〜ことはできません: This phrase means you cannot do something. It shows that an action is not possible. You use it for rules or when you firmly say "no".

〜ことはできません

This phrase means you cannot do something. It shows that an action is not possible. You use it for rules or when you firmly say "no".

N4 KMT4PoliteStandardNominal ConstructionMixedFormal Refusal And InabilityGrammar

Verb [dictionary form] + こと + は + できませんPrimary

This phrase means you cannot do something. It shows that an action is not possible. You use it for rules or when you firmly say "no".

申し訳ありませんが、そのご要望にお応えすることはできません。

I am very sorry, but we cannot accommodate that request.

PoliteNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeBusiness & Finance Work & Career

当時は、法律により三十メートル以上の建物を建てることはできませんでした。

At that time, due to the law, it was not possible to construct buildings over 30 meters tall.

FormalPastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativePolitics & Law History

館内では、許可なく写真を撮ることはできませんので、ご注意ください。

Please be aware that you cannot take photos inside the building without permission.

PoliteNon PastNegativeMid SentenceProhibitionCulture & Traditions Travel & Transportation

医者から、しばらくの間お酒を飲むことはできませんと言われました。

The doctor told me that I cannot drink alcohol for a while.

PoliteNon PastNegativeMid SentenceProhibitionMedicine & Health Food & Dining

このソフトウェアを会社のパソコン以外にインストールすることはできません。

You cannot install this software on any computer other than a company PC.

FormalNon PastNegativeSentence EndingProhibitionTechnology Work & Career

This phrase is like a firm 'No.' It is very clear. It can feel a bit cold. Use it for rules. Use it for policies. For saying 'no' to a person, you might want a softer way.

This phrase says something is not possible. It is very direct. "Itashikanemasu" is a polite way to say no. "No wa muzukashii desu" means it is difficult. It suggests there might be a small chance.

Watch out: You might use 「〜ことができません」. This means 'cannot do'. Adding 「は」 to make 「〜ことはできません」 makes the 'cannot do' stronger. It sounds more final. It is often used for rules or strong refusals.

Contrasts with(5)

〜いたしかねます

This phrase means 'I cannot do it'. You use it to politely refuse a request. It shows you are sorry you cannot help.

〜かねます

A formal and indirect way to express that one is unable or finds it difficult to do something. It is often used in business contexts to politely refuse a request.

〜できかねます

This is a very polite way to say you cannot do something. It shows you are sorry. It means you want to help but cannot.

〜わけにはいきません

This means you cannot do something. It is not because you are unable. It is because it is wrong or not allowed.

〜のは難しいです

This phrase means something is hard to do. You can use it to politely say no to a request.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

〜は (contrastive)

Marks an item for contrast, implying that the statement is true for the marked item but may not be for others, which can be stated or unstated. It is often used to soften a negative statement or to express partial agreement.

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Dictionary

〜ことはできません

This phrase means you cannot do something. It shows that an action is not possible. You use it for rules or when you firmly say "no".

N4 KMT4PoliteStandardNominal ConstructionMixedFormal Refusal And InabilityGrammar

Verb [dictionary form] + こと + は + できませんPrimary

This phrase means you cannot do something. It shows that an action is not possible. You use it for rules or when you firmly say "no".

申し訳ありませんが、そのご要望にお応えすることはできません。

I am very sorry, but we cannot accommodate that request.

PoliteNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeBusiness & Finance Work & Career

当時は、法律により三十メートル以上の建物を建てることはできませんでした。

At that time, due to the law, it was not possible to construct buildings over 30 meters tall.

FormalPastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativePolitics & Law History

館内では、許可なく写真を撮ることはできませんので、ご注意ください。

Please be aware that you cannot take photos inside the building without permission.

PoliteNon PastNegativeMid SentenceProhibitionCulture & Traditions Travel & Transportation

医者から、しばらくの間お酒を飲むことはできませんと言われました。

The doctor told me that I cannot drink alcohol for a while.

PoliteNon PastNegativeMid SentenceProhibitionMedicine & Health Food & Dining

このソフトウェアを会社のパソコン以外にインストールすることはできません。

You cannot install this software on any computer other than a company PC.

FormalNon PastNegativeSentence EndingProhibitionTechnology Work & Career

This phrase is like a firm 'No.' It is very clear. It can feel a bit cold. Use it for rules. Use it for policies. For saying 'no' to a person, you might want a softer way.

This phrase says something is not possible. It is very direct. "Itashikanemasu" is a polite way to say no. "No wa muzukashii desu" means it is difficult. It suggests there might be a small chance.

Contrasts with(5)

〜いたしかねます

This phrase means 'I cannot do it'. You use it to politely refuse a request. It shows you are sorry you cannot help.

〜かねます

A formal and indirect way to express that one is unable or finds it difficult to do something. It is often used in business contexts to politely refuse a request.

〜できかねます

This is a very polite way to say you cannot do something. It shows you are sorry. It means you want to help but cannot.

〜わけにはいきません

This means you cannot do something. It is not because you are unable. It is because it is wrong or not allowed.

〜のは難しいです

This phrase means something is hard to do. You can use it to politely say no to a request.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

〜は (contrastive)

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〜ことはできません

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Common Mistakes1

Compare with5

Contrasts with(5)

Prerequisites2

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〜ことはできません

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Common Mistakes1

Compare with5

Contrasts with(5)

Prerequisites2

Track your mastery