目錄
The Japanese expression 「とは思えない」 means “it's hard to believe that…” or “it doesn't seem like…”. It can be used to reject a particular judgment, express surprise, or even compliment someone's performance.
For example, 「成功するとは思えない」 suggests that success is unlikely, while 「初心者とは思えない」 may mean that someone's performance is so impressive that they hardly seem like a beginner. Although both sentences use 「とは思えない」, their actual nuances are quite different.
To understand this expression, you need to pay attention not only to whether it follows a plain form, noun, or な-adjective, but also to whether the sentence includes additional explanations of reasons or degree. Comparing 「とは思えないほど」 with the similar expressions 「とは思わない」 and 「とは言えない」 in practical situations makes their differences easier to understand.
What Does 「とは思えない」 Mean? Difficulty Accepting a Judgment and Differences from Expectations
The Japanese expression 「とは思えない」 means “it's hard to believe that…” or “it doesn't seem like…”. It indicates that a particular judgment is difficult to accept or that the situation in front of you differs from what you originally expected. Depending on the context, it can also mean “I don't think…” or “it doesn't look like… at all”.
This expression has two common nuances. One involves judging something unlikely based on the information currently available, such as doubting whether a plan will succeed. The other occurs when you already know something to be true, but the actual performance or situation exceeds your expectations so much that it hardly seems possible. The second usage is also common when expressing surprise or giving compliments.
Grammatically, 「と」 introduces the judgment expressed before it, 「は」 singles out that judgment, and 「思えない」 indicates that the speaker finds it difficult to form such an opinion. Therefore, when you encounter 「初心者とは思えない」, you should not automatically interpret it as a denial that someone is a beginner. You need to examine the surrounding context to determine whether the speaker is questioning the person's experience or praising their performance.
- Example: この計画が成功するとは思えない。
Kana: このけいかくがせいこうするとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that this plan will succeed.
Based on the current conditions, the speaker has a negative outlook on the plan's chances of success. However, this does not necessarily mean they are asserting that success is absolutely impossible. - Example: 初心者とは思えないほど上手だ。
Kana: しょしんしゃとはおもえないほどじょうずだ。
Translation: They're so skilled that you'd never guess they were a beginner.
Here, the speaker is not questioning whether the person is actually a beginner. Instead, the person's performance is better than expected, giving the sentence a tone of surprise and praise. - Example: 冬とは思えないほど暖かい。
Kana: ふゆとはおもえないほどあたたかい。
Translation: It's so warm that it hardly feels like winter.
It is still winter, but the weather is much warmer than people generally associate with the season. 「とは思えないほど」 describes this contrast between the season and how the weather actually feels.
How to Use 「とは思えない」 with Verbs, Adjectives, and Nouns
The basic construction is 「plain form＋とは思えない」. It can follow verbs and い-adjectives, as well as nouns and な-adjectives. Verbs and い-adjectives generally connect directly in their plain forms. Nouns and な-adjectives can connect directly to 「とは思えない」 or take 「だ」 before it.
Pay particular attention to nouns and な-adjectives. For example, both 「初心者とは思えない」 and 「初心者だとは思えない」 are correct, but 「初心者なとは思えない」 is not. Similarly, the な-adjective 「簡単」 can appear as 「簡単とは思えない」 or 「簡単だとは思えない」, but it cannot take the noun-modifying form 「簡単な」 in this construction.
The plain form preceding 「とは思えない」 can also be affirmative, negative, or past tense. For example, 「成功する」, 「成功しない」, and 「成功した」 can all be used. When a polite ending is needed, simply change 「思えない」 to 「思えません」. The preceding attachment rules remain unchanged.
| Word type | Construction | Example | Notes |
| Verb | Verb plain form＋とは思えない | 成功するとは思えない | Can follow dictionary, タ, and ない forms |
| い-adjective | い-adjective plain form＋とは思えない | 安いとは思えない | Retain 「い」; past and negative forms can also be used |
| な-adjective | Stem＋（だ）とは思えない | 簡単とは思えない／簡単だとは思えない | Cannot connect directly using 「な」 |
| Noun | Noun＋（だ）とは思えない | 初心者とは思えない／初心者だとは思えない | 「だ」 is optional; do not add 「な」 |
| Polite form | Plain form＋とは思えません | 成功するとは思えません | Only the ending changes; the preceding construction remains the same |
「とは思えない」 Construction ①｜Verbs Use the Plain Form, Including Dictionary, タ, and ない Forms
When connecting a verb to 「とは思えない」, no additional particle is needed. Simply use the verb's plain form. For example, 「成功するとは思えない」 uses the dictionary form, 「成功したとは思えない」 uses the タ form, and 「成功しないとは思えない」 uses the ない form.
If the preceding part is a complete clause describing an action, the entire clause can connect directly to 「とは思えない」. For example, 「子どもが描いたとは思えない」 preserves the clause 「子どもが描いた」 without adding 「の」 or 「こと」 after the verb, unlike certain nominalization patterns.
- Example: この計画が成功するとは思えない。
Kana: このけいかくがせいこうするとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that this plan will succeed.
The verb 「成功する」 is used in its dictionary form and connects directly to 「とは思えない」. No additional particle is needed between them. - Example: この絵は、子どもが描いたとは思えない。
Kana: このえは、こどもがかいたとはおもえない。
Translation: This painting doesn't look like something a child could have drawn.
「描いた」 is the タ form of the verb 「描く」. The preceding clause, 「子どもが描いた」, is a complete statement that can connect directly to 「とは思えない」. - Example: この計画に問題がないとは思えない。
Kana: このけいかくにもんだいがないとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that this plan has no problems.
「ない」 is a negative form that can appear directly before 「とは思えない」. Here, the negative statement 「問題がない」 is formed first, and 「とは思えない」 then rejects that entire judgment.
「とは思えない」 Construction ②｜い-Adjectives Retain Their Plain Form Without 「だ」
When an い-adjective precedes 「とは思えない」, use its plain form directly. For example, 「安いとは思えない」 and 「高いとは思えない」 do not require 「だ」 after the adjective. The construction 「安いだとは思えない」 is not valid.
