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Expressing Disbelief: -(으)ㄹ 리가 있겠는가?

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TL;DR 🦄
  • 🧐 -(으)ㄹ 리가 있겠는가? [-(eu)l ri-ga it-get-neun-ga] means “Could there possibly be any reason/possibility that…?” — but the real answer is usually “No, there couldn’t.”
  • 🗯️ It is a formal, rhetorical-question cousin of -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 [-(eu)l ri-ga eop-tta] = “there is no way…”
  • ✍️ It appears often in essays, speeches, commentary, and strong written arguments. In daily conversation, learners usually hear softer forms like 그럴 리가 없어요 [geu-reol ri-ga eop-seo-yo].
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear the rhythm of 그럴 리가 있겠는가? [geu-reol ri-ga it-get-neun-ga], 모를 리가 있겠는가? [mo-reul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga], and 우연일 리가 있겠는가? [u-yeo-nil ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]. This grammar sounds like it entered the room wearing a debate jacket. 🧥
 

🌈 The Big Picture

리 [ri] is a dependent noun meaning reason, possibility, or likelihood in this grammar family. The familiar negative version -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 says, “There is no possibility that…” 🚫
 
The advanced rhetorical version flips the surface into a question:
 
-(으)ㄹ 리가 있겠는가?
[-(eu)l ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
= Could there be any possibility that…?
= Surely there is no way that…
 
The ending -겠는가 [-get-neun-ga] makes the sentence sound formal, reflective, and rhetorical. The speaker is not usually asking for information; the speaker is guiding the listener toward the obvious conclusion: “No way.” 🎯
 
A softer everyday neighbor is 그럴 리가 없어요 [geu-reol ri-ga eop-seo-yo] = “That can’t be true.” This lesson focuses on the polished, argument-style question 그럴 리가 있겠는가? [geu-reol ri-ga it-get-neun-ga] = “Could that possibly be true?” 🗯️

🎨 The Core 리가 있겠는가 Family

1. Action or state + -(으)ㄹ 리가 있겠는가?

Use this to reject the possibility of an action or state in a formal rhetorical way.
  • 전문가가 기본 원칙을 모를 리가 있겠는가?
      • [jeon-mun-ga-ga gi-bon won-chi-geul mo-reul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
      Could there possibly be any way an expert does not know the basic principle? 🧠
      전문가 = expert; 기본 원칙 = basic principle; 모르다 = to not know.
  • 그 사람이 일부러 거짓말할 리가 있겠는가?
      • [geu sa-ra-mi il-bu-reo geo-jin-mal-hal ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
      Could there possibly be any way that person would lie on purpose? 🤥
      일부러 = on purpose; 거짓말하다 = to lie.
 

2. Past action + -았/었을 리가 있겠는가?

Use this when strongly questioning whether something could have happened.
  • 담당자가 보고서를 확인했을 리가 있겠는가?
      • [dam-dang-ja-ga bo-go-seo-reul hwa-gi-nae-sseul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
      Could there possibly be any way the person in charge checked the report? 📊
      담당자 = person in charge; 보고서 = report; 확인하다 = to check.
  • 회의가 벌써 끝났을 리가 있겠는가?
      • [hoe-ui-ga beol-sseo kkeut-na-sseul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
      Could there possibly be any way the meeting already ended? 🕒
      회의 = meeting; 벌써 = already; 끝나다 = to end.
 

3. Noun + 일 리가 있겠는가?

Use 일 after nouns.
  • 그 소문이 사실일 리가 있겠는가?
      • [geu so-mu-ni sa-si-ril ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
      Could there possibly be any way that rumor is true? 🗞️
      소문 = rumor; 사실 = truth/fact.
  • 이 결과가 우연일 리가 있겠는가?
      • [i gyeol-gwa-ga u-yeo-nil ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
      Could there possibly be any way this result is a coincidence? 🎲
      결과 = result; 우연 = coincidence.
 

4. Fixed rhetorical chunk: 그럴 리가 있겠는가?

그렇다 [geu-reo-ta] means “to be so.” Its future-modifier form is 그럴 [geu-reol]. So 그럴 리가 있겠는가? means “Could that possibly be so?” or “Could that possibly be true?”
  • 그럴 리가 있겠는가? 공지는 아직 나오지 않았다.
      • [geu-reol ri-ga it-get-neun-ga? gong-ji-neun a-jik na-o-ji a-nat-tta]
      Could that possibly be true? The notice has not come out yet. 📢
      공지 = notice; 아직 = not yet; 나오다 = to come out.

