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

(1) も

Details

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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.

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.

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ようがない・ようもない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

  • 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!

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