To describe a past state, first change the い-adjective to its 「かった」 form, as in 「寒かったとは思えない」. For a negative statement, use the 「くない」 form, as in 「難しくないとは思えない」. These changes occur before 「とは思えない」 and do not affect the attachment pattern itself.
- Example: この値段は安いとは思えない。
Kana: このねだんはやすいとはおもえない。
Translation: I wouldn't consider this price cheap.
The い-adjective 「安い」 retains its original form and connects directly to 「とは思えない」. You cannot insert 「だ」 between them. - Example: 昨日はそんなに寒かったとは思えない。
Kana: きのうはそんなにさむかったとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that it was that cold yesterday.
「寒かった」 is the past form of 「寒い」. After changing the い-adjective to its 「かった」 form, it can still connect directly to 「とは思えない」. - Example: この問題が難しくないとは思えない。
Kana: このもんだいがむずかしくないとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that this question isn't difficult.
「難しくない」 is the negative form of 「難しい」 and requires no further changes when connecting to 「とは思えない」. The entire expression 「難しくない」 is the content introduced before 「とは思えない」.
「とは思えない」 Construction ③｜な-Adjectives and Nouns Can Connect Directly or Take 「だ」
The most common ways to connect な-adjectives and nouns to 「とは思えない」 are to attach them directly or insert 「だ」. For example, 「簡単とは思えない」 and 「簡単だとは思えない」 are both correct, as are 「初心者とは思えない」 and 「初心者だとは思えない」.
A common mistake is applying the 「な-adjective＋な＋noun」 rule here. 「簡単な問題」 uses 「な」 because the following word, 「問題」, is a noun. However, 「とは思えない」 is not a noun, so 「簡単なとは思えない」 is not a valid construction.
Nouns follow the same attachment principle and do not require an additional 「な」. When a noun such as 「初心者」, 「学生」, or 「専門家」 expresses someone's identity or position, it can connect directly to 「とは思えない」. You can also add 「だ」 to express the preceding judgment as a complete plain-form statement.
- Example: この作業が簡単とは思えない。
Kana: このさぎょうがかんたんとはおもえない。
Translation: I don't think this task is easy.
「簡単」 is a な-adjective, so it can connect directly to 「とは思えない」. 「簡単だとは思えない」 is also possible, but 「簡単なとは思えない」 is not. - Example: この部屋が静かだとは思えない。
Kana: このへやがしずかだとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that this room is quiet.
「静か」 is a な-adjective. Here, the plain-form 「だ」 is retained to create 「静かだとは思えない」. You can also omit 「だ」 and say 「静かとは思えない」. - Example: あの人が初心者とは思えない。
Kana: あのひとがしょしんしゃとはおもえない。
Translation: That person doesn't seem like a beginner at all.
「初心者」 is a noun, so it can connect directly to 「とは思えない」. 「初心者だとは思えない」 is also possible. A noun does not require 「な」 here, which means 「初心者なとは思えない」 is incorrect.
Uses of 「とは思えない」: Rejecting Judgments and Expressing Differences from Expectations
The basic meaning of 「とは思えない」 is “it's hard to believe that…”, but it does not always express a negative opinion. Depending on the judgment that precedes it and whether the speaker already knows the facts, it can express surprise, praise, criticism, or doubt about whether something is true.
All these uses share the underlying sense that a particular judgment is difficult to accept. What differs is whether the speaker doubts the likelihood of something happening or finds that the actual situation does not match their expectations. Thus, the same expression, 「初心者とは思えない」, could praise a beginner's outstanding performance or question whether the person really is a beginner.
「とは思えない」 Usage ①｜Judging That Something Is Unlikely to Happen Based on Current Conditions
This is a very common use of 「とは思えない」. When the available conditions, information, or experience do not sufficiently support a particular outcome, the expression indicates that it is difficult to believe things will develop as expected. It frequently appears in discussions about plans, schedules, work progress, or the likelihood of success.
This usage generally conveys a negative prediction, but it does not mean the speaker is 100% certain that something will not happen. For example, 「成功するとは思えない」 indicates that the speaker is currently doubtful about success, not that they already know the outcome will definitely be failure.
- Example: この計画が成功するとは思えない。
Kana: このけいかくがせいこうするとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that this plan will succeed.
Based on the plan's current details or circumstances, the speaker doubts its chances of success. However, they are not directly asserting that failure is inevitable. - Example: 今から出ても、間に合うとは思えない。
Kana: いまからでても、まにあうとはおもえない。
Translation: Even if we leave now, I doubt we'll make it in time.
Considering the remaining time or traffic conditions, the speaker believes there is little chance of arriving on time and uses 「とは思えない」 to express that judgment. - Example: こんな短い時間で全部終わるとは思えない。
Kana: こんなみじかいじかんでぜんぶおわるとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe everything can be finished in such a short time.
The speaker believes there is insufficient time to complete all the work and therefore doubts the outcome expressed by 「全部終わる」.
「とは思えない」 Usage ②｜Disagreeing with a Claim or Evaluation
「とは思えない」 can also reject an evaluation such as “very cheap”, “very easy”, or “there are no problems”. In this usage, the emphasis is not on predicting the future but on finding that a particular claim does not fit the actual circumstances.
Compared with directly saying 「違う」, meaning “that's wrong” or “that's not the case”, 「とは思えない」 focuses on the speaker's difficulty accepting the judgment. However, this does not necessarily make it gentler. When directly evaluating someone else's decisions or abilities, it can still communicate clear disagreement.
- Example: この値段は安いとは思えない。
Kana: このねだんはやすいとはおもえない。
Translation: I really wouldn't call this price cheap.
The speaker disagrees with the assessment that the price is cheap, but they are not necessarily saying it is extremely expensive. - Example: この仕事が簡単だとは思えない。
Kana: このしごとがかんたんだとはおもえない。
Translation: I don't think this job is easy.
Based on the work involved or its actual difficulty, the speaker considers “easy” an inaccurate description. - Example: この方法に問題がないとは思えない。
Kana: このほうほうにもんだいがないとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that there are no problems with this method.
