口がきけない · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 口がきけない | 口がきけなくない |
| Polite | 口がきけないです | 口がきけなくないですalso 口がきけなくありません |
| Past polite | 口がきけなかったです | 口がきけなくなかったですalso 口がきけなくありませんでした |
| Past | 口がきけなかった | 口がきけなくなかった |
| Te-form | 口がきけなくて | 口がきけなくなくて |
| Adverbial | 口がきけなく | |
| Conditional | 口がきけなければ | 口がきけなくなければ |
| Tara conditional | 口がきけなかったら | 口がきけなくなかったら |
unable to speak; mute; speechless
Describes a physical inability to speak (e.g., due to disability, shock, or being tongue-tied). Can also be used figuratively for being at a loss for words.
See also: 口をきく
He has been unable to speak since birth.
I was so shocked that I was speechless.
Standard spelling using kana for きける; the most neutral and widely used form.
Uses the kanji 利, which can also mean 'effective' or 'work'; less common but still seen.
Irregular kanji usage; 聞 is normally 'to hear', not 'to speak'. Avoid in standard writing.
Phrase consisting of 口 (mouth) + が (subject marker) + きけない (negative potential form of きく 'to be effective/function'). Literally 'the mouth cannot function'.