〜かねない kanenai
〜かねない（kanenai）means “might (well) ~, could end up ~ (something bad)”. Attaches to the masu-stem of a verb to say that something bad or undesirable could well happen — there is a real possibility of it. Formation: V-ます + かねない
might (well) ~, could end up ~ (something bad)
N2Formation
V-ます + かねない
Explanation
Attaches to the masu-stem of a verb to say that something bad or undesirable could well happen — there is a real possibility of it. It expresses the speaker's worry or warning. It is used only for negative, unwelcome outcomes; you cannot use it for good results.
Examples
Note
Only for bad/undesirable outcomes. Contrast with 〜かねる ('cannot bring oneself to ~'), which despite the similar look means inability, not possibility. The opposite 'unlikely/impossible to do' is 〜かねる, not the negative of かねない.
FAQ
〜かねない — what does it mean and how is it used?
might (well) ~, could end up ~ (something bad). Attaches to the masu-stem of a verb to say that something bad or undesirable could well happen — there is a real possibility of it. It expresses the speaker's worry or warning. It is used only for negative, unwelcome outcomes; you cannot use it for good results.
〜かねない — how do you form it?
V-ます + かねない
〜かねない — any usage notes?
Only for bad/undesirable outcomes. Contrast with 〜かねる ('cannot bring oneself to ~'), which despite the similar look means inability, not possibility. The opposite 'unlikely/impossible to do' is 〜かねる, not the negative of かねない.