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.