〜はずがない
It's impossible that something is true; there's no way it can be.
Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn 〜はずがない. It means 'no way!' or 'impossible!'. Imagine you see a cat fly. You say, 'A cat fly? No way! That's 〜はずがない!' It's for when you are very, very sure something is not true. Like if your mom says 'We are going to the moon today!' You know that's not true, so you can say, 'Mom, that's 〜はずがない!' It's a strong word to say 'impossible'. You use it when you know something is not real or cannot happen. It's like saying 'Never!' It shows you are very sure. You can use it for things you see or hear that don't make sense. It's a fun way to say 'impossible!'
Hi there! Let's talk about 〜はずがない. This phrase is used when you are very sure that something is not true or cannot happen. It's like saying 'There's no way!' or 'It can't be!' For example, if your friend says they saw a ghost, but you know ghosts aren't real, you might think, 'A ghost? That's はずがない!'
You use it when something goes against what you know or expect. If your teacher, who is always early, is late for class, you might say, 'Teacher is late? That's はずがない!' It shows you are very confident in your disbelief. It's stronger than just saying 'I don't think so'. It means 'It is impossible!' Keep practicing, and you'll use it often!
Let's explore 〜はずがない. This is a fantastic phrase for expressing strong disbelief or certainty that something is not true. It translates to 'It's impossible,' 'There's no way,' or 'It cannot be.' You use it when a situation contradicts your expectations or established facts.
For instance, imagine you know your brother always finishes his homework right after school. If someone tells you he hasn't started it yet, you'd likely respond, 'He hasn't started? That's はずがない!' This shows you're very confident in your belief based on his usual behavior. It's more emphatic than a simple negation.
Grammatically, it attaches to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Using 〜はずがない effectively adds conviction to your statements and helps you convey a strong sense of certainty about what is or isn't possible.
Understanding 〜はずがない allows you to express a high degree of certainty in negation. This phrase signifies that something is logically impossible or goes against all reasonable expectations. It's stronger than simply saying 'I don't think so'; it implies a firm conviction based on evidence or strong assumptions.
Consider a scenario where a notoriously frugal person suddenly buys an expensive sports car. You might exclaim, 'He bought that car? That's はずがない!' This conveys your disbelief because it's completely out of character. The phrase is often used when reacting to surprising or seemingly contradictory information.
It's important to note the register. While common in conversation, it's a strong statement. Using it appropriately demonstrates a nuanced understanding of expressing conviction and disbelief in Japanese. It's often paired with adverbs like まさか (masaka) for added emphasis, creating expressions like まさか〜はずがない (masaka ~ hazu ga nai), meaning 'It's unthinkable that...'
The phrase 〜はずがない serves as a powerful tool for expressing absolute certainty in negation, bordering on logical impossibility. It’s employed when a proposition is deemed untenable due to a stark contradiction with established facts, inherent characteristics, or predictable outcomes. This goes beyond mere doubt; it signifies a conviction that the stated event or condition cannot possibly exist or occur.
For example, if a renowned pacifist politician were suddenly reported to advocate for aggressive warfare, a commentator might state, 'Given his lifelong principles, his advocating for war? That's はずがない.' This usage highlights the perceived absurdity or impossibility of the claim. It often implies that the information received is erroneous or misinterpreted.
Mastery of 〜はずがない involves recognizing its strong assertive nature and its implication of a well-founded basis for disbelief. It can be used in formal arguments to dismiss improbable hypotheses or in casual conversation to express profound astonishment at something that defies logic or expectation. Its usage signals a speaker's confidence in their assessment of reality.
The construction 〜はずがない represents the apex of expressing logical impossibility or absolute negation of expectation in Japanese. Its strength lies in its firm assertion that a given proposition is fundamentally untenable, often stemming from a deep understanding of context, character, or established principles. This is not mere skepticism; it's a declaration of certainty rooted in deductive reasoning or profound knowledge.
Consider its use in philosophical or scientific discourse: if a theory predicts an outcome that directly violates a fundamental law of physics, one might argue, 'Based on the laws of thermodynamics, such an outcome is はずがない.' This demonstrates its capacity for rigorous argumentation.
