JLPT N1・N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜ようにも〜ない” and “〜ようがない”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜ようにも〜ない” and “〜ようがない”
2. 〜ようにも〜ない
3. 〜ようがない
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: I don’t understand the difference between “〜ようにも〜ない” and “〜ようがない.”
A: Both expressions use “よう” and are very similar, differing only by “にも～ない” or “がない.” However, their meanings have subtle differences. Understanding these key points will help you use them correctly and appropriately.
ようにも～ない (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
An expression used when the speaker wants to do something but is prevented from doing so due to certain reasons
[Rule]
[V] Verb volitional form + にも + Verb negative form
[Key Points]
・Emphasizes that even if one has the will to act, the situation makes it impossible.
・The “～ようにも” part is often used with verbs in their potential form.
・Used when the cause or reason is clearly defined.
[Examples]
早く帰りたいけど、電車が止まっていて帰ろうにも帰れません。
I want to go home early, but the train has stopped, so even if I try, I can’t.
⇒ The speaker wants to go home early, but since the train has stopped, they can’t.
お金が足りなくて、ほしいものが買おうにも買えませんでした。
I didn’t have enough money, so even if I wanted to buy what I wanted, I couldn’t.
⇒ The speaker found a piece of clothing they really liked, but they couldn’t buy it because they didn’t have enough money.
道でそのねこを見つけたときには、弱っていて助けようにも助けられませんでした。
When I found the cat on the street, it was so weak that even if I wanted to help it, I couldn’t.
⇒ When the speaker found the cat on the street, it was too weak, and there was nothing they could do.
As seen in these examples, “ようにも～ない” is used when one has the will to act but external factors prevent execution. It strongly emphasizes situations where taking action is impossible due to outside influences.
ようがない (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
An expression used when the speaker wants to do something but lacks the means or method, making execution impossible
[Rule]
[V] Verb stem + ようがない
[Key Points]
・Emphasizes that an action cannot be performed due to the complete absence of means or methods.
・Similar to “～ようにも～ない”, but this expression specifically focuses on the lack of a method rather than an external obstacle.
・When used as “どうしようもない”, it further emphasizes the situation, conveying complete helplessness.
[Examples]
電話番号を知らないから連絡のしようがありません。
I don’t know the phone number, so there’s no way to contact them.
⇒ The speaker wants to make a call, but without a phone number (means), they can’t.
何回もお願いされて断りようがないです。
I’ve been asked so many times that there’s no way I can refuse.
⇒ The speaker has been asked repeatedly and has no opportunity or method to refuse, expressing a situation where refusal is impossible.
完全に故障してしまっていて、直しようがありませんね。
It’s completely broken, so there’s no way to fix it.
⇒ The machine or object is so damaged that it is physically impossible to repair.
[Changing “が” to “も” to Form “どうしようもない”]
By replacing “が” in “ようがない” with “も”, the expression “どうしようもない” is formed, further emphasizing a complete lack of options or helplessness.
[Differences Between “ようがない” and “どうしようもない”]
・”～ようがない” → Expresses an impossible situation due to the lack of means or methods.
・”どうしようもない” → Emphasizes total helplessness or frustration over a bad situation.
[Examples]
最終の電車に乗れなくて、どうしようもありません。
I missed the last train, and there’s no way for me to get home.
⇒ The speaker missed the last train and has no way to return home.
彼の態度はひどすぎて、もうどうしようもないね。
His attitude is so terrible that there’s nothing more to say.
⇒ His attitude is so bad that there’s nothing that can be done about it.
“ようがない” is used when there is no method or means to execute an action, emphasizing the lack of a way to carry it out. On the other hand, “どうしようもない” expresses complete helplessness, often carrying a nuance of frustration or resignation. While both expressions convey a sense of impossibility, the key difference lies in their focus—”ようがない” highlights the absence of means, whereas “どうしようもない” emphasizes total despair over a situation.
Let’s Compare
Let’s compare the Following Example Sentences
[Examples]
早く帰りたいけど、電車が止まっていて帰ろうにも帰れません。
I want to go home early, but the train has stopped, so even if I try, I can’t.
早く帰りたいけど、電車が止まっていて帰りようがありません。
I want to go home early, but the train has stopped, so there’s no way to get home.
Both expressions are natural, but there is a subtle difference in nuance.
①「帰ろうにも帰れません」
・Emphasizes the speaker’s strong desire to go home.
・However, since the train has stopped, the action is physically prevented.
・”～ようにも～ない” is used when the intention exists, but external factors make execution impossible.
② 「帰りようがありません」
・Indicates that there is no method or means to go home.
・The focus is not on whether the speaker wants to go home, but rather on the objective fact that no means exist.
・”～ようがない” is used when there is no possible way to execute an action due to a lack of method or means.
“～ようにも～ない” indicates that the speaker wants to act but is prevented from doing so by external factors. On the other hand, “～ようがない” means that there is no method or means to execute the action, making it inherently impossible. While these expressions are similar, the key difference lies in what makes the action impossible—whether it is due to an external obstacle or the complete absence of a method. Understanding this distinction is crucial for using them appropriately.
Summary
[ようにも～ない]
- Expresses a situation where one intends to do something but is prevented from doing so by external factors, making execution impossible.
[ようがない]
- Indicates that even if one wants to do something, there is no means or method available, making execution impossible.
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. 作りようがない
冷蔵庫が空っぽで何も作りようがないです。
The refrigerator is empty, so there is no way to cook anything.
*The correct answer is “作りようがない” because it follows the structure “verb stem + ようがない.”
A. しようがない
彼の言うことは正しく、反論しようがないです。
What he says is correct, so there is no way to refute it.
*The correct answer is “反論しようがない” because it has the same meaning as “cannot refute.”
A. しようがない
掃除道具がなくて、掃除しようがないね。
There are no cleaning tools, so there is no way to clean.
*The correct answer is “しようがない” because it follows the structure “verb stem + ようがない.” Also, pay attention to the meaning, as it emphasizes the lack of tools and methods.
A. どうしようもない
太ってしまったせいでどの服も小さくなってどうしようもない。
Because I gained weight, all my clothes have become too small, and there is nothing I can do about it.
*The correct answer is “どうしようもない,” as it is a set expression meaning “there is nothing that can be done.”
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