unable to do; too much to finish (切れない) – Japanese Grammar 切れない (kirenai)

Q: What JLPT level is 切れない?

JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Q: How do you use 切れない in a sentence?

Attach 切れない to the appropriate verb or noun form. Unable to do; too much to finish

Q: Is 切れない formal or casual Japanese?

切れない can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

切れない

N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

kirenai

unable to do; too much to finish

つもりで tsumori de 上に ue ni まるで maru de だけ dake 別に～ない betsu ni~nai ために tame ni そうもない sou mo nai ふと futo ばいい ba ii どんなに～ても donna ni~temo すなわち sunawachi ごとに goto ni 結果 kekka 最中に saichuu ni 中 chuu / juu ても始まらない temo hajimaranai さえ～ば sae~ba とても～ない totemo~nai あまり amari といっても to ittemo つもりで tsumori de 上に ue ni まるで maru de だけ dake 別に～ない betsu ni~nai ために tame ni そうもない sou mo nai ふと futo ばいい ba ii どんなに～ても donna ni~temo すなわち sunawachi ごとに goto ni 結果 kekka 最中に saichuu ni 中 chuu / juu ても始まらない temo hajimaranai さえ～ば sae~ba とても～ない totemo~nai あまり amari といっても to ittemo

🃏 Flashcard

切れない

kirenai

Tap to reveal usage

unable to do; too much to finish

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N3

Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Reading kirenai

Post ID 50854

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

unable to do; too much to finish

📖 How to use it

Expresses inability to complete or handle something because it is too much or impossible.

Attaches to Attaches to the ます-stem of a verb (remove ます), then add 切れない. For example, 食べる→食べ切れない, 読む→読み切れない.

This pattern is used to say that you cannot finish or do something completely because there is too much of it, or it's beyond your capacity. It often carries a nuance of being overwhelmed or impossible to complete. Think of it as 'can't possibly finish all of it' or 'unable to do to the end.'

It's formed from the verb 切る (to cut, to finish completely) in its potential negative form, but here it's a suffix meaning 'to do completely.' So 食べ切れない literally means 'can't completely eat (all of it),' which translates to 'can't eat it all.' This pattern is common in everyday speech, especially when talking about tasks, food, or work.

Be careful not to confuse it with 〜きる as a separate verb meaning 'to cut.' In this pattern, it's always attached to a verb stem and indicates completion or totality.

この料理は量が多くて、一人では食べ切れない。

Kono ryouri wa ryou ga ookute, hitori de wa tabekirenai.

This dish has too much quantity, so I can't eat it all by myself.

宿題が多すぎて、今夜はやり切れない。

Shukudai ga oosugite, konya wa yarikirenai.

There's too much homework; I can't finish it all tonight.

この本は長すぎて、一日では読み切れない。

Kono hon wa nagasugite, ichinichi de wa yomikirenai.

This book is too long to read in one day.

Not 〜きる (as in 食べきる) meaning 'to eat all' 〜きる is the affirmative form, meaning you can finish something completely. 〜切れない is the negative potential, meaning you cannot finish it. For example, 食べきった means 'I ate it all,' while 食べ切れない means 'I can't eat it all.'

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

切れない

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat 切れない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using 切れない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns

only; just; since; after

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern 切れない mean? ▼

Unable to do; too much to finish

What JLPT level is 切れない? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use 切れない in a sentence? ▼

Attach 切れない (kirenai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is 切れない formal or casual Japanese? ▼

切れない is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember 切れない long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.