しょうがない (B1)
English: It can't be helped
カタカナ: ショウガナイ
IPA: /ˈʃoʊɡəˌnaɪ/
Definition
This is a common Japanese expression used to acknowledge a situation that is beyond your control and cannot be changed. It conveys a sense of acceptance or resignation, often implying that one should stop worrying or trying to alter the unalterable.
意味: これは、自分の力ではどうにもならない、変えようのない状況を認識したときに使う一般的な日本語の表現です。諦めや受容の感覚を伝え、しばしば、変えられないことについて心配したり、変えようとしたりするのをやめるべきだ、という意味合いを含みます。
Examples / 例文
雨が降ってきてしまった。もうしょうがない、傘を買いに行こう。 — It started raining. Well, it can't be helped, let's go buy an umbrella.
電車が遅延しているらしい。しょうがないから、タクシーで向かいます。 — Apparently the train is delayed. Since there's nothing that can be done, I'll head there by taxi.
試験に落ちてしまった。努力はしたけど、結果はしょうがない。 — I failed the exam. I tried hard, but the result is unavoidable.
しょうがない in English
English translations of しょうがない (shoganai):
How to Use It can't be helped
- Shoganai, [action] (expression + action)
- Expressing acceptance of a situation and stating the next course of action. — "Shoganai, I'll just have to take the bus."
- [Situation], shoganai. (situation + expression)
- Acknowledging a difficult situation and accepting its unchangeable nature. — "The flight was cancelled, shoganai."
- Ah, shoganai ne. (interjection + expression + particle)
- A sympathetic or resigned sigh, often used to acknowledge a shared difficult circumstance. — "My train is late again. Ah, shoganai ne."
See "It can't be helped" in the English dictionary
Browse the full Japanese-English dictionary