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

1. Rhetorical disbelief with evidence
  • 문이 잠겨 있었는데 누가 들어왔을 리가 있겠는가?
      • [mu-ni jam-gyeo i-sseon-neun-de nu-ga deu-reo-wa-sseul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
      The door was locked, so could there possibly be any way someone came in? 🚪
      문 = door; 잠기다 = to be locked; 들어오다 = to come in.
 
2. Rhetorical disbelief based on trust
  • 항상 확인하는 사람이 약속을 잊었을 리가 있겠는가?
      • [hang-sang hwa-gin-ha-neun sa-ra-mi yak-so-geul i-jeo-sseul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
      Could there possibly be any way a person who always checks forgot the appointment? 🤝
      항상 = always; 약속 = promise/appointment; 잊다 = to forget.
 
3. Rhetorical disbelief in formal argument
  • 아무 근거 없이 그런 결론이 나왔을 리가 있겠는가?
      • [a-mu geun-geo eop-si geu-reon gyeol-lo-ni na-wa-sseul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
      Could there possibly be any way such a conclusion came out without any basis? 📑
      아무 근거 없이 = without any basis; 결론 = conclusion; 그런 = such.

🧩 General Formation Rule

Vowel stem + ㄹ 리가 있겠는가?

  • 가다 [ga-da] = to go → 갈 리가 있겠는가? [gal ri-ga it-get-neun-ga] = Could there be any way someone would go?
  • 보다 [bo-da] = to see/watch → 볼 리가 있겠는가? [bol ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
  • 하다 [ha-da] = to do → 할 리가 있겠는가? [hal ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
 

Consonant stem + 을 리가 있겠는가?

  • 먹다 [meok-da] = to eat → 먹을 리가 있겠는가? [meo-geul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
  • 읽다 [ik-tta] = to read → 읽을 리가 있겠는가? [il-geul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
  • 늦다 [neut-tta] = to be late → 늦을 리가 있겠는가? [neu-jeul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
 

ㄹ-stem + keep ㄹ

  • 알다 [al-da] = to know → 알 리가 있겠는가? [al ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
  • 살다 [sal-da] = to live → 살 리가 있겠는가? [sal ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
  • 만들다 [man-deul-da] = to make → 만들 리가 있겠는가? [man-deul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
 

Past + -았/었을 리가 있겠는가?

  • 봤을 리가 있겠는가? [bwa-sseul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga] = Could there be any way someone saw it?
  • 먹었을 리가 있겠는가? [meo-geo-sseul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga] = Could there be any way someone ate it?
  • 끝났을 리가 있겠는가? [kkeut-na-sseul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga] = Could there be any way it ended?
 

Noun + 일 리가 있겠는가?

  • 사실 [sa-sil] = truth/fact → 사실일 리가 있겠는가? [sa-si-ril ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
  • 우연 [u-yeon] = coincidence → 우연일 리가 있겠는가? [u-yeo-nil ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
  • 실수 [sil-su] = mistake → 실수일 리가 있겠는가? [sil-su-il ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson was cross-checked against korean.go.kr resources on Korean grammar and standard usage, including 리 as a dependent noun in expressions like 그럴 리가, the modifier form -(으)ㄹ, and formal rhetorical endings such as -는가. ✅

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -(으)ㄹ 리가 있겠는가? [-(eu)l ri-ga it-get-neun-ga] — formal rhetorical question: “Could there possibly be any way…?” 🧐
  • -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 [-(eu)l ri-ga eop-tta] — everyday-to-formal statement: “There is no way…” 🚫
  • -(으)ㄹ 리 만무하다 [-(eu)l ri man-mu-ha-da] — very formal/emphatic: “There is absolutely no way…” 🛡️
  • 그럴 가능성이 있겠는가? [geu-reol ga-neung-seong-i it-get-neun-ga] — formal: “Could there be such a possibility?” 🎲
  • 설마 그러겠어요? [seol-ma geu-reo-ge-sseo-yo] — conversational: “Surely not, right?” 😳
 
Advanced vibe check: -(으)ㄹ 리가 있겠는가? is polished and rhetorical. It fits essays, speeches, debate, narration, and commentary. For casual chat, 그럴 리가 없어요 usually sounds more natural. ☕

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 먹ㄹ 리가 있겠는가? → ✅ 먹을 리가 있겠는가? (Consonant stem needs 을.)
  • ❌ 알을 리가 있겠는가? → ✅ 알 리가 있겠는가? (ㄹ-stem keeps ㄹ; do not add 을.)
  • ❌ 사실 리가 있겠는가? → ✅ 사실일 리가 있겠는가? (Noun needs 일.)
  • ❌ Using it as a real neutral question → ✅ it usually implies the answer is no.
  • ❌ Using it in casual beginner conversation everywhere → ✅ use it when you want a formal, dramatic, or argumentative tone.
 
