When something is beyond your control and you have to accept it, you use the phrase 仕方がない (shikata ga nai). It literally translates to "there is no way."
Think of it as saying, "It can't be helped." You might use it if your train is late and you miss an appointment, or if the weather ruins your plans. It's often used when you're resigning yourself to a situation, sometimes with a sigh.
You can also shorten it to 仕方ない (shikata nai) in more casual speech. It's a very common and useful phrase for expressing resignation or acceptance of things you can't change.
When using 「仕方がない」 (shikata ga nai), it literally means "there is no method/way."
You often hear it when something is unavoidable, or you're resigned to a situation. It's a very common phrase in daily conversation.
For example, if the train is delayed, and there's nothing you can do about it, you might say, 「電車が遅れるのは仕方がないね。」 (Densha ga okureru no wa shikata ga nai ne.) - "It can't be helped that the train is delayed."
It implies acceptance of a situation that is beyond one's control, often with a slight sigh of resignation.
仕方がない in 30 Seconds
- unavoidable
- can't be helped
- resignation
Examples by Level
電車が遅れて、仕方がない。
The train is delayed, it can't be helped.
雨が降っているから、外出するのは仕方がない。
It's raining, so going out is unavoidable.
宿題を忘れて、先生に怒られるのは仕方がない。
I forgot my homework, getting scolded by the teacher is unavoidable.
約束の時間に遅れてしまった。仕方がない。
I was late for the appointment. It can't be helped.
テストの点数が悪かったけど、仕方がない。
My test score was bad, but it can't be helped.
風邪をひいてしまった。今日は会社を休むのは仕方がない。
I caught a cold. Taking the day off work today is unavoidable.
好きな服が売り切れてしまった。仕方がない。
My favorite clothes are sold out. It can't be helped.
携帯電話をなくしてしまった。仕方がない。
I lost my cell phone. It can't be helped.
Test Yourself 48 questions
Write a short sentence about something you can't change or avoid. For example, the weather.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
雨が降っています。仕方がないです。(It's raining. It can't be helped.)
Imagine you missed your bus. Write a sentence expressing that it can't be helped.
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Sample answer
バスに遅れました。仕方がないです。(I missed the bus. It can't be helped.)
Someone spilled coffee. Write a short sentence to say "It can't be helped." in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
コーヒーをこぼしました。仕方がないです。(I spilled coffee. It can't be helped.)
What does the speaker say about the stores being closed?
Read this passage:
今日は日曜日です。お店は閉まっています。でも、仕方がないです。
What does the speaker say about the stores being closed?
「仕方がないです」 means 'it cannot be helped' or 'it is unavoidable'.
「仕方がないです」 means 'it cannot be helped' or 'it is unavoidable'.
What is the meaning of 「仕方がないです」 in this context?
Read this passage:
彼は日本語が話せません。でも、仕方がないです。
What is the meaning of 「仕方がないです」 in this context?
「仕方がないです」 indicates that the situation (not being able to speak Japanese) is unavoidable.
「仕方がないです」 indicates that the situation (not being able to speak Japanese) is unavoidable.
What does the speaker's reaction to not having an umbrella imply?
Read this passage:
雨が降っています。傘がありません。でも、仕方がないです。
What does the speaker's reaction to not having an umbrella imply?
Using 「仕方がないです」 implies an acceptance of an unavoidable situation, even if it's not ideal.
Using 「仕方がないです」 implies an acceptance of an unavoidable situation, even if it's not ideal.
雨が降っているから、出かけるのは___。
The sentence means 'It's raining, so going out is unavoidable.' '仕方がない' fits this meaning best.
試験に落ちたけど、もう___。
This sentence translates to 'I failed the exam, but it can't be helped now.' '仕方がない' expresses resignation to an unavoidable situation.
電車が遅れても、___。
The phrase means 'Even if the train is late, it's unavoidable.' '仕方がない' is appropriate here.
なくしたものは___。
This means 'What's lost is unavoidable.' '仕方がない' conveys the idea that nothing can be done about it.
約束の時間に間に合わなかった。___。
The sentence indicates 'I didn't make it on time for the appointment. It can't be helped.' '仕方がない' expresses this resignation.
風邪をひいたから、今日は休む___。
This means 'I caught a cold, so resting today is unavoidable.' '仕方がない' fits the context of an unavoidable situation.
You missed your train. What do you say using 仕方がない?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
電車に乗り遅れてしまって、仕方がない。
Your friend cancels plans because they are sick. How do you respond using 仕方がない?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
病気なら仕方がないね。
The weather is bad, so you can't go to the park. Express this using 仕方がない.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
天気が悪いから公園に行けないのは仕方がない。
Why can't the person play in the park?
