〜はずがない 30초 만에
- Expresses absolute logical impossibility.
- Stronger than just saying 'no' or 'it isn't'.
- Requires 'na' for Na-adjectives and 'no' for nouns.
- Often used in mysteries or when shocked.
The phrase 〜はずがない (hazu ga nai) is a powerful grammatical structure used to express a speaker's absolute conviction that something is logically or factually impossible. It goes beyond a simple 'no' or 'it isn't'; it carries the weight of 'There is absolutely no way,' 'It is inconceivable,' or 'It defies logic that...' This expression is rooted in the noun hazu (はず), which refers to an expectation, a logical necessity, or a reason why something should be so. When you negate this expectation with ga nai (がない), you are essentially saying that the very foundation for that possibility does not exist.
- Logical Basis
- The speaker relies on objective facts, previous knowledge, or common sense to deny a possibility. It is not just a feeling; it is a conclusion drawn from evidence.
- Subjective Certainty
- Despite the logical basis, the 'certainty' is still the speaker's own perspective. It reflects a strong psychological rejection of a statement.
- Intensity
- Compared to 'nai deshou' (probably not), 'hazu ga nai' is much more forceful and definitive.
彼が嘘をつくはずがない。彼は正直な人だから。
— Translation: There's no way he would lie. He is an honest person.
In this example, the speaker uses their knowledge of the person's character as the logical 'hazu' (expectation) to negate the possibility of lying. The use of ga (が) emphasizes the negation, though in casual speech, it is often shortened to hazu nai.
そんなに高い時計を、学生が買えるはずがない。
- Common Contexts
- 1. Denying an accusation. 2. Expressing shock at an unbelievable event. 3. Challenging someone's illogical statement.
鍵はカバンに入れたんだから、なくなるはずがない。
The grammar for 〜はずがない is relatively straightforward but requires attention to the connecting particles depending on the part of speech preceding it. It follows the same rules as the standard hazu da (should be/expected to be).
1. Conjugation Rules
- Verbs: Use the dictionary form (plain form).
Example: 行く (iku) + はずがない → 行くはずがない - I-Adjectives: Use the plain form.
Example: 美味しい (oishii) + はずがない → 美味しいはずがない - Na-Adjectives: Add な (na) before hazu.
Example: 簡単 (kantan) + な + はずがない → 簡単なはずがない - Nouns: Add の (no) before hazu.
Example: 犯人 (hannin) + の + はずがない → 犯人のはずがない
The 'Ga' vs 'Wa' Distinction
While 〜はずがない is the standard strong negation, you will also encounter 〜はずはない. The difference is subtle: ga emphasizes the non-existence of the possibility (stronger), while wa acts more as a contrastive marker (It shouldn't be the case, but...).
2. Past Tense and Negation
You can negate the verb before hazu ga nai to create a double negative: 'There's no way it won't happen' (It must happen). For the past tense, you usually put the verb in the past tense before hazu ga nai.
- Past Tense Example
- 昨日、彼がここにいたはずがない。 (There's no way he was here yesterday.)
- Double Negative Example
- 知らないはずがない。 (There's no way he doesn't know / He must know.)
This expression is a staple in dramatic storytelling, particularly in genres involving mystery, crime, or high-stakes conflict. It is the quintessential 'denial' phrase used by characters who are confronted with an impossible truth.
1. Mystery and Detective Fiction
Think of Detective Conan or Sherlock Holmes adaptations. When a suspect is accused, their family might cry out: 'Ano ko ga sonna koto o suru hazu ga nai!' (There is no way that child would do such a thing!). It emphasizes a deep-seated belief in someone's character that contradicts the current evidence.
2. Business Negotiations
In a corporate setting, if a proposal is completely unrealistic or a deadline is impossible to meet, a manager might say: 'Kono yosan de dekiru hazu ga arimasen.' (There is no way we can do it with this budget). Here, it serves as a firm, logical rejection based on financial constraints.
3. Daily Arguments
In casual life, it's used to refute someone's claim. If a friend says they saw a UFO, you might respond with 'Sonna hazu nai daro!' (No way, that's impossible!).
Common Anime Tropes:
- The villain realizes the hero is still alive: 'Ikite iru hazu ga nai!' (He can't be alive!)
- The scientist looks at broken equipment: 'Kowareru hazu ga nai no ni...' (It wasn't supposed to break, yet...)
The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing 〜はずがない (hazu ga nai) with 〜ないはずだ (nai hazu da). While they look similar, their meanings and nuances are quite different.
- Mistake 1: Confusing Denial with Expectation
- 〜はずがない: 'It is impossible that...' (Strong denial of a possibility).
〜ないはずだ: 'I expect that... will not happen.' (Expectation of a negative outcome).
Example: 'Ame wa furanai hazu da' means 'I don't think it will rain (based on the forecast).' 'Ame ga furu hazu ga nai' means 'There's no way it's going to rain (look at that clear sky!).' - Mistake 2: Forgetting the 'Na' or 'No'
- Learners often say 'Suki hazu ga nai' instead of 'Suki na hazu ga nai' or 'Kodomo hazu ga nai' instead of 'Kodomo no hazu ga nai'. Always remember that hazu is a noun and needs proper linking.
- Mistake 3: Overusing it in Polite Conversation
- Because it sounds very certain and logical, using it to disagree with a superior can come across as rude or 'know-it-all.' It's better to use 'Sou wa omoimasen ga...' (I don't think so, but...) to be more humble.
Japanese has several ways to express impossibility or disbelief. Understanding the nuances between them will help you choose the right one for the situation.
- 〜わけがない (Wake ga nai)
- Very similar to 'hazu ga nai.' However, 'wake' implies a lack of reason or excuse. It is often more conversational and slightly more emotional than the logical 'hazu.'
- あり得ない (Arienai)
- Literally 'cannot exist' or 'impossible.' This is the most common casual way to say 'No way!' or 'Unbelievable!' It's used for things that are physically or socially impossible.
- 〜っこない (Kkonai)
- A very casual, slightly childish or rough way to say 'there's no way.' It's used mostly in spoken Japanese among close friends. Example: Dekikko nai (No way you can do it).
- 〜とは限らない (To wa kagiranai)
- 'Not necessarily.' This is much weaker than 'hazu ga nai.' Use this when you want to say something might not be true, rather than it's definitely false.
Comparison Table:
| Phrase | Nuance | Certainty |
|---|---|---|
| Hazu ga nai | Logical impossibility | 99-100% |
| Wake ga nai | No reason for it | 95-100% |
| Arienai | Unbelievable/Impossible | 100% |
| Nai hazu da | Negative expectation | 80-90% |
How Formal Is It?
난이도
알아야 할 문법
〜はずだ
〜わけがない
〜に違いない
〜っこない
〜まい
수준별 예문
そんなはずがない。
That can't be right.
Sonna (that kind of) + hazu ga nai.
彼が犯人のはずがない。
There's no way he's the criminal.
Noun + no + hazu ga nai.
うそ！そんなはずがないよ。
Lie! No way!
Casual 'yo' added at the end.
あそこに猫がいるはずがない。
There's no way a cat is there.
Verb (iru) + hazu ga nai.
今日が月曜日のはずがない。
It can't be Monday today.
Noun + no + hazu ga nai.
食べられるはずがない。
There's no way I can eat this.
Potential verb + hazu ga nai.
安いはずがない。
There's no way it's cheap.
I-adj + hazu ga nai.
寒いはずがない。
It can't be cold.
I-adj + hazu ga nai.
彼が忘れるはずがない。
There's no way he'll forget.
Verb (wasureru) + hazu ga nai.
この問題が簡単なはずがない。
There's no way this problem is easy.
Na-adj + na + hazu ga nai.
日本人が英語を知らないはずがない。
There's no way Japanese people don't know English.
Negative verb (shiranai) + hazu ga nai.
子供が一人で行けるはずがない。
There's no way a child can go alone.
Potential verb (ikeru) + hazu ga nai.
