よんどころない

よ

ん

ど

こ

ろ

な

い

Meanings

1

i-adjective

unavoidable; can't be helped

usually written using kana alone

Used for situations, reasons, or circumstances that are beyond one's control and must be accepted. Often implies a formal or resigned tone.

よんどころない事じ情じょうで欠けっ席せきします。
I will be absent due to unavoidable circumstances.
よんどころない理

り

由ゆう

が

あっ

て

、

計けい

画かく

を

変へん

更こう

せ

ざる

を

得え

なかっ

た

。

We had no choice but to change the plan for unavoidable reasons.

Written forms

Applies to each form listed below

rarely-used kanji form

拠所無よんどころない
Rarely used kanji form. The reading よんどころない is not obvious from the kanji.
拠無よんどころない
Rarely used kanji form.
拠よん所どころ無ない
Rarely used kanji form.

Kanji

拠foothold, based on, follow
所place, extent
無nothingness, none, ain't

Similar words

仕し方かたがない
More common and casual expression for 'it can't be helped'. よんどころない is more formal and often used in written or official contexts.
やむを得えない
Similar meaning, but やむを得ない is slightly more common and can be used in both formal and everyday situations. よんどころない carries a stronger nuance of being compelled by external circumstances.

Etymology

Derived from the classical Japanese expression 拠ん所無し (よんどころなし), meaning 'there is no place to rely on', which evolved to mean 'unavoidable'. The kanji 拠 means 'basis' or 'grounds', 所 means 'place', and 無い means 'not exist'.