Structure
Verb [て] + しょうがない
[い]Adjective[て]+ しょうがない
[な]Adjective + で + しょうがない
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
Rare Kanji
仕様
About てしょうがない
てしょうがない, is a common colloquial expression used when '(A) cannot be helped', or something is 'extremely (A)'. This structure is simply an abbreviated version of 仕様, a noun meaning 'way' or 'method', as しょう is easier to say than しよう. Literally, the meaning is close to 'it's (A), and nothing can be done about it'. Generally, this just implies that the extent of (A) is so high that it cannot be overlooked, or cannot be avoided.
This structure may be seen following the て-form of verbs, い-Adjectives, of the で-from of な-Adjectives.
This structure may be seen following the て-form of verbs, い-Adjectives, of the で-from of な-Adjectives.
- 日本語が上手になりたくてしょうがない。I can't help but want to become good at Japanese.
- 部屋が暑くてしょうがない。My room is extremely hot.
- スイーツが好きでしょうがない。I love sweets so much that it can't be helped.
- 私は今妊娠をしているが、寿司を食べたくて仕方がない。Although I am pregnant right now, I really want to eat sushi.
- 眠くて仕方がなかったので、少しだけ昼寝をしました。Since I was extremely sleepy, I took a small nap.
- この古いパソコンは不便で仕方がないから捨てることにします。Since this old computer is extremely useless, I will throw it away.
Synonyms
ずにはいられない
Cannot help doing something, Cannot resist doing something
Not studied yet
てならない
Very, Extremely, Can't help but do
Not studied yet
てたまらない
Can't help but want to, Very, Extremely
Not studied yet
ざるを得ない
Can't help doing, Have no choice but
Not studied yet
ことに
Extremely, Especially, To my ...
Not studied yet
Examples
いつも同じものを忘れてしょうがない。
I can't help but always forget the same thing (again and again).
ゲームがしたくてしょうがない。
I want to play video games so bad it can't be helped.
楽しくてしょうがない。
Extremely fun.
This can also be translated as 'it's so fun, it can't be helped'.
あの望遠鏡が欲しくてしょうがない。
I really want that telescope.
包帯をしているから、痒くてしょうがない。
Because it is bandaged, it is extremely itchy.
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てしょうがない・てたまらない
JGRAM
てしょうがない・てしかたがない
JLPT 先生
Breakdown, comparisons and examples
日本語教師のN1et
Offline
Tobira
Page 357
Quartet II
Page 10
A Handbook of Japanese Grammar Patterns
Page 274
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