できなさそう vs できそうにない: How to Say “It Doesn’t Look Like I Can”
You know that できそう means “it looks like I can do it.” But what is the negative? You will hear three forms in Japan: できそうにない, できなさそう and できなそう. All three are used. Here is how they are different.
Contents
The short answer
| Form | Where you see it | Feeling |
|---|---|---|
| できそうにないできそうに ない | textbooks, JLPT, writing, work | “There is no sign that I can.” Quite sure. |
| できなさそうできなさそう | everyday conversation | “It seems like I can’t.” A softer guess. |
| できなそうできなそう | everyday conversation | Same as できなさそう. |
For a test or an email, use 〜そうにない. In conversation, 〜なさそう is very common and nobody will think it is strange.
Quick review: 〜そう (looks like)
To say “it looks like …” from what you see or feel, add そう to the verb stem (the ます-form without ます).
This is the そう from Step 21 (そうです・ようです・みたいです).
The textbook negative: 〜そうにない
For verbs, the standard negative is verb stem + そうにない (polite: そうにありません).
The speaker has looked at the situation and sees no sign that it will happen. So it sounds quite certain. This is the form to use at work, when you have to tell someone bad news clearly and politely.
You may also see 〜そうもない. It is a little stronger: “There is no chance at all.”
The conversation form: 〜なさそう / 〜なそう
In daily conversation, many people make the negative first (できない) and then add そう.
This sounds like a soft guess: “Hmm, probably not.” It is friendly and common with friends and family.
なそう or なさそう?
The traditional rule is:
| Type of ない | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| The adjective ない (there is no …) | なさそう | お金がなさそうおかねが なさそうHe looks like he has no money. |
| い-adjective / な-adjective / noun + ない | なさそう | おいしくなさそうおいしく なさそうIt doesn’t look tasty. |
| Verb + ない | なそう | できなそうできなそうIt looks like I can’t. |
So by the old rule, できなそう is “correct” and できなさそう has an extra さ. But today, verb + なさそう is used by many native speakers, and you will hear it everywhere. As a learner, you can understand both and choose one.
So which one should I use?
- JLPT, essays, business email: 〜そうにない / 〜そうにありません
- Talking with friends: 〜なさそう or 〜なそう
- Adjectives and nouns: always 〜なさそう (おもしろくなさそう, 学生じゃなさそう). Don’t use そうにない for adjectives.
The same pattern works with other verbs: 間に合いそうにない / 間に合わなさそう (it doesn’t look like I’ll make it in time), 終わりそうにない / 終わらなさそう (it doesn’t look like it will end).
Quick check: 5 questions
Choose the best answer.
