Grammar Info
N2 Lesson 8: 17/22

~てしかたがない
extremely, very・really, it can't be helped

Structure
Verb [て] + しょうがない
[い]Adjective[て]+ しょうがない
[な]Adjective + + しょうがない
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
仕様
Information
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(しよう), 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.
  • 日本語(にほんご)が上手(じょうず)になりたくてしょうがない
    I really want to become good at English.
  • 部屋(へや)が暑(あつ)くてしょうがない
    My room is extremely hot.
  • スイーツが好(す)きでしょうがない
    I love sweets so much that it can’t be helped.
Alternatively, 仕方(しかた)がない may be used, but there is an extremely small difference between these two structures, with the noun 仕方(しかた) also meaning ‘way’ or ‘method’. Traditionally, 仕方(しかた)がない is perceived to be slightly more polite, so may be more likely to be found in literature.
  • 私(わたし)は今(いま)妊娠(にんしん)をしているが、寿司(すし)を食(た)べたくて仕方(しかた)がない
    Although I am pregnant right now, I really want to eat sushi.
  • 眠(ねむ)くて仕方(しかた)がなかったので、少(すこ)しだけ昼寝(ひるね)をしました。
    Since I was extremely sleepy, I took a small nap.
  • この古(ふる)いパソコンは不便(ふべん)で仕方(しかた)がないから捨(す)てることにします。
    Since this old computer is extremely useless, I will throw it away.
Slow Male
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いつも同(おな)じものを忘(わす)れてしょうがない
I can't help but always forget the same thing (again and again).
Play  
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.
Play  
楽(たの)しくてしょうがない
Extremely fun.
[So fun it can't be helped]
Play  
Books
Tobira
Page 357
Quartet II
Page 10
A Handbook of Japanese Grammar Patterns
Page 274