The preceding expression 「問題がない」 is already a negative statement. The addition of 「とは思えない」 indicates difficulty accepting that judgment, leaving open the possibility that problems exist.
「とは思えない」 Usage ③｜Expressing Surprise When a Known Fact Differs from Appearances
「とは思えない」 can also be used when something is already established as fact, but what the speaker observes differs greatly from the usual impression. In this situation, the speaker is not questioning the fact itself. Instead, they are expressing the feeling that “even though I know it's true, it really doesn't seem that way”.
For example, 「冬とは思えないほど暖かい」 does not deny that it is winter. It means the weather is much warmer than people normally associate with winter. This construction often appears with 「ほど」, linking the degree to which expectations are exceeded with a following adjective or description.
- Example: 冬とは思えないほど暖かい。
Kana: ふゆとはおもえないほどあたたかい。
Translation: It's so warm that it hardly feels like winter.
The speaker knows that it is winter, but the actual temperature is much warmer than expected. 「とは思えないほど」 describes this contrast between the season and the weather as experienced. - Example: もう十月とは思えないほど暑い。
Kana: もうじゅうがつとはおもえないほどあつい。
Translation: It's already October, but it's so hot that it doesn't feel like October at all.
October is usually associated with gradually cooling weather, but it is still very hot. The speaker expresses surprise at the difference between the actual weather and their impression of the season. - Example: ここが東京とは思えないほど静かだ。
Kana: ここがとうきょうとはおもえないほどしずかだ。
Translation: It's so quiet here that it's hard to believe we're in Tokyo.
The speaker knows they are in Tokyo, but the surroundings differ from their image of a busy metropolis. 「とは思えない」 expresses that contrast.
「とは思えない」 Usage ④｜Praising or Admiring Performance That Exceeds Expectations
「とは思えない」 also frequently appears in compliments, particularly when someone's actual abilities differ significantly from what their experience, seniority, or status would normally suggest. For example, if someone produces an excellent result despite trying something for the first time, you can say 「初めてとは思えない」.
Here, the speaker is not denying the person's experience level but expressing that their performance has exceeded ordinary expectations. Positive evaluations such as 「上手」, 「すごい」, and 「素晴らしい」 often follow. The expression can also directly modify nouns such as 「作品」 and 「演奏」.
- Example: 初心者とは思えないほど上手だ。
Kana: しょしんしゃとはおもえないほどじょうずだ。
Translation: They're so good that you'd never guess they were a beginner.
The speaker already knows the person is a beginner, but their actual performance is far more accomplished than expected. 「とは思えないほど」 is therefore used to express praise. - Example: 初めて作ったとは思えないほどおいしい。
Kana: はじめてつくったとはおもえないほどおいしい。
Translation: It's so delicious that it's hard to believe this is the first time they've made it.
Someone making something for the first time might not yet be very experienced, but the finished food tastes excellent. The result inspires surprise as well as praise. - Example: 新人とは思えない演奏だった。
Kana: しんじんとはおもえないえんそうだった。
Translation: It was a performance far beyond what you'd expect from a newcomer.
「新人とは思えない」 directly modifies the noun 「演奏」, indicating that the performance exceeded expectations for a newcomer. In this case, admiration can be expressed without using 「ほど」.
「とは思えない」 Usage ⑤｜Criticizing Behavior That Falls Short of Someone's Position or Expectations
When the preceding expression refers to a professional, a person in charge, or someone with specific responsibilities, and a negative evaluation follows, 「とは思えない」 may criticize that person's performance. The contrast here is between the abilities or attitude normally expected of someone in that position and what they actually demonstrated.
For example, 「プロとは思えない」 may criticize the quality of a professional's work rather than offer praise. Such expressions are common when reviewing work, services, or professional performance, but they can sound quite harsh when addressed directly to the person concerned.
- Example: プロとは思えないほど雑な仕事だ。
Kana: ぷろとはおもえないほどざつなしごとだ。
Translation: The work is so sloppy that it's hard to believe a professional did it.
A professional would normally be expected to maintain a certain standard of quality. Since the actual work is very rough, the sentence carries clear criticism. - Example: 責任者とは思えない対応だった。
Kana: せきにんしゃとはおもえないたいおうだった。
Translation: That was hardly the kind of response you'd expect from someone in charge.
「責任者とは思えない」 directly modifies 「対応」, indicating that the way the situation was handled did not meet expectations for someone in charge. - Example: 専門家とは思えない発言ですね。
Kana: せんもんかとはおもえないはつげんですね。
Translation: That's hardly something you'd expect an expert to say.
The speaker considers the statement inconsistent with what would be expected from a professional. Even though the sentence ends with 「ですね」, it still conveys criticism.
「とは思えない」 Usage ⑥｜Questioning the Authenticity of an Identity, Claim, or Fact
When something has not yet been confirmed, or information the speaker has heard conflicts with existing evidence, 「とは思えない」 can express doubt. Unlike the earlier usage in which the speaker already knows a fact but feels surprised, this usage indicates genuine skepticism about whether a claim is true.
For example, if the speaker already knows that a child painted a picture, 「子どもが描いたとは思えない」 may be a compliment. However, if the artist's identity has not been confirmed, the speaker may genuinely doubt that a child could have produced such a work. Therefore, the expression alone is not enough to determine whether the speaker is offering praise or expressing skepticism.
- Example: この話が本当だとは思えない。
Kana: このはなしがほんとうだとはおもえない。
Translation: It's really hard to believe that this story is true.
The speaker is skeptical of the information they have heard and finds it difficult to accept as true. However, that does not mean they already have evidence proving it false. - Example: この絵を子どもが描いたとは思えない。
Kana: このえをこどもがかいたとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that a child painted this picture.
If the artist's identity has not been confirmed, the sentence may express doubt that the painting was actually created by a child. This differs from praising the work after learning that the artist is a child. - Example: これが本物とは思えない。
Kana: これがほんものとはおもえない。
Translation: It's really hard to believe that this is genuine.
The speaker doubts the object's authenticity because it does not appear genuine. If the surrounding context has already established that it is authentic, the sentence may instead convey surprise. The interpretation therefore still depends on the situation.
