Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 3: 15/23

より仕方(しかた)がないThere is no choice but, Can't be helped, Inevitable

Structure

Verb + より + (ほか(1))+ 仕方(しかた)がない(2)

(1) ほかに(2) 仕方(しかた)ない

Details

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About よりしかたがない

Often seen as a set phrase, よりしかたがない consists of より, the noun 仕方(しかた) 'way' or 'method', が and ない. When preceded by a verb in its dictionary form, it just conveys that 'there is no choice but (A)', or that '(A) cannot be helped'.

Occasionally the が will be dropped, between 仕方(しかた) and ない.

Keeping almost exactly the same style of translation is a similar pattern, より(ほか)にない. The only actual difference is that this structure expresses that there is no 'other' alternative, rather than being no 'method'. The noun (ほか) 'other' and に will simply replace 仕方(しかた) 'method' and が.

As with 仕方(しかた)が, the に will often be dropped in (ほか)に.

Both よりしかたがない and よりほかにない have a tendency to express some particular evaluation of (A) that cannot be helped or denied, or simply that 'given the situation, (A) cannot be avoided'.

Examples

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    税金(ぜいきん)は、(たか)くとも(おさ)めるより仕方(しかた)がない

    We have no choice but to pay taxes, even if they are high.

    税金(ぜいきん)は、(おさ)めるより仕方(しかた)のないものだ。

    It is a fact that there is no choice but to pay taxes.

    ミシンが故障(こしょう)しているから、()()より仕方(しかた)がない

    Since the sewing machine is broken, there is no choice but to sew (it) by hand.

    見本(みほん)がないから、(あたま)(なか)でイメージして(つく)より仕方(しかた)がない

    Since there is no example, there is no choice but to make an image in my head.

    マラソン大会(たいかい)()たいなら、地道(じみち)にトレーニングを()より仕方(しかた)がない

    If you want to enter a marathon, there is no choice but to steadily pile on the training.

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      よりしかたがない – Grammar Discussion