1.
(not) possibly; (cannot) by any means; utterly impossible
Emphasizes that something is absolutely impossible or cannot be achieved under any circumstances. Almost always used with negative predicates.
この量は到底一人では食べきれない。
There's no way I can eat this amount by myself.
彼の行動は到底理解できない。
His actions are utterly beyond my comprehension.
締め切りまでに到底間に合わない。
There's no way we'll make it by the deadline.
USAGE:
到底 + NEGATIVE predicate
This adverb almost always appears with negative forms (〜ない, 〜できない, etc.) to emphasize impossibility.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 到底〜できない (absolutely cannot ~)
- 到底〜ない (there's no way ~)
- 到底無理だ (utterly impossible)
- 到底信じられない (cannot possibly believe)
NUANCE:
Conveys a strong sense of impossibility—the speaker is emphatic that something cannot happen under any circumstances. More formal than simply saying できない.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- とても〜ない - Cannot possibly ~ (similar, slightly less emphatic)
- 絶対に〜ない - Absolutely will not ~
- どうしても〜ない - No matter what, cannot ~
Related Words
Synonym:
絶対に (absolutely)