Differences Between 「とは思えない」, 「とは思わない」, and 「とは言えない」 in Japanese
「とは思えない」, 「とは思わない」, and 「とは言えない」 can all be used to reject a particular statement. They may be translated as “I don't think…”, “it's hard to believe…”, or “you can't say…”, but the three expressions differ in how they present the speaker's judgment.
「とは思えない」 indicates that the current circumstances make it difficult to arrive naturally at a particular conclusion. 「とは思わない」 directly expresses that the speaker does not hold a certain opinion. 「とは言えない」 focuses on whether there is sufficient justification for a conclusion or whether making a particular evaluation would be appropriate.
For example, 「成功するとは思えない」 generally suggests that the speaker sees little prospect of success. 「成功するとは思わない」 directly communicates a lack of confidence in success. 「成功するとは言えない」 may simply mean that success cannot yet be confirmed. All three expressions may appear in the same situation, but they are not necessarily interchangeable.
| Comparison | 「とは思えない」 | 「とは思わない」 | 「とは言えない」 |
| Basic meaning | It's hard to believe… / It doesn't seem like… | I don't think… / I don't believe… | You can't say… / It cannot yet be concluded that… |
| Main function | Expresses difficulty arriving at a particular judgment | Directly rejects a particular view | Qualifies or rejects an assertion or evaluation |
| Basis of judgment | Observations, experience, or expectations make a claim difficult to accept | The speaker does not hold that view | Available evidence, conditions, or degree are insufficient to support a conclusion |
| Speaker's position | Tends to disagree with the preceding judgment | Clearly expresses a personal opinion | Does not necessarily reject the facts but avoids accepting the conclusion outright |
| Whether a specific reason is required | Not necessarily, although context often suggests a basis | Not necessarily; it can directly express a personal view | Often involves the grounds for judgment, evaluation criteria, or whether an assertion is justified |
| Whether it means something is impossible | Not necessarily; the speaker simply finds it difficult to believe or expect | Not necessarily; the speaker simply does not currently hold that view | Not necessarily; it may only mean the outcome cannot be guaranteed or proven |
| Whether it can express surprise | Yes, especially when reality differs from expectations | Generally not its main function | Yes, although it focuses more on the inability to make a particular evaluation |
| Whether it can express praise | Yes, as in 「初心者とは思えない」 | Generally does not naturally produce the same complimentary nuance | Possible depending on context, but the emphasis is more on whether an identity or evaluation is justified |
| Tone and nuance | Conveys disbelief or difficulty accepting a judgment | Expresses an opinion more directly | Can reserve judgment or express a negative evaluation indirectly |
| Everyday conversation | Common; also frequently used for surprise or praise | Very common; suitable for expressing opinions directly | Common; also suitable for discussions, reports, and formal evaluations |
| Polite form | とは思えません | とは思いません | とは言えません |
| Common English equivalents | Hard to believe, doesn't seem like, don't think | Don't think, don't believe | Can't say, wouldn't call it, hard to say yet |
| Example | 成功するとは思えない | 成功するとは思わない | 成功するとは言えない |
| Nuance of the example | Given the current situation, success seems unlikely | Directly states a lack of confidence in success | It is too early to conclude that success is likely |
▌「とは思えない」 vs. 「とは思わない」｜Difficulty Accepting a Judgment vs. Directly Expressing an Opinion
The main difference between 「とは思えない」 and 「とは思わない」 lies in how the speaker presents their judgment. 「とは思えない」 comes from the negative form of 「思える」 and carries the sense that, based on what the speaker currently sees or knows, it is genuinely difficult to think that way. In contrast, 「とは思わない」 is the negative form of 「思う」 and directly states that the speaker does not hold that opinion.
For example, when discussing whether a plan can be completed on schedule, 「とは思えない」 generally suggests that the speaker has examined the current progress or circumstances and finds it hard to believe the plan will proceed smoothly. Replacing it with 「とは思わない」 more directly communicates that the speaker does not expect the plan to stay on schedule.
However, the distinction is not that one expression is supported by evidence while the other is not. 「とは思わない」 can also express a judgment based on substantial evidence, and 「とは思えない」 may reflect strong personal feelings. The actual difference is that 「とは思えない」 more readily conveys difficulty accepting a particular judgment, while 「とは思わない」 directly states the speaker's opinion.
- Example: この計画が予定どおり進むとは思えない。
Kana: このけいかくがよていどおりすすむとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that this plan will proceed according to schedule.
The speaker may already have noticed delays or other problems, making it difficult to believe that the plan will proceed as scheduled. 「思えない」 conveys the sense that the current conditions do not support an optimistic judgment. - Example: この計画が予定どおり進むとは思わない。
Kana: このけいかくがよていどおりすすむとはおもわない。
Translation: I don't think this plan will proceed according to schedule.
The speaker directly states that they do not expect the plan to stay on schedule. Even if the opinion is based on similar concerns about progress or resources, the focus remains on the speaker not holding that particular view.
▌「とは思えない」 vs. 「とは言えない」｜Difficulty Agreeing with a Judgment vs. Inability to Make a Definite Claim
「とは思えない」 emphasizes whether the speaker can arrive at a particular opinion, while 「とは言えない」 emphasizes whether a conclusion can currently be made. For example, 「成功したとは思えない」 means that the speaker finds it difficult to agree that something has already succeeded. 「成功したとは言えない」 may indicate that the current results are insufficient to qualify as success.
The main difference is that 「とは思えない」 generally suggests a tendency to disagree with the judgment, while 「とは言えない」 does not necessarily do so. Sometimes there is simply insufficient information to determine the outcome. In other cases, the actual performance has not met the relevant standards, making a positive evaluation inappropriate.
Suppose a project has completed its first phase but has not yet achieved all its overall objectives. Saying 「成功したとは思えない」 would sound more like the speaker personally does not consider the project successful. Saying 「成功したとは言えない」 might instead indicate that the project has not yet met the criteria for being considered successful.
- Example: この結果だけでは、成功したとは思えない。
Kana: このけっかだけでは、せいこうしたとはおもえない。
Translation: Based on this result alone, it's hard to believe it was a success.
