Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 1: 15/23

様(よう)がないThere's no way to, It's impossible to

This is not Verb[volitional]

Structure

Verb［stem］+ よう + が(1) + ない.
［する］Verb + （の）+ しよう + が(1) + ない

(1) も

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About ようがない・ようもない

様(よう)がない or 様(よう)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(よう)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(よう) 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

--:--

    何(なん)とも言(い)いようがない味(あじ)だ。

    There is no way to put this taste/flavor into words.

    弁解(べんかい)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(かれ)は速(はや)すぎて追(お)い越(こ)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(おどろ)きようがない。

    It is impossible to be surprised with such a ruined surprise.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

ようがない・ようもない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    there’s no way to
    it’s impossible to

    Structure

    • Verb[stem] + ようがない ・ ようもない
    • Noun + の + Verb[stem] + ようがない ・ ようもない

    This is not Verb[volitional]

    View on Bunpro

  • fjdksleiwoqp

    fjdksleiwoqp

    “It is impossible to explain”

    Given translation: 弁解しようがない

    Can ~得ない also be used? E.g. 弁解し得ない?

    Is my understanding correct in the difference in meaning?

    • 弁解しようがない: It is impossible (too difficult) to explain.
    • 弁解し得ない: It is impossible (not able) to explain.
  • Fuga

    Fuga

    Hey @fjdksleiwoqp !

    Yes, you could use 〜得ない, but it will change the nuance of the sentence.
    弁解のしようがない。There is no way I can explain. (It is impossible to come up with an excuse because I should have known better, and giving an excuse will make matters worse)
    弁解し得ない。It is impossible for me to explain. (It is impossible for me to give an excuse because I am struggling internally to talk about this right now. I am very flustered right now)

    I hope that this answers your question!

  • fjdksleiwoqp

    fjdksleiwoqp

    That is helpful, thank you for the clarification!

  • Sidgr

    Sidgr

    The current writeup does not really clarify the distinction between the use of も・が. I imagine it is not really a large difference in meaning, but it may help to have at least one of the examples use the も construction.

  • ggw1776

    ggw1776

    How does this differ from っこない？

  • ggw1776

    ggw1776

    bump?

  • Fuga

    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!

Got questions about ようがない・ようもない? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion