그럴 리가 없어요. 방금 공지가 왔어요. — That can’t be true. The notice just came. 📢
3. Rhetorical pushback 😳
그럴 리가 없어요. 방금 공지가 왔어요. — That can’t be true. The notice just came. 📢
3. Rhetorical pushback 😳
3. Rhetorical pushback 😳
- 갔을 리가 없다 — there is no way someone went
- 먹었을 리가 없다 — there is no way someone ate it
- 몰랐을 리가 없다 — there is no way someone did not know
These are related, but they do not have the same force:
- -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 — strong negative certainty; “there is no way.”
- -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 — strong negative certainty; “there is no way.”
- -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 — strong negative certainty: “There is no way...” 🚫
- -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 — strong negative certainty: “There is no way...” 🚫
- -(으)ㄹ 것 같지 않다 — softer guess: “It does not seem likely...” 🌫️
- -(으)ㄹ 수 없다 — cannot / unable 🔒
- -(으)ㄹ 게 틀림없다 — must be / surely ✅
⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge
- ❌ 갈 리 없다 → ✅ 갈 리가 없어요.
- ❌ 먹ㄹ 리가 없어요 → ✅ 먹을 리가 없어요.
- ❌ 만들을 리가 없어요 → ✅ 만들 리가 없어요.
- ❌ 할 수 없어요 = “cannot do,” not “there is no way they would do it.”
🚫 Bottom line: -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 is logic-powered disbelief: “No way that makes sense.” 🧐
Try this exercise
Instructions: Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 form, then check the Answer toggle.
1. 민수가 그 사실을 ＿＿＿＿ 없어요.
There is no way Minsu does not know that fact. 🧠
Answer
모를 리가.
2. 수지가 약속을 ＿＿＿＿ 없어요.
There is no way Suji forgot the promise. 📅
Answer
잊었을 리가.
3. 그 사람이 일부러 ＿＿＿＿ 없어요.
There is no way that person did it on purpose. 🤝
Answer
그랬을 리가.
4. 불이 꺼져 있는데 사람이 ＿＿＿＿ 없어요.
The lights are off, so there is no way someone is there. 💡
Answer
있을 리가.
5. 이 가격이 ＿＿＿＿ 없어요.
There is no way this price is right. 🧾
Answer
맞을 리가.
6. 아직 출발도 안 했는데 벌써 ＿＿＿＿ 없어요.
There is no way they already arrived. 🚉
Answer
도착했을 리가.
7. 이게 ＿＿＿＿ 없어요.
There is no way this is real. 🪪
Answer
진짜일 리가.
8. 그 친구가 거짓말을 ＿＿＿＿ 없어요.
There is no way that friend would lie. 🤥
Answer
할 리가.
9. 이렇게 쉬＿＿＿＿ 없어요.
There is no way it is this easy. 😳
Answer
울 리가.
10. 그럴 ＿＿＿＿ 없어요.
That can’t be true. 📢
Answer
리가.
Vocabulary Box
- 모르다 → to not know
- 일부러 → on purpose
- 일부러 → on purpose
- 가격 → price
- 복잡하다 → to be complicated
- 진짜 → real
- 거짓말을 하다 → to lie
- 쉽다 → to be easy
Tip 💡 리가 없어요 rejects the possibility.
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below trains form, evidence, contrast, and pitfall repair. 🧠
E. Ability sentence → 할 수 없어요.
Answer
Fixed high-frequency chunk.
D. “That can’t be true.” → 그럴 리가 없어요.
A. ❌ 먹ㄹ 리가 없어요 → ✅ 먹을 리가 없어요.
Answer
Consonant stem needs 을.
B. ❌ 알을 리가 없어요 → ✅ 알 리가 없어요.
Answer
ㄹ stem keeps ㄹ.
C. ❌ 학생 리가 없어요 → ✅ 학생일 리가 없어요.
Answer
Noun needs 일.
E. 만들다 → 만들 리가 없어요. — no way someone will make it.
Answer
ㄹ stem keeps ㄹ.
D. 알다 → 알 리가 없어요. — no way someone knows.
A. 오다 → 올 리가 없어요. — no way someone will come.
Answer
오다 → 올.
