術がないNo means available
States that there is no method, means, or effective course of action available for doing something. It emphasizes the absence of a possible solution, not merely a person's lack of skill.
How it works
Here, 術 is a noun meaning “means” or “method.” The verb before it identifies the desired action, so 確かめる術がない means that no method exists for checking or confirming something.
通信回線がすべて切断され、外部に助けを求める術がなかった。
All communication lines had been cut, leaving no way to seek outside help.
AnalyzeTypical contexts
The construction often appears when information, technology, access, or an effective countermeasure is unavailable.
災害発生直後は、被害の全体像を把握する術がなかった。
Immediately after the disaster, there was no way to grasp the full extent of the damage.
Analyze突然の土砂崩れに、作業員たちはなす術がなかった。
Faced with the sudden landslide, the workers could do nothing.
AnalyzeThe fixed expression presents the people involved as having no effective response available.
Compared with a neutral alternative
ようがない is a broader, more neutral pattern saying that an action cannot be carried out. 術がない is more elevated and specifically pictures the required means or solution as unavailable.
More examples
設計図が焼失したため、装置の構造を正確に確かめる術がなかった。
Because the plans had been destroyed by fire, there was no way to determine the device's exact structure.
Analyze当時は、この病気の進行を抑える術がなかった。
At the time, there was no way to slow the progression of this disease.
Analyze計器が故障しており、現在地を正確に知る術がありません。
The instruments are malfunctioning, so there is no way to determine our exact location.
Analyze相手が匿名では、こちらから連絡を取る術がない。
If the other party is anonymous, there is no way for us to contact them.
Analyze現行の技術では、この現象を完全に再現する術がない。
With current technology, there is no way to reproduce this phenomenon completely.
Analyze押し寄せる濁流を前に、私たちはなす術がなかった。
Faced with the surging muddy torrent, there was nothing we could do.
Analyze