How to Say ‘Cannot go’ in Japanese
行けません
いけません
💬 Usage Tip: [行けません] (ikemasen) is the negative form of 'can go,' adding a polite level with the negative suffix.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Using the negative form politely helps soften the denial, a common practice in Japan.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
行けいけ
[ike]
cannot go
Means not being able to go somewhere.
会議に行けません。
I cannot go to the meeting.
ませませ
[mase]
polite negative form
Negative end form for verbs.
家にいません。
Not at home.
んん
[n]
negative suffix
Suffix to create a negative statement.
話せません。
Cannot speak.
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