The speaker is not sufficiently convinced by the current outcome and finds it difficult to regard it naturally as a success. 「思えない」 expresses a tendency to reject the judgment that success has been achieved. - Example: この結果だけでは、成功したとは言えない。
Kana: このけっかだけでは、せいこうしたとはいえない。
Translation: Based on this result alone, we cannot yet say it was a success.
The available results do not sufficiently support the conclusion that success has been achieved. The sentence does not necessarily mean the speaker considers the project a failure; additional information or outcomes may simply be needed before a judgment can be made.
▌「とは思わない」 vs. 「とは言えない」｜Expressing Disagreement vs. Reserving Judgment
「とは思わない」 directly expresses the speaker's view, so it can communicate an opinion independently, even without an explanation of the reasons behind it. 「とは言えない」 addresses whether a particular statement can be justified and is often used when conditions, evidence, or evaluation standards need to be considered.
For example, when discussing a product's price, 「安いとは思わない」 means the speaker does not consider it cheap. This is a direct personal evaluation. By contrast, 「安いとは言えない」 indicates that, considering the price or prevailing market rates, it does not quite qualify as cheap. The latter may sometimes convey a negative evaluation indirectly, but it does not necessarily mean the speaker has not yet formed an opinion.
Therefore, 「とは言えない」 should not always be interpreted as “I'm not sure yet”, nor should it automatically be considered more polite than 「とは思わない」. When preceded by evaluative words such as 「安い」, 「十分」, or 「安全」, it can clearly indicate that the current situation does not meet the relevant standard.
- Example: この値段は安いとは思わない。
Kana: このねだんはやすいとはおもわない。
Translation: I don't think this price is cheap.
The speaker directly expresses their assessment of the price. That judgment may be based on their budget, purchasing experience, or other factors, but the focus is on the fact that they do not consider it cheap. - Example: この値段は安いとは言えない。
Kana: このねだんはやすいとはいえない。
Translation: You couldn't really call this price cheap.
The speaker believes the current price does not qualify for the description “cheap”. This does not necessarily mean it is extremely expensive, but rather that “cheap” is not an appropriate evaluation.
▌How the Nuances Differ When All Three Expressions Are Used in the Same Situation
Suppose a company is discussing a new plan, but there are still problems with the available budget, staffing, and implementation schedule. When responding to the question “Will this plan succeed?”, all three expressions—「とは思えない」, 「とは思わない」, and 「とは言えない」—could be used, but each conveys a different position.
「とは思えない」 suggests that, given the current conditions, it is difficult to believe the plan will succeed. 「とは思わない」 directly states that the speaker does not expect success. 「とは言えない」 indicates that success cannot yet be asserted and does not necessarily mean the plan will ultimately fail.
- Example: この計画が成功するとは思えない。
Kana: このけいかくがせいこうするとはおもえない。
Translation: It's hard to believe that this plan will succeed.
Considering problems involving the budget, staffing, or implementation, the speaker finds it difficult to believe the plan will succeed smoothly. The sentence conveys a pessimistic assessment as well as the gap between current conditions and expectations of success. - Example: この計画が成功するとは思わない。
Kana: このけいかくがせいこうするとはおもわない。
Translation: I don't think this plan will succeed.
The speaker directly states their opinion that the plan will not succeed. Compared with 「思えない」, this sentence presents the speaker's personal position more directly without particularly emphasizing the difficulty of forming a different judgment. - Example: この計画が成功するとは言えない。
Kana: このけいかくがせいこうするとはいえない。
Translation: We can't yet say that this plan will succeed.
The current conditions do not sufficiently support the assertion that the plan will definitely succeed, so the speaker reserves judgment. The sentence does not directly deny the possibility of success, nor does it necessarily mean the speaker is entirely pessimistic about the plan.
All three expressions might be used in the same meeting, but 「とは思えない」 more readily conveys disbelief, 「とは思わない」 clearly communicates a personal opinion, and 「とは言えない」 focuses on whether a conclusion can currently be drawn. If the intended meaning is simply “We cannot guarantee success at this stage”, 「とは言えない」 is usually the better choice. If the speaker already believes that the chances of success are low based on the present circumstances, 「とは思えない」 or 「とは思わない」 more closely reflects that position.
「とは思えない」 in Situational Dialogues: Weather, Travel, and Schedule Decisions
When traveling in Japan, 「とは思えない」 can describe weather that differs from expectations, express concerns about travel arrangements, or convey surprise when a friend shares photographs or other work. For example, if the weather is unusually warm in winter, you can say 「冬とは思えないほど暖かい」. If you encounter traffic and doubt whether you can catch your train, you can say 「間に合うとは思えない」.
The tone of this expression changes with the situation. When describing the weather or complimenting someone's work, it usually conveys surprise. When discussing whether a schedule can be met, it may express a clearly negative judgment. When speaking to shop assistants, hotel staff, or people you do not know well, you can use the polite form 「とは思えません」. However, you should also consider what you are evaluating, because a polite ending does not necessarily make the entire statement gentle.
▌Situation ①｜Encountering Warm Weather During a Winter Trip
A：今日はずいぶん暖かいですね。
きょうはずいぶんあたたかいですね。
It's really warm today, isn't it?
B：本当ですね。冬とは思えないほど暖かいです。
ほんとうですね。ふゆとはおもえないほどあたたかいです。
It really is. It's so warm that it hardly feels like winter.
📌 Grammar Point: 「冬とは思えないほど暖かい」 does not mean the speaker doubts whether it is actually winter. Rather, the temperature differs from what they normally associate with winter. 「とは思えないほど」 is followed by 「暖かい」 to describe a degree of warmth that exceeds expectations. This expression is particularly useful when encountering unseasonable weather during a trip and also provides a natural response to someone else's comment about the weather.
▌Situation ②｜Checking Whether You Can Catch a Train During a Traffic Jam
A：今から駅に向かえば、電車に間に合いますか。
いまからえきにむかえば、でんしゃにまにあいますか。
If we head to the station now, can we still catch the train?
