Translation guide
Expresses that something is improbable or not expected to happen. Japanese uses various adjectives, adverbs, and sentence-ending patterns to convey degrees of unlikelihood.
To say that something is not likely to happen or be true.
A common and natural way to say 'unlikely' by negating ありそう (seems likely). Used for events or situations.
彼が来るのはありそうにない。
It's unlikely that he will come.
雨が降るのはありそうにない。
It's unlikely to rain.
Describing a person or thing that is not likely to do something or be something.
Attach to the stem of a verb to mean 'shows no sign of doing' or 'unlikely to do'. Often used with people.
彼はやりそうにない。
He's unlikely to do it.
彼女は泣きそうにない。
She doesn't look like she's going to cry.
Saying someone or something is not a probable choice or winner.
Literally 'not the favorite', used in contexts like elections or competitions.
彼が当選するとは思えない。本命ではない。
I don't think he'll be elected. He's not the likely winner.
ありそうにない is more subjective and conversational, while 可能性が低い is objective and slightly formal. Use ありそうにない in daily speech and 可能性が低い in reports or news.
There is no single Japanese adjective that perfectly matches 'unlikely'. Avoid direct translations like 'アンライクリー'. Instead, use the phrases above depending on context.
Literally 'hard to think', used when something is difficult to imagine or believe, thus unlikely.
彼が嘘をつくとは考えにくい。
It's unlikely that he would lie.
Means 'low possibility', a direct and slightly formal way to state unlikelihood.
成功する可能性は低い。
The possibility of success is low.
Colloquial expression meaning 'almost certainly not' or 'hardly likely'. Used in casual speech.
そんなこと、まずないよ。
That's hardly likely.
Means 'I can't think that...', expressing strong doubt about a person's character or ability.
彼がそんなことをするとは思えない。
I can't imagine him doing such a thing.