B. 가다 → 갈 리가 없어요. — no way someone will go.
Answer
가다 → 갈.
C. 먹다 → 먹을 리가 없어요. — no way someone will eat.
Answer
Consonant stem + 을.
🎯 Practice Hub — Nuance Check: -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다
Welcome to the “no way” nuance gym. 🚫 Complete each prompt or choose the best sentence, then open the Answer toggle.
🔊 Audio reminder: Use 
Korean Helper Widgets to hear any full sentence from the exercises, especially the rhythm of -을 리가 없어요, -았을 리가 없어요, and 일 리가 없어요.
📝 Instructions: Read the English line, answer first, then check. Focus on whether the sentence rejects possibility, ability, or softer likelihood.
Exercise 1 — Shape the Form 🔧
A. 오다 → 올 리가 없어요. — There is no way someone will come.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>오다 takes ㄹ: 올.</details>
B. 가다 → 갈 리가 없어요. — There is no way someone will go.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>가다 takes ㄹ: 갈.</details>
C. 먹다 → 먹을 리가 없어요. — There is no way someone will eat.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>먹다 has a consonant stem, so use 을.</details>
D. 읽다 → 읽을 리가 없어요. — There is no way someone will read.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>읽다 has a consonant stem, so use 을.</details>
E. 늦다 → 늦을 리가 없어요. — There is no way someone will be late.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>늦다 has a consonant stem.</details>
F. 알다 → 알 리가 없어요. — There is no way someone knows.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>ㄹ stem keeps ㄹ: 알 리가 없다.</details>
G. 만들다 → 만들 리가 없어요. — There is no way someone will make it.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>ㄹ stem keeps ㄹ: not 만들을.</details>
H. 비싸다 → 비쌀 리가 없어요. — There is no way it is expensive.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>비싸다 takes ㄹ: 비쌀.</details>
I. 실수 → 실수일 리가 없어요. — There is no way it is a mistake.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Noun + 일 리가 없다.</details>
J. 진짜 → 진짜일 리가 없어요. — There is no way it is real.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Noun-like form + 일 리가 없다.</details>
Vocabulary Box — 오다 → to come; 가다 → to go; 먹다 → to eat; 읽다 → to read; 늦다 → to be late; 알다 → to know; 만들다 → to make; 비싸다 → to be expensive; 실수 → mistake; 진짜 → real.
Answer
Not 만들을.
F. 비싸다 → 비쌀 리가 없어요. — no way it is expensive.
Answer
Vowel stem + ㄹ.
G. 늦다 → 늦을 리가 없어요. — no way someone will be late.
Answer
Consonant stem + 을.
H. 갔다 → 갔을 리가 없어요. — no way someone went.
Answer
Past denial uses -았/었을 리가 없다.
I. 실수 → 실수일 리가 없어요. — no way it is a mistake.
Answer
Noun + 일 리가 없다.
J. 그렇다 → 그럴 리가 없어요. — that can’t be true.
Answer
High-frequency chunk: 그럴 리가 없어요.
Vocabulary Box — 오다 → to come; 가다 → to go; 먹다 → to eat; 알다 → to know; 만들다 → to make; 비싸다 → to be expensive; 늦다 → to be late; 실수 → mistake; 그렇다 → to be so.
Exercise 2 — Evidence-Based Impossibility 🔎
A. 문이 잠겨 있었는데 누가 들어왔을 리가 없어요. — The door was locked, so there is no way someone came in.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Evidence contradicts the claim.</details>
B. 불이 꺼져 있는데 회의가 계속될 리가 없어요. — The lights are off, so there is no way the meeting is continuing.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>계속되다 = to continue.</details>
C. 퇴근 시간이 아닌데 길이 막힐 리가 없어요. — It is not rush hour, so there is no way the road is jammed.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>The evidence is 퇴근 시간이 아니다.</details>
D. 가격표를 봤는데 그렇게 비쌀 리가 없어요. — I saw the price tag, so there is no way it is that expensive.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>The price tag is the clue.</details>
E. 공지에 없는데 시험이 취소됐을 리가 없어요. — It is not in the notice, so there is no way the exam was canceled.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Past denial: 취소됐을 리가 없다.</details>
F. 방금 통화했는데 집에 없을 리가 없어요. — I just talked to them, so there is no way they are not home.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>The phone call is the evidence.</details>
G. 아무도 주문하지 않았는데 음식이 도착했을 리가 없어요. — Nobody ordered, so there is no way the food arrived.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Situation logic rejects the possibility.</details>
H. 계산을 다시 했는데 결과가 틀릴 리가 없어요. — I calculated again, so there is no way the result is wrong.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>틀리다 = to be wrong.</details>
I. 아직 출발도 안 했는데 벌써 도착했을 리가 없어요. — They have not left yet, so there is no way they arrived already.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>벌써 points to a past-result claim.</details>