Furthermore, 〜はずがない can carry subtle connotations depending on context. It might imply that the speaker believes the source of the contradictory information is mistaken, deliberately deceptive, or that the situation itself is inherently paradoxical. Its effective deployment requires a sophisticated grasp of Japanese nuance, allowing the speaker to convey not just disbelief, but the very reasons for that disbelief, often appealing to shared knowledge or logical frameworks. It is a marker of advanced linguistic competence, enabling the expression of nuanced certainty and the refutation of improbable claims with unwavering conviction.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 〜はずがない expresses strong disbelief or impossibility.
- It means 'It's impossible', 'No way', or 'It cannot be'.
- Used when something contradicts expectations or known facts.
- Attaches to the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives, and nouns.
Hey there! Let's dive into the awesome Japanese phrase 〜はずがない (hazu ga nai). This is your go-to expression when you want to say something is absolutely, positively, 100% impossible. Think of it as a super strong 'no way!' or 'it can't be!'
You use 〜はずがない when something goes against what you expect or what you know to be true. It's not just a simple 'I don't think so'; it's a firm declaration that something is unbelievable. For example, if you know your friend is always on time, and someone says they were late, you might think, 'My friend? Late? Thatはずがない！' It shows a high degree of certainty in your disbelief.
Mastering this phrase will really help you express strong opinions and reactions in Japanese. It adds a layer of confidence and conviction to your speech. So, next time you encounter something that seems totally unbelievable, remember 〜はずがない!
The phrase 〜はずがない is built upon the word はず (hazu), which carries the meaning of 'should be', 'expected to be', or 'ought to be'. It stems from the verb はずむ (hazumu), which originally meant 'to rebound' or 'to bounce'. Over time, this sense of 'bouncing back' or 'being set' evolved into the idea of something being 'set' or 'fixed' as an expectation or a plan.
The addition of がない (ga nai), a negative form, literally means 'there is no...'. So, はずがない literally translates to something like 'there is no expectation that...' or 'it is not the case that it should be...'. This grammatical structure creates a powerful negation of the expected state.
Historically, this construction developed as a way to express a strong logical deduction or a firm belief based on established premises. It’s a sophisticated way to negate an assumption, showing that the premise itself is flawed or the conclusion is impossible. It's a testament to how Japanese grammar can build complex meanings from simpler components, reflecting a nuanced way of expressing certainty and doubt.
You'll find 〜はずがない used when you're absolutely certain something isn't true because it contradicts your knowledge or expectations. It's a very common phrase in everyday conversation, but it carries a strong tone, so use it when you mean it!
It typically follows a plain form of a verb, adjective, or noun. For instance, after a verb: そんなはずがない (sonna hazu ga nai) - 'There's no way that's true.' After an i-adjective: 寒いはずがない (samui hazu ga nai) - 'It can't possibly be cold.' After a na-adjective (with だ/だった): 元気なはずがない (genki na hazu ga nai) - 'There's no way they're healthy.' After a noun (with だ/だった): 彼のはずがない (kare no hazu ga nai) - 'It can't possibly be him.'
Common collocations include まさか〜はずがない (masaka ~ hazu ga nai), which adds even more emphasis on the disbelief ('It's unthinkable that...'). You might also hear そんなこと〜はずがない (sonna koto ~ hazu ga nai), meaning 'There's no way something like that could happen.' Remember, this phrase expresses strong conviction, so it's best used when you have a solid reason for your disbelief.
While 〜はずがない isn't typically part of a fixed idiom in the same way a single word might be, its core meaning of impossibility is echoed in several strong expressions of disbelief or denial.
1. まさか〜ないだろう (Masaka ~ nai darou): This is very similar in meaning and often used interchangeably. It translates to 'It's unlikely that...' or 'There's no way...'. Example: まさか彼が嘘をつくなんて信じられない (Masaka kare ga uso o tsuku nante shinjirarenai) - 'I can't believe he would lie; there's no way.'
2. ありえない (Arienai): This is a more direct and sometimes stronger way to say 'impossible' or 'unbelievable'. It's very common in casual speech. Example: そんなことありえないよ！ (Sonna koto arienai yo!) - 'That's impossible!'
3. どう考えても〜ない (Dou kangaetemo ~ nai): Meaning 'No matter how I think about it, it's not...', this emphasizes the logical impossibility. Example: どう考えても、それは間違いのはずがない (Dou kangaetemo, sore wa machigai no hazu ga nai) - 'No matter how I think about it, that can't possibly be a mistake.'
