とても～（ない）

About

The とても～ない pattern is used to express that something is "impossible" or that one "simply cannot do X".

For the とても～ない pattern, とても is most commonly paired with negative potential verbs, but may also be paired with words that include a negative, such as 「無理むり」.

E.g. こんなに大おおきいピザ、一人ひとりではとても食たべきれない。 "I can't possibly finish eating a pizza this big."

E.g. 東京とうきょうから大阪おおさかは、とても歩あるける距離きょりではない。 "The distance from Tokyo to Osaka is entirely unwalkable."

The とてもじゃないけど～ない pattern is more conversational in tone than とても～ない, and puts more emphasis on X not being possible.

E.g. 残業ざんぎょうが毎日まいにち続つづいて、とてもじゃないが自炊じすいをしている時間じかんはない。 "I continue to have overtime every day, so I have absolutely no time to cook."

E.g. その値段ねだんではとてもじゃないけど、買かえません。 "I can't possibly buy it at that price."

Summary

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  The とても～ない pattern is used to express that something is "impossible" or that one "simply cannot do X"

• 

  とても is most commonly paired with negative potential verbs, but may also be paired with words that include a negative, such as 「無理むり」

• 

  The とてもじゃないけど～ない pattern is more conversational in tone than とても～ない, and puts more emphasis on X not being possible