N218/217

っこない

V-ます stem + っこないV-て form + っこないできる → できっこない (special potential form)

Meanings

  • There is no chance of
  • There is no way of
  • Impossible

About this pattern

Explanation

っこない expresses strong impossibility or that something cannot possibly happen. It conveys a sense of futility or extreme doubt about the outcome. It is more casual and often slightly rough or masculine in nuance. It is commonly used for situations where someone feels tasks are beyond their ability or circumstances make the outcome impossible. It can attach to the stem forms of verbs (the ます-stem or continuative form) and to potential forms with the kana っこない after でき. It is not used for polite or formal statements; more natural in everyday speech or informal writing.

Learn in context

Example sentences

そんな難しい問題、私には解けっこない。

There’s no way I can solve such a difficult problem.

この時計はもう動きっこない。

This clock will not move anymore.

あの計画は失敗するだろう。僕には成功できっこない。

That plan will fail; there is no way I can succeed.

彼は約束を守るなんて、ありえず、できっこない。

He won’t keep his promise; there’s no chance he can.