日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

~に違いない

~ni chigai nai

must be, no doubt

When to use it

Use ~に違いない to assert a conclusion you are confident of on the basis of evidence or reasoning — "it must be that…, no doubt…". It is stronger and more subjective than ~はずだ (which relies on shared expectation) and far stronger than ~だろう. In reports, email and negotiation it appears as the polite ~に違いありません; in speech and internal discussion the plain form is common, but note that pressing a client with it can sound presumptuous, so ~のではないでしょうか is often safer.

Formation

  • Verb: plain form (any tense) + に違いない → 断ったに違いない、値上げしてくるに違いない
  • い-adjective: plain form + に違いない → 厳しいに違いない
  • な-adjective: stem (drop な/だ) + に違いない → 不満に違いない (formal written: 不満であるに違いない)
  • Noun: noun + に違いない → 入力ミスに違いない (formal written: ミスであるに違いない)
  • Polite/written variants: ~に違いありません、~に違いなかった (past conclusion). Not used for one's own volition or feelings.

Examples

  • These sales figures must be an input error.

  • They must have already moved ahead with another company.

  • The lack of a reply must mean they're unhappy with the terms.

  • They'll no doubt ask for a price cut at the next negotiation.

  • This deadline must be tough on the people on the ground.