4. 信じられない (Shinjirarenai): Literally 'unbelievable', this expresses shock or disbelief, often implying impossibility. Example: 彼の実力なら、こんなミスをするなんて信じられない (Kare no jitsuryoku nara, konna misu o suru nante shinjirarenai) - 'Given his skill, it's unbelievable he'd make such a mistake.'
5. 論外 (Rongai): This means 'out of the question' or 'unthinkable'. It's a strong term used when something is completely unacceptable or impossible. Example: そんな選択肢は論外だ (Sonna sentakushi wa rongai da) - 'That option is out of the question.'
〜はずがない (hazu ga nai) is a phrase that attaches to the end of clauses to express strong negation of expectation. It generally follows the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives (with だ), and nouns (with だ).
Examples:
- Verb: 彼はもう着いたはずがない。(Kare wa mou tsuita hazu ga nai.) - 'He can't possibly have arrived already.'
- i-Adjective: このケーキは美味しいはずがない。(Kono keeki wa oishii hazu ga nai.) - 'This cake can't possibly be delicious.'
- na-Adjective: 彼女が怒っているはずがない。(Kanojo ga okotte iru hazu ga nai.) - 'There's no way she's angry.'
- Noun: それは間違いのはずがない。(Sore wa machigai no hazu ga nai.) - 'That can't possibly be a mistake.'
Pronunciation:
The phrase is pronounced roughly as /ha.zɯ̥.ɡa.na.i/. The 'z' sound is like the 'z' in 'zoo'. The 'u' sound in 'hazu' is often devoiced, meaning it's pronounced very lightly or almost omitted, sounding more like /ha.s.ɡa.na.i/. The 'g' sound is like the 'g' in 'go'.
Common Pronunciation Errors:
- Pronouncing 'z' as 's' inappropriately.
- Not devoicing the 'u' in 'hazu' when speaking quickly.
- Incorrect stress, as Japanese pronunciation is relatively flat compared to English.
Rhyming Words: While it's a phrase, words ending in '-nai' often rhyme. Examples include: wakaranai (don't know), dekinai (can't do), nai (don't have/isn't).
Fun Fact
The concept of 'hazu' evolving from a physical 'bounce' to an abstract 'expectation' is a fascinating example of semantic shift in language.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'ha' is like 'ha' in 'hat'. The 'zu' has a soft 'z' sound, and the 'u' is often devoiced (barely pronounced). 'Ga' is like 'ga' in 'garden'. 'Nai' rhymes with 'my'.
Similar to UK pronunciation, with the 'z' sound clear. The 'u' in 'hazu' might be slightly more pronounced than in UK English.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'zu' as 'su'.
- Over-pronouncing the 'u' in 'hazu'.
- Incorrect stress patterns, as Japanese is more syllable-timed.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Requires understanding of plain forms and negation. Context is key.
Need to correctly conjugate verbs/adjectives and apply the plain form rule.
Tone and conviction are important. Pronunciation of 'hazu' can be tricky.
Recognizing the phrase and its strong negative implication is crucial.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Plain Forms
Verb dictionary form (e.g., 食べる taberu) + はずがない
Adjective Conjugation
i-Adjective (e.g., 寒い samui) + はずがない / na-Adjective + だ + はずがない (e.g., 静かだ shizuka da + はずがない)
Noun + Copula (だ)
Noun + だ + はずがない (e.g., 学生だ gakusei da + はずがない)
Examples by Level
猫が飛んだはずがない。
Cat fly impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
それは本当のはずがない。
That true impossible.
Noun + の + はずがない
雨が降るはずがない。晴れている。
Rain fall impossible. Sunny is.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼が遅れるはずがない。
He late impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
このお菓子はまずいはずがない。
This candy bad impossible.
i-Adjective + はずがない
それは間違いのはずがない。
That mistake impossible.
Noun + の + はずがない
彼女が知らないはずがない。
She know impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
そんなこと、ありえないはずがない。
Such thing impossible impossible.
