Japanese grammar
What does ～そうにない mean? Japanese grammar N2
～そうにない means doesn't look like it will…; unlikely to….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vます形 (drop ます) + そうにない／そうもない |
| Romaji | souninai |
| Meaning | doesn't look like it will…; unlikely to… |
Forming it
| Verb | 止む → 止みそうにない |
|---|---|
| Potential form | 終わる → 終わりそうにない |
How to use it
Judges from the situation that something is UNLIKELY to happen. The negative form of 「～そうだ」 (appearance).
- 「Vそうにない」 = it doesn't look like it will…: 「この雨は当分止みそうにない」.
- Only attaches to the masu-stem of a VERB. Adjectives use a different form: 「おいしくなさそうだ」 — the catalog entry that says it also attaches to adjectives is incorrect.
- 「そうもない」 has the same meaning, with slightly more emphasis. Both are stronger than 「ないだろう」 because they are based on direct observation.
Examples
この雨は当分止みそうにない。
This rain does not look like it will stop for a while.
仕事が多すぎて、今日中には終わりそうもない。
There is too much work; it does not look like it will finish today.
この書類は明日までに終わりそうにない。
It doesn’t look like these documents will be done by tomorrow.
Keep in mind
- Only connects to verbs at the masu-stem.
- Adjectives use 「～なさそうだ」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこの料理はおいしそうにない。
This dish doesn't look tasty.
Correctこの料理はおいしくなさそうだ。
Adjectives use the form 「～くなさそうだ」; 「そうにない」 only goes with verbs.
-
Wrong雨が止むそうにない。
It doesn't look like the rain will stop.
Correct雨が止みそうにない。
Attaches to the MASU-STEM 「止み」.
-
Wrong終わるそうにない。
It doesn't look like it will get finished.
Correct終わりそうにない。
Attaches to the MASU-STEM (終わり), not the dictionary form.
-
Wrong雨が降ったそうにない。
It doesn't look like it will rain.
Correct雨は降りそうにない。
This is a PREDICTION based on observation (something that hasn't happened yet), so it is not used with the た form.
Exam tips
- 「そうにない」 = it doesn't look like it will; only with verbs, attached to the masu-stem.