🎉 Bottom line: -(으)ㄹ 리가 있겠는가? is disbelief in question form. It asks, “Could that possibility exist?” while pointing very dramatically at the answer: “Nope.” 🧐🚫
 
Try this exercise
Instructions: Complete each rhetorical question with the correct 리가 있겠는가 form. Read the sentence aloud like you are calmly making a strong argument, then open the Answer toggle.
1. 전문가가 기본 원칙을 모르＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[jeon-mun-ga-ga gi-bon won-chi-geul mo-reu-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way an expert does not know the basic principle? 🧠
Answer
ㄹ 리가 → 모를 리가 있겠는가?. 모르다 has a vowel stem, so use ㄹ.
2. 그 사람이 일부러 거짓말＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[geu sa-ra-mi il-bu-reo geo-jin-mal-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that person would lie on purpose? 🤥
Answer
할 리가 — 거짓말하다 becomes 거짓말할 리가 있겠는가?.
3. 담당자가 보고서를 확인＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[dam-dang-ja-ga bo-go-seo-reul hwa-gin-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the person in charge checked the report? 📊
Answer
했을 리가 — past rhetorical denial: 확인했을 리가 있겠는가?.
4. 회의가 벌써 끝나＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[hoe-ui-ga beol-sseo kkeut-na-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the meeting already ended? 🕒
Answer
ㅆ을 리가 → 끝났을 리가 있겠는가?.
5. 그 소문이 사실＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[geu so-mu-ni sa-sil-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that rumor is true? 🗞️
Answer
일 리가 — noun + 일 리가 있겠는가?.
6. 이 결과가 우연＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[i gyeol-gwa-ga u-yeon-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way this result is a coincidence? 🎲
Answer
일 리가 → 우연일 리가 있겠는가?.
7. 문이 잠겨 있었는데 누가 들어오＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[mu-ni jam-gyeo i-sseon-neun-de nu-ga deu-reo-o-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way someone came in when the door was locked? 🚪
Answer
았을 리가 → 들어왔을 리가 있겠는가?.
8. 항상 확인하는 사람이 약속을 잊＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[hang-sang hwa-gin-ha-neun sa-ra-mi yak-so-geul it-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way a person who always checks forgot the appointment? 🤝
Answer
었을 리가 → 잊었을 리가 있겠는가?.
9. 아무 근거 없이 그런 결론이 나오＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[a-mu geun-geo eop-si geu-reon gyeol-lo-ni na-o-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way such a conclusion came out without any basis? 📑
Answer
았을 리가 → 나왔을 리가 있겠는가?.
10. 그럴 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[geu-reol ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could that possibly be true? 🗯️
Answer
리가 → 그럴 리가 있겠는가?.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 전문가 → expert
  • 기본 원칙 → basic principle
  • 모르다 → to not know
  • 일부러 → on purpose
  • 거짓말하다 → to lie
  • 담당자 → person in charge
  • 보고서 → report
  • 확인하다 → to check
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 끝나다 → to end
  • 소문 → rumor
  • 사실 → truth/fact
  • 결과 → result
  • 우연 → coincidence
  • 문 → door
  • 잠기다 → to be locked
  • 들어오다 → to come in
  • 약속 → promise/appointment
  • 잊다 → to forget
  • 결론 → conclusion
Tip 💡 This pattern looks like a question, but it usually argues that the possibility does not exist.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below gives you the full rhetorical-disbelief workout. 🧐
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Expressing Disbelief: -(으)ㄹ 리가 있겠는가?
 
Welcome to the formal disbelief gym. 🧐 This Practice Hub trains the polished rhetorical question -(으)ㄹ 리가 있겠는가?, so you can recognize when Korean is “asking” while actually arguing, “Surely not.” Expect evidence, trust, noun forms, past forms, and a little grammar courtroom drama. ⚖️
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
 
📝 Instructions: Complete each prompt with the correct rhetorical-disbelief form. Read the Korean sentence aloud, notice whether it tests a verb, adjective, past action, or noun, then open the Answer toggle.
 