Noun phrase + はずがない
彼はそんなに早く起きるはずがない。
He that fast wake up impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
この道は混んでいるはずがない。いつも空いている。
This road crowded impossible. Always empty.
i-Adjective + はずがない
彼女が試験に落ちるはずがない。よく勉強していた。
She test fail impossible. Well study did.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
そんな安い値段で売れるはずがない。
That cheap price sell impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
このレストランが閉まっているはずがない。まだ時間だ。
This restaurant closed impossible. Still time.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼が本当のことを言わないはずがない。
He true thing say impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
そのニュースは本当のはずがない。
That news true impossible.
Noun + の + はずがない
この問題が難しいはずがない。簡単だ。
This problem difficult impossible. Easy is.
i-Adjective + はずがない
彼がそんなに早く仕事を終えるはずがない。まだ山積みだ。
He that fast work finish impossible. Still piled high.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
この状況で彼が諦めるはずがない。彼は粘り強い。
This situation he give up impossible. He persistent.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼女が約束を忘れるはずがない。いつも几帳面だから。
She promise forget impossible. Always meticulous because.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
この価格で本物が手に入るはずがない。
This price genuine article obtain impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼がそんな無責任な行動をとるはずがない。
He that irresponsible action take impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
この計画が成功しないはずがない。
This plan succeed not impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼がこの件を知らないはずがないだろう。
He this matter know impossible probably.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
この味でまずいわけがない。
This taste bad reason impossible.
i-Adjective + はずがない (using 〜わけがない as a synonym)
彼が長年の研究なしにあのような発見をするはずがない。
He long years research without that kind discovery make impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
その証拠なしに、彼が有罪だと断定できるはずがない。
That evidence without, he guilty conclude possible impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼女が前言を翻すはずがない。彼女は一貫している。
She previous statement retract impossible. She consistent.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
この市場で、競争相手がいないはずがないだろう。
This market, competitor exist impossible probably.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
いくらなんでも、そんな不合理な要求が通るはずがない。
However much, that unreasonable demand pass impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼の専門知識をもってすれば、この間違いに気づかないはずがない。
His expertise with, this mistake notice impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
この状況証拠だけでは、彼が犯人だと断定するはずがない。
This circumstantial evidence only, he culprit conclude impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
どれだけ努力しても、この結果が出ないはずがない。
However much effort, this result come out impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
その報告書に重大な誤謬が含まれているとすれば、それは専門家の間では議論の的となるはずがない。
That report serious error contains if, it experts among debate topic become impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
長年の経験を持つベテランが、そのような初歩的なミスを犯すはずがない。
Long years experience have veteran, such basic mistake commit impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼のこれまでの言動から察するに、裏でそのような陰謀を企てているはずがない。
His until now words actions from infer, behind scenes such conspiracy plot impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
自然法則に反する現象が観測されたという報告は、科学的根拠がない限り、真実であるはずがない。
Natural laws against phenomenon observed report, scientific basis lacks unless, true impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
これほど徹底した市場調査を経ずに、新製品が成功するはずがない。
This much thorough market research without, new product succeed impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼の政治的信条を鑑みれば、そのような政策を支持するはずがない。
His political beliefs consider, such policy support impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
この精巧な仕掛けが、偶然の産物であるはずがない。
This intricate mechanism, accidental product be impossible.
Noun + である + はずがない
彼のキャリアにおける実績を考えれば、この程度の失敗で終わるはずがない。
His career achievements consider, this level failure end impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
その歴史的記録の信憑性を疑う余地があるとしても、それが完全に捏造されたものであるはずがない。
That historical record authenticity doubt room exists even if, it completely fabricated be impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼の長年にわたる倫理観と行動様式を鑑みるに、今回の疑惑が真実であるはずがない。
His long years ethical sense and behavior patterns consider, this time suspicion true be impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
現代物理学の観点からすれば、エネルギー保存則を破るような現象が自然発生するはずがない。
Modern physics perspective from, energy conservation law break like phenomenon naturally occur impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
これほど緻密に計算された計画が、単なる偶然の産物であるはずがない。
This much meticulously calculated plan, mere accidental product be impossible.
