Expressing Impossibility in Korean || Using 리가 없다

Q: Can I use -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 in both spoken and written Korean?

Yes! This structure is commonly used in both formal writing and daily conversation to express disbelief or denial.

Q: What’s the difference between -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 and -지 않을 것이다?

While both express negativity, -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 shows strong disbelief (“no way”), whereas -지 않을 것이다 simply predicts something won’t happen.

Q: Can it be used with past tense verbs?

Yes. You can combine it with the past tense by using the past form before the structure. Example: 갔을 리가 없다 (There’s no way [they] went).

Q: Is there a polite or honorific form of this expression?

Yes. You can use it with polite endings like -요 or -습니다 : 그럴 리가 없어요 / 그럴 리가 없습니다.

Q: What’s the positive version of this expression?

The opposite would be -(으)ㄹ 리가 있다 , meaning “there’s a possibility that…” but it is rarely used. Instead, Koreans use more natural alternatives like 가능성이 있다 (“there’s a possibility”) or 그럴 수도 있다 (“that might be possible”).

Q: Can I study Korean with LTL?

Yes! You can study with us in Seoul , in our Hongdae location , or online if you prefer learn from home. Contact us here if you have any questions.

Home A2 Expressing impossibility in Korean

HOW TO USE 리가 없다

Being able to strongly express doubt or logical impossibility is essential in Korean communication—whether you’re denying a rumor, doubting an outcome, or expressing strong disbelief.

The grammar structure -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 allows Korean speakers to clearly say, “There’s no way that…” or “That can’t be true.”

LOGICAL IMPOSSIBILITY

-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 is used when the speaker believes something is logically or realistically impossible.

It’s not about physical impossibility, but rather about conviction or strong doubt based on evidence or common sense.

PATTERN

Verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다

그가 틀릴 리가 없어요.	There’s no way he’s wrong.
실수할 리가 없어요.	He can’t make a mistake.
네가 그걸 착각했을 리가 없어.	There’s no way you misunderstood that.

VERBS

틀리다	to be wrong
맞다	to be correct
실수하다	to make a mistake
착각하다	to misunderstand
인정하다	to admit
부인하다	to deny
증명하다	to prove
변명하다	to make excuses
판단하다	to judge
혼동하다	to confuse

NOUNS

실수	mistake
정답	correct answer
오답	wrong answer
판단	judgment
착오	error
거짓말	lie
진실	truth
오류	error
사실	fact
확신	certainty

ADJECTIVES

틀린	wrong
맞는	correct
정확한	accurate
부정확한	inaccurate
올바른	right / proper
잘못된	mistaken
확실한	certain
애매한	vague
정직한	honest
거짓된	false

ADVERBS

정확하게	accurately
틀리게	incorrectly
맞게	correctly
실수로	by mistake
고의로	on purpose
분명히	clearly
애매하게	vaguely
진실하게	truthfully
거짓으로	falsely
확실히	certainly

View more examples:

정답이 틀릴 리가 없어요.	The correct answer can’t be wrong.
그게 사실이었을 리가 없어요.	That couldn’t have been a fact.
진실을 말할 리가 없어요.	There’s no way he’s telling the truth.
오류일 리가 없어요.	There’s no way it’s an error.
사실일 리가 없어요.	It can’t be a fact.
실수였을 리가 없어요.	It couldn’t have been an accident.
틀릴 리가 없어요.	It can’t be wrong.

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FAQs

Can I use -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 in both spoken and written Korean?

Yes!

This structure is commonly used in both formal writing and daily conversation to express disbelief or denial.

What’s the difference between -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 and -지 않을 것이다?

While both express negativity, -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 shows strong disbelief (“no way”), whereas -지 않을 것이다 simply predicts something won’t happen.

Can it be used with past tense verbs?

Yes.

You can combine it with the past tense by using the past form before the structure.

Example: 갔을 리가 없다 (There’s no way [they] went).

Is there a polite or honorific form of this expression?

Yes.

You can use it with polite endings like -요 or -습니다:

그럴 리가 없어요 / 그럴 리가 없습니다.

What’s the positive version of this expression?

The opposite would be -(으)ㄹ 리가 있다, meaning “there’s a possibility that…” but it is rarely used. Instead, Koreans use more natural alternatives like 가능성이 있다 (“there’s a possibility”) or 그럴 수도 있다 (“that might be possible”).

Can I study Korean with LTL?

Yes!

You can study with us in Seoul, in our Hongdae location, or online if you prefer learn from home.