뜻
Expressing helplessness or inability to deal with a situation.
문화적 배경
The phrase reflects the 'Shikata ga nai' (it can't be helped) philosophy, which is a core part of Japanese resilience—knowing when to stop fighting the inevitable. In Japanese companies, saying 'oteage' too early can be seen as a lack of '粘り強さ' (nebarizuyosa - tenacity). It's often used as a last resort. Characters often use this phrase with a specific comedic gesture: scratching the back of the head while sticking out their tongue or sighing deeply. Japanese parents use this frequently to describe the 'Terrible Twos' (イヤイヤ{期|き}), where logic fails to work on a toddler.
Add a Sigh
To sound like a native, always exhale a deep breath (sigh) before or after saying 'Oteage da'.
Not for Volunteers
Never use this if you want to volunteer for something. Use 'Te wo ageru' instead.
뜻
Expressing helplessness or inability to deal with a situation.
Add a Sigh
To sound like a native, always exhale a deep breath (sigh) before or after saying 'Oteage da'.
Not for Volunteers
Never use this if you want to volunteer for something. Use 'Te wo ageru' instead.
The Agreement 'Ne'
Adding 'ne' (Oteage da ne) is a great way to show empathy when a friend is complaining about a problem.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'oteage'.
パソコンが{壊|こわ}れて、{修理|しゅうり}もできない。もう（ ）だ。
The context of a broken computer that can't be fixed requires an expression of helplessness.
Which situation is NOT appropriate for '{お手上|おてあ}げだ'?
Select the wrong context:
Oteage is for failure or frustration, not for happy events like winning the lottery.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: {彼|かれ}に{何度|なんど}{注意|ちゅうい}しても{遅刻|ちこく}が{直|なお}らないんだ。 B: それは（ ）ね。
B is empathizing with A's frustration over a friend's unchangeable bad habit.
🎉 점수: /3
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
3 연습 문제パソコンが{壊|こわ}れて、{修理|しゅうり}もできない。もう（ ）だ。
The context of a broken computer that can't be fixed requires an expression of helplessness.
Select the wrong context:
Oteage is for failure or frustration, not for happy events like winning the lottery.
A: {彼|かれ}に{何度|なんど}{注意|ちゅうい}しても{遅刻|ちこく}が{直|なお}らないんだ。 B: それは（ ）ね。
B is empathizing with A's frustration over a friend's unchangeable bad habit.
🎉 점수: /3
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It's not exactly rude, but it's very casual. It's better to say 'Wakarimasen' (I don't understand) or 'Muzukashii desu' (It's difficult).
No, for being tired use 'Tsukareta'. Oteage is specifically for being unable to solve a problem.
Yes, 'Oteage desu'. However, even the polite version is still somewhat idiomatic and casual.
Yes, that means 'I gave up' (past tense). It's common.
'Saji wo nageru' implies a more permanent abandonment of a task or person, while 'Oteage' is more about the immediate feeling of being stuck.
Yes, but mostly among colleagues. You wouldn't put it in an official report.
No, it's just a figure of speech. But sometimes people do a small 'shrug' gesture.
No, both men and women use it equally.
Yes, that is the literal origin, though you'd likely just do the action rather than say the phrase!
It's a noun. You use it with 'da' or 'desu'.
관련 표현
{降参|こうさん}する
synonymTo surrender
さじを{投|な}げる
similarTo give up on someone/something
{万事休|ばんじきゅう}す
similarIt's all over
{手|て}を{焼|や}く
relatedTo have a hard time with
{万歳|ばんざい}
contrastHurray!