Noun + である + はずがない
彼の専門分野における深い造詣を考えれば、この問題に対する理解が浅いなどということはありえないはずがない。
His specialized field deep knowledge consider, this problem towards understanding shallow etc. impossible impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
いかなる状況下においても、基本的人権を侵害するような法律が正当化されるはずがない。
Any situation under, fundamental human rights violate like law justified impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
この芸術作品の独創性と完成度を考慮すれば、それが短期間で制作されたものであるはずがない。
This artwork originality and perfection consider, it short period produced be impossible.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
彼のこれまでの功績と人格を鑑みれば、今回の疑惑が事実であるはずがないと確信している。
His until now achievements and character consider, this time suspicion fact be impossible confident am.
Verb (plain form) + はずがない
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"まさか〜ないだろう"
It's unthinkable that... / There's no way... (Expresses strong disbelief, similar to 〜はずがない)
まさか彼がそんな大金を持っていたなんて、信じられない。
neutral"ありえない話"
An unbelievable story / An impossible situation
そんなありえない話、誰が信じる？
casual"夢にも思わない"
Never even dreamed of / Never thought possible
彼がそんなことをするなんて、夢にも思わなかった。
neutral"考えられない"
Unthinkable / Inconceivable
この状況は考えられないほどひどい。
neutral"論外"
Out of the question / Unacceptable
彼の言い訳はもはや論外だ。
formal"空事（そらごと）"
A lie / Untruth / Something untrue
そんな空事を信じるわけがないだろう。
neutralEasily Confused
Both express strong disbelief and impossibility.
〜はずがない often implies impossibility based on logic or expectation. 〜わけがない can feel like a more direct denial of possibility itself. They are often interchangeable.
彼が嘘をつくはずがない。(He can't possibly be lying.) vs. 彼が嘘をつくわけがない。(There's no way he's lying.)
Both are negative statements and can imply something is unlikely.
〜ないだろう expresses probability or conjecture ('probably not'). 〜はずがない expresses certainty of impossibility ('definitely not').
彼は来ないだろう。(Kare wa konai darou.) - He probably won't come. vs. 彼は来るはずがない。(Kare wa kuru hazu ga nai.) - There's no way he'll come.
Both express strong conviction about a state of affairs.
〜に違いない means 'must be' (certainty of truth). 〜はずがない means 'impossible' (certainty of falsehood). They are direct antonyms in meaning.
彼は正直者だ。嘘をつくはずがない。(Kare wa shoujikisha da. Uso o tsuku hazu ga nai.) - He's an honest person. There's no way he'd lie. vs. 彼は嘘をついたに違いない。(Kare wa uso o tsui ta ni chigainai.) - He must have lied.
Both can be used to express negative opinions.
〜だろうと思う expresses conjecture or opinion ('I think probably not'). 〜はずがない expresses certainty of impossibility.
彼は間に合わないだろうと思う。(Kare wa maniawanai darou to omou.) - I think he probably won't make it. vs. 彼は間に合うはずがない。(Kare wa mania'u hazu ga nai.) - There's no way he'll make it.
Sentence Patterns
Verb (plain) + はずがない
彼はそんなことを言うはずがない。
i-Adjective + はずがない
この問題は簡単すぎるはずがない。
Na-Adjective + だ + はずがない
彼女が疲れているはずがない。
Noun + だ + はずがない
それは間違いのはずがない。
Sentence + はずがない
彼が成功するはずがないと誰もが思っていた。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
〜はずがない implies strong conviction of impossibility, not just doubt.
Both express strong disbelief. Usage can depend on regional or personal preference, but 〜はずがない is generally safe for expressing unmet expectations.
For example, say 食べないはずがない (tabenai hazu ga nai), not 食べませんはずがない (tabemasen hazu ga nai).
〜はずがない is for absolute impossibility, not just low probability.
While grammatically correct, the strong negation can sometimes sound blunt or overly assertive depending on the context.
Tips
Sound Association
Break down 'hazu ga nai'. 'Hazu' sounds like 'has' in English. Imagine you 'has' something you shouldn't, so it's impossible! 'Ga nai' means 'there is no'. So, 'I has it, there is no way!'
When to Use It
Use 〜はずがない when you are 100% sure something is not true because it contradicts what you know or expect. Think of it as a strong, logical conclusion of impossibility.
Conveying Certainty
Japanese culture sometimes values indirectness, but 〜はずがない is a direct way to express strong conviction. Use it confidently when your disbelief is well-founded.
Plain Form Power
Remember, 〜はずがない always attaches to the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, and na-adjectives/nouns (with だ). No polite forms here!
De-voicing 'U'
Pay attention to the 'u' sound in 'hazu'. In natural speech, it's often devoiced (whispered or omitted). Practice saying 'ha-z(u)-ga-nai' to sound more native.
Don't Mix Doubt and Impossibility
Avoid using 〜はずがない for simple uncertainty. If you're just guessing, use 〜だろう or 〜かもしれない. 〜はずがない is for when you *know* it can't be true.
From Bounce to Belief
The word 'hazu' itself evolved from meaning 'to bounce' or 'rebound' to signifying an expectation or something that 'should be'. This linguistic journey is quite fascinating!
Contextual Practice
Instead of just memorizing, create mini-scenarios in your head. 'My friend is always early. He is late today? That's はずがない!' This helps solidify the meaning and usage.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine you 'HAVE ZOO' tickets, but the zoo is closed. You'd say, 'I HAVE ZOO tickets, but it's closed? That's HASU GA NAI!' (impossible!).
Visual Association
Picture someone shaking their head vigorously in disbelief, saying 'No way!'
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find three situations today where you would strongly disbelieve something and practice saying 'それは〜はずがない！' (Sore wa ~ hazu ga nai!).
Word Origin
Japanese
Original meaning: The word 'hazu' (はず) originally related to 'bouncing' or 'rebounding', evolving to mean something set or fixed, like an expectation or plan. 'Ga nai' (がない) means 'there is no'.
Cultural Context
The phrase implies a strong judgment. Use it when you have a solid basis for disbelief to avoid sounding overly opinionated or dismissive.
In English, we might use phrases like 'No way!', 'Impossible!', 'That can't be right!', or 'It's out of the question!' depending on the context and formality.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Reacting to surprising news
- えっ、本当？ そんなはずがない！
- まさか、ありえないはずがない！
- 信じられない。それは本当のはずがない。
Expressing disbelief about someone's actions
- 彼がそんなことをするはずがない。
- 彼女が約束を破るはずがない。
- あの人が遅刻するはずがない。
Challenging an assumption
- その情報が正しいはずがない。
- この状況で成功するはずがない。
- そんな安いはずがない。
Logical deduction of impossibility
- 証拠がないのに、犯人だなんて言えるはずがない。
- 物理的に不可能なはずがない。
- 彼の経験からすれば、失敗するはずがない。
Conversation Starters
"「昨日、宝くじが当たったんだ！」「えっ、本当？ まさか、そんなはずがないよ！」"
"「あのレストラン、もう潰れたらしいよ。」「ええっ、いつも混んでるのに？ それは本当のはずがない！」"
"「彼、試験に落ちたんだって。」「嘘でしょ？ 彼はすごく勉強してたから、落ちるはずがないよ。」"
"「この新しいガジェット、すごく安いんだ。」「え、この性能で？ そんなはずがない。何か裏があるんじゃない？」"
"「明日は絶対雨が降るって天気予報で言ってたよ。」「えー、でも今日はこんなに晴れてる。明日は降るはずがないと思うけどな。」"
Journal Prompts
Think of a time you were absolutely certain something couldn't happen, but it did. Write about it using 〜はずがない to express your initial disbelief.
Describe a situation where you strongly believe someone is innocent. Use 〜はずがない to explain why you think they couldn't have done it.
Write a short story where a character encounters something impossible. Use 〜はずがない multiple times to show their reaction.
Imagine you hear a rumor about yourself that is completely untrue. Write a journal entry expressing your disbelief using 〜はずがない.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsThey are very similar and often interchangeable, both expressing strong disbelief or impossibility. 〜はずがない sometimes leans more towards negating an expectation based on logic or prior knowledge, while 〜わけがない can feel like a more direct denial of possibility. However, in many contexts, the difference is subtle.
No, 〜はずがない expresses strong certainty about impossibility, not mere doubt. For doubt, use phrases like 〜だろう (darou - probably not) or 〜かもしれない (kamoshirenai - maybe not).
They are opposites. 〜はずがない means 'impossible' or 'no way', while 〜に違いない means 'must be' or 'undoubtedly', expressing certainty about something being true.
For i-adjectives, it's simply: adjective + はずがない (e.g., 寒い はずがない - samui hazu ga nai). For na-adjectives, use: na-adjective + だ + はずがない (e.g., 元気だ はずがない - genki da hazu ga nai).
Yes, it's used in both spoken and written Japanese, especially in contexts where a strong assertion or disbelief needs to be conveyed, such as essays, articles, or novels.
Yes, it can be used for future events if you are absolutely certain they will not happen based on current circumstances or logic. For example, 明日雨が降るはずがない (Ashita ame ga furu hazu ga nai) - 'It's impossible for it to rain tomorrow'.
Adding まさか (masaka) before 〜はずがない intensifies the disbelief, emphasizing that the situation is unthinkable or completely unexpected. It translates to 'It's unthinkable that...' or 'There's no way...'
While 〜はずがない is grammatically neutral, its strong tone can sometimes be blunt. In very polite situations, you might soften it by saying something like 〜とは考えにくい (to wa kangaenikui - it is difficult to conceive that...) or 〜とは思いません (to wa omoimasen - I don't think that...).
Test Yourself
空が青い______。
The sky is blue, which is normal. 'Hazu ga nai' means impossible, so it doesn't fit here. The sentence should express certainty about a normal state. A better sentence would be '空は青いはずだ' (The sky should be blue). However, given the options, 'hazu ga nai' is the only phrase that fits grammatically as a potential (though contextually odd) statement of impossibility.
Which sentence means 'There's no way he finished the work already'?
Option 3 uses 'hazu ga nai' with the past tense verb 'shita' (did), correctly expressing impossibility of him finishing already.
The phrase 〜はずがない is used to express a high degree of certainty that something is true.
〜はずがない expresses a high degree of certainty that something is *not* true or *impossible*.
Word
Meaning
These pairs match Japanese sentences using 〜はずがない with their English equivalents, demonstrating its use with nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
The correct order is '彼は知らないはずがない' (Kare wa shiranai hazu ga nai), meaning 'There's no way he doesn't know' or 'He must know'.
このドアは開いている______。
If the door is supposed to be locked, you might say 'このドアが開いているはずがない' (Kono doa ga aite iru hazu ga nai), meaning 'This door shouldn't be open / It's impossible for this door to be open'. It fits grammatically.
Which phrase best expresses strong disbelief like 〜はずがない?
'〜わけがない' is a very common synonym for 〜はずがない, expressing strong disbelief.
You can use 〜はずがない after the polite form of a verb (e.g., 食べません).
〜はずがない is attached to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
The correct order is 'そんなことははずがない' (Sonna koto wa hazu ga nai), meaning 'Such a thing is impossible'.
彼の説明はあまりにも不自然で、本当の______。
The sentence implies disbelief in the explanation's truth. '本当のはずがない' (hontou no hazu ga nai) means 'it can't possibly be true'.
Score: /10
Summary
Use 〜はずがない when you are absolutely certain something is impossible, not just unlikely.
- 〜はずがない expresses strong disbelief or impossibility.
- It means 'It's impossible', 'No way', or 'It cannot be'.
- Used when something contradicts expectations or known facts.
- Attaches to the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives, and nouns.
Sound Association
Break down 'hazu ga nai'. 'Hazu' sounds like 'has' in English. Imagine you 'has' something you shouldn't, so it's impossible! 'Ga nai' means 'there is no'. So, 'I has it, there is no way!'
When to Use It
Use 〜はずがない when you are 100% sure something is not true because it contradicts what you know or expect. Think of it as a strong, logical conclusion of impossibility.
Conveying Certainty
Japanese culture sometimes values indirectness, but 〜はずがない is a direct way to express strong conviction. Use it confidently when your disbelief is well-founded.
Plain Form Power
Remember, 〜はずがない always attaches to the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, and na-adjectives/nouns (with だ). No polite forms here!
Example
そんなに難しい問題が、私に解けるはずがない。
Related Content
More communication words
について
A2about; concerning
宛先
B1The address or name of the recipient to whom mail or an email is sent.
番地
A2House number
賛同
B1Approval, endorsement; support or agreement with an idea.
~も
A2Too, also.
〜そして
A1And then; and (used to connect sentences or clauses).
たり
A2Indicates a non-exhaustive list of actions/states ('and so on').
〜や
A2And; and so forth (used to list examples, implying others exist).
お知らせ
B1Notice; an announcement or communication.
答え
A2A thing said, written, or done as a reaction to a question or statement.
