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Japanese grammar

What does ～てかなわない mean? Japanese grammar N2

～てかなわない means can't stand…; is fed up with….

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N2
Structureい形（く）+ てかなわない
な形 + でかなわない
Vて + かなわない
Romajitekanawanai
Meaningcan't stand…; is fed up with…

Forming it

i-adjective暑い → 暑くてかなわない
na-adjective不便 → 不便でかなわない

How to use it

Complains about a prolonged unpleasant state. Conversational, always negative.

  • 「～てかなわない」 = can't stand it: 「毎日こう暑くてかなわない」.
  • The subject is the SPEAKER'S OWN feeling; it is not used to describe someone else.
  • In the same complaint group: 「てたまらない」 (unbearable, both positive and negative), 「てしょうがない」 (conversational), 「てかなわない」 (always negative, an annoyed tone).

Examples

  • This heat every day is unbearable.

  • The noise from the construction next door is unbearable.

Keep in mind

  • Always negative.
  • Only refers to the speaker's own feeling.

Common mistakes

  • Wrongこの料理(りょうり)はおいしくてかなわない。

    This dish is unbelievably delicious.

    Correctこの料理(りょうり)はおいしくてたまらない。

    「かなわない」 is only used for something unpleasant; for a pleasant feeling use 「たまらない」.

  • Wrong彼(かれ)は暑(あつ)くてかなわないそうだ。

    He said it was unbearably hot.

    Correct彼(かれ)は暑(あつ)くてたまらないと言(い)っていた。

    This pattern describes the speaker's own feeling.

Exam tips

  • 「てかなわない」 = can't stand it (always negative, the speaker's own feeling).

Related patterns

All N2 grammar →