Translation guide
Describes something that is difficult to believe, unlikely, or not convincing. Japanese uses various adjectives and phrases depending on whether you're talking about a story, an excuse, a possibility, or a person's claim.
To say that a story, excuse, or claim is hard to believe or not convincing.
Literally 'hard to believe'. A common and natural way to express that something is implausible or unbelievable.
His excuse is implausible.
Literally 'cannot exist/be'. Very common in casual speech to mean 'no way', 'impossible', or 'implausible'.
That story is implausible.
Means 'doubtful' or 'questionable'. Used when something seems suspicious or not entirely credible.
That testimony is implausible.
Means 'unrealistic'. Often used for plans, scenarios, or ideas that are not plausible in the real world.
That plan is implausible.
A literary/formal term meaning 'absurd' or 'preposterous'. Used for stories or ideas that are wildly implausible.
The plot of that novel is implausible.
To say that something is not likely to happen or be true.
Means 'unlikely to happen/be'. A natural way to express low probability.
It's implausible that he will come.
Literally 'hard to think/imagine'. Used when something is difficult to conceive as possible.
It's implausible that he would fail.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'low possibility'. More factual and less emotive.
信じがたい is more formal and focuses on the difficulty of believing something. ありえない is casual and expresses strong disbelief, often used in everyday conversation.
His story is implausible, but it might be true.
His story is implausible! It's definitely a lie.
The possibility of success is implausible.