Exercise 1 — Form Builder 🔧

A. 가다 → 그 사람이 혼자 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[ga-da → geu sa-ra-mi hon-ja ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that person would go alone? 🚶
Answer
갈 리가 — vowel stem 가다 takes ㄹ 리가.
B. 보다 → 전문가가 그 자료를 안 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[bo-da → jeon-mun-ga-ga geu ja-ryo-reul an ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the expert would not see that material? 📚
Answer
볼 리가 — 보다 → 볼 리가 있겠는가?.
C. 먹다 → 그 음식을 혼자 다 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[meok-da → geu eum-si-geul hon-ja da ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way they would eat all that food alone? 🍲
Answer
먹을 리가 — consonant stem 먹다 takes 을 리가.
D. 읽다 → 담당자가 보고서를 안 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[ik-tta → dam-dang-ja-ga bo-go-seo-reul an ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the person in charge would not read the report? 📊
Answer
읽을 리가 — pronounced with linking as [il-geul ri-ga].
E. 늦다 → 항상 준비하는 사람이 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[neut-tta → hang-sang jun-bi-ha-neun sa-ra-mi ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way a person who always prepares would be late? ⏰
Answer
늦을 리가 — consonant stem + 을 리가.
F. 알다 → 선생님이 그 사실을 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[al-da → seon-saeng-ni-mi geu sa-si-reul ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the teacher would know that fact? 👩‍🏫
Answer
알 리가 — ㄹ-stem keeps ㄹ; do not add 을.
G. 만들다 → 혼자 그 계획을 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[man-deul-da → hon-ja geu gye-hoe-geul ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way they would make that plan alone? 🗂️
Answer
만들 리가 — not 만들을 리가.
H. 사실 → 그 이야기가 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[sa-sil → geu i-ya-gi-ga ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that story is true? 📖
Answer
사실일 리가 — noun + 일 리가.
I. 실수 → 그 결정이 단순한 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[sil-su → geu gyeol-jeong-i dan-sun-han ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that decision is a simple mistake? 🧩
Answer
실수일 리가 — noun + 일 리가 있겠는가?.
J. 그렇다 → ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[geu-reo-ta → ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could that possibly be true? 🗯️
Answer
그럴 리가 — fixed chunk: 그럴 리가 있겠는가?.
🔧
Vocabulary Box
  • 가다 → to go
  • 보다 → to see/watch
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 늦다 → to be late
  • 알다 → to know
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 혼자 → alone
  • 자료 → material/data
  • 음식 → food
  • 준비하다 → to prepare
  • 선생님 → teacher
  • 계획 → plan
  • 이야기 → story
  • 결정 → decision
  • 단순한 → simple
Tip 💡 Vowel stem = ㄹ 리가; consonant stem = 을 리가; ㄹ-stem keeps ㄹ.
 

Exercise 2 — Past Disbelief ⏳

A. 보다 → 담당자가 그 자료를 이미 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[bo-da → dam-dang-ja-ga geu ja-ryo-reul i-mi ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the person in charge already saw that material? 📚
Answer
봤을 리가 — past rhetorical disbelief: 봤을 리가 있겠는가?.
B. 먹다 → 그 음식을 혼자 다 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[meok-da → geu eum-si-geul hon-ja da ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way they ate all that food alone? 🍲
Answer
먹었을 리가.
C. 끝나다 → 회의가 벌써 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[kkeut-na-da → hoe-ui-ga beol-sseo ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the meeting already ended? 🕒
Answer
끝났을 리가.
D. 잊다 → 담당자가 약속을 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[it-tta → dam-dang-ja-ga yak-so-geul ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the person in charge forgot the appointment? 🤝
Answer
잊었을 리가.
E. 확인하다 → 전문가가 증거를 안 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[hwa-gin-ha-da → jeon-mun-ga-ga jeung-geo-reul an ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the expert did not check the evidence? 🧾
Answer
확인했을 리가.
F. 사라지다 → 계약서가 이유 없이 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[sa-ra-ji-da → gye-yak-seo-ga i-yu eop-si ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the contract document disappeared without a reason? 📄
Answer
사라졌을 리가.
G. 취소되다 → 예약이 갑자기 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[chwi-so-doe-da → ye-ya-gi gap-ja-gi ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the reservation was suddenly canceled? 🗓️
Answer
취소되었을 리가 or shortened 취소됐을 리가.
H. 나오다 → 그런 결론이 아무 근거 없이 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[na-o-da → geu-reon gyeol-lo-ni a-mu geun-geo eop-si ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way such a conclusion came out without any basis? 📑
Answer
나왔을 리가.
I. 틀리다 → 공식 보고서가 완전히 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[teul-li-da → gong-sik bo-go-seo-ga wan-jeon-hi ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way the official report was completely wrong? 📊
Answer
틀렸을 리가.
J. 들어오다 → 문이 잠겨 있었는데 누가 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[deu-reo-o-da → mu-ni jam-gyeo i-sseon-neun-de nu-ga ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way someone came in when the door was locked? 🚪
Answer
들어왔을 리가.
⏳
Vocabulary Box
  • 이미 → already
  • 벌써 → already
  • 끝나다 → to end
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 잊다 → to forget
  • 약속 → promise/appointment
  • 증거 → evidence
  • 사라지다 → to disappear
  • 계약서 → contract document
  • 이유 없이 → without a reason
  • 취소되다 → to be canceled
  • 예약 → reservation
  • 갑자기 → suddenly
  • 나오다 → to come out / be produced
  • 공식 → official
  • 완전히 → completely
  • 문 → door
  • 잠기다 → to be locked
Tip 💡 Past disbelief uses -았/었을 리가 있겠는가?.
 

