不可能|ふかのうfukanou[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. na-adjective, nounimpossible
   回復かいふくはほとんど不可能ふかのうだった。↗

   Recovery was almost impossible.

• Synonym不能ふのうWrittenWritten register: inability to do something, also impotence, as in 「再起不能」. 「不可能」 stresses that the thing itself simply cannot be done.
• SynonymだめCasualColloquial: no good, won't work, also used to forbid, as in 「駄目だよ」. 「不可能」 is more formal and objective.
• SynonymありえないCasualColloquial: cannot possibly happen, also used for something unbelievable, as in 「ありえない！」. 「不可能」 is more formal.
• SynonymインポシブルNeutralLoanword meaning impossible, seen mostly in titles of works, e.g. 「ミッション・インポシブル」.
• Related無理むりNeutralEveryday word for something being too much or just can't be done, as in 「それは無理だ」. 「不可能」 is more formal and objective.
• Related及び難いおよびがたいWrittenWritten: hard to attain or live up to, as in 「彼には及び難い」. 「不可能」 stresses that something is simply out of the question.
• Related絶望的ぜつぼうてきNeutralMeans hopeless or desperate, with no prospect of success. 「不可能」 states objective impossibility without that emotional colour.
• Related非現実的ひげんじつてきNeutralMeans unrealistic or impractical, as in 「非現実的な計画」. 「不可能」 says something is objectively impossible, not just impractical.
• Antonym可能かのうNeutralAntonym in terms of whether something can be realized: possible or feasible, as in 「可能性」.
• Antonym実現可能じつげんかのうWrittenWritten antonym: achievable or feasible, contrasting with 「不可能」 on whether something can be realized.

Use 「不可能」 for something objectively impossible, as in 「不可能を可能にする」. In casual speech say 「無理」 or 「駄目」; use 「ありえない」 for the unbelievable, 「非現実的」 for unrealistic plans, 「絶望的」 for hopeless situations. 「不能」 and 「及び難い」 are written words, and 「インポシブル」 turns up in titles. Antonyms: 「可能」, 「実現可能」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 実行じっこうや達成たっせいができないこと。可能かのうでないこと。
2. 絶対ぜったいに起おこらないこと。