JLPT N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜てもしかたがない/しょうがない” and “〜ても始まらない”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜てもしかたがない/しょうがない” and “〜ても始まらない”
2. 〜てもしかたがない/しょうがない
3. 〜ても始まらない
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “〜てもしかたがない/しょうがない” and “〜ても始まらない”?
A: Both expressions refer to a situation where nothing changes and reflect emotions or attitudes toward a situation that remains unchanged. However, they are used differently depending on the specific context and nuance.
〜てもしかたがない／しょうがない (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
・Even if you try, it’s futile
・Even if you try, there’s nothing you can do
・Even if you try, it’s meaningless
[Rules]
[V] Verb て form＋も＋しかたがない／しょうがない
[A] い adjective て form＋も＋しかたがない／しょうがない
[Na] な adjective て form＋も＋しかたがない／しょうがない
*In spoken language, the verb form “〜ても” is often shortened to “〜たって”.
[Commonly Used Words]
Adverbs: どんなに (no matter how), いくら (how much)
Verbs: 考える (to think), 悩む (to worry), 後悔する (to regret), 泣く (to cry), がんばる (to do one’s best)
[Examples]
悩んでもしかたがないよ。とりあえずやってみよう。
There’s no point in worrying. Let’s just give it a try.
いつまでも泣いてたってしょうがないよ。元気だして。
There’s no use crying forever. Cheer up.
これは職人の手作りだって。高くてもしかたないね。
It’s handmade by artisans. It’s expensive, but there’s nothing we can do about it.
このアパートは家賃が安いし不便でもしかたがないですね。
The rent for this apartment is cheap, so it’s inconvenient, but there’s nothing we can do about it.
〜ても始まらない (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
・Even if you do something, things don’t progress
・Even if you do something, it doesn’t solve the problem
[Rules]
[V] Verb て form＋も＋始まらない
*In spoken language, “～ても” often becomes “～たって”.
[Commonly Used Words]
Adverbs: どんなに (no matter how), いくら (how much)
Verbs: 考える (to think), 悩む (to worry), 心配する (to be anxious), 待つ (to wait)
[Examples]
ここでずっと同じことを考えていても始まらないよ。
Thinking about the same thing here forever won’t get us anywhere.
文句ばかり言っても始まらない！自分たちで変えていこう。
Complaining all the time won’t help! Let’s make the change ourselves.
今さら後悔しても始まらないし、次のことを考えよう。
Regretting things now won’t change anything. Let’s think about the next step.
じっとしていても何も始まらないよ。
Nothing will start if you just sit still.
Let’s Compare
[てもしかたがない・てもしょうがない]
It expresses the feeling of “resignation or compromise,” highlighting the acceptance of a result that is not one’s desired outcome.
[Examples]
どんなにがんばってもしかたがない。もうこの自転車は直らないよ。
No matter how hard you try, it can’t be helped. This bicycle is beyond repair.
⇒ It means accepting and giving up on the current problem, recognizing that the situation cannot be changed.
このレストランは安すぎるし、食事がまずくてもしょうがないね。
This restaurant is too cheap, so it can’t be helped if the food isn’t good.
⇒ It signifies compromising on the quality of the food due to the low price and accepting that situation.
[ても始まらない]
The term “始まらない” implies that “the situation isn’t changing or progressing,” meaning that “no matter what action is taken, the desired outcome cannot be achieved.”
[Example]
そんなに考えたって始まらないし、とりあえずやってみようよ。
Thinking about it so much won’t get us anywhere, so let’s try it.
⇒ It indicates that even if we keep thinking about it, the current situation won’t change and no good results will be achieved.
[てもしかたがない VS ても始まらない]
When expressing a desire to change the situation or take new actions, either expression can be used. However, “てもしかたがない” conveys a sense of resignation or helplessness, leaving a feeling of giving up. On the other hand, “ても始まらない” has a stronger nuance of encouraging new actions to change the situation. Therefore, when you strongly wish for progress or improvement, “ても始まらない” is more appropriate.
[Examples]
あまり悩んでもしかたがないよ。とりあえずやってみよう。
Worrying too much won’t help. Let’s just give it a try.
そんなに悩んでも始まらないよ！こっちのやり方でしてみよう。
Fretting over it won’t get us anywhere! Let’s try this approach.
〇ここで待っていても始まらない！今すぐ行動をしよう！
Waiting here won’t get us anywhere! Let’s take action now!
△ ここで待っていてもしかたがない！今すぐ行動をしよう！
Waiting here won’t help! Let’s take action now!
However, when the following sentence expresses feelings of “resignation or compromise,” “てもしかたがない” is used.
[Examples]
どんなに泣いてもしかたがない。過去は変えられないんだ。
No matter how much you cry, it’s useless. The past can’t be changed.
⇒ This expresses resignation to the fact that the past cannot be altered.
この仕事は大変でもしょうがないね。給料が良すぎるんだもん。
This job is tough, but that’s to be expected. The salary is too good.
⇒ This expresses compromise, accepting the difficulty of the job in exchange for the high salary.
Summary
[てもしかたがない／しょうがない]
- It focuses on the feelings of “resignation or compromise” regarding a situation and expresses the acceptance of an undesired outcome.
[ても始まらない]
- It expresses that “no matter what action is taken, the desired result cannot be achieved,” with a focus on “action.”
- This expression is appropriate when there is a strong desire for progress.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. しかたがない
冷蔵庫が壊れていたから飲み物がぬるくなってもしかたがないね。
The refrigerator was broken, so it’s no surprise that the drinks are warm.
*Only “しかたがない” can be used with い adjectives.
A. 始まらない
ずっと彼の返事を待っていても始まらないし、自分から聞いたらどうですか。
Waiting endlessly for his reply won’t get us anywhere; why not ask him yourself?
*”始まらない” is appropriate here as it reflects a desire for progress.
A. しかたがない
後悔してもしかたがない。今回はあきらめよう。
There’s no point in regretting it. Let’s just give up this time.
*”しかたがない” is suitable here due to the overall feeling of resignation.
A. 始まらない
心配ばかりしても始まらない。やっぱり留学しよう。
Worrying endlessly won’t help. Let’s go ahead with studying abroad after all.
*”始まらない” is appropriate here as it implies a need for action to achieve progress.
