Structure
Verb[ます]+ よう + が(1) + ない.
[する]Verb + (の)+ しよう + が(1) + ない
(1) も
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Standard
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・ようもない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (7 in total)
Pushindawood
there’s no way to
it’s impossible toStructure
- 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
“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
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
That is helpful, thank you for the clarification!
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
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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