B：この渋滞では、間に合うとは思えません。次の電車を調べましょう。
このじゅうたいでは、まにあうとはおもえません。つぎのでんしゃをしらべましょう。
With traffic like this, I doubt we'll make it. Let's check the next train.
📌 Grammar Point: 「間に合うとは思えません」 indicates that, based on the current traffic conditions, it is difficult to believe the speaker can still catch the train. The preceding phrase 「この渋滞では」 provides the basis for this judgment. Therefore, the sentence is not simply expressing a personal preference but assessing whether the journey can proceed as scheduled. Although 「とは思えません」 is more polite than 「とは思えない」, it still expresses a negative outlook. Following it with an alternative plan makes the conversation easier to continue than simply saying that catching the train is unlikely.
▌Situation ③｜A Friend Shares a Photograph Taken During a Trip
A：この写真、友達が撮ったんです。カメラを始めたばかりなんですよ。
このしゃしん、ともだちがとったんです。かめらをはじめたばかりなんですよ。
My friend took this photo. They've only just started learning photography.
B：初心者とは思えないほど上手ですね。
しょしんしゃとはおもえないほどじょうずですね。
It's really good. You'd never guess they were a beginner.
📌 Grammar Point: 「初心者とは思えないほど上手」 praises someone's abilities as exceeding those expected of a beginner. It does not question whether the person has genuinely only recently started learning photography. Here, 「とは思えないほど」 is followed by the positive evaluation 「上手」, giving the sentence a tone of surprise and admiration. If you simply say 「初心者とは思えない」 without adding any further evaluation, it could also be interpreted as questioning whether the person is really a beginner. The surrounding context therefore affects the meaning.
Additional Usage Notes:
- In everyday conversation, 「とは思えない」 is often combined with 「ほど」 to describe a degree that exceeds expectations. For example, 「日本とは思えないほど広い」 describes a place that is much more spacious than one would normally imagine in Japan, while 「初めてとは思えないほど上手」 compliments someone for performing exceptionally well on their first attempt. In these sentences, the fact mentioned before the expression is usually already known, and the emphasis is on the degree described afterward. If 「とは思えない」 appears on its own, the surrounding context is needed to determine whether it expresses surprise, praise, or genuine disbelief.
- Both 「とは思えない」 and 「とは思わない」 can express a negative prediction, but they do not sound exactly the same. If you encounter a serious traffic jam while traveling, 「間に合うとは思えない」 more naturally conveys the sense that “given these conditions, it's hard to believe we'll make it”. Replacing it with 「間に合うとは思わない」 directly expresses the opinion that you do not think you will arrive in time. If you simply want to reserve judgment because you are not yet sure whether you will make it, you can also say 「間に合うかどうか、まだ分かりません」. There is no need to use a negative construction every time.
- Although 「とは思えません」 is a polite form, it is not necessarily appropriate for commenting directly on other people. For example, 「プロとは思えません」 may criticize someone's professional competence, and the ending 「ません」 does not remove that negative evaluation. If you want to raise a concern about a service or arrangement while traveling, you can describe the specific issue directly. For example, 「説明が少し分かりにくかったです」 means “The explanation was a little difficult to understand.” Conversely, when expressing surprise about a work of art, the weather, or scenery at a travel destination, 「とは思えない」 is generally less likely to cause a misunderstanding, especially when followed by a clearly positive evaluation that makes the compliment easier to recognize.
Understanding Japanese 「とは思えない」 in Comparison with Korean 「-다고 생각되지 않다」
The Japanese expression 「とは思えない」 and the Korean expression 「-다고 생각되지 않다」 can both mean “it's hard to believe that…” or “I don't think…”. They indicate that a particular judgment is difficult to accept. For example, both languages have similar expressions for doubting a plan's success, considering a price not particularly cheap, or finding that something is not as easy as expected.
However, Japanese 「とは思えない」 is also frequently used to express surprise or praise rather than simply reject a judgment. For example, 「初心者とは思えない」 can compliment a beginner's excellent performance. In Korean, directly using 「-다고 생각되지 않다」 generally places more emphasis on a reasoned judgment and may not always suit the tone of everyday conversation. Therefore, when comparing the two languages, it is necessary to distinguish between not believing a claim to be true and finding that someone's performance exceeds expectations.
◆ Similar Expression ①: 「-다고 생각되지 않다」 — Finding a Particular Judgment Difficult to Accept
The Korean verb 「생각되다」 indicates that something is thought of or judged in a particular way. Its negative form, 「생각되지 않다」, means that it is difficult to form such a judgment. Present-tense verbs generally use 「-ㄴ/는다고」, adjectives use 「-다고」, and nouns use 「-(이)라고」 to connect to this expression.
This construction is very close to Japanese 「とは思えない」 when rejecting a judgment. For example, it can be used when considering a plan unlikely to succeed, a price not particularly cheap, or a particular job less than easy. However, Korean 「-다고 생각되지 않다」 places more emphasis on explaining the conclusion reached and generally sounds somewhat formal. It is therefore not necessarily the first expression someone would choose in casual conversation.
- Example: 이 계획이 성공한다고는 생각되지 않아요.
Romanization: i gye-hoe-gi seong-gong-han-da-go-neun saeng-gak-doe-ji a-na-yo.
Translation: It's hard to believe that this plan will succeed.
Japanese: この計画が成功するとは思えない。
Kana: このけいかくがせいこうするとはおもえない。
Both sentences express a negative judgment about the claim that the plan will succeed. Korean uses 「성공한다고는 생각되지 않아요」, while Japanese uses 「成功するとは思えない」. Neither directly asserts that the plan will definitely fail. Instead, both indicate that success currently seems unlikely. - Example: 이 가격이 싸다고는 생각되지 않아요.
Romanization: i ga-gyeo-gi ssa-da-go-neun saeng-gak-doe-ji a-na-yo.
Translation: I don't think this price is particularly cheap.
Japanese: この値段は安いとは思えない。
Kana: このねだんはやすいとはおもえない。
The Korean expression 「싸다고는 생각되지 않아요」 and the Japanese expression 「安いとは思えない」 both reject the evaluation that something is cheap. This does not necessarily mean that the price is extremely high, but rather that the current price does not meet the speaker's standard for being considered cheap. - Example: 이 일이 간단하다고는 생각되지 않아요.