あの店が閉まっているはずがない。
There's no way that shop is closed.
Verb (shimatte iru) + hazu ga nai.
雨が降るはずがない、空が青いから。
There's no way it'll rain, because the sky is blue.
Giving a reason before the phrase.
彼が怒るはずがない。
There's no way he'll get angry.
Verb (okoru) + hazu ga nai.
これが本物のダイヤモンドのはずがない。
There's no way this is a real diamond.
Noun + no + hazu ga nai.
一生懸命練習したんだから、負けるはずがない。
Since I practiced hard, there's no way I'll lose.
Reason (kara) + hazu ga nai.
そんな重要なことを彼が言わないはずがない。
There's no way he wouldn't say something so important.
Double negative: nai + hazu ga nai.
昨日、彼が東京にいたはずがない。大阪で会ったから。
There's no way he was in Tokyo yesterday. I met him in Osaka.
Past tense verb (ita) + hazu ga nai.
この薬が効かないはずがない。
There's no way this medicine won't work.
Double negative for strong affirmation.
彼がそんな失礼なことを言うはずがない。
There's no way he would say such a rude thing.
Verb (iu) + hazu ga nai.
鍵をかけたんだから、泥棒が入れるはずがない。
Since I locked it, there's no way a thief can get in.
Potential verb (haireru) + hazu ga nai.
プロの選手がこんなミスをするはずがない。
There's no way a professional player would make this mistake.
Noun + no + hazu ga nai.
あの二人が別れるはずがない。とても仲がいいから。
There's no way those two will break up. They are so close.
Verb (wakereru) + hazu ga nai.
厳重に管理されているデータが漏洩するはずがない。
There's no way strictly managed data would leak.
Passive verb (rouei suru) + hazu ga nai.
彼がその計画を知らなかったはずがない。
There's no way he didn't know about that plan.
Past negative (shiranakatta) + hazu ga nai.
最新のシステムに欠陥があるはずがないと信じられていた。
It was believed that there was no way the latest system had flaws.
Embedded clause with 'to shinjirarete ita'.
あれほど慎重な彼が、そんな軽率な行動をとるはずがない。
There's no way someone as cautious as him would act so rashly.
Noun modification with 'are hodo'.
十分な予算があるのに、プロジェクトが失敗するはずがない。
Even though there's enough budget, there's no way the project will fail.
Concessive 'noni' + hazu ga nai.
証拠がこれだけ揃っている以上、彼が犯人でないはずがない。
Since there is this much evidence, there's no way he isn't the culprit.
Double negative for absolute certainty.
一流大学を出た彼が、この程度の漢字を書けないはずがない。
There's no way he, who graduated from a top university, can't write kanji of this level.
Potential negative (kakenai) + hazu ga nai.
親が子供の幸せを願わないはずがない。
There's no way a parent wouldn't wish for their child's happiness.
Universal truth expressed with double negative.
歴史的背景を鑑みれば、そのような政策が支持されるはずがなかった。
Considering the historical background, there was no way such a policy would be supported.
Past tense of the whole phrase (hazu ga nakatta).
論理的に考えて、この仮説が成立するはずがない。
Thinking logically, there is no way this hypothesis holds water.
Adverbial 'ronriteki ni kangaete'.
あれほどの名声を手にした彼が、金銭目的で動くはずがない。
There's no way he, having achieved such fame, would act for monetary gain.
Relative clause describing the subject.
完璧主義の彼女が、提出物に誤字を残すはずがない。
There's no way she, a perfectionist, would leave a typo in the submission.
Noun + no + hazu ga nai.
自然界の法則に反する現象が起こるはずがない。
There's no way a phenomenon that defies the laws of nature could occur.
Complex noun phrase as subject.
彼の実力からして、予選落ちするはずがないと誰もが確信していた。
Everyone was certain that, given his ability, there was no way he'd fail the qualifiers.
Grammar 'kara shite' (judging from).
これほど緻密に練られた計画が、露見するはずがない。
There's no way a plan so meticulously crafted would be discovered.
