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How to Say "unlikely" in Spanish

English → Spanish

improbable

eem-pro-BAH-blehimpɾoˈbaβle

adjectiveB1general
Use this when you want to state that something probably won't happen, as it is the most common and direct translation for 'unlikely'.
A tiny fish jumping out of a small fishbowl into a large ocean.

Examples

Es improbable que llueva hoy.

It is unlikely that it will rain today.

Parece improbable que ganemos el partido.

It seems unlikely that we will win the match.

Es un escenario altamente improbable.

It is a highly improbable scenario.

The 'Que' Trigger

When you say 'Es improbable que...', the verb that follows must change its form to show uncertainty. For example, instead of 'está', you use 'esté'.

One Word for Both Genders

This word ends in 'e', which means it doesn't change for boys or girls. You can say 'el resultado improbable' or 'la situación improbable'.

The 'No' Trap

Mistake: “Es no probable.”

Correction: Es improbable (or 'No es probable'). In Spanish, we usually use the 'im-' prefix or put 'no' before the verb 'es'.

difícilmente

adverbB1general
Use this adverb when emphasizing the difficulty or low probability of something happening, often implying that it's hard to imagine it occurring.

Examples

Difícilmente llegará a tiempo con este tráfico.

He's unlikely to arrive on time with this traffic.

remoto

reh-MOH-tohreˈmoto

adjectiveB2general
Choose this adjective when referring to a very small, slight, or distant possibility that something might happen.
A single, small green island with a tree floats impossibly high above a layer of puffy white clouds, illustrating an unlikely or remote possibility.

Examples

Existe una posibilidad remota de que cambie de opinión.

There is a remote possibility that he will change his mind.

No veo ni la más remota conexión entre esos dos temas.

I don't see even the slightest connection between those two topics.

Possibility

This sense is almost always used with feminine nouns like 'posibilidad' (possibility) or 'duda' (doubt), requiring the feminine form 'remota'.

Choosing Between 'Improbable' and 'Difícilmente'

Learners often confuse 'improbable' (adjective) and 'difícilmente' (adverb). Remember that 'improbable' describes the situation itself, while 'difícilmente' modifies the verb, emphasizing the difficulty of the event occurring.

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