Romanization: i i-ri gan-dan-ha-da-go-neun saeng-gak-doe-ji a-na-yo.
Translation: I don't think this job is easy.
Japanese: この仕事が簡単だとは思えない。
Kana: このしごとがかんたんだとはおもえない。
The Korean word 「간단하다」 is an adjective, so it connects using 「간단하다고」. In Japanese, 「簡単」 is a な-adjective and can appear in 「簡単だとは思えない」. Both sentences express difficulty accepting the assessment that the job is easy, based on its content or level of difficulty.
◆ Similar Expression ②: 「-(으)ㄹ 것 같지 않다」 — Expressing Pessimistic Predictions in Everyday Conversation
The Korean expression 「-(으)ㄹ 것 같지 않다」 can also correspond to Japanese 「とは思えない」. In particular, when predicting that something probably will not happen, it is usually better suited to everyday conversation than 「-다고 생각되지 않다」.
For example, 「성공할 것 같지 않아요」 means “I don't think it will succeed”, while 「間に合うとは思えない」 means “it's hard to believe we'll make it in time”. Both make negative predictions based on current circumstances. However, Korean 「것 같지 않다」 more directly communicates the sense that something does not seem likely to happen, while Japanese 「とは思えない」 conveys difficulty arriving at a positive judgment.
- Example: 이 계획은 성공할 것 같지 않아요.
Romanization: i gye-hoe-geun seong-gong-hal geot gat-ji a-na-yo.
Translation: I don't think this plan will succeed.
Japanese: この計画が成功するとは思えない。
Kana: このけいかくがせいこうするとはおもえない。
The Korean expression 「성공할 것 같지 않아요」 uses the negative form of 「-(으)ㄹ 것 같다」 to indicate that the speaker currently expects the plan not to succeed. Compared with 「성공한다고는 생각되지 않아요」, this sounds more natural when discussing a plan with friends or colleagues. In Japanese, 「とは思えない」 can directly express a similar judgment. - Example: 지금 출발해도 제시간에 도착할 것 같지 않아요.
Romanization: ji-geum chul-bal-hae-do je-si-ga-ne do-cha-khal geot gat-ji a-na-yo.
Translation: Even if we leave now, it doesn't seem like we'll arrive on time.
Japanese: 今から出ても、間に合うとは思えない。
Kana: いまからでても、まにあうとはおもえない。
Korean uses 「도착할 것 같지 않아요」 to predict that arriving on time may not be possible, while Japanese uses 「間に合うとは思えない」 to express doubt about making it in time. Both are appropriate when time is running short or transport is delayed, but neither means that arriving late has already been confirmed. - Example: 오늘 안에 다 끝날 것 같지 않아요.
Romanization: o-neul a-ne da kkeut-nal geot gat-ji a-na-yo.
Translation: It doesn't look like we'll finish everything today.
Japanese: 今日中に全部終わるとは思えない。
Kana: きょうじゅうにぜんぶおわるとはおもえない。
Both Korean 「끝날 것 같지 않아요」 and Japanese 「終わるとは思えない」 can express a negative prediction about work progress. If a large amount of work remains unfinished, both sentences sound natural. The Korean construction 「것 같지 않다」 gives the statement more of an intuitive judgment typical of everyday conversation.
◆ Similar Expression ③: 「-같지 않다／믿기 어렵다」 — Expressing Surprise and Exceeding Expectations
Japanese 「とは思えない」 can also describe situations in which a known fact differs from what the speaker observes. For example, 「初心者とは思えないほど上手だ」 praises a beginner's performance, while 「冬とは思えないほど暖かい」 describes the contrast between actual weather conditions and what one would expect from the season.
Translating such sentences directly into Korean using 「-다고 생각되지 않다」 can turn them into simple rejections of a judgment, losing the original sense of surprise or praise. Depending on the situation, Korean more commonly uses 「-같지 않다」 to express “not like…” or 「믿기 어렵다」 to convey “hard to believe…”. When a description of degree follows, these can also be combined with 「-(으)ㄹ 정도로」 or 「-(으)ㄹ 만큼」.
- Example: 초보자 같지 않을 정도로 잘해요.
Romanization: cho-bo-ja gat-ji a-neul jeong-do-ro jal-hae-yo.
Translation: They're so good that you'd never guess they were a beginner.
Japanese: 初心者とは思えないほど上手だ。
Kana: しょしんしゃとはおもえないほどじょうずだ。
Japanese 「初心者とは思えないほど」 and Korean 「초보자 같지 않을 정도로」 both express the impression that someone's abilities exceed those expected of a beginner. Here, the speaker already knows that the person is a beginner. They are not questioning that fact but using the idea of “not seeming like a beginner” to praise the person's abilities. In Korean, directly using 「같지 않다」 is more appropriate for this kind of compliment than 「초보자라고 생각되지 않다」. - Example: 겨울이라고는 믿기 어려울 만큼 따뜻해요.
Romanization: gyeo-u-ri-ra-go-neun mit-kki eo-ryeo-ul man-keum tta-tteut-hae-yo.
Translation: It's so warm that it's hard to believe it's winter.
Japanese: 冬とは思えないほど暖かい。
Kana: ふゆとはおもえないほどあたたかい。
Both Japanese 「冬とは思えない」 and Korean 「겨울이라고는 믿기 어렵다」 can describe weather that does not match the usual impression of the season. Here, 「믿기 어렵다」 does not indicate genuine doubt about what season it is. Instead, it emphasizes how unexpectedly warm the weather feels. Both sentences use descriptions of degree to make the reason for the surprise clearer. - Example: 이 그림은 아이가 그렸다고는 믿기 어려울 정도로 완성도가 높아요.
Romanization: i geu-ri-meun a-i-ga geu-ryeot-da-go-neun mit-kki eo-ryeo-ul jeong-do-ro wan-seong-do-ga no-pa-yo.
Translation: This painting is so accomplished that it's hard to believe a child painted it.
