Translation guide
Describes something that is difficult to believe, unlikely, or not convincing. Japanese uses various adjectives and phrases depending on whether you're talking about a story, an excuse, a possibility, or a person's claim.
To say that a story, excuse, or claim is hard to believe or not convincing.
Literally 'hard to believe'. A common and natural way to express that something is implausible or unbelievable.
彼の言い訳は信じがたい。
His excuse is implausible.
To say that something is not likely to happen or be true.
Means 'unlikely to happen/be'. A natural way to express low probability.
彼が来るのはありそうにない。
It's implausible that he will come.
Literally 'hard to think/imagine'. Used when something is difficult to conceive as possible.
信じがたい is more formal and focuses on the difficulty of believing something. ありえない is casual and expresses strong disbelief, often used in everyday conversation.
彼の話は信じがたいが、事実かもしれない。
His story is implausible, but it might be true.
彼の話はありえない！絶対嘘だ。
His story is implausible! It's definitely a lie.
Literally 'cannot exist/be'. Very common in casual speech to mean 'no way', 'impossible', or 'implausible'.
そんな話、ありえないよ。
That story is implausible.
Means 'doubtful' or 'questionable'. Used when something seems suspicious or not entirely credible.
その証言は疑わしい。
That testimony is implausible.
Means 'unrealistic'. Often used for plans, scenarios, or ideas that are not plausible in the real world.
その計画は非現実的だ。
That plan is implausible.
A literary/formal term meaning 'absurd' or 'preposterous'. Used for stories or ideas that are wildly implausible.
その小説の筋書きは荒唐無稽だ。
The plot of that novel is implausible.
彼が失敗するとは考えにくい。
It's implausible that he would fail.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'low possibility'. More factual and less emotive.
成功する可能性は低い。
The possibility of success is implausible.