What it means
てかなわない expresses that an unpleasant condition is unbearable or that the speaker cannot put up with it. It commonly follows a verb in the て-form, an i-adjective in its くて-form, or a noun or na-adjective followed by で. The construction often conveys strong personal irritation, discomfort, or distress caused by the preceding condition. The polite counterpart is formed with かないません.
Usage note
てかなわない is normally used for undesirable or bothersome situations, not for neutral inability. In formal or polite contexts, use てかないません rather than ending with てかなわない.
How to use it
長雨でかないません。
The prolonged rain is unbearable.
彼の説明は曖昧でかないません。
His vague explanation is unbearable.
湿度が高くてかないません。
The high humidity is unbearable.
雨が降り続いてかないません。
The rain continuing to fall is unbearable.
長雨でかなわない。
The prolonged rain is unbearable.
彼の説明は曖昧でかなわない。
His vague explanation is unbearable.
湿度が高くてかなわない。
The high humidity is unbearable.
雨が降り続いてかなわない。
The rain continuing to fall is unbearable.