GI19 · Can't be: 〜はずが ない

Before you start

The sentences use words you already know, up to the intermediate level, in kanji with furigana, and assume elementary grammar.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• GI01say something is excessive
• GI02say whether something is easy or hard to do
• GI03say what you do something for
• GI04say what you do to avoid something
• GI05pass on what you've heard
• GI06say what seems to be so
• GI07say something has just happened
• GI08say what point of an action you're at
• GI09say you start or finish something
• GI10list some of the things you do
• GI11give a reason softly
• GI12express surprise or a complaint
• GI13describe a change in ability or habit
• GI14report a decision
• GI15say one thing grows with another
• GI16give permission politely
• GI17regret what you didn't do
• GI18make a friendly suggestion

What you learn

〜はずが ありません

• はずcan't be (〜はずが ない)

はずが ありません says something can't be, from what you know: ぶちょうが わすれる はずが ありません (there's no way the boss will forget). It is the strong negative of はずです (GE18).

• 部長ぶちょうが 忘わすれる はずが ありません。buchou ga wasureru hazu ga arimasen.There's no way the boss will forget.
• レストランが 安やすい はずが ありません。resutoran ga yasui hazu ga arimasen.There's no way the restaurant is cheap.
• 試験しけんが 簡単かんたんな はずが ありません。shiken ga kantan na hazu ga arimasen.There's no way the exam is easy.
• 電車でんしゃが 遅おくれる はずが ありません。densha ga okureru hazu ga arimasen.There's no way the train will be late.
• 荷物にもつが 今日きょう 届とどく はずが ありません。nimotsu ga kyou todoku hazu ga arimasen.There's no way the parcel will arrive today.
• 会議かいぎが 中止ちゅうしの はずが ありません。kaigi ga chuushi no hazu ga arimasen.There's no way the meeting's been called off.

Practice

A short text with words and grammar you already know; kanji carry their reading above. Read it and answer.