ありえない
Meaning: Unbelievable, outrageous, or absolutely unacceptable — expresses disbelief and indignation at something.
ありえない literally means 'cannot exist/be,' but in slang it expresses outraged disbelief. It is the standard exclamation when something is so bad, rude, or absurd that you can barely believe it happened. It is especially common in complaints about poor service, inconsiderate behaviour, and shocking situations. The word carries genuine emotional weight — when someone says ありえない, they are truly upset or astonished.
Examples
- 3時間も待たされるとかありえないんだけど。 让我等了3个小时,这也太离谱了吧。¿Que me hagan esperar 3 horas? Eso es arienai.3시간이나 기다리게 하다니 말도 안 되는데.
- この値段でこのクオリティ?ありえないわ。 这个价格配这个质量?不可能吧。¿Este precio por esta calidad? Arienai, vamos.이 가격에 이 퀄리티? 말도 안 돼.
- 約束ドタキャンされた、ありえないんだけど。 被放了鸽子,太不像话了吧。Me cancelaron el plan a última hora, arienai total.약속을 갑자기 취소당했어, 진짜 말도 안 돼.
Pronunciation
/a.ɾi.e.na.i/
Usage Guide
Context: friends, social media, casual conversation, complaints
Tone: shocked, indignant, outraged
✓ Do Say
- ありえないんだけど、また電車止まってる。 (I can't believe it — the train is stopped again.)太离谱了吧,电车又停了。(简直不敢相信——电车又停运了。)Arienai, otra vez el tren parado. (I can't believe it — the train is stopped again.)말도 안 돼, 또 전철이 멈춰 있어. (진짜 믿을 수 없어 — 전철이 또 멈춰 있어.)
- このサービスでこの料金はありえないでしょ。 (This price for this level of service is unacceptable.)这种服务收这个价格也太离谱了吧。(这种服务水平收这个价格简直不可接受。)Este precio por este servicio es arienai, ¿no? (This price for this level of service is unacceptable.)이 서비스에 이 요금은 말도 안 되지. (이 수준의 서비스에 이 가격은 용납할 수 없어.)
✗ Don't Say
- ビジネスメールで「ありえません」は直接的すぎる — 「想定外でした」「驚きました」を使う (Saying 'ariemasen' in business email is too direct — use softer expressions)在商务邮件中写'ありえません'太直接了——应该用'出乎意料''十分惊讶'等委婉表达(在商务邮件中说'ariemasen'太直白了——应该使用更委婉的表达方式)Decir «ariemasen» en un correo de trabajo es demasiado directo — es mejor usar expresiones más suaves como «no me lo esperaba» o «me ha sorprendido» (Saying 'ariemasen' in business email is too direct — use softer expressions)비즈니스 이메일에서 'ありえません'은 너무 직접적이다 — '예상 밖이었습니다', '놀랐습니다' 등을 사용한다 (비즈니스 이메일에서 '아리에마센'은 너무 직설적이다 — 더 부드러운 표현을 쓸 것)
Common Mistakes
- Using ありえない only for negative situations — it can express positive disbelief too (ありえないくらい嬉しい)
- Confusing ありえない with ありえん — ありえん is more emphatic and casual
Origin & History
From the standard Japanese verb ある (to exist) in the potential negative form: あり得ない (cannot exist). The slang usage as an exclamation of disbelief became widespread in the 2000s, especially through TV dramas and variety shows.
Cultural Context
Era: 2000s mainstream adoption
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal informal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. One of the most common expressions of disbelief in casual speech.
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