Read this passage:
今日は雨が降っています。友達と公園で遊ぶ予定でしたが、できません。仕方がないので、家でゲームをします。
Why can't the person play in the park?
The passage states '今日は雨が降っています' (It's raining today) as the reason.
The passage states '今日は雨が降っています' (It's raining today) as the reason.
What is the person's feeling about their test score?
Read this passage:
テストでいい点が取れませんでした。たくさん勉強しましたが、難しかったです。でも、仕方がないです。
What is the person's feeling about their test score?
The phrase 'でも、仕方がないです' (But it can't be helped) indicates acceptance.
The phrase 'でも、仕方がないです' (But it can't be helped) indicates acceptance.
Why was the train late?
Read this passage:
電車が遅れて、会社に遅刻しました。でも、事故があったので、仕方がないです。上司も理解してくれました。
Why was the train late?
The passage says '事故があったので' (because there was an accident).
The passage says '事故があったので' (because there was an accident).
This sentence means 'It's raining, it can't be helped.' '雨が降る' (ame ga furu) means 'it rains/is raining'. '仕方がない' (shikata ga nai) follows to express 'it cannot be helped'.
This sentence means 'The train is delayed, it can't be helped.' '電車が遅れる' (densha ga okureru) means 'the train is delayed'. '仕方がない' (shikata ga nai) expresses that it's unavoidable.
This sentence means 'I lost my wallet, it can't be helped.' '財布をなくした' (saifu o nakushita) means 'I lost my wallet'. '仕方がない' (shikata ga nai) conveys resignation.
Choose the best English translation for 「仕方がない」.
「仕方がない」directly translates to 'there is no method' or 'it cannot be helped', conveying a sense of inevitability or resignation.
Which situation best uses 「仕方がない」?
A train delay due to a typhoon is an unavoidable situation, fitting the meaning of 「仕方がない」.
What is a common nuance of 「仕方がない」?
While it means 'unavoidable', 「仕方がない」 often carries a feeling of resignation or mild regret because something undesired is happening.
You can use 「仕方がない」 when you are very happy about something.
「仕方がない」 expresses inevitability, often with a nuance of resignation or regret. It's not used for positive emotions.
If your friend cancels plans because they are sick, you could say 「仕方がないね」.
A friend being sick and cancelling plans is an unavoidable situation, so 「仕方がないね」 (It can't be helped, can it?) is an appropriate response showing understanding.
「仕方がない」 implies that there is a good solution to a problem.
On the contrary, 「仕方がない」 implies that there is no solution or alternative, and the situation must be accepted.
The natural order in Japanese is to state the reason first, then the outcome, and finally the acceptance of the situation. '雨だから' (because it's raining) sets the condition, '中止になった' (it was canceled) is the result, and '仕方がない' (it can't be helped) expresses the feeling about it.
Start with the main reason for resignation. 'もう時間がない' (there's no more time) is the underlying issue. Then, '電車が遅れても' (even if the train is late) describes the specific unavoidable situation, followed by '仕方がない' (it can't be helped) as the conclusion.
The sequence should be: the action that led to the problem, the acceptance of the situation, and then the proposed next step. '宿題を忘れたら' (if you forgot your homework) is the action, '仕方がない' (it can't be helped) acknowledges the consequence, and '先生に謝ろう' (let's apologize to the teacher) is the solution.
