it carries a specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern would not convey.
• Compared with かもしれない, it carries a different weight and implication.

かねない vs かもしれない

Both かねない and かもしれない can express related ideas, but they are different.

かねない:

• a dangerous, undesirable, or concerning outcome could realistically occur

かもしれない:

• might (neutral possibility)

Quick contrast examples:

• 事故になりかねない。
• 事故になるかもしれない。

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

Common mistakes with かねない

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally without understanding the nuance
• Using it in contexts where the situation doesn’t match the grammar’s core meaning
• Confusing it with similar-looking but different grammar patterns

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with かねない, then rewrite it with かもしれない. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is かねない on the JLPT?

Yes. かねない is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

Practice questions for かねない

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Use かねない in a sentence about a personal experience or observation.
• Write a sentence where the nuance of かねない is necessary.
• Compare かねない with かもしれない in your own example.

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

Learning path for かねない

To learn かねない efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form かねない without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with かもしれない. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences where かねない is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• 得る（える / うる） — because it also deals with logical possibility
• どうやら — because it also involves tentative judgments about what might happen
• 得ない（えない） — because it also involves assessing impossibility vs possibility

Learn かねない with Hane

If you want to review かねない together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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