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〜ようがない

there's no way to

Verb ます-stem + ようがない / ようもない

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ようがない says there's no method or means to do something: 連絡先がわからないので、連絡しようがない, "I don't have their details, so there's no way to contact them". よう here means "way, method", related to 方 (N4).

It attaches to the ます-stem: 直しようがない, 説明しようがない. The reason is usually a missing piece of information or an impossible situation, not a lack of skill.

ようもない is a slightly stronger version. The set phrase どうしようもない means "hopeless, nothing can be done".

Compare the potential negative (直せない), which is about ability. ようがない says the means simply don't exist.

Examples

  • 連絡先れんらくさきがわからないので、連絡れんらくしようがない。

    I don't have their details, so there's no way to contact them.

  • こんなに壊こわれていては、直なおしようがない。

    It's so badly broken that there's no way to fix it.

  • 言葉ことばでは説明せつめいしようがない。

    There's no way to explain it in words.

  • 住所じゅうしょがわからないと、届とどけようがない。

    Without the address, there's no way to deliver it.

  • 今いまさら謝あやまりようもない。

    It's far too late even to apologise now.

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