しょうがない
しょうがない
expression
it can't be helped; there's no way
1.
it can't be helped; there's no way; oh well
Colloquial form of しかたがない. Expresses resignation or acceptance that nothing can be done about a situation.
もう終電がないからしょうがない。タクシーで帰ろう。
There's no last train anymore, so it can't be helped. Let's take a taxi home.
忙しいんだから、しょうがないでしょ。
I'm busy, so it can't be helped, right?
2.
can't help doing; can't stop oneself from
When preceded by a verb in て-form, expresses that one cannot help doing something.
眠くてしょうがない。
I'm unbearably sleepy.
ETYMOLOGY:
Contraction of しようがない (there's no way to do it)
仕様 (way of doing) → しょう
VARIATIONS:
- しょうがない (common casual)
- しょうがねえ (rough/masculine speech)
- しょーがない (casual speech)
PATTERNS:
- 〜てしょうがない = can't help but ~, unbearably ~
Example: 食べたくてしょうがない (dying to eat)
- 〜でしょうがない (same meaning, after na-adjectives)
COMMON PHRASES:
- しょうがないなあ - oh well, what can you do (with a sigh)
- しょうがないやつだ - you're hopeless (affectionate criticism)
REGISTER:
Casual/colloquial. More common in everyday speech than しかたがない.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- しかたがない - standard/formal equivalent
- どうしようもない - there's nothing to be done (stronger)
- やれやれ - oh well, good grief (interjection)
Related Words
Synonym:
しかたがない (standard)