Do “仕方ある”and “申し訳ある” exist?
Table of Contents
1. Do “仕方ある” and “申し訳ある”exist?
2. 仕方（が）ない
3. 申し訳ない
4. Summary
5. Similar Articles
6. Comment
Q: Can expressions like “仕方ない” or “申し訳ない” with 〜ない be changed to 〜ある?
A: “仕方ある” and “申し訳ある” do not exist.
“仕方ない” and “申し訳ない” are established expressions that cannot be replaced with “ある.”
仕方（が）ない
[Meaning]
There is no other method or means
Accepting a situation and giving up because nothing else can be done
[Examples]
なんどやってもうまくいかない。しかたがない。あきらめよう。
No matter how many times I try, it doesn’t work. It can’t be helped. I’ll give up.
電車が遅れているのか。しかたない、今日はバスで行こう。
The train is delayed? It can’t be helped; I’ll take the bus today.
[Can “仕方ある” Be Used?]
The term “仕方” means “a way, method, or means of doing something.” Therefore, “仕方ない” means “there is no way or means.” This expression is used when one is in an unfavorable situation but has to accept and give up on it.
So, can we say “仕方ある” because “仕方ない” exists? The answer is no.
While “仕方ない” has become an established expression, “仕方ある” does not exist.
If someone were to say “仕方ある,” it would literally mean “there is a way or means,” but this phrase is rarely, if ever, used in practice. Instead, expressions like “やり方がある” (“there is a way”) are more commonly used.
申し訳ない
[Meaning]
There is no way to make excuses
There is no room for justification
[Examples]
この度はご迷惑をおかけし誠に申し訳ございません。
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused this time.
遅刻してしまって申し訳ないです。
I apologize for being late.
[Can “申し訳ある” Be Used?]
The original verb of “申し” is “申す,” which means “to say.” Therefore, “申し訳” refers to “an excuse” or “a justification.”
The expression “申し訳ない” conveys the speaker’s feeling of regret or apology, indicating that they have done something so rude or wrong that no excuse or justification can suffice.
If one were to say “申し訳ある,” it would imply “there is an excuse or justification,” which contradicts the intended meaning of the expression. Such usage is grammatically unnatural and does not exist in standard Japanese.
[Example]
客：「この間、ここで買った商品が3日で壊れたんですが…」
店員：「申し訳ございません！一度確認させてください。」
Customer: “The product I bought here the other day broke after just three days…”
Clerk: “I deeply apologize! Please allow me to check it for you.”
⇒ The clerk sincerely conveys an apology to the customer, acknowledging the fault in the product.
Summary
[仕方（が）ない]
- Even in undesirable situations, it is used when one has no choice but to accept and give up. The expression is established in the form of “ない,” and therefore, the form “ある” does not exist as an expression.
[申し訳ない]
- This is an expression that conveys the feeling of having done something so rude that no excuse or justification can be made. For this reason, it cannot be replaced with “ある” and used.
