Translation guide
Expresses strong disbelief, impossibility, or refusal to believe something could happen. Often used to reject a suggestion or idea emphatically.
The speaker strongly believes something cannot happen or is impossible.
Attach to a clause to mean 'there's no way that...' or 'it can't be that...'. Used for logical impossibility.
彼がそんなことをするはずがない。
There's no way he would do such a thing.
彼女が嘘をつくはずがない。
There's no way she's lying.
Similar to はずがない, but slightly more subjective or emotional. Emphasizes that there is no reason or logic for something to be true.
彼が失敗するわけがない。
There's no way he'll fail.
そんな簡単にできるわけがない。
There's no way it can be done that easily.
Literally 'cannot exist/be possible'. A very common, casual way to say 'no way!' or 'impossible!'.
彼が遅刻するなんてありえない。
There's no way he'd be late.
そんな話、ありえないよ。
That story is impossible / no way that's true.
An interjection expressing disbelief or shock, like 'No way!' or 'You must be kidding!'. Often used as a standalone response.
まさか！本当に？
No way! Really?
まさか彼が犯人だとは思わなかった。
I never thought there's no way he could be the culprit.
The speaker emphatically rejects a proposal or idea as impossible or unacceptable.
Strongly negative, meaning 'absolutely not', 'no way', or 'unthinkable'. Often used to refuse an offer or deny an accusation.
「手伝いましょうか？」「とんでもない、大丈夫です。」
"Shall I help?" "No way, I'm fine."
私がそんなことを言うなんてとんでもない。
There's no way I would say such a thing.
Literally 'it's not a joke', used to reject something as ridiculous or unacceptable. Can sound strong or angry.
こんな給料で働けって？冗談じゃない。
Work for this salary? No way / You must be joking.
Combines なんて (emphasizing the preceding phrase) with ありえない to strongly reject an idea.
彼が辞めるなんてありえない。
There's no way he's quitting.
The speaker indicates that a possibility is completely ruled out.
Used to say that something is far from possible or not the time for it. Often implies a situation is too extreme for that.
今は旅行どころではない。
There's no way I can travel now (it's out of the question).
笑い事どころではない。
This is no laughing matter / There's no way this is funny.
Literally 'out of the question'. A direct, somewhat formal way to say something is not even worth considering.
その提案は問題外だ。
That proposal is out of the question / There's no way we'll accept that.
Both mean 'there's no way', but はずがない is based on expectation or common sense, while わけがない is based on logical reasoning. In many cases they are interchangeable, but わけがない can sound more emphatic or emotional.
彼が来るはずがない。（電車が止まっているから）
There's no way he'll come (because the trains are stopped).
彼が来るわけがない。（彼はそんな約束をしていないから）
There's no way he'll come (because he never made such a promise).
Avoid directly translating 'there's no way' as 道がない (michi ga nai), which means 'there is no road/path'. That is a physical statement, not an expression of disbelief.
Avoid directly translating 'there's no way' as 道がない (michi ga nai), which means 'there is no road/path'. That is a physical statement, not an expression of disbelief.