Translation guide
Expressing that a situation is hopeless, out of one's control, or that no action can change it. Japanese often uses set phrases or grammatical patterns rather than a direct translation.
Convey that a situation is beyond help and no action can improve it.
A very common phrase meaning 'it can't be helped' or 'there's nothing that can be done'. Used for situations that are truly hopeless.
もうどうしようもない。
Nothing can be done anymore.
この問題はどうしようもない。
There's nothing that can be done about this problem.
Literally 'there is no way to apply a remedy'. Stronger and more formal, often used for irreversible damage or terminal situations.
病気はもう手の施しようがない。
The illness is beyond help now.
Means 'there are no moves left to make'. Often used when all options have been exhausted.
もう打つ手がない。
There's nothing more we can do.
Express that a situation is unavoidable and must be accepted.
The most common way to say 'it can't be helped'. Used for minor inconveniences or unavoidable outcomes.
雨だから仕方がない。
It's raining, so nothing can be done.
遅刻したのは仕方がない。
It can't be helped that he was late.
Colloquial variant of 仕方がない. Extremely common in casual speech.
Indicate that the speaker has no power to change the situation.
Attach to the stem of a verb to mean 'there is no way to do ~'. Very productive pattern.
直しようがない。
There's no way to fix it.
彼の考えは理解しようがない。
There's no way to understand his thinking.
More literary than 〜ようがない. Means 'there is no method/means to do ~'.
知るすべがない。
There is no way to know.
Show that one has given up and accepted the situation.
Means 'there is no choice but to give up'. Expresses resignation.
もう諦めるしかない。
Nothing can be done but give up.
Means 'there is no choice but to accept it'. Focuses on acceptance rather than giving up.
現実を受け入れるしかない。
Nothing can be done but accept reality.
仕方がない is used for minor, everyday situations where you just have to accept things. どうしようもない is stronger and implies a truly hopeless situation where all options are exhausted.
電車が遅れて仕方がない。
The train is late, but it can't be helped.
このパソコンはもうどうしようもない。
This computer is beyond help.
Do not translate 'nothing can be done' word-for-word as 何もできない. That means 'I can't do anything' (lack of ability), not 'the situation is hopeless'.
まあ、しょうがないね。
Well, nothing can be done about it.
Formal expression meaning 'unavoidable' or 'there is no choice'. Used in official contexts.
やむを得ない事情で欠席します。
I will be absent due to unavoidable circumstances.