〜ようがない

Meaning

〜ようがない indicates that an action cannot be performed because there is no method, means, or way to do it. It emphasizes the impossibility or unavoidability of a situation. The common expression どうしようもない means 'there is absolutely no way' and conveys complete helplessness.

Formation

Examples

1. カメラが完全に壊れてしまって、直しようがない。
   The camera is completely broken; there's no way to fix it.

2. 友達と真夜中までお酒を飲んで、電車やバスもなくなってしまって、帰りようがない。
   I drank with a friend until midnight, and since the trains and buses stopped running, I had no way to get home.

3. あなたが出した質問の意味が分からなかったので答えようがなかった。
   I didn't understand the meaning of the question you asked, so I couldn't answer it.

Summary

• Used to express inability due to lack of method or means available
• Emphasizes that something is unavoidable or impossible to prevent
• Common phrase どうしようもない means 'there is absolutely no way' or 'completely helpless'