J. Evidence sentences usually mean: contradiction with facts.
Exercise 2 — Evidence 🔎
A. 문이 잠겨 있었는데 누가 들어왔을 리가 없어요. — The door was locked, so no one could have come in.
Answer
Evidence contradicts the claim.
B. 공지에 없는데 시험이 취소됐을 리가 없어요. — It was not in the notice, so the exam cannot have been canceled.
Answer
Past denial.
C. 계산을 다시 했는데 결과가 틀릴 리가 없어요. — I calculated again, so the result cannot be wrong.
Vocabulary Box — 문 → door; 잠기다 → to be locked; 회의 → meeting; 퇴근 시간 → rush hour; 길이 막히다 → road is jammed; 공지 → notice; 시험 → exam; 계산하다 → to calculate; 결과 → result.
Answer
틀리다 = to be wrong.
D. 가격표를 봤는데 그렇게 비쌀 리가 없어요. — I saw the price tag, so there is no way it is that expensive.
Answer
The price tag is the evidence.
E. 아직 출발도 안 했는데 벌써 도착했을 리가 없어요. — They have not left yet, so they cannot have arrived already.
Answer
벌써 points to a past-result claim.
F. 방금 통화했는데 집에 없을 리가 없어요. — I just talked to them, so there is no way they are not home.
Answer
The phone call supports the disbelief.
G. 아무도 주문하지 않았는데 음식이 도착했을 리가 없어요. — Nobody ordered, so the food cannot have arrived.
Answer
Situation logic rejects the possibility.
H. 퇴근 시간이 아닌데 길이 막힐 리가 없어요. — It is not rush hour, so the road cannot be jammed.
Answer
길이 막히다 = the road is jammed.
I. 불이 꺼져 있는데 사람이 있을 리가 없어요. — The lights are off, so there is no way someone is there.
Answer
Visible evidence makes the possibility unlikely.
J. Evidence sentences usually mean the claim clashes with known facts.
Answer
Correct — that is why 리가 없다 sounds strong.
Vocabulary Box — 문 → door; 공지 → notice; 시험 → exam; 계산하다 → to calculate; 가격표 → price tag; 출발하다 → to depart; 도착하다 → to arrive; 통화하다 → to talk on the phone; 주문하다 → to order; 퇴근 시간 → rush hour.
Exercise 3 — Character Judgment & Trust 🤝
A. 수지가 약속을 잊었을 리가 없어요. — There is no way Suji forgot the promise.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Trust in Suji’s habits is implied.</details>
B. 그 친구가 일부러 그랬을 리가 없어요. — There is no way that friend did that on purpose.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Character-based disbelief.</details>
C. 선생님이 그런 실수를 했을 리가 없어요. — There is no way the teacher made that mistake.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Past denial with trust.</details>
D. 민수가 그 사실을 모를 리가 없어요. — There is no way Minsu does not know that fact.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>모르다 → 모를 리가 없다.</details>
E. 그 사람이 거짓말을 할 리가 없어요. — There is no way that person would lie.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>거짓말을 하다 = to lie.</details>
F. 매일 연습했는데 실력이 늘지 않을 리가 없어요. — If they practiced every day, there is no way their skill would not improve.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>This rejects the possibility of “not improving.”</details>
G. 그렇게 조심하는 사람이 규칙을 어겼을 리가 없어요. — There is no way such a careful person broke the rule.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>규칙을 어기다 = to break a rule.</details>
H. 항상 확인하는 사람이 메시지를 못 봤을 리가 없어요. — There is no way someone who always checks missed the message.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>못 봤다 = failed to see.</details>
I. 그 친구가 약속 없이 왔을 리가 없어요. — There is no way that friend came without an appointment.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Past denial based on what you know about the friend.</details>
J. Strong trust: 잊었을 리가 없어요.
Exercise 3 — Character Judgment 🤝
A. 수지가 약속을 잊었을 리가 없어요. — There is no way Suji forgot the promise.
Answer
Trust in Suji’s habits is implied.