Exercise 3 — Noun Forms 🧱

A. 소문 → 그 말이 단순한 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[so-mun → geu ma-ri dan-sun-han ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way those words are just a simple rumor? 🗞️
Answer
소문일 리가 — noun + 일 리가.
B. 사실 → 그 이야기가 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[sa-sil → geu i-ya-gi-ga ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that story is true? 📖
Answer
사실일 리가.
C. 우연 → 이 결과가 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[u-yeon → i gyeol-gwa-ga ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way this result is a coincidence? 🎲
Answer
우연일 리가.
D. 실수 → 그 결정이 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[sil-su → geu gyeol-jeong-i ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that decision is a mistake? 🧩
Answer
실수일 리가.
E. 문제 → 그 정도 오류가 작은 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[mun-je → geu jeong-do o-ryu-ga ja-geun ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way an error of that level is a small problem? ⚠️
Answer
문제일 리가.
F. 무효 → 그 계약이 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[mu-hyo → geu gye-ya-gi ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that contract is invalid? 📄
Answer
무효일 리가.
G. 결론 → 그것이 최종 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[gyeol-lon → geu-geo-si choe-jong ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that is the final conclusion? 📑
Answer
결론일 리가.
H. 증거 → 그 자료가 결정적인 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[jeung-geo → geu ja-ryo-ga gyeol-jeong-jeo-gin ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that material is decisive evidence? 🧾
Answer
증거일 리가.
I. 계획 → 그런 말이 실제 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[gye-hoek → geu-reon ma-ri sil-je ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way those words are an actual plan? 🗂️
Answer
계획일 리가.
J. 원칙 → 그것이 기본 ＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[won-chik → geu-geo-si gi-bon ＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way that is a basic principle? 🧠
Answer
원칙일 리가.
🧱
Vocabulary Box
  • 소문 → rumor
  • 말 → words / speech
  • 사실 → truth/fact
  • 우연 → coincidence
  • 실수 → mistake
  • 문제 → problem
  • 오류 → error
  • 작은 → small
  • 무효 → invalidity / being invalid
  • 계약 → contract
  • 결론 → conclusion
  • 최종 → final
  • 증거 → evidence
  • 결정적인 → decisive
  • 계획 → plan
  • 실제 → actual
  • 원칙 → principle
  • 기본 → basic
Tip 💡 Nouns need 일: 사실일 리가 있겠는가?
 

