modality N1 uncommon writtenliterary
〜術がない — there's no way/means to ~
〜術がない ・ すべがない
Meaning
- there is no way / no means to ~ — one lacks any method to accomplish or deal with something; literary
Key sentence
連絡先が分からず、知らせる術がない。
I don't know how to reach them, so there's no way to let them know.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb dictionary-form; 術もない is the emphatic form | V-る + 術がない |
Examples
もはや真相を確かめる術がない。
There is no longer any way to verify the truth.
たった一人では、生き延びる術もなかった。
All alone, he had no means even to survive.
Easily confused with
Notes
- Literary/written. 術 = means/method; 〜術もない is emphatic.
See 〜術がない in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜術がない the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.