مستحيل
The English phrase 'no way' can be translated into Arabic as مستحيل.
While it literally means 'impossible', مستحيل is commonly used as an exclamation to express disbelief or to say 'no way' in response to a suggestion.
Meaning: absolutely not (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word مستحيل literally means 'impossible'.
Did you know?
- The root of مستحيل involves the concept of 'changing' or 'transforming'. While we use it for 'impossible', the underlying linguistic idea is something that has undergone a change so complete it can no longer be the original thing.
- In a social context, saying مستحيل to a request can be seen as very blunt. To soften the 'no way', speakers often prefix it with والله meaning 'by God' to show they are being sincere.
- In some Levantine dialects, the phrase مش معقول (mish ma'qul) is a very common alternative. It literally translates to 'not reasonable', but functions exactly like 'no way' when someone tells you something unbelievable.
Examples in context
- مستحيل.No way.Tatoeba #372688 by saeb, translation #272638 by Eldad
- ماذا؟ هذا مستحيل.What? No way!Tatoeba #5831642 by OsoHombre, translation #5817832 by OsoHombre
- هذا الأمر مستحيل تماماً.hadha al-amr mustahil tamam-an.This matter is absolutely impossible.
Example conversation
Marym and Omar are discussing a very difficult task at work.
- مريم Maryamهل يمكنك إنهاء هذا التقرير اليوم؟hal yumkinuka inha' hadha al-taqrir al-yawm?Can you finish this report today?
- عمر Omarمستحيل، ليس لدي وقت.mustahil, laysa ladayya waqt.No way, I don't have time.
- مريم Maryamلكن المدير يحتاجه الآن.lakin al-mudir yahtajuhu al-an.But the manager needs it now.
- عمر Omarأنا آسف يا مريم، هذا مستحيل.ana asif ya Maryam, hadha mustahil.I am sorry Maryam, it is impossible.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries مستحيل, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
