N2 Grammar ⑬　ようがない / しようがない

JLPT N2 Japanese self-study　·　~12 min　·　No way to ~ / nothing can be done — absence of method or means

'Without instructions, there's no way to use it.' 'Without evidence, there's no way to prove it.' — ようがない isn't about ability; it's about the method simply not existing.

What you'll learn

• 〜ようがない: 'there is no way to ~' — the method/means doesn't exist
• しようがない: slightly more colloquial equivalent
• Connection: V-ます stem + ようがない (使いようがない, 説明しようがない)
• vs はずがない (logically impossible) vs わけがない (no reason it should happen)

How to study “N2 Grammar ⑬　ようがない / しようがない”

“N2 Grammar ⑬　ようがない / しようがない” (No way to ~ / nothing can be done — absence of method or means) is a JLPT N2 chapter of our free Japanese self-study course, about 12 min. You learn by doing — flashcard drills and fill-in-the-blank quizzes graded on the spot — completely free, with no sign-up and no ad wall. Once it clicks, read the matching in-depth explainer over in Grammar.