仕方(しかた)なく

しかたなく
adverb
reluctantly; having no choice
formalliterarydescriptive
1. reluctantly; unwillingly; having no other choice
Describes doing something because there is no alternative, not because one wants to.
電車(でんしゃ)がなかったので、仕方(しかた)なくタクシーに乗(の)った。
Since there were no trains, I reluctantly took a taxi.
仕方(しかた)なく残業(ざんぎょう)することになった。
I had no choice but to work overtime.
誰(だれ)も手伝(てつだ)ってくれないから、仕方(しかた)なく一人(ひとり)でやった。
Since no one would help me, I had no choice but to do it alone.

Forms

仕方(しかた) (way/method) + ない (not exist) + く (adverb form)

From 仕方(しかた)がない meaning 'there's no way/it can't be helped.'

Related words

Similar words

Usage

仕方(しかた)なく implies acceptance of the situation; 嫌々(いやいや) emphasizes reluctance and displeasure.

Related Words

Related: 嫌々(いやいや) (reluctantly)
Related: 仕方(しかた)がない (it can't be helped)
Synonym: やむを得(え)ず (unavoidably (formal))
Synonym: しぶしぶ (reluctantly (visible reluctance))
Related: しょうがない (it can't be helped)
Compare: やむなく (unavoidably)
Compare: 嫌々(いやいや)ながら (reluctantly)
general
Added 2026.1.19 12:00 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07000/07161_shikatanaku