〜とても〜ない
totemo nai
Cannot possibly do; be quite unable to do something.
Formation 接続
とても + negative predicate, commonly a negative potential verb: とても + V potential-negative. Polite negatives such as できません are also possible.
Explanation 説明
Emphasizes that an action is beyond what is possible in the situation. It often expresses a strong personal judgment of difficulty or inability. This differs from affirmative とても meaning very. Depending on the context, a blunt negative can sound strong; use a polite ending when declining a request.
Examples 例文
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この量の仕事は、今日中にはとても終えられない。
I cannot possibly finish this amount of work today.
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この問題は難しすぎて、私にはとても解けない。
This problem is so difficult that I cannot possibly solve it.
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一人では、この重い机をとても運べません。
I cannot possibly move this heavy desk by myself.
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今から歩いて行ったら、約束の時間にはとても間に合わない。
If we walk there now, we cannot possibly make it in time for the appointment.
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この複雑な仕組みは、五分ではとても説明できない。
This complex mechanism cannot possibly be explained in just five minutes.
How related patterns differ 比較
とても～ない emphasizes inability, unlike affirmative とても meaning very. むしろ favors a more fitting alternative, and こそ emphasizes the exact referent. なんて～だろう expresses an exclamation; 不思議ではない judges an event as understandable.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜とても〜ない | Cannot possibly do; be quite unable to do something. | この量の仕事は、今日中にはとても終えられない。 I cannot possibly finish this amount of work today. |
| ～かえって | Contrary to expectations; instead; rather | 早く寝ようとしたのに、かえって目がさえてしまいました。 I tried to go to bed early, but ended up feeling more awake. |
| ～むしろ | Rather; instead; if anything | 自由な考え方が必要とされる仕事は、大人よりむしろ小さい子供の方が得意かもしれません。 Young children may actually be better than adults at work that requires free thinking. |
| ～こそ | Precisely; it is this that; because of this very reason | 人は失敗してこそ成長するものだ。 It is precisely through failure that people grow. |
| ～というより | Rather than; more accurately described as | 彼は静かというより、少し緊張しているようです。 He seems a little nervous rather than simply quiet. |
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