뜻
Expressing disbelief.
문화적 배경
The phrase is the title of a very famous 1975 comedy film by Leonid Gaidai. It's a cult classic. On TikTok and Instagram, Russians use this phrase as a caption for 'life hacks' that actually work. In 19th-century novels, this phrase was often used by the nobility to show 'noble shock' at scandalous news. There is a common joke that a Russian's first reaction to a miracle is 'Не может быть!', and the second is 'А сколько это стоит?' (And how much does it cost?).
Use for Active Listening
Even if you don't understand every word, saying 'Не может быть!' when someone looks excited will make you look like a great listener.
Watch your tone
If you say it too flatly, it sounds like you are bored or calling the person a liar.
뜻
Expressing disbelief.
Use for Active Listening
Even if you don't understand every word, saying 'Не может быть!' when someone looks excited will make you look like a great listener.
Watch your tone
If you say it too flatly, it sounds like you are bored or calling the person a liar.
The 'Soviet' Vibe
Older Russians might associate this with the 1975 movie, so it's a great conversation starter about cinema.
셀프 테스트
Choose the best response to: 'Я вчера видел живого динозавра!'
Response:
You are expressing disbelief at something impossible.
Complete the phrase in the past tense: 'It couldn't have been!'
Не _______ быть!
The impersonal past tense uses the neuter form 'могло'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You find out your favorite band is playing in your city tomorrow.
This is a positive surprise.
🎉 점수: /3
시각 학습 자료
When to say 'Не может быть!'
Surprises
- • Winning money
- • Unexpected gift
- • Party
Shock
- • UFO sighting
- • Magic trick
- • Plot twist
Skepticism
- • High prices
- • Tall tales
- • Gossip
연습 문제 은행
3 연습 문제Response:
You are expressing disbelief at something impossible.
Не _______ быть!
The impersonal past tense uses the neuter form 'могло'.
Situation: You find out your favorite band is playing in your city tomorrow.
This is a positive surprise.
🎉 점수: /3
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Both are correct, but 'Не может быть!' is much more common as a standalone reaction.
Yes, but be careful. It's better for 'shocking' bad news (like a surprise bill) than 'sad' bad news (like a death).
Use 'Да ладно!' instead.
In writing, yes, to show it's an emotional reaction.
Yes, it's neutral. You can say it to your teacher or your boss if they tell you something surprising.
Не могло быть!
No, use 'У меня нет времени'.
Yes, when reacting to unexpected market changes or news.
'Неужели' is more like 'Really?' (a question), while 'Не может быть!' is 'No way!' (a statement).
Yes, it's perfectly fine for all ages.
관련 표현
Да ладно!
synonymNo way / Come on!
Неужели?
similarReally?
Это невозможно
specialized formThis is impossible
Быть не может!
variationIt cannot be!
Врёшь!
informalYou're lying!
