JLPT N2 Grammar
· Upper Intermediate
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· Upper Intermediate
Can finish / Cannot finish
Category: Method & Means
The grammar pattern "V-stem + きれる / きれない" is used to indicate the physical or mental capacity to finish an action entirely. '~きれる' means completing something totally, while '~きれない' means the amount is too much to finish. This pattern is often used in situations where the speaker is expressing their ability or inability to complete a task. For example, if someone says "料理が多すぎて、一人では食べきれません" (I cannot finish eating all these dishes by myself), they are expressing their physical capacity to complete the task. On the other hand, if someone says "彼は「絶対に成功する」と言いきれません" (He cannot say that with confidence), they are expressing their mental capacity to complete the task. This pattern is commonly used in the Method & Means category of the JLPT N2 exam.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-stem + する | V-stem + きれる / きれない | 食べる + きれる / きれない |
| V-stem + くる | V-stem + きれる / きれない | 食べる + きれる / きれない |
| V-stem + ける | V-stem + きれる / きれない | 食べる + きれる / きれない |
料理が多すぎて、一人では食べきれません。
Ryouri ga ōsugite, hitori de tabekiremasen.
I cannot finish eating all these dishes by myself.
料理が多すぎて、[一人では食べきれません。]
彼は「絶対に成功する」と言いきれません。
Kare wa "zettai ni seikō suru" to iikiremasen.
He cannot say that with confidence.
彼は「絶対に成功する」と[言いきれません。]
夜空には数えきれないほどの星が輝いている。
Yozora ni wa kaizukekirenai hodo no hoshi ga kagayaitte iru.
There are countless stars shining in the night sky.
夜空には数えきれないほどの[星が輝いている。]
この本は読みきれないほどの量がある。
Kono hon wa yomikirenai hodo no ryō ga aru.
There is an enormous amount of text in this book.
この本は読みきれないほどの量がある。
彼はこの問題を解きれません。
Kare wa kono mondai o tokikiremasen.
He cannot solve this problem.
彼はこの問題を[解きれません。]
This pattern is commonly used in the Method & Means category of the JLPT N2 exam. It is often used to express the speaker's physical or mental capacity to complete a task. The pattern can be used in both formal and informal situations. However, it is more commonly used in formal situations.
For example, "この問題が難い" (This problem is difficult) is correct, but "この問題を解きれません" (I cannot solve this problem) is incorrect.
For example, "この料理を食べられない" (I cannot eat this dish) is incorrect, but "この料理が多すぎて、一人では食べきれません" (I cannot finish eating all these dishes by myself) is correct.
For example, "この問題を解く" (I will solve this problem) is incorrect, but "この問題を解きれません" (I cannot solve this problem) is correct.
When answering questions on the JLPT N2 exam, pay close attention to the context and the verb used in the sentence. If the verb is in the V-stem form, it may indicate that the speaker is expressing their ability or inability to complete a task. Use the correct pattern '~きれる / きれない' to express this meaning.
料理が多すぎて、一人では食べ______。
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