suffix, ichidan verb
be unable to; find difficult to do; be not in a position to do
Auxiliary after the masu-stem of another verb: Vます-stem + かねる. Often used politely or formally when refusing, saying something is difficult, or saying one cannot responsibly do it.
See also: 兼ねない
その件についてはお答えしかねます。
I am afraid I cannot answer about that matter.
こちらでは判断しかねるので、本社に確認します。
We cannot make that judgment here, so we will check with the head office.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
serve as both; combine functions; also function as
Used when one thing has two or more functions, features, or purposes. Common patterns include AはBを兼ねる and Bを兼ねたA.
この部屋は書斎と寝室を兼ねている。
This room serves as both a study and a bedroom.
ベッドを兼ねたソファを買った。
I bought a sofa that also functions as a bed.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
hold concurrently; serve in two roles; do alongside
Used for people holding multiple jobs, posts, or roles at the same time. More specific than the general 'combine functions' sense because it concerns duties or positions.
彼女は研究者と医師を兼ねている。
She is both a researcher and a doctor.
彼は編集長を兼ねて、その雑誌の運営にも関わっている。
He also serves as editor-in-chief and is involved in running the magazine.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
hesitate to do; be reluctant to say or do; feel awkward about doing
Usually appears attached to another verb, especially in expressions such as 言いかねる, where the difficulty comes from consideration, awkwardness, or reluctance toward others.
彼は本当の理由を言いかねて、しばらく黙っていた。
He hesitated to say the real reason and stayed silent for a while.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
take the future into account; look ahead to; allow for what may happen
Rare or old-fashioned use meaning to consider future circumstances as well as the present. Modern Japanese more often uses expressions such as 将来を考えて or 見越して.
古い文章では、「万一を兼ねて」のように、先のことを見越す意味で使われることがある。
In older writing, it is sometimes used in phrases like 万一を兼ねて to mean taking future contingencies into account.