Pattern: -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다
-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 (-(eu)ㄹri-gaeop-da, (eu)ㄹrigaeopda)
-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 expresses strong certainty that something cannot happen.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Expresses certainty that something is impossible or will never happen
When to use
Describing impossible situations, Strong denial, Refuting doubtful claims
The nuance
Attach -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 to verb or adjective stems to emphasize impossibility or strong denial about present or future events. Use '-을 리가 없다' if the stem ends with a consonant, '-ㄹ 리가 없다' if it ends with a vowel.
그 사람이 거짓말을 할 리가 없어요.
geu sa-ram-i geo-jis-mal-eul hal ri-ga eop-eo-yo., geu sa ram i geo jis mal eul hal ri ga eop eo yo.
It completely denies the possibility that the person would lie.
내일 비가 올 리가 없는데 왜 우산을 가져왔어?
nae-il bi-ga ol ri-ga eop-neun-de wae u-san-eul ga-jyeo-wass-eo?, nae il bi ga ol ri ga eop neun de wae u san eul ga jyeo wass eo?
Used when you are certain rain will not come in the future.
너가 거기 있을 리가 없어.
neo-ga geo-gi iss-eul ri-ga eop-eo., neo ga geo gi iss eul ri ga eop eo.
Strongly denies the possibility the person is there.
그가 시험을 잘 볼 리가 없어요.
geu-ga si-heom-eul jal bol ri-ga eop-eo-yo., geu ga si heom eul jal bol ri ga eop eo yo.
Used when judging the person will definitely not do well on the exam.
그 사람이 늦을 리가 없는데 왜 안 왔지?
geu sa-ram-i neuj-eul ri-ga eop-neun-de wae an wass-ji?, geu sa ram i neuj eul ri ga eop neun de wae an wass ji?
Emphasizes the person usually isn't late, denying possibility of being late.
내가 그걸 모를 리가 없지.
nae-ga geu-geol mo-reul ri-ga eop-ji., nae ga geu geol mo reul ri ga eop ji.
Expresses strong confidence that the speaker definitely knows.
그 사람이 우리를 도울 리가 없다.
geu sa-ram-i u-ri-reul do-ul ri-ga eop-da., geu sa ram i u ri reul do ul ri ga eop da.
Completely denies the possibility of receiving help from that person.
그가 거짓말을 할 리가 있나요?
geu-ga geo-jis-mal-eul hal ri-ga iss-na-yo?, geu ga geo jis mal eul hal ri ga iss na yo?
-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 must be used in a negative form; positive form is unnatural.
Which sentence correctly uses -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다?
Choose the correct form to complete: '그가 시험에 합격할 ___ 없다'
What does '내일 비가 올 리가 없는데 왜 우산을 가져왔어?' mean?
