Meaning
This pattern combines the restrictive 'しか...ない' structure with 'よう' (way/manner) to mean 'there is no other way to say this' or 'can only be described as.' It emphasizes the content before 'としか言いようがない' as the only appropriate description. When referring to past events, the word before this pattern should be in past tense.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 动词普通形 | としか言いようがない |
| い形容词 | としか言いようがない |
| な形容词(だ) | としか言いようがない |
| 名词(だ) | としか言いようがない |
Examples
-
ストーリーは退屈だし、俳優の芝居も下手だし、あの映画は本当に詰まらないとしか言いようがない。
The story is boring, the actors' performances are poor, and honestly that movie can only be described as really terrible. -
中国の昔の人があんなに大きい規模の万里の長城を作ったとは、不思議としか言いようがない。
That the ancient Chinese people were able to build the Great Wall on such a massive scale can only be called miraculous. -
彼はびどい怪我からこんなに早く快復できたなんて、奇跡としか言いようがない。
The fact that he recovered so quickly from such a serious injury can only be described as a miracle.
Summary
- Use this pattern to emphasize that something can only be described in one specific way—no alternatives
- Attach directly to verb plain form, i-adjective, na-adjective (だ), or noun (だ) endings
- For past events, use past tense before the pattern (e.g., 退屈だった、奇跡だった)