Exercise 4 — Rhetorical Meaning & Tone ⚖️

A. 그럴 리가 있겠는가?
[geu-reol ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
Choose the best meaning: “Could that possibly be true?” or “What time is it?” 🗯️
Answer
“Could that possibly be true?” — it is a rhetorical disbelief question.
B. 그럴 리가 없어요.
[geu-reol ri-ga eop-seo-yo]
Is this more conversational or more essay-like? ☕
Answer
More conversational. It means “That can’t be true.”
C. 그럴 리가 있겠는가?
[geu-reol ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
Is this usually asking for neutral information? 🧐
Answer
No. It usually implies the speaker thinks the answer is “no.”
D. 그럴 가능성이 있겠는가?
[geu-reol ga-neung-seong-i it-get-neun-ga]
Which word means “possibility”: 가능성 or 보고서? 🎲
Answer
가능성 = possibility. 보고서 = report.
E. 설마 그러겠어요?
[seol-ma geu-reo-ge-sseo-yo]
Is this conversational or formal written style? 😳
Answer
Conversational. It means “Surely not, right?”
F. 그럴 리 만무하다.
[geu-reol ri man-mu-ha-da]
Does this sound weaker or stronger than 그럴 리가 없다? 🛡️
Answer
Stronger and more formal: “There is absolutely no way.”
G. 그럴 리가 있겠는가?
[geu-reol ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
Best setting: casual lunch chat or formal argument? ✍️
Answer
Formal argument, essay, speech, commentary, or narration.
H. 올 리가 있겠는가?
[ol ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
What is the implied answer: “yes” or “no”? 🚪
Answer
Usually “no” — the speaker strongly doubts they will come.
I. 모를 리가 있겠는가?
[mo-reul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
What does the speaker imply: “They probably know” or “They definitely do not know”? 🧠
Answer
“They probably know.” The speaker questions the possibility of not knowing.
J. 우연일 리가 있겠는가?
[u-yeo-nil ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
What does the speaker imply about the result? 🎲
Answer
The speaker implies it is probably not a coincidence.
⚖️
Vocabulary Box
  • 그럴 리가 있겠는가? → Could that possibly be true?
  • 그럴 리가 없어요 → That can’t be true
  • 가능성 → possibility
  • 설마 → surely not / no way
  • 그러다 → to do so / be that way
  • 만무하다 → to be utterly impossible
  • 오다 → to come
  • 모르다 → to not know
  • 우연 → coincidence
  • 결과 → result
Tip 💡 The form is a question on the outside and strong disbelief on the inside.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. Fix it: ❌ 먹ㄹ 리가 있겠는가?
[meok-＿＿＿＿ ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way someone would eat? 🍲
Answer
✅ 먹을 리가 있겠는가? — consonant stem 먹다 needs 을.
B. Fix it: ❌ 알을 리가 있겠는가?
[al-eul ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way someone knows? 🧠
Answer
✅ 알 리가 있겠는가? — ㄹ-stem keeps ㄹ; do not add 을.
C. Fix it: ❌ 사실 리가 있겠는가?
[sa-sil ri-ga it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way it is true? 📖
Answer
✅ 사실일 리가 있겠는가? — noun needs 일.
D. 만들다 → 혼자 만들＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[man-deul-da → hon-ja man-deul-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way they would make it alone? 🛠️
Answer
리가 → 만들 리가 있겠는가?. Do not write 만들을.
E. 확인하다 → 증거를 확인＿＿＿＿ 있겠는가?
[hwa-gin-ha-da → jeung-geo-reul hwa-gin-＿＿＿＿ it-get-neun-ga]
Could there possibly be any way they checked the evidence? 🧾
Answer
했을 리가 → 확인했을 리가 있겠는가?.
F. Choose the formal rhetorical sentence:
① 그럴 리가 있겠는가?
② 그럴 리가 없어요. ✍️
Answer
① 그럴 리가 있겠는가? — formal rhetorical question.
G. Choose the casual conversational sentence:
① 설마 그러겠어요?
② 그럴 리 만무하다. ☕
Answer
① 설마 그러겠어요? — conversational “Surely not, right?”
H. 우연일 리가 있겠는가? implies: “It is probably a coincidence” or “It is probably not a coincidence”? 🎲
Answer
It implies “It is probably not a coincidence.” The question rejects 우연.
I. 모를 리가 있겠는가? implies: “They likely know” or “They likely do not know”? 🧠
Answer
“They likely know.” The pattern questions the possibility of 모르다.
J. Complete the summary: 리가 있겠는가? is a question shape that usually means ＿＿＿＿. 🧐
Answer
strong disbelief / “surely not” — it asks whether the possibility exists while implying that it does not.
🛡️
Vocabulary Box
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 알다 → to know
  • 사실 → truth/fact
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 혼자 → alone
  • 확인하다 → to check
  • 증거 → evidence
  • 그럴 리가 있겠는가? → Could that possibly be true?
  • 그럴 리가 없어요 → That can’t be true
  • 설마 그러겠어요? → Surely not, right?
  • 그럴 리 만무하다 → There is absolutely no way
  • 우연 → coincidence
  • 모르다 → to not know
Tip 💡 If the prompt feels like a courtroom eyebrow raise, 리가 있겠는가? is probably doing its job.
 
🎉 Excellent work — you can now spot formal Korean disbelief when it disguises itself as a question. Next time 그럴 리가 있겠는가? appears in an essay or speech, you’ll hear the hidden meaning: “Surely not.” 🧐✨