っこないThere is no way
っこない is a strongly colloquial way to say with confidence that someone cannot or will not do something. Depending on the context, it can sound dismissive, challenging, or reassuring.
A confident rejection of possibility
This form does more than state that something is difficult. The speaker treats the action or outcome as effectively impossible and speaks with personal confidence. It can reject ability, willingness, or the likelihood that an action will succeed.
Typical uses
The surrounding situation usually makes the speaker's strong certainty easy to hear.
そんな問題、私にはできっこないよ。
There is no way I can do a problem like that.
Analyze今から出ても、終電には間に合いっこない。
Even if we leave now, there is no way to make the last train.
Analyzeあの説明だけでは、初心者にはわかりっこない。
Beginners could never understand it from that explanation alone.
Analyze彼がそんな秘密を話しっこないよ。
There is no way he would reveal a secret like that.
AnalyzeThe person being judged matters
When you use this about another person's ability, it may sound as though you are belittling them. The same certainty can be supportive when it dismisses an unwanted outcome instead: you are confidently telling someone that the feared result will not happen.
Reassuring rather than insulting
このリストの単語、今日中に全部覚えないと。
I have to memorize all the words on this list today.
Analyze一度で全部覚えっこないよ。少しずつでいいんだ。
There is no way to memorize them all in one go. A little at a time is fine.
AnalyzeHere the strong statement removes an unrealistic expectation and encourages the other speaker to proceed gradually.
Choosing among impossibility expressions
っこない is the distinctly conversational choice and often sounds forceful. わけがない rejects a possibility more neutrally, while はずがない says that a possibility conflicts with the speaker's evidence or expectations. とても～ない presents something as beyond what can realistically be managed, without the same categorical conversational punch.
More examples
そんな大金、私には払えっこない。
There is no way I could pay that much money.
Analyzeこの渋滞じゃ、会議には間に合いっこないよ。
With traffic like this, there is no way we will make the meeting.
Analyze彼女はそんなことで諦めっこない。
She would never give up over something like that.
Analyzeそんなうわさ、誰も信じっこないよ。
No one is going to believe a rumor like that.
Analyze今から始めても、今日中には終わりっこない。
Even if we start now, there is no way it will be finished today.
Analyze少し失敗したくらいで、みんなの信頼がなくなりっこないよ。
One small failure could never make everyone lose trust in you.
Analyze