impossible/ɛ̃.pɔ.sibl/
adjective / noun · A2 · Frequency 716
adjective
Meanings
impossible
Used to indicate that something cannot be done or happen.
extremely difficult to do
Used to emphasize that something is very difficult, but not necessarily completely impossible.
unbearable
Often used to describe situations that cause extreme discomfort or pain.
Examples
Un retour en arrière est impossible après une telle décision.
Going back is impossible after such a decision.
Ce résultat est impossible sans un travail régulier.
This result is impossible without regular work.
Ce meuble est impossible à porter seul.
This piece of furniture is extremely difficult to carry alone.
Collocations
- impossible à réaliserimpossible to achieve
Common mistakes
Il est inpossible de venir.
Il est impossible de venir.
The spelling of impossible follows the rule that m is used before p; it must not be written as inpossible.
Related words
nounmasculine
Meanings
the impossible
Used as a noun to denote something that cannot be done or happen, often in abstract or philosophical contexts.
Examples
Face à la panne, l'équipe a tenté l'impossible avant la nuit.
Faced with the breakdown, the team attempted the impossible before nightfall.
Collocations
- tenter l’impossibleto attempt the impossible
Common mistakes
Il a tenté le impossible.
Il a tenté l’impossible.
When impossible is used as a noun meaning “the impossible,” the article le must elide to l’ before the vowel.
Related words
adjective
Meanings
impossible
Used to indicate that something cannot be done or happen.
extremely difficult to do
Used to emphasize that something is very difficult, but not necessarily completely impossible.
unbearable
Often used to describe situations that cause extreme discomfort or pain.
Examples
Ces résultats sont impossibles à accepter.
These results are impossible to accept.
Les délais imposés par le client sont presque impossibles à respecter.
The deadlines set by the client are extremely difficult to meet.
Les exercices de la dernière épreuve semblaient impossibles, mais les candidats les ont terminés.
The exercises in the final test seemed extremely difficult, but the candidates finished them.