Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 1: 15/23

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

(1)

Details

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About ようがない・ようもない

(よう)がない or (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.

(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 (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

--:--

    (なん)とも()いようがない(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.

    (かれ)(はや)すぎて()()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、(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)

      • 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]

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      • 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!

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