っこない

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

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s or speaker’s purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context.

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

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.

When is っこない used?

Use っこない in situations like:

• emphatically denying any possibility
• expressing personal reactions, reasoning, or observations
• connecting ideas in formal and informal contexts

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。
• 彼に分かりっこない。
• 一晩で終わりっこない。
• 宝くじなんて当たりっこない。
• あの子が一人で行きっこない。

After reading each sentence, ask what job っこない is doing: something is absolutely, definitely impossible — no chance at all. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

Nuance of っこない

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

This matters because learners often translate advanced grammar too literally. A pattern may look simple, but it can signal the writer’s attitude, the scope of a rule, or the relationship between two ideas.

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

Both っこない and はずがない can express related ideas, but they are different.

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。

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

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

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

Practice questions for っこない

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• 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.

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

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. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
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.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons