TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
IMPOSSIBLE [16 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2023-04-14
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Artificial Intelligence
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- impossible world
1, record 1, English, impossible%20world
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Intelligence artificielle
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- monde impossible
1, record 1, French, monde%20impossible
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2018-02-21
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Proverbs and Maxims
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- it is impossible to make something out of nothing 1, record 2, English, it%20is%20impossible%20to%20make%20something%20out%20of%20nothing
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Proverbes et dictons
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- on ne saurait faire une omelette sans casser les œufs 1, record 2, French, on%20ne%20saurait%20faire%20une%20omelette%20sans%20casser%20les%20%26oelig%3Bufs
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2015-06-11
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Law of Contracts (common law)
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- impossible consideration
1, record 3, English, impossible%20consideration
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Consideration stemming from a promise or performance that cannot be fulfilled. 1, record 3, English, - impossible%20consideration
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Droit des contrats (common law)
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- contrepartie impossible
1, record 3, French, contrepartie%20impossible
correct, feminine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 2013-02-12
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- PAJLO
- Property Law (common law)
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- impossible condition
1, record 4, English, impossible%20condition
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
(Conditions) are possible or impossible; the former when they admit of performance in the ordinary course of events; the latter when it is contrary to the course of nature or human limitations that they should ever be performed. (Black, 5th ed. 1979, p. 266) 1, record 4, English, - impossible%20condition
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- PAJLO
- Droit des biens et de la propriété (common law)
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- condition impossible
1, record 4, French, condition%20impossible
correct, feminine noun, standardized
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
condition impossible : terme normalisé par le Comité de normalisation dans le cadre du Programme national de l'administration de la justice dans les deux langues officielles (PAJLO). 2, record 4, French, - condition%20impossible
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2011-09-20
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Economic Doctrines, Systems and Policies
- National and International Economics
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- incompatible trinity
1, record 5, English, incompatible%20trinity
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- impossible trinity 2, record 5, English, impossible%20trinity
correct
- incompatible triangle 3, record 5, English, incompatible%20triangle
correct
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[Trilemma in international economics], which postulates that it is impossible simultaneously to achieve the following three goals: (i) maintain open capital markets; (ii) achieve a domestic target, such as controlling the price level or inflation rate; and (iii) achieve an external target, such as controlling the exchange rate. 4, record 5, English, - incompatible%20trinity
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Doctrines, systèmes et politiques économiques
- Économie nationale et internationale
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- trinité impossible
1, record 5, French, trinit%C3%A9%20impossible
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- triangle d'incompatibilité 2, record 5, French, triangle%20d%27incompatibilit%C3%A9
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[Principe économique selon lequel] un pays ne peut réaliser simultanément les trois objectifs suivants : (i) maintenir la stabilité du taux de change, (ii) conserver son indépendance monétaire, c'est-à-dire créer librement de la liquidité en fonction des besoins de l'économie, (iii) ouvrir son marché du capital. 3, record 5, French, - trinit%C3%A9%20impossible
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Doctrinas, políticas y sistemas económicos
- Economía nacional e internacional
Record 5, Main entry term, Spanish
- trinidad imposible
1, record 5, Spanish, trinidad%20imposible
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 5, Synonyms, Spanish
- trinidad irreconciliable 2, record 5, Spanish, trinidad%20irreconciliable
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[Trilema de economía creado por Robert Mundell, según el cual] en una economía abierta es imposible tener a la vez libre movimiento de capitales, tipo de cambio fijo [y] política monetaria independiente. 3, record 5, Spanish, - trinidad%20imposible
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Desde hace varias décadas los economistas identificaron un dilema fundamental en la arquitectura de las finanzas internacionales, al que denominan la trinidad irreconciliable o la trinidad imposible. Recibe estos nombres porque hay tres objetivos de política económica que son imposibles de lograr al mismo tiempo. El primer objetivo que puede buscar un país es retener la independencia de su política monetaria, esto es, quiere estar en posibilidad de reducir las tasas de interés para luchar contra las recesiones, y elevarlas para atacar la inflación. El segundo objetivo es que le gustaría tener un tipo de cambio más o menos estable, esto es, evitar fluctuaciones erráticas en el valor de su moneda respecto a otras monedas, para no afectar negativamente las decisiones de gasto e inversión de sus agentes económicos. El tercer objetivo de política es contar con una convertibilidad total con el exterior, esto es, las autoridades desean asegurarle a las empresas y las personas que el dinero puede entrar y salir libremente del país, para aprovechar los beneficios del capital externo y evitar las oportunidades de corrupción que, inevitablemente, se asocian con cualquier intento de limitar el movimiento de capital. 2, record 5, Spanish, - trinidad%20imposible
Record 6 - internal organization data 2000-03-16
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Volleyball
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- impossible judgment
1, record 6, English, impossible%20judgment
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
- impossible judgement 2, record 6, English, impossible%20judgement
correct
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Volleyball
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- jugement impossible
1, record 6, French, jugement%20impossible
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 1998-05-14
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Meetings
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- Emissions Impossible 1, record 7, English, Emissions%20Impossible
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Réunions
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- Émissions impossibles
1, record 7, French, %C3%89missions%20impossibles
feminine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Clinique d'analyse des émissions des véhicules à moteur « Aucuns frais, aucune amende » organisée par l'Association pulmonaire du Nouveau-Brunswick. 1, record 7, French, - %C3%89missions%20impossibles
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Source(s) : Communiqué de l'Association pulmonaire du Nouveau-Brunswick. 1, record 7, French, - %C3%89missions%20impossibles
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 1997-12-02
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Titles of Films
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- The Impossible takes a little longer
1, record 8, English, The%20Impossible%20takes%20a%20little%20longer
correct, Canada
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Ottawa: Federal Women's Film Program, National Film Board of Canada, 1986. Film: 45 min., 35 sec. 1, record 8, English, - The%20Impossible%20takes%20a%20little%20longer
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Titres de films
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- Le vent dans les voiles
1, record 8, French, Le%20vent%20dans%20les%20voiles
correct, Canada
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Montréal, Office national du film du Canada, 1986. Film : 48 min. 41 sec. 1, record 8, French, - Le%20vent%20dans%20les%20voiles
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 1994-03-01
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Penal Law
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- impossible onerous burden 1, record 9, English, impossible%20onerous%20burden
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
- impossibly onerous burden 1, record 9, English, impossibly%20onerous%20burden
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Droit pénal
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- charge écrasante
1, record 9, French, charge%20%C3%A9crasante
feminine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Source(s) : R. c. Chaulk, [1990] 3 RCS 1303-1416; p.1307. 1, record 9, French, - charge%20%C3%A9crasante
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Record 10 - internal organization data 1987-01-15
Record 10, English
Record 10, Subject field(s)
- Translation
- Language Problems
Record 10, Main entry term, English
- physically impossible 1, record 10, English, physically%20impossible
Record 10, Abbreviations, English
Record 10, Synonyms, English
Record 10, French
Record 10, Domaine(s)
- Traduction
- Problèmes de langue
Record 10, Main entry term, French
- matériellement impossible 1, record 10, French, mat%C3%A9riellement%20impossible
Record 10, Abbreviations, French
Record 10, Synonyms, French
- impossibilité matérielle 1, record 10, French, impossibilit%C3%A9%20mat%C3%A9rielle
Record 10, Textual support, French
Record 10, Spanish
Record 10, Textual support, Spanish
Record 11 - internal organization data 1986-12-18
Record 11, English
Record 11, Subject field(s)
- Phraseology
