unlikely

The English word “unlikely” can be translated into French in several ways, depending on context. The most common options are peu probable, improbable, and hasardeux, each with distinct nuances. Other alternatives include invraisemblable and douteux.

Peu probable

Meaning: Literally “little probable,” this is the most neutral and commonly used translation for “unlikely.” It expresses a low probability without absolute certainty.

Examples:

  • Il est peu probable qu’il pleuve demain. (It is unlikely that it will rain tomorrow.)
  • Une victoire est peu probable avec cette équipe. (A win is unlikely with this team.)
  • C’est peu probable, mais pas impossible. (It’s unlikely, but not impossible.)

Improbable

Meaning: Stronger than peu probable, this term suggests something is highly improbable or verging on unbelievable. It often carries a slightly more formal or dramatic tone.

Examples:

  • Son explication est tout simplement improbable. (His explanation is simply unlikely/implausible.)
  • Un tel scénario est improbable en réalité. (Such a scenario is unlikely in reality.)
  • Il a raconté une histoire improbable. (He told an unlikely story.)

Hasardeux

Meaning: Translates to “risky” or “uncertain,” but can imply “unlikely” when referring to outcomes that are speculative or unreliable.

Examples:

  • Faire des prévisions maintenant serait hasardeux. (Making predictions now would be unlikely/risky.)
  • C’est une hypothèse hasardeuse. (It’s an unlikely/risky hypothesis.)
  • Son plan me semble hasardeux. (His plan seems unlikely/dicey to me.)

Invraisemblable

Meaning: Means “implausible” or “unbelievable,” often used for situations that stretch credibility.

Examples:

  • Cette excuse est invraisemblable. (This excuse is unlikely/unbelievable.)
  • Une telle coïncidence paraît invraisemblable. (Such a coincidence seems unlikely.)
  • Son histoire est invraisemblable, mais vraie. (Her story is unlikely, but true.)

Douteux

Meaning: “Doubtful” or “questionable,” used when something is not just unlikely but also suspicious or unreliable.

Examples:

  • Ces chiffres sont douteux. (These numbers are unlikely/dubious.)
  • Il est douteux qu’il vienne à l’heure. (It is unlikely/doubtful he will arrive on time.)
  • Une solution aussi simple semble douteuse. (Such a simple solution seems unlikely/questionable.)

Less common alternatives

Improbabilisé (rare)

Used in technical or statistical contexts to mean “rendered unlikely.”

Example:

  • Ce facteur a improbabilisé le résultat. (This factor made the outcome unlikely.)

Inenvisageable

Means “unthinkable” or “out of the question,” stronger than just “unlikely.”

Example:

  • Une défaite est inenvisageable pour eux. (A defeat is unlikely/unthinkable for them.)

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • même

    The French word même is versatile and appears in several useful expressions. Here are some key phrases, their meanings, and examples of how to use them. Même (even, same) Used alone, même can mean “even” or “same.” Stress pronouns with même (myself, yourself, etc.) The construction [stress pronoun] + même means “myself,” “yourself,” etc., and…

  • cours vs corps

    One of the classic pronunciation pitfalls for French learners is the word “cours” (as in un cours de français)—which is often confused with “corps” (as in le corps humain). Although these words are spelled similarly, they sound quite different in French. 1. The Basics: What Do These Words Mean? 2. Pronunciation Breakdown “Cours” [kuʁ] ✅…

  • Liaison

    One of the trickiest aspects of French pronunciation for learners is liaison – the smooth linking of a normally silent final consonant to the beginning of the following word when that word starts with a vowel or a silent “h”. Knowing when to do a liaison and when to avoid it is key to sounding…

  • What

    The English word “what” can be translated into French in several ways, depending on the context. The most common translations are quel, quelle, qu’est-ce que, que, ce que, ce qui and quoi. Interrogative expressions with “quel” and “quelle” “Quel” (masculine) and “quelle” (feminine) are used when “what” functions as an adjective modifying a noun. Here,…

  • Accents on letters

    Accented letters in French are essential for correct pronunciation and often carry historical significance. The five main diacritical marks in French are the acute accent (é), grave accent (è), circumflex (ê), tréma (ë), and cedilla (ç). Each affects pronunciation, and some even reveal fascinating linguistic evolution—particularly the acute and circumflex accents, which often replace a…

  • chacun son truc

    Understanding “Chacun son truc” “Chacun son truc” is a common French expression that translates to “to each their own” or “everyone has their thing.” It conveys the idea that everyone has their own preferences, tastes, or ways of doing things. This phrase is often used to express tolerance or acceptance of different behaviors or choices….

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *