かねないkanenai“(someone) might do something; something might happen”

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

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

When is かねない used?

Use かねない in situations like:

• a negative or dangerous outcome is a real possibility

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。 — In heat like this, you could easily get heatstroke.
• 彼なら秘密をばらしかねない。 — Knowing him, he might well spill the secret.
• このままでは、プロジェクトは失敗しかねない。 — At this rate, the project could end up failing.
• そんな運転では事故を起こしかねない。 — Driving like that, you could cause an accident.
• それを言ったら、彼女を傷つけかねない。 — If you say that, you might end up hurting her.

After reading each sentence, ask what job かねない is doing: a dangerous, undesirable, or concerning outcome could realistically occur.

Nuance of かねない

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

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

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。

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

Practice questions for かねない

• 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.

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.
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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