不可(ふか)

不可(ふか) is a Sino-Japanese word meaning "not permissible" or "impossible." It functions as both a noun and a na-adjective, and appears frequently in compound words and on signs.

Usage as prefix

不可(ふか) attaches to other Sino-Japanese words to form compounds meaning "cannot be ~":

• 不可能(ふかのう): impossible
• 不可欠(ふかけつ): indispensable (cannot be lacking)
• 不可解(ふかかい): incomprehensible
• 不可避(ふかひ): unavoidable

Signs and notices

Very common on signs in the pattern 〜不可(ふか) (~ not allowed):

• 撮影(さつえい)不可(ふか): no photography
• 持(も)ち込(こ)み不可(ふか): no bringing in outside items
• 飲食(いんしょく)不可(ふか): no eating or drinking

Academic grading

In Japanese universities, 不可(ふか) is the failing grade (equivalent to F). The full scale is:

• 秀(しゅう): A+, 優(ゆう): A, 良(りょう): B, 可(か): C, 不可(ふか): F