っこないkkonai“no chance of; … is definitely not possible”

っこない means no chance of; … is definitely not possible. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something is absolutely, definitely impossible — no chance at all.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N2 reading passages. If you want to express that something is absolutely, definitely impossible — no chance at all, っこない is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

What does っこない mean?

Use っこない when you want to express that something is absolutely, definitely impossible — no chance at all.

Natural translations include:

• no chance of; … is definitely not possible

How to form っこない

Verb (ます-stem) + っこない

Examples of the pattern:

• できっこない
• 分かりっこない

When is っこない used?

Use っこない in situations like:

• emphatically denying any possibility

Tone and register:

• colloquial; strong denial with emotional charge
• Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N2 reading

っこない example sentences

• そんなこと、できっこないよ。 — There’s no way I can do something like that.
• 彼に分かりっこない。 — There’s no way he’d understand.
• 一晩で終わりっこない。 — There’s no way it’ll be done in one night.
• 宝くじなんて当たりっこない。 — There’s no way you’ll ever win the lottery.
• あの子が一人で行きっこない。 — There’s no way that kid would go alone.

After reading each sentence, ask what job っこない is doing: something is absolutely, definitely impossible — no chance at all.

Nuance of っこない

The key nuance is something is absolutely, definitely impossible — no chance at all.

For example:

• In context, it carries a specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern would not convey.
• Compared with はずがない, it carries a different weight and implication.

っこない vs はずがない

っこない:

• something is absolutely, definitely impossible — no chance at all

はずがない:

• cannot be (more logical/neutral)

Quick contrast examples:

• できっこない。
• できるはずがない。

Common mistakes with っこない

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally without understanding the nuance
• Using it in contexts where the situation doesn’t match the grammar’s core meaning
• Confusing it with similar-looking but different grammar patterns

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with っこない, then rewrite it with はずがない. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is っこない on the JLPT?

Yes. っこない is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for っこない

• Use っこない in a sentence about a personal experience or observation.
• Write a sentence where the nuance of っこない is necessary.
• Compare っこない with はずがない in your own example.

Learning path for っこない

To learn っこない efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form っこない without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with はずがない.
3. Finally, write sentences where っこない is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ものか / もんか — because it also strongly and emotionally denies possibility
• ちっとも～ない — because it also expresses complete negation
• 全く～ない（まったく～ない） — because it also absolutely denies something

Learn っこない with Hane

If you want to review っこない together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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