Kotomora
JLPT N2ConstructionFormal
Furigana

そうないThere can be no doubt

そうない presents a conclusion as unquestionably true. It expresses strong confidence in distinctly formal, often written language.

Making a weighty conclusion

Use this expression when evidence, circumstances, or reasoning leads you to a conclusion that you present with complete confidence. The form marks the writer's assurance; it does not by itself establish objective proof.

げんのこされたこんせきからて、なにものかがうらぐちからしんにゅうしたにそうない

Judging from the traces left at the scene, there can be no doubt that someone entered through the back door.

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The traces provide grounds for the conclusion, while the ending presents that conclusion with strong formal certainty.

Put tense and negation before the expression

Past and negative meaning belong inside the clause that comes first. Keep the certainty expression itself unchanged; use the polite ending only when the surrounding style calls for it.

ろくせいすれば、このせいとうしょからじゅうぶんのうしていなかったにそうない

A close examination of the past records leaves no doubt that this system had not functioned adequately from the outset.

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Both past and negative meaning appear before the target expression.

じょうじょうきょうから、こうしょうなんこうするにそうありません

Given these circumstances, there can be no doubt that the negotiations will be difficult.

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The polite form remains highly formal rather than becoming conversational.

Three kinds of confident conclusion

そうない is the distinctly formal, weighty choice. ちがいない expresses similarly strong conviction without the same marked formality. まっている is more conversational and often sounds emotionally insistent. はずだ instead emphasizes what is expected from a plan, fact, or other premise and need not express the same categorical assurance.

More examples

はっけんされたぶんしょは、けいかくしょあんそうない

The discovered document must undoubtedly be an early draft of the plan.

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げんじょうまえれば、ついあんぜんたいさくひつようそうない

Given the present situation, there can be no doubt that additional safety measures are necessary.

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ふくすういきおなちょうこうかくにんされており、えいきょうほうこくされたすうよりおおきいにそうない

The same signs have been observed in several regions, so the impact is undoubtedly greater than the reported figures suggest.

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これだけのしょうげんいっしているじょうかれじつっていたにそうない

Given that so much of the testimony agrees, there can be no doubt that he knew the facts.

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ちょうてきれば、このかいかくしゃかいぜんたいへんもたらすにそうありません

In the long term, there can be no doubt that this reform will bring change to society as a whole.

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