How to Say ‘He can't go’ in Japanese
彼は行けません
かれはいけません
💬 Usage Tip: The polite negative form [行けません] shows respect even in negative statements.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Being indirect with negative responses is often seen as more polite in Japan.
Phrase Breakdown
彼は
行けません
Word-by-Word Breakdown
彼かれ
[kare]
he
Refers to a male person or subject.
彼は行けません。
He cannot go.
はは
[wa]
(subject marker)
Indicates the subject in a sentence.
彼は家にいます。
He is at home.
行けいけ
[ike]
cannot go
Indicates inability to go somewhere.
行けませんでした。
Couldn't go.
ませませ
[mase]
(negative polite)
Part of the verb indicating negative polite form.
飲めません。
Cannot drink.
んん
[n]
(politeness marker)
Final end-of-sentence marker also indicating negative.
ありません。
There isn't any.
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