1. Meaning and Usage
The structure 不可能会 (bù kěnéng huì) is used in Chinese to express a very high degree of negative certainty. It translates to "it is impossible that...", "cannot possibly...", or "there is no way that...".
To understand this structure, we can break it down into its components:
- 不可能 (bù kěnéng): Impossible / It is not possible
- 会 (huì): Will / Would (used here to indicate future probability or likelihood, not physical ability)
When combined, 不可能会 emphasizes that a future event, a present situation, or even a past action is highly implausible or completely out of the question. It indicates a subjective judgment of 99% to 100% certainty that something will not happen.
2. Formulas and Examples
Case 1: Expressing that a future event is impossible
This is the most common usage. It indicates that a future action or event absolutely will not occur.
$$\text{Subject} + \text{不可能会} + \text{Verb / Verb Phrase}$$
他不可能会同意这个要求。 Tā bù kěnéng huì tóngyì zhège yāoqiú. He cannot possibly agree to this request.
今天天气这么好，不可能会下雨。 Jīntiān tiānqì zhème hǎo, bù kěnéng huì xiàyǔ. The weather is so good today; it is impossible that it will rain.
Case 2: Expressing absolute disbelief in a current state or past action
When referring to a current state or a past action that the speaker believes is impossible, the particle 的 (de) is often added to the end of the sentence to add a tone of affirmation or assurance.
$$\text{Subject} + \text{不可能会} + \text{Verb / Adjective} + \text{的}$$
他那么聪明，不可能会做这种傻事的。 Tā nàme cōngmíng, bù kěnéng huì zuò zhè zhǒng shǎshì de. He is so smart; there is no way he would do such a foolish thing.
我的钥匙不可能会在公司，我明明带回家了。 Wǒ de yàoshi bù kěnéng huì zài gōngsī, wǒ míngmíng dài huí jiā le. It is impossible that my keys are at the office; I obviously brought them home.
3. Essential HSK Tips & Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Confusing "不可能会" (Impossible) with "可能不会" (Probably won't)
This is the most common word order mistake for English speakers. Changing the position of 不 (bù) completely alters the degree of certainty.
- 可能不会 (kěnéng búhuì): "Probably won't" (Medium certainty, roughly 60-70% sure it won't happen).
- 不可能会 (bù kěnéng huì): "Absolutely impossible to" (Almost 100% sure it won't happen).
Compare these two sentences:
他今天可能不会来。 Tā jīntiān kěnéng búhuì lái. He probably won't come today. (He might still come).
他今天不可能会来。 Tā jīntiān bù kěnéng huì lái. It is impossible that he will come today. (There is zero chance he is coming).
Mistake 2: Using "会" to mean physical ability
In the structure "不可能会", the word 会 (huì) only refers to future likelihood or probability. Do not use this structure if you are trying to say someone is incapable of doing something due to a lack of skill.
For example, if someone does not know how to swim, you should say:
他不会游泳。 Tā búhuì yóuyǒng. He doesn't know how to swim.
If you say "他不可能会游泳" , it means "It is highly improbable/impossible that he knows how to swim" (e.g., because he grew up in a desert and is terrified of water).
HSK Exam Tip: Identifying the Structure in Word Ordering Questions
On HSK writing exams, you may be asked to arrange scrambled words into a sentence.
- Always keep 不可能会 together as a single auxiliary verb unit.
- The order is always: Subject + 不 + 可能 + 会 + Verb . Do not let other adverbs split this block.