This expression is so common and widely used in every situation. There are multiple ways to say it:
- shikata ga arimasen (polite)
- shikata ga nai (informal)
- shō ga nai (casual)
- shānai (Kansai-ben)
But what does this ubiquitous expression mean?
Shikata ga nai is hard to translate into English since there’s nothing similar in our language.
The closest equivalent is actually from French: c’est la vie. We use French because we couldn’t come up with an English expression of our own. The French translate it literally to “That’s life….”
The Japanese expression is formed from shikata (仕方), meaning method or way, and nai (無い) (arimasen), meaning its absence. So shikata ga nai means there is no way to do something, i.e. it’s hopeless, it can’t be helped, and there’s no choice.
Typical situations where you’ll hear the expression:
- Frustrated by Japanese politics: shikata ga arimasen
- Your company instituted a stupid policy: shikata ga nai
- Going crazy filling out paperwork: shō ga nai
- Hanshin lost another baseball game: shānai na~
If that sounds like an expression of hopelessness, it isn’t always.
Instead, it means that life is what it is, so there’s no point in complaining, we have to deal with it. It ties closely to another key Japanese trait: gaman (我慢) — endurance and perseverance.
I liken the attitude of shikata ga nai to the Serenity Prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
The expression shikata ga nai embodies this serenity and wisdom.
I’m convinced the long lifetimes of Japanese people to have nothing to do with ikigai or an Okinawan diet but the serenity that comes from embracing the philosophy of shikata ga nai.
Shikata ga nai is an attitude of resiliency and endurance. It is what it is, so deal with it. A decision has been made, and whether we like it or not, it’s time to stop arguing and start moving forward.
- Earthquakes destroy a major section of the country – Shikata ga nai. We have to rebuild.
- Energy prices skyrocketing due to the war in Ukraine – Shikata ga nai. Put on sweaters and lower the thermostat.
- The country needs a fast rail line to reach more communities – Shikata ga nai. We have to move out of the way.
But this willingness to accept the world as it is instead of how we want it to be can be a double-edged sword.
