JLPTMainichi JLPT
English
JLPT N3 · Degree & extent

とても～ない (totemo~nai)

とても～ない — “can't possibly ～”

In short · とても followed by a negative expression (usually the potential negative) means “absolutely cannot ～ / no way.” It strongly says that something is far beyond one's ability or reach. Typical endings are できない, 買えない, 無理だ.
A free study page from Mainichi JLPT — the app has 429+ grammar points, plus vocabulary and mock exams.See the app

Pattern

  • とても ＋ 動詞可能形ない形（〜ない） とても + potential negative (買えない, ついていけない)
  • とても ＋ 無理だ／不可能だ とても + 無理だ / 不可能だ (a noun predicate that means impossible)

Two meanings of とても

With a positive, とても means “very” (とても大きい). With a negative, it means “no matter what, impossible”: とても買えない. The negative form usually appears at the end of the sentence.

Typical endings

The potential negative (買えない, 食べられない, できない), 無理だ, 不可能だ, or ついていけない are common. It is a way to say “this is beyond me” and sounds strongly personal.

Difference from あまり〜ない

あまり〜ない means “not very ～” (a small degree). とても〜ない means a complete impossibility. They are different in strength.

Examples

  • そんな高（たか）い車（くるま）は、とても買（か）えない。

    Sonna takai kuruma wa, totemo kaenai.

    I couldn't possibly buy such an expensive car.

  • この量（りょう）の仕事（しごと）を一日（いちにち）で終（お）えるのは、とても無理（むり）だ。

    Kono ryō no shigoto o ichinichi de oeru no wa, totemo muri da.

    Finishing this much work in a single day is simply impossible.

  • あの人（ひと）の走（はし）る速（はや）さには、とてもついていけない。

    Ano hito no hashiru hayasa ni wa, totemo tsuite ikenai.

    There's no way I can keep up with how fast that person runs.

Common mistakes

  • Do not use it with a plain negative like 食べない. It needs a potential or impossible meaning: とても食べられない.
  • It is about your own ability or limit. Do not use it just for a simple dislike.

More grammar points

Practice this in the app

Mainichi JLPT turns these grammar points into daily quizzes and a readiness gauge — 100% free, no sign-up.

Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle Play

See the app