improbable
“improbable” means “unlikely” in Spanish (most common way to say something probably won't happen).
unlikely
Also: improbable
📝 In Action
Es improbable que llueva hoy.
A2It is unlikely that it will rain today.
Parece improbable que ganemos el partido.
B1It seems unlikely that we will win the match.
Es un escenario altamente improbable.
B2It is a highly improbable scenario.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: improbable
Question 1 of 3
Which of these means 'highly unlikely'?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'improbabilis', which combines 'in-' (meaning not) and 'probabilis' (meaning provable or likely). It shares the same root as the English word 'probe'.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'improbable' different from 'poco probable'?
They are very similar. 'Improbable' is a bit stronger, while 'poco probable' literally means 'little probable' or 'not very likely'.
Does it always require the subjunctive?
Yes, when you use the phrase 'Es improbable que...', the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive form because you are talking about something uncertain.
Can I use it for people?
Not really. In English we say 'He is unlikely to come,' but in Spanish we say 'It is unlikely that he comes' (Es improbable que venga).