In 15 Sekunden
- Use it to express that something is unlikely to happen.
- Follow with 'que' and the subjunctive for full sentences.
- A polite, logical way to say 'probably not' in any setting.
Bedeutung
You use this to say that something is very unlikely to happen. It is the perfect way to express doubt or skepticism about a future event or a theory.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Discussing the weather
É improvável que chova hoje.
It's unlikely that it will rain today.
In a business meeting
É improvável que o projeto termine esta semana.
It's unlikely the project will finish this week.
Texting a friend about a party
Acho improvável eu conseguir ir.
I think it's unlikely I'll be able to go.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Brazilians often use 'É improvável' as a 'soft no'. If someone asks for a favor they can't fulfill, they might say it's 'improvável' to avoid the harshness of 'não'. In Portugal, the phrase is used more literally. It is common in formal news broadcasts and academic lectures to maintain an air of objectivity. In formal Angolan Portuguese, 'É improvável' is a mark of high education. Using it in a business meeting in Luanda shows you are a serious professional. Across the Lusophone world, 'É improvável' is the preferred way to manage risk. It allows a professional to express doubt without sounding pessimistic.
Master the Subjunctive
If you want to sound like a B1 speaker, always follow 'É improvável que' with a subjunctive verb. It's the #1 marker of fluency for this phrase.
Don't say 'Está improvável'
Always use 'É'. Probability is a state of being for the situation, not a temporary mood.
In 15 Sekunden
- Use it to express that something is unlikely to happen.
- Follow with 'que' and the subjunctive for full sentences.
- A polite, logical way to say 'probably not' in any setting.
What It Means
É improvável is your go-to phrase for expressing doubt. It translates directly to "It's unlikely." You use it when the odds are against something. It is stronger than saying "maybe not." It suggests that based on logic, it probably won't happen. Think of it as the polite way to be a skeptic.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone reaction. If a friend says they'll wake up at 5 AM, just say É improvável. You can also link it to a full sentence. Just add que after it. Remember to use the subjunctive mood for the following verb. For example: É improvável que ele venha. It sounds sophisticated but stays very natural.
When To Use It
Use it in business meetings to manage expectations. Use it when discussing the weather or sports results. It is great for texting when you don't want to say a flat "no." It works perfectly when discussing travel plans or traffic. If someone asks if the train will be on time, É improvável is a safe bet.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things that are impossible. If something cannot happen, use é impossível. Avoid it in highly emotional or romantic moments. Saying É improvável to a marriage proposal might be too cold. It is a logical phrase, not an emotional one. Don't use it if you are 100% sure of a "no."
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers often prefer being indirect. Instead of a harsh "No," we use phrases like this. It leaves a tiny window of possibility open. It reflects a certain pragmatic realism in the culture. We like to weigh the odds before committing. It's a very "safe" social phrase in Lisbon or Rio.
Common Variations
You might hear Acho improvável which means "I think it's unlikely." This adds a personal touch to the doubt. In casual speech, people might just say Duvido (I doubt it). If you want to be more formal, use É pouco provável. This sounds slightly more elegant in a written report. All of these convey the same skeptical energy.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is highly versatile. While it is grammatically neutral, adding 'Acho' (I think) before it makes it sound more like a personal opinion and less like a factual statement.
Master the Subjunctive
If you want to sound like a B1 speaker, always follow 'É improvável que' with a subjunctive verb. It's the #1 marker of fluency for this phrase.
Don't say 'Está improvável'
Always use 'É'. Probability is a state of being for the situation, not a temporary mood.
The Brazilian 'Acho Difícil'
If you are in a bar in Rio, 'É improvável' might sound a bit stiff. Use 'Acho difícil' to sound more like a local.
Beispiele
6É improvável que chova hoje.
It's unlikely that it will rain today.
A very common way to discuss possibilities.
É improvável que o projeto termine esta semana.
It's unlikely the project will finish this week.
Professional way to manage expectations.
Acho improvável eu conseguir ir.
I think it's unlikely I'll be able to go.
A soft way to decline an invitation.
É improvável que ele pague a conta!
It's unlikely that he'll pay the bill!
Used to joke about a friend's cheap habits.
É improvável que o meu time ganhe.
It's unlikely my team will win.
Expressing realistic doubt about a sports result.
Infelizmente, é improvável que voltemos a nos ver.
Unfortunately, it's unlikely we will see each other again.
Used here to express a sad but realistic outcome.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb in the subjunctive.
É improvável que o governo _______ (mudar) a lei agora.
After 'é improvável que', we must use the present subjunctive 'mude'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to politely say 'I doubt it' in a Brazilian office?
Seu colega pergunta se o chefe vai dar um bônus.
'É improvável' is professional and polite. 'Não' is too blunt, and 'Nem ferrando' is too slangy.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are looking at a very cloudy sky but the weather app says 10% chance of rain.
10% chance is low, making it 'improvável'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Você acha que o Brasil ganha a próxima Copa? B: Com esse time, ________.
The context 'Com esse time' (with this team) usually implies a negative or skeptical view in sports talk.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenÉ improvável que o governo _______ (mudar) a lei agora.
After 'é improvável que', we must use the present subjunctive 'mude'.
Seu colega pergunta se o chefe vai dar um bônus.
'É improvável' is professional and polite. 'Não' is too blunt, and 'Nem ferrando' is too slangy.
Situation: You are looking at a very cloudy sky but the weather app says 10% chance of rain.
10% chance is low, making it 'improvável'.
A: Você acha que o Brasil ganha a próxima Copa? B: Com esse time, ________.
The context 'Com esse time' (with this team) usually implies a negative or skeptical view in sports talk.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, as a short answer. '— Vai chover? — É improvável.' But if you add a verb, you need 'que'.
They are similar, but 'É improvável' is more concise and slightly more elegant.
The opposite is 'É provável' (It is likely).
You can say 'É muito improvável' or 'É altamente improvável'.
No, 'improvável' is an adjective that ends in 'l', so it is the same for both genders. However, the expression 'É improvável' is impersonal and never changes.
Yes, but you need the past subjunctive: 'É improvável que ele tenha feito isso' (It is unlikely that he did that).
Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Yes, this is a very common and slightly softer alternative.
It's more colloquial and fits the informal, friendly tone of Brazilian social interaction.
Not usually. You describe situations or events. You wouldn't say 'Ele é improvável' unless you mean he is an 'unlikely hero' (um herói improvável).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Não é provável
synonymIt is not likely.
Dificilmente
similarHardly / Unlikely.
É impossível
contrastIt is impossible.
É provável
contrastIt is likely.
Inverossímil
specialized formImplausible / Not having the appearance of truth.
