Meaning and Usage
"無理" (むり) means "unreasonable" or "impossible." It is often used to express that something cannot be done due to physical, mental, or practical limitations.
Common Contexts
You will hear "無理" in everyday conversation when someone wants to say that a task or request is too difficult or unrealistic. It can also be used to advise someone not to push themselves too hard.
Collocations and Patterns
- 無理をする: to overdo or push oneself too hard; used when warning about health or stress.
- 無理だと思う: to think something is impossible or unreasonable; expresses doubt or refusal.
- 無理に + verb: forcibly doing something against natural conditions or will.
Register and Politeness
"無理" is neutral and common in casual and polite speech. Adding "です" or "だ" adjusts politeness.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "無理" with "不可能" (impossible in a strict sense). "無理" often implies a subjective judgment or practical difficulty rather than absolute impossibility.