Japanese: この絵は、子どもが描いたとは思えないほど完成度が高い。
Kana: このえは、こどもがかいたとはおもえないほどかんせいどがたかい。
Both Japanese 「子どもが描いたとは思えない」 and Korean 「아이가 그렸다고는 믿기 어렵다」 can praise a painting whose quality exceeds expectations. If the speaker already knows the artist is a child, both sentences express surprise and admiration. If the artist's identity has not yet been confirmed, however, they may express genuine doubt about who created the painting. The surrounding context is therefore essential.
◆ Differences from Korean 「-다고 생각되지 않다」:
The closest similarity between Japanese 「とは思えない」 and Korean 「-다고 생각되지 않다」 is that both can express difficulty accepting a particular judgment. For example, 「成功するとは思えない」 can correspond to 「성공한다고는 생각되지 않아요」. However, this Korean expression usually sounds relatively formal or reasoned. In casual conversation, when you want to express the feeling that something probably will not succeed, 「성공할 것 같지 않아요」 often sounds more natural.
On the other hand, Japanese 「初心者とは思えない」 and 「冬とは思えない」 frequently describe situations that differ from expectations. In these cases, Korean expressions such as 「초보자 같지 않다」 and 「겨울이라고는 믿기 어렵다」 can preserve the original sense of surprise. If the Japanese sentence also uses 「ほど」 to indicate degree, Korean can use 「정도로」 or 「만큼」, depending on the sentence.
Therefore, when comparing Japanese and Korean, it is not enough to consider whether 「思えない」 and 「생각되지 않다」 have similar literal meanings. Japanese 「とは思えない」 can be used to reject a judgment, predict that something is unlikely to happen, or express surprise at performance that exceeds expectations. Korean, however, generally selects different expressions according to the actual context.
Although Japanese 「とは思えない」 carries a negative meaning, it does not necessarily deny a fact. 「間に合うとは思えない」 generally means that, given the current circumstances, the speaker doubts whether they can make it in time. Meanwhile, 「冬とは思えないほど暖かい」 means that the weather is unusually warm for winter, not that the speaker is questioning what season it is.
When you encounter this construction, first identify what judgment is being rejected before 「と」. Then examine the surrounding context to determine whether the speaker is expressing disagreement or surprise at a contrast with expectations. Replacing it with 「とは思わない」 makes the statement more directly express the speaker's position, while using 「とは言えない」 may indicate that the speaker is reserving judgment. These differences may not be immediately apparent from a translation alone, so they need to be interpreted in context.
FAQs
It means “it's hard to believe that…” or “it doesn't seem like…”. It can reject a particular judgment or express a contrast between the current situation and what was originally expected. The actual meaning depends on the preceding content and the context of the conversation.
Verbs and い-adjectives connect directly in their plain forms, as in 「成功するとは思えない」 and 「安いとは思えない」. Nouns and な-adjectives can connect directly or take 「だ」, as in 「初心者とは思えない」 and 「簡単だとは思えない」.
Common uses include expressing doubt about an outcome, rejecting an evaluation, showing surprise at a difference from expectations, praising performance that exceeds expectations, criticizing behavior that does not match someone's position, and questioning the authenticity of information or someone's identity. Whether the meaning is positive or negative depends on the context.
「とは思えない」 suggests that the current circumstances make it difficult to arrive at a particular judgment, while 「とは思わない」 directly states that the speaker does not hold that view. Both can be supported by evidence. The difference lies not in whether evidence exists, but in how the judgment is expressed.
「とは思えない」 expresses difficulty accepting a particular judgment, while 「とは言えない」 indicates that a statement or evaluation cannot currently be made with confidence. For example, 「成功するとは言えない」 does not necessarily reject the possibility of success; it may simply mean success cannot yet be predicted with certainty.
They can be used in some of the same situations, but their nuances differ. 「とは思わない」 directly expresses a personal opinion, while 「とは言えない」 focuses on whether a particular conclusion is justified. For example, 「安いとは思わない」 means the speaker does not consider something cheap, while 「安いとは言えない」 means it does not quite qualify as cheap.
Not necessarily. If the speaker already knows the person is a beginner, it usually praises performance that exceeds expectations. If the person's experience has not been confirmed, it may instead express doubt that they really are a beginner. Adding a positive evaluation such as 「ほど上手だ」 makes the complimentary meaning clearer.
It indicates a degree that makes something hard to believe, followed by a description of that degree. For example, 「冬とは思えないほど暖かい」 means the weather is so warm that it hardly feels like winter, while 「初心者とは思えないほど上手だ」 describes someone so skilled that they hardly seem like a beginner.
「とは思えないほど」 uses 「ほど」 to introduce a description of degree, as in 「初心者とは思えないほど上手だ」. In contrast, 「とは思えない＋noun」 directly modifies a noun, as in 「初心者とは思えない演奏」. The structures differ, but both can express that something exceeds expectations.
Yes. A noun can connect directly to 「とは思えない」 or take 「だ」 first. However, 「初心者なとは思えない」 is incorrect because the noun-modifying 「な」 is not used in this construction.
「とは思えません」 is the polite form, and its basic meaning is the same as 「とは思えない」. Using 「ません」 does not weaken the negative judgment. For example, 「プロとは思えません」 can still be quite a direct criticism.
It means “it's hard to believe there are no problems”, indicating that problems may exist. The preceding 「問題がない」 first forms a negative statement, and 「とは思えない」 then rejects that judgment. It should not be interpreted simply as “there are no problems”.
Yes. It can be used when chatting with friends, traveling, or discussing work. For example, 「間に合うとは思えない」 indicates that making it in time seems unlikely, while 「冬とは思えない」 describes weather that differs from the usual impression of the season. However, care is still needed when making directly negative evaluations to people you do not know well.
When rejecting a judgment, it can correspond to 「-다고 생각되지 않다」. In everyday conversation, when predicting that something is unlikely to happen, 「-(으)ㄹ 것 같지 않다」 is also common. When complimenting someone by saying they do not seem like a beginner, 「초보자 같지 않다」 can be used. It is therefore inappropriate to translate every occurrence directly using the same Korean construction.