口のきけない · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 口のきけない | 口のきけなくない |
| Polite | 口のきけないです | 口のきけなくないですalso 口のきけなくありません |
| Past polite | 口のきけなかったです | 口のきけなくなかったですalso 口のきけなくありませんでした |
| Past | 口のきけなかった | 口のきけなくなかった |
| Te-form | 口のきけなくて | 口のきけなくなくて |
| Adverbial | 口のきけなく | |
| Conditional | 口のきけなければ | 口のきけなくなければ |
| Tara conditional | 口のきけなかったら | 口のきけなくなかったら |
Describes a person who cannot speak, either due to a physical condition or extreme emotion. Often used in the phrase 口のきけない状態 (a state of being unable to speak).
He is a person who has been unable to speak since birth.
I was so surprised that I became unable to speak.
Standard spelling using きく in kana; the most neutral written form.
Uses 利く, which can imply effective functioning; less common but still seen.
Irregular kanji usage; 聞く normally means 'to hear', so this spelling is non-standard and may confuse learners.
Phrase composed of 口 (mouth) + の (possessive particle) + きけない (negative potential form of きく 'to function/be effective'). Literally 'mouth cannot function'.