En 15 segundos
- Used to express total disbelief or shock at news.
- Works perfectly as a one-word reaction in any conversation.
- Translates directly to 'Impossible' but carries more emotional weight.
Significado
This is the go-to word for expressing total disbelief or shock. Use it when something seems so unlikely or outrageous that you simply can't process it as reality.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Reacting to a high price at a market
Cinquenta euros por isso? Impossível!
Fifty euros for this? Impossible!
Hearing gossip from a friend
Eles terminaram? Impossível!
They broke up? Impossible!
In a professional meeting regarding a deadline
Terminar o relatório hoje é impossível.
Finishing the report today is impossible.
Contexto cultural
In Brazil, 'Impossível!' is often said with a very long 'í' sound (Impossí-í-ível) to emphasize the level of shock. It's part of the 'jeitinho' of being expressive. In Portugal, the word might be used with a touch of dry irony. If someone says something obviously false, a Portuguese person might say 'Impossível...' with a flat, sarcastic tone. In Angolan Portuguese, you might hear 'Impossível' followed by 'mambo' (thing/stuff). It's used to describe a situation that is just too much to handle. Similar to other Lusophone African countries, it is used to express social indignation, often in the context of bureaucracy or difficult daily life.
The Brazilian Stretch
To sound like a native Brazilian, stretch the stressed 'í' when you are really shocked: 'Impossí-í-ível!'
Don't be too literal
If you use it to mean 'not possible' in every situation, you'll miss the emotional flavor. Use it as a reaction!
En 15 segundos
- Used to express total disbelief or shock at news.
- Works perfectly as a one-word reaction in any conversation.
- Translates directly to 'Impossible' but carries more emotional weight.
What It Means
Impossível is your ultimate tool for reacting to the unexpected. It literally means 'impossible.' In Portuguese, it functions exactly like its English cousin. However, the way you say it adds the magic. It captures that moment when your brain hits a wall. Use it for bad news or amazing surprises. It is short, sharp, and very effective.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone exclamation. Just say Impossível! with a bit of drama. You can also drop it into a full sentence. For example, É impossível chegar a tempo. It works as an adjective to describe tasks. It also works as a reaction to gossip. If a friend tells you something wild, just gasp and say it. It is one of the easiest words to master.
When To Use It
Use it when the waiter says they are out of picanha. Use it when you see the price of a cheap flight. It is perfect for reacting to sports results. Use it when a colleague finishes a huge project early. It works well in text messages with lots of exclamation marks. It is a very safe, versatile word for any shock.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you are just mildly annoyed. It is a 'big' word for big reactions. Avoid using it if someone is telling you a sad truth. In those cases, it might sound like you don't believe them. Use Sinto muito or Sério? instead. Don't use it to be rude to a boss. It can sound a bit dismissive if your tone is flat.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers love a bit of drama in conversation. We use Impossível! to show we are truly listening. It proves you are engaged in the story. In Brazil, you might hear it stretched out: Impossíiiiiivel! This adds extra emphasis to the disbelief. It is a word that bridges the gap between formal and casual. Everyone from grandmas to tech CEOs uses it daily.
Common Variations
You will often hear Não, impossível! for extra denial. Some people say É impossível! to make it a full statement. In very casual slang, you might hear Mentira! (Lie!). But Impossível remains the classic choice for any situation. It is the gold standard for expressing a 'no way' moment. It never goes out of style.
Notas de uso
The phrase is perfectly neutral and safe for all levels of formality. The only 'gotcha' is the pronunciation of the 'L' at the end, which in Brazil sounds like a 'U' (impossíveu).
The Brazilian Stretch
To sound like a native Brazilian, stretch the stressed 'í' when you are really shocked: 'Impossí-í-ível!'
Don't be too literal
If you use it to mean 'not possible' in every situation, you'll miss the emotional flavor. Use it as a reaction!
Mentira vs Impossível
In Brazil, 'Mentira!' is often more common than 'Impossível!' in very casual settings among friends.
Ejemplos
6Cinquenta euros por isso? Impossível!
Fifty euros for this? Impossible!
Shows shock at an unfair price.
Eles terminaram? Impossível!
They broke up? Impossible!
Expresses disbelief at social news.
Terminar o relatório hoje é impossível.
Finishing the report today is impossible.
Used as a factual adjective in a serious setting.
Que virada! Impossível!! 😱
What a comeback! Impossible!!
Commonly used in sports contexts with emojis.
Você vai comer tudo isso? Impossível!
You're going to eat all that? Impossible!
Lighthearted teasing between friends.
Não consigo acreditar, parece impossível.
I can't believe it, it seems impossible.
Used when processing heavy or difficult news.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best reaction to this news: 'Eu vi um alienígena no quintal!'
Eu vi um alienígena no quintal!
Seeing an alien is a shocking event that warrants a reaction of disbelief.
Complete the sentence with the correct word.
É _________ dirigir de São Paulo ao Rio em 10 minutos.
The distance is too great, making it physically impossible.
Match the situation to the most likely use of 'Impossível!'.
Situation: A friend tells you they are moving to Mars tomorrow.
Moving to Mars tomorrow is an unbelievable claim that triggers shock.
What would the second person say?
A: 'O preço da gasolina subiu 50% hoje!' B: '__________! Como vamos viajar?'
A 50% price hike is an absurd and shocking event.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to say Impossível!
Shock
- • Lottery win
- • Alien sighting
- • Secret revealed
Frustration
- • Bad traffic
- • Broken computer
- • High prices
Logic
- • Math error
- • Flying pigs
- • Time travel
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosEu vi um alienígena no quintal!
Seeing an alien is a shocking event that warrants a reaction of disbelief.
É _________ dirigir de São Paulo ao Rio em 10 minutos.
The distance is too great, making it physically impossible.
Situation: A friend tells you they are moving to Mars tomorrow.
Moving to Mars tomorrow is an unbelievable claim that triggers shock.
A: 'O preço da gasolina subiu 50% hoje!' B: '__________! Como vamos viajar?'
A 50% price hike is an absurd and shocking event.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's usually seen as a sign of engagement. However, don't use it to dismiss someone's feelings.
Yes! 'Ele é impossível' means 'He is difficult' or 'He is a handful'.
Mainly pronunciation (the final 'l') and the level of drama in the delivery.
Grammatically, no (something is either impossible or it isn't), but in slang, people sometimes say it for emphasis.
It is 'impossíveis'.
Yes, but usually as 'É impossível' to describe a deadline or budget constraint.
The opposite is 'Possível'.
Yes! 'Impossível?' with a rising tone means 'Is that even possible?'
No, 'impossível' is the same for masculine and feminine nouns.
Very! Many Brazilian songs use it to talk about impossible loves.
Frases relacionadas
Não acredito
synonymI don't believe it
Incrível
similarIncredible
Mentira
similarLie!
Possível
contrastPossible
Improvável
specialized formUnlikely