B. 그 사람이 거짓말을 할 리가 없어요. — There is no way that person would lie.
Answer
거짓말을 하다 = to lie.
C. 매일 연습했는데 실력이 늘지 않을 리가 없어요. — With daily practice, there is no way skill would not improve.
Vocabulary Box — 약속 → promise; 잊다 → to forget; 일부러 → on purpose; 선생님 → teacher; 실수 → mistake; 매일 → every day; 연습하다 → to practice; 실력 → skill; 늘다 → to improve.
Answer
Rejects “not improving.”
D. 선생님이 그런 실수를 했을 리가 없어요. — There is no way the teacher made that mistake.
Answer
Past denial with trust.
E. 그렇게 조심하는 사람이 규칙을 어겼을 리가 없어요. — There is no way such a careful person broke the rule.
Answer
규칙을 어기다 = to break a rule.
F. 항상 확인하는 사람이 메시지를 못 봤을 리가 없어요. — There is no way someone who always checks missed the message.
Answer
못 보다 = to fail to see.
G. 민수가 그 사실을 모를 리가 없어요. — There is no way Minsu does not know that fact.
Answer
Character or context makes ignorance unlikely.
H. 그 친구가 약속 없이 왔을 리가 없어요. — There is no way that friend came without an appointment.
Answer
Past denial based on what you know about the friend.
I. 수지가 그런 말을 했을 리가 없어요. — There is no way Suji said something like that.
Answer
The speaker trusts Suji’s character.
J. Strong trust sounds stronger with 잊었을 리가 없어요 than 잊은 것 같지 않아요.
Answer
Yes — 리가 없다 carries firmer disbelief.
Vocabulary Box — 수지 → Suji; 약속 → promise; 잊다 → to forget; 거짓말을 하다 → to lie; 연습하다 → to practice; 실력 → skill; 선생님 → teacher; 규칙을 어기다 → to break a rule; 메시지 → message; 말을 하다 → to speak.
Exercise 4 — Contrast the Neighbor Patterns ⚖️
A. “I cannot go.” → 갈 수 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Ability/circumstance, not disbelief.</details>
B. “There is no way they will go.” → 갈 리가 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Strong rejection of possibility.</details>
C. “They have no choice but to go.” → 갈 수밖에 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>No choice.</details>
D. “It does not seem like they will come.” → 올 것 같지 않아요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Softer guess.</details>
E. “There is no way they will come.” → 올 리가 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Stronger disbelief.</details>
F. “They must be coming.” → 올 게 틀림없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Positive certainty.</details>
G. “There is no way this is real.” → 진짜일 리가 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Negative certainty.</details>
H. “I cannot eat spicy food.” → 매운 음식을 먹을 수 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>먹을 리가 없어요 would mean “There is no way I would eat it.”</details>
I. “There is no way I forgot.” → 잊었을 리가 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Past disbelief.</details>
J. “I can’t forget.” → 잊을 수 없어요.
Exercise 4 — Contrast ⚖️
A. “I cannot go.” → 갈 수 없어요.
Answer
Ability/circumstance.
B. “There is no way they will go.” → 갈 리가 없어요.
Answer
Possibility rejection.
C. “They must be coming.” → 올 게 틀림없어요.
Answer
Positive certainty.
D. “It does not seem likely.” → 올 것 같지 않아요.
Vocabulary Box — -(으)ㄹ 수 없다 → cannot; -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 → have no choice; -(으)ㄹ 것 같지 않다 → does not seem likely; -(으)ㄹ 게 틀림없다 → must be / surely; -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 → there is no way.
Answer
Softer than 올 리가 없어요.
E. “They have no choice but to go.” → 갈 수밖에 없어요.
Answer
No choice, not disbelief.
F. “There is no way this is real.” → 진짜일 리가 없어요.
Answer
Noun + 일 리가 없다.