Record 11, Main entry term, English
- impossible 1, record 11, English, impossible
Record 11, Abbreviations, English
Record 11, Synonyms, English
Record 11, Textual support, English
Record number: 11, Textual support number: 1 CONT
it is not, however, impossible. 1, record 11, English, - impossible
Record 11, French
Record 11, Domaine(s)
- Phraséologie
Record 11, Main entry term, French
- irréalisable 1, record 11, French, irr%C3%A9alisable
Record 11, Abbreviations, French
Record 11, Synonyms, French
Record 11, Textual support, French
Record number: 11, Textual support number: 1 CONT
elle n'est pas, cependant irréalisable. 1, record 11, French, - irr%C3%A9alisable
Record 11, Spanish
Record 11, Textual support, Spanish
Record 12 - internal organization data 1986-01-10
Record 12, English
Record 12, Subject field(s)
- Translation
- Language Problems
Record 12, Main entry term, English
- impossible 1, record 12, English, impossible
Record 12, Abbreviations, English
Record 12, Synonyms, English
Record 12, Textual support, English
Record number: 12, Textual support number: 1 OBS
The public has come to expect the impossible from pictures and is rarely disappointed. 1, record 12, English, - impossible
Record number: 12, Textual support number: 2 OBS
There's no such word as impossible. 1, record 12, English, - impossible
Record 12, French
Record 12, Domaine(s)
- Traduction
- Problèmes de langue
Record 12, Main entry term, French
- ridicule 1, record 12, French, ridicule
Record 12, Abbreviations, French
Record 12, Synonyms, French
- grotesque 1, record 12, French, grotesque
Record 12, Textual support, French
Record 12, Spanish
Record 12, Textual support, Spanish
Record 13 - internal organization data 1985-11-25
Record 13, English
Record 13, Subject field(s)
- Translation
- Language Problems
Record 13, Main entry term, English
- impossible place 1, record 13, English, impossible%20place
Record 13, Abbreviations, English
Record 13, Synonyms, English
Record 13, Textual support, English
Record 13, French
Record 13, Domaine(s)
- Traduction
- Problèmes de langue
Record 13, Main entry term, French
- endroit inhabitable 1, record 13, French, endroit%20inhabitable
Record 13, Abbreviations, French
Record 13, Synonyms, French
Record 13, Textual support, French
Record number: 13, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Parlons Mieux 22 avril 1966 1, record 13, French, - endroit%20inhabitable
Record 13, Spanish
Record 13, Textual support, Spanish
Record 14 - internal organization data 1976-06-19
Record 14, English
Record 14, Subject field(s)
- Translation
- Language Problems
Record 14, Main entry term, English
- Nothing is impossible to god 1, record 14, English, Nothing%20is%20impossible%20to%20god
Record 14, Abbreviations, English
Record 14, Synonyms, English
Record 14, Textual support, English
Record number: 14, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Don't ask for the impossible; il ne faut pas demander l'impossible Il ne faut pas demander la lune; il ne faut pas chercher le mouton à cinq pattes 1, record 14, English, - Nothing%20is%20impossible%20to%20god
Record 14, French
Record 14, Domaine(s)
- Traduction
- Problèmes de langue
Record 14, Main entry term, French
- rien n'est impossible à Dieu 1, record 14, French, rien%20n%27est%20impossible%20%C3%A0%20Dieu
Record 14, Abbreviations, French
Record 14, Synonyms, French
Record 14, Textual support, French
Record number: 14, Textual support number: 1 OBS
(Luc) 1, record 14, French, - rien%20n%27est%20impossible%20%C3%A0%20Dieu
Record 14, Spanish
Record 14, Textual support, Spanish
Record 15 - internal organization data 1976-06-19
Record 15, English
Record 15, Subject field(s)
- Translation
- Language Problems
Record 15, Main entry term, English
- impossible man 1, record 15, English, impossible%20man
Record 15, Abbreviations, English
Record 15, Synonyms, English
Record 15, Textual support, English
Record number: 15, Textual support number: 1 OBS
impossible place: endroit inhabitable impossible candidate candidat inacceptable 1, record 15, English, - impossible%20man
Record 15, French
Record 15, Domaine(s)
- Traduction
- Problèmes de langue
Record 15, Main entry term, French
- homme intraitable 1, record 15, French, homme%20intraitable
Record 15, Abbreviations, French
Record 15, Synonyms, French
Record 15, Textual support, French
Record number: 15, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Parlons Mieux 22 avril/66 1, record 15, French, - homme%20intraitable
Record 15, Spanish
Record 15, Textual support, Spanish
Record 16 - internal organization data 1976-06-19
Record 16, English
Record 16, Subject field(s)
- Personnel Management
Record 16, Main entry term, English
- impossible candidate 1, record 16, English, impossible%20candidate
Record 16, Abbreviations, English
Record 16, Synonyms, English
Record 16, Textual support, English
Record 16, French
Record 16, Domaine(s)
- Gestion du personnel
Record 16, Main entry term, French
- candidat inacceptable 1, record 16, French, candidat%20inacceptable
Record 16, Abbreviations, French
Record 16, Synonyms, French
Record 16, Textual support, French
Record number: 16, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Parlons Mieux 22 avril 1966 1, record 16, French, - candidat%20inacceptable
Record 16, Spanish
Record 16, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: