切れない
JLPT Level: N3
Meanings
unable to finish
cannot complete
not able to finish completely
can't manage to finish before a deadline
Usage
V-stem + 切る
V-stem + 切れない
Explanation
Cutting to completion. The pattern ~切る attaches to the stem of a verb to indicate doing something completely or to the extent that you can finish it. When you use ~切れない, it means you are unable to finish/complete the action. This is commonly used with actions that take time or have a limit, and it often implies a sense of effort, capacity, or constraint that prevents finishing. The form is most natural with transitive actions (e.g., write, eat, read) and expresses a partial completion or inability to finish within the given circumstances.
Examples:
- そのレポートは長すぎて、最後まで書き切れない。 → I can’t manage to finish writing the report until the end.
- この皿の料理は多くて、全部食べ切れない。 → There is too much food on this plate; I can’t finish it all.
- 今日のトレーニングは強度が高くて、全部やり切れない。 → The training is so strenuous that I can’t complete everything today.
そのレポートは長すぎて、最後まで書き切れない。
そのレポートはながすぎて、さいごまでかききれない。
The report is too long; I can’t finish writing it.
この皿の料理は多くて、全部食べ切れない。
このさらのりょうりはおおくて、ぜんぶたべきれない。
There’s too much food on this plate; I can’t finish it all.
今日の練習はハードで、すべてをやり切れない。
きょうのれんしゅうはハードで、すべてをやりきれない。
Today’s practice is hard, and I can’t finish everything.