G. “I cannot eat spicy food.” → 매운 음식을 먹을 수 없어요.
Answer
Ability/circumstance. 먹을 리가 없어요 means “There is no way I would eat it.”
H. “There is no way I forgot.” → 잊었을 리가 없어요.
Answer
Past disbelief.
I. “I can’t forget.” → 잊을 수 없어요.
Answer
Ability or emotional impossibility.
J. “It must be a mistake.” → 실수일 게 틀림없어요.
Answer
Positive certainty, not 리가 없다.
Vocabulary Box — 가다 → to go; 오다 → to come; 진짜 → real; 매운 음식 → spicy food; 먹다 → to eat; 잊다 → to forget; 실수 → mistake; -(으)ㄹ 수 없다 → cannot; -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 → have no choice; -(으)ㄹ 게 틀림없다 → must be / surely.
Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️
A. ❌ 먹ㄹ 리가 없어요 → ✅ 먹을 리가 없어요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Consonant stem needs 을.</details>
B. ❌ 알을 리가 없어요 → ✅ 알 리가 없어요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>ㄹ stem keeps ㄹ.</details>
C. ❌ 만들을 리가 없어요 → ✅ 만들 리가 없어요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Do not add 을 to ㄹ stems.</details>
D. ❌ 학생 리가 없어요 → ✅ 학생일 리가 없어요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Noun needs 일.</details>
E. ❌ 갈 리 없어요 → ✅ 갈 리가 없어요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Use 가 in the standard polite pattern.</details>
F. “There is no way Minsu would lie.” → 민수가 거짓말할 리가 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Natural character-based disbelief.</details>
G. “There is no way the meeting already ended.” → 회의가 벌써 끝났을 리가 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Past denial.</details>
H. “That can’t be true.” → 그럴 리가 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Fixed high-frequency chunk.</details>
I. Stronger sentence: 그럴 리가 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Stronger than 그럴 것 같지 않아요.</details>
J. Ability sentence: 할 수 없어요.
<details><summary>Answer</summary>할 리가 없어요 means there is no way someone would do it.</details>
Reference hub 🧭
- 올 리가 없어요 → There is no way they will come.
- 왔을 리가 없어요 → There is no way they came.
- 모를 리가 없어요 → There is no way they do not know.
- 사실일 리가 없어요 → There is no way it is true.
- 그럴 리가 없어요 → That can’t be true.
- 그럴 리가 있겠어요? → Could that possibly be true? / Surely not.
Reference hub 🧭
- 올 리가 없어요 → There is no way they will come.
- 왔을 리가 없어요 → There is no way they came.
- 모를 리가 없어요 → There is no way they do not know.
- 사실일 리가 없어요 → There is no way it is true.
- 그럴 리가 없어요 → That can’t be true.
- 그럴 리가 있겠어요? → Could that possibly be true? / Surely not.
Vocabulary Box — 먹다 → to eat; 알다 → to know; 만들다 → to make; 학생 → student; 민수 → Minsu; 거짓말하다 → to lie; 회의 → meeting; 벌써 → already; 끝나다 → to end; 하다 → to do.
Answer
할 리가 없어요 means “there is no way someone would do it.”
F. ❌ 만들을 리가 없어요 → ✅ 만들 리가 없어요.
Answer
ㄹ stem rule: keep ㄹ and do not add 을.
G. ❌ 갈 리 없어요 → ✅ 갈 리가 없어요.
Answer
Use 가 in the standard polite pattern.
H. “There is no way Minsu would lie.” → 민수가 거짓말할 리가 없어요.
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Natural character-based disbelief.
I. “There is no way the meeting already ended.” → 회의가 벌써 끝났을 리가 없어요.
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Past denial.
J. “That can’t be true.” → 그럴 리가 없어요.
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Fixed high-frequency chunk.
Vocabulary Box — 먹다 → to eat; 알다 → to know; 학생 → student; 하다 → to do; 만들다 → to make; 가다 → to go; 민수 → Minsu; 거짓말하다 → to lie; 회의 → meeting; 끝나다 → to end.
🎉 You finished the high-level -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 workout. Now you can say “no way” with evidence, confidence, and a perfectly skeptical eyebrow. 🚫🧐
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