Japanese word

不可能

Pronunciation

Romajifukanō

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveimpossible

Example

それは不可能です。so re wa fu ka nō de su

That is impossible.

Illustration for 不可能 (impossible)

More examples

時間が足りないので、今日中に終えるのは不可能です。ji kan ga ta ri na i no de kon nichi chū ni o e ru no wa fu ka nō de su

There is not enough time, so it is impossible to finish it today.

Core concept

不可能 (fukanō) describes something that no available method or condition can make happen.

Common phrases

  • 不可能な計画fu ka nō na kei kaku

    an impossible plan

  • 不可能に近いfu ka nō ni chika i

    close to impossible

Similar words

無理muri: Describes something that cannot be done or accepted in a particular situation.

Definition in Japanese

力や条件が足りず、実現できないこと。chikara ya jō ken ga ta ri zu jitsu gen de ki na i ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 不 (fu, "not") and 可能 (kanō, "possible") forms a word for what cannot be done or realized.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 無理 (muri) commonly expresses impossibility, while 不可能 (fukanō) is more formal and often appears in written explanations.

Opposites

Word lists with this word