っこない

no chance of, is definitely not possible, there is no chance of, there is no way of, impossible

AI-generated

Structure

[verb ます-stem] + っこない

Description

っこない means "there's no way": the speaker is sure something can't or won't happen. It goes on a verb's ます-stem, and very often on the stem of a potential verb – できっこない, かて勝てっこない, わかり分かりっこない.

、。

There's no way I can solve such a difficult problem.

。

There's no chance that person will keep their promise.

。

Even if you run now, there's no way you'll make it in time.

The verb is in the stem, not the dictionary form: ×できるっこない, ×勝つっこない. っこない almost always stays as it is at the end of the sentence; a past form like できっこなかった exists but is rare.

っこない, わけがない and はずがない

and also mean "there's no way", and they work in any register. っこない is casual only, and it sounds more personal – exasperated, dismissive, or reassuring among friends. In polite speech or writing, use one of the other two.

、。

No way can I do that.

。

There's no way that can be done.

Examples

、。

There's no way that could happen.

。

There's no chance of beating him.

、。

There's no way I can finish this much homework by today.

。

There's no way that person could understand how I feel.

。

Even if you lie, there's no chance of getting caught.

。

There's no way you'll be able to speak Japanese in one day.

、。

With rain this heavy, there's no way the game can be played.

、。

There's no way I'd forget such an important day.

。

Even if you apologize now, there's no chance you'll be forgiven.

、。

Something that expensive – there's no way I can buy it.

。

Even if I say something, there's no way they'll listen, right?

、。

There was no way I could carry it alone, so I had my friend help me.

References

っこないBunpro

ちなみに

つつ