You missed your train. Describe your feelings and what you will do next, using 仕方がない.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
電車に乗り遅れてしまった。仕方がないので、次の電車を待つしかない。
Your friend's favorite cafe closed down. Write a short message of comfort, incorporating 仕方がない.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
お気に入りのカフェが閉店してしまったんだね。残念だけど、仕方がないよ。また新しいお気に入りの場所を探しに行こう。
You made a mistake at work that can't be undone. Explain the situation and your realization using 仕方がない.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
プロジェクトで大きなミスをしてしまった。もう取り返しがつかないから、仕方がない。この経験を次に活かすしかないと反省している。
会議が中止になった理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
今日の会議は急遽中止になった。重要な議題があったので残念だが、担当者の体調不良とのことなので仕方がない。また後日、改めて開催されるだろう。
会議が中止になった理由は何ですか？
パッセージに「担当者の体調不良とのことなので仕方がない」と書かれています。
パッセージに「担当者の体調不良とのことなので仕方がない」と書かれています。
友人の旅行がキャンセルになった原因は何ですか？
Read this passage:
友人が楽しみにしていた旅行が、台風の影響でキャンセルになった。彼女はとても落ち込んでいるが、天候のことなのでどうすることもできない。仕方がないと割り切るしかないだろう。
友人の旅行がキャンセルになった原因は何ですか？
パッセージに「台風の影響でキャンセルになった」と明記されています。
パッセージに「台風の影響でキャンセルになった」と明記されています。
新しいスマートフォンを手に入れることができなかったのはなぜですか？
Read this passage:
新しいスマートフォンの予約開始日に、すぐに申し込んだにもかかわらず、手に入れることができなかった。人気商品なので仕方がないと諦めるしかない。次回の販売に期待しよう。
新しいスマートフォンを手に入れることができなかったのはなぜですか？
「人気商品なので仕方がないと諦めるしかない」という記述から、人気が原因であることが分かります。
「人気商品なので仕方がないと諦めるしかない」という記述から、人気が原因であることが分かります。
You missed your train due to an unexpected delay. Describe your feelings and how you would express '仕方がない' in this situation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
電車が予期せぬ遅延で乗り遅れてしまいました。本当に残念ですが、仕方がないですね。次の電車を待つしかありません。
Your friend's favorite coffee shop closed down. Write a short message to them using '仕方がない' to express empathy.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
お気に入りのカフェが閉店してしまって、本当に残念だね。仕方がないけど、また新しいお気に入りの場所を見つけよう。
Imagine a situation where you had to cancel plans due to circumstances beyond your control. Explain the situation and use '仕方がない' to convey that it was unavoidable.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
急な仕事が入ってしまい、今日の予定をキャンセルせざるを得なくなりました。本当に申し訳ないけれど、仕方がないことです。また今度埋め合わせさせてください。
Why did B say '仕方がない'?
Read this passage:
A: 雨で試合が中止になったね。 B: うん、仕方がないよ。自然には逆らえないからね。 C: でも、楽しみにしていたのに残念だ。
Why did B say '仕方がない'?
B's statement '自然には逆らえないからね' (We can't go against nature) indicates that the cancellation due to rain was an unavoidable circumstance, fitting the meaning of '仕方がない'.
B's statement '自然には逆らえないからね' (We can't go against nature) indicates that the cancellation due to rain was an unavoidable circumstance, fitting the meaning of '仕方がない'.
What is the primary feeling of the person in charge?
Read this passage:
会社のプロジェクトが予定より遅れていて、納期に間に合わない可能性が出てきた。担当者は徹夜で作業を続けるが、それでも間に合わないかもしれないと頭を抱えている。しかし、どうすることもできず、ただひたすら努力するしかない状況だ。まさに「仕方がない」という心境だろう。
What is the primary feeling of the person in charge?
The passage describes the person feeling '頭を抱えている' (holding their head, indicating worry/distress) and that 'どうすることもできず、ただひたすら努力するしかない状況だ' (there's nothing they can do but keep trying), which perfectly aligns with the meaning of '仕方がない' (it cannot be helped) in a frustrating yet resigned context.
The passage describes the person feeling '頭を抱えている' (holding their head, indicating worry/distress) and that 'どうすることもできず、ただひたすら努力するしかない状況だ' (there's nothing they can do but keep trying), which perfectly aligns with the meaning of '仕方がない' (it cannot be helped) in a frustrating yet resigned context.
What does the author imply by using '仕方がない' in this context?
Read this passage:
海外出張中に急な体調不良に見舞われた。現地の病院に行ったが、言葉の壁があり、症状を詳しく伝えるのが難しかった。処方された薬を飲んだが、なかなか良くならない。これも異国の地での「仕方がない」ことなのだろうか。
What does the author imply by using '仕方がない' in this context?
The phrase '異国の地での「仕方がない」ことなのだろうか' (Is this an 'unavoidable' thing in a foreign land?) suggests the author is resigning themselves to the difficulties of illness abroad due to factors like the language barrier, implying an acceptance of the unavoidable circumstances.
The phrase '異国の地での「仕方がない」ことなのだろうか' (Is this an 'unavoidable' thing in a foreign land?) suggests the author is resigning themselves to the difficulties of illness abroad due to factors like the language barrier, implying an acceptance of the unavoidable circumstances.
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Summary
Use 仕方がない to express that something is unavoidable or that there's nothing you can do about a situation.
- unavoidable
- can't be helped
- resignation
Example
もう遅いから、仕方がない。
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
More emotions words
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
