Structure
Verb［stem］+ よう + が(1) + ない.
［する］Verb + （の）+ しよう + が(1) + ない
(1) も
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About ようがない・ようもない
様がない or 様もない is an expression used to highlight that there is no 'method' or 'manner' in which to do (A). It can be interpreted as 'there is no way to (A)', or 'it's impossible to (A)'.
This phrase will appear attached to the conjunctive form of verbs.
様がない often focuses on that the action of (A) is not possible, despite that the speaker may actually want to do it.
Caution
Because 様 will often appear in hiragana, it is important not to get it mixed up with よう, the auxiliary verb used to create the volitional form of verbs such as する.
Related
Examples
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何とも言いようがない味だ。
There is no way to put this taste/flavor into words.
弁解のしようがない。
It is impossible to explain.
これはどうにもしようがない。
There is no way to do this.
彼は速すぎて追い越しようがない。
He is too fast, there is no way to overtake him.
そんなバレバレのサプライズ、驚きようがない。
It is impossible to be surprised with such a ruined surprise.
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～ようがない and 〜ようもない
Renshuu
ようがない／ようがある ようもない
JLPT文法解説
接続・意味・使い方・例文
にほんごの里
Offline
A Handbook of Japanese Grammar Patterns
Page 654
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ようがない・ようもない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (7 in total)
ggw1776
How does this differ from っこない？
ggw1776
bump?
Fuga
Hey @ggw1776 !
The main difference is that ようがない has the nuance of ‘there is no ‘method’ or ‘manner’ to do (A)’, and っこない has the nuance of ‘it will be impossible to do (A)’. ようがない focuses on the method, while っこない simply states that something is impossible.
We hope that helps!
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