Passive verb (roken suru).
君のような秀才が、この程度の論理の矛盾に気づかないはずがない。
There's no way a prodigy like you wouldn't notice a logical contradiction of this level.
Double negative for rhetorical effect.
宇宙の真理を追究する者が、目先の利益に惑わされるはずがない。
One who pursues the truths of the universe could not possibly be swayed by immediate gains.
Philosophical subject.
その言動の端々に、彼が関与していないはずがないという確信を抱かせるものがあった。
In every detail of his words and actions, there was something that instilled a conviction that he must have been involved.
Complex sentence structure with 'shite inai hazu ga nai'.
因果応報の理に照らせば、悪行が報いを受けないはずがない。
In light of the principle of cause and effect, there is no way evil deeds will go unpunished.
Formal/Literary 'ni teraseba'.
あれほど強固な意志を持つ彼が、途中で投げ出すはずがない。
There is no way that he, possessing such a firm will, would give up halfway.
Descriptive relative clause.
高度な文明を築いた彼らが、環境破壊の末路を予見できなかったはずがない。
There is no way that they, having built an advanced civilization, could not have foreseen the outcome of environmental destruction.
Past potential negative (yoken dekinakatta).
彼の沈黙が、肯定を意味しないはずがないと周囲は解釈した。
Those around him interpreted his silence as something that couldn't possibly not mean affirmation.
Triple negative nuance.
この精緻な構造が偶然の産物であるはずがない。
There is no way this exquisite structure is a product of mere chance.
Formal noun + de aru + hazu ga nai.
運命の悪戯という言葉で片付けられるはずがない、この悲劇は。
This tragedy is not something that can be dismissed with the words 'a prank of fate.'
Inverted sentence structure for emphasis.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
혼동하기 쉬운
Positive expectation vs negative impossibility.
Very similar, but 'wake' is more about 'reason' and 'hazu' is more about 'logic/expectation'.
More general 'impossible', less focus on logical deduction.
문장 패턴
어휘 가족
관련
사용법
Implies a logical contradiction.
Cannot be used for things that are just 'unlikely'; it must feel 'impossible'.
- Using 'hazu ga nai' when you just mean 'I don't think so'.
- Forgetting 'na' for Na-adjectives (e.g., 'Kirei hazu ga nai' is wrong).
- Confusing it with 'hazu datta' (was supposed to).
- Using it with a superior to disagree with their opinion.
- Misplacing the 'nai' (e.g., 'hazu nai ga' instead of 'hazu ga nai').
팁
Check the Connector
Always double-check if you need 'na' or 'no' before 'hazu'. This is the most common test error.
Tone Matters
If you say it too loudly, you might sound like you are calling the other person a liar.
Catch the 'Ga'
The 'ga' is often whispered. If you hear 'hazu... nai', it's this grammar.
Logical Flow
Before using this in an essay, make sure you have provided at least one reason in the previous sentence.
Detective Speak
If you want to sound like a cool detective, use 'hazu ga nai' when revealing the truth.
JLPT N3
This is a core N3 grammar point. Expect it in the 'Sentence Composition' section.
Noun Origin
Remembering 'hazu' means 'notch of an arrow' helps you visualize things 'fitting' together logically.
Subjective Logic
Even if you are wrong, you use 'hazu ga nai' because *you* think it's logically impossible.
Softening
To be more polite, add 'to omoimasu ga...' after 'hazu ga arimasen'.
Context Clues
Look for words like 'zettai' (absolutely) or 'masaka' (no way) nearby.
암기하기
기억법
Hazu sounds like 'Has to'. Hazu ga nai = 'Has to NOT be'.
어원
Originally referred to the nock (notch) of an arrow where it fits the bowstring. This evolved to mean something that 'fits' or 'should be' logically.
문화적 맥락
Can be perceived as stubborn if used too much in social harmony (wa) contexts.
Used by all genders, but 'hazu nai' (dropping ga) is more common in masculine or casual speech.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"彼が遅刻するなんて、はずがないと思わない？"
"このテスト、満点のはずがないんだけど..."
"宝くじが当たるはずがないよね。"
"あの二人が結婚するはずがないって本当？"
"そんなに安いはずがないから、偽物じゃない？"
일기 주제
今日、「はずがない」と思った出来事を書いてください。
絶対に起こるはずがないと思っていたことが起きた経験はありますか？
自分の性格について、周りから「そんなはずがない」と言われることは？
将来、自分がプログラマーになるはずがないと思っていた理由は？
嘘だと思ったニュースについて、なぜ「はずがない」と感じたか説明してください。
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, e.g., 'Watashi ga dekiru hazu ga nai' (There's no way I can do it). It shows strong self-doubt or logical assessment of your own limits.
'Ga' is more direct and emphasizes the 'nothingness' of the possibility. 'Wa' is slightly softer and often used for contrast.
Yes, but use the polite form 'hazu ga arimasen' or 'hazu wa gozaimasen' to avoid sounding too aggressive.
Yes, 'Ashita hareru hazu ga nai' (There's no way it will be sunny tomorrow).
Always add 'no' between the noun and 'hazu'. E.g., 'Yume no hazu ga nai' (It can't be a dream).
It is common in casual speech, but 'ga' is grammatically required in formal writing.
Yes, 'Hazu ga nai deshou' (It's impossible, right?) is a common way to seek agreement.
Don't use 'hazu ga nai'. Use 'nai to omoimasu' or 'nai kamoshirenai'.
Yes, use the past tense: 'Katta hazu ga nai' (There's no way I bought it).
Similar, but 'arienai' is an adjective/verb and 'hazu ga nai' is a grammatical structure.
셀프 테스트 180 질문
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 'hazu ga nai' when you have a specific reason or evidence to believe something is 100% impossible. It transforms a simple 'no' into a logical 'there is no way.'
- Expresses absolute logical impossibility.
- Stronger than just saying 'no' or 'it isn't'.
- Requires 'na' for Na-adjectives and 'no' for nouns.
- Often used in mysteries or when shocked.
Check the Connector
Always double-check if you need 'na' or 'no' before 'hazu'. This is the most common test error.
Tone Matters
If you say it too loudly, you might sound like you are calling the other person a liar.
Catch the 'Ga'
The 'ga' is often whispered. If you hear 'hazu... nai', it's this grammar.
Logical Flow
Before using this in an essay, make sure you have provided at least one reason in the previous sentence.
예시
そんなに難しい問題が、私に解けるはずがない。
관련 콘텐츠
communication 관련 단어
について
A2어떤 사물의 내용이나 대상을 나타내는 말. '~에 대하여'라는 뜻.
宛先
B1우편물이나 이메일을 보내는 곳의 주소나 성명.
番地
A2일본의 주소에서 그 토지에 붙여진 번호. '번지(banchi)를 확인해 주세요.'
賛同
B1찬동(賛同)은 아이디어, 계획, 정책 또는 의견에 대한 동의, 지지, 승인을 의미합니다. 종종 아이디어나 제안에 대해 적극적으로 지지하는 뉘앙스를 포함합니다. 회의에서 새로운 제안에 찬동하거나, 정책에 대한 찬동을 얻는 등의 맥락에서 사용됩니다.
~も
A2조사 'mo'는 '~도'라는 뜻으로, 앞의 내용과 같음을 나타냅니다. 'wa', 'ga', 'o' 대신 사용됩니다.
〜そして
A1두 문장이나 생각을 연결하는 단어로, '그리고' 또는 '그러고 나서'라는 뜻입니다.
〜や
A2명사를 나열할 때 사용하며, 그것이 예시임을 나타내는 조사. 다른 것도 있음을 암시한다.
たり
A2동작이나 상태를 예로 들어 나열할 때 사용하는 조사로, '~하기도 하고 ~하기도 하다'라는 뜻입니다.
お知らせ
B1알림이나 공지. 정보를 다른 사람에게 전달하는 것.
答え
A2질문이나 진술에 대한 반응으로 말하거나 쓰거나 행해진 것.
