Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N3 · Intermediate 2
unlikely; gently explain difficulty
Use 〜そうにないんですが to say a result seems very unlikely from the current situation and gently open a discussion.
The train is still stopped, with only ten minutes until the appointment. Does arriving on time look likely?
The current situation suggests that something is very unlikely to happen. The outcome is not certain yet.
Remove 「ます」 from 「間に合います」 and add 「そうにない」: “It looks like I won’t make it in time.”
To explain politely, you can replace 「そうにない」 with 「そうにありません」.
Add 「んですが」 at the end to explain a difficulty gently and invite a response or a discussion.
「到着できそうにない」: judging from the current situation, I’m afraid I won’t be able to arrive on time.
「所要時間が読めそうにありません」: things are so uncertain that it looks difficult to estimate how long it will take.
I'm sorry, the train has stopped, and it doesn't look like I'll make it on time.
A: I'm sorry, I'm held up due to an accident, and it doesn't look like I will be able to arrive at the scheduled time.
B: I see. Roughly when do you think you will arrive?
A: The timetable is severely disrupted, and it doesn't look like I can estimate the travel time yet.
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Train delays are continuing, so it looks like I won't arrive by the scheduled time.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
すみません、電車が止まっていて、時間に間に合い____。
Excuse me, the train has stopped and it doesn't look like I'll make it on time.
I'm sorry, but in the current situation, it doesn't look like I'll make it on time for our appointment.
