てForms in Japanese:

When conjugating verbs into the て (or た) forms of verbs in Japanese, you need to consider the three groups of verbs in Japanese.

Examples of て Forms of Verbs:

Irregular Verbs

(To Do) する　Becomes して　（Note the syllable change）
(To Come) くる　Becomes きて　（Note the syllable change）来る　来て

Regular I Verbs (う Verbs)

(To Drink) のむ　Becomes　のんで　（Note the syllable changes）飲む　飲んで
(To Go) いく　Becomes　いって（Note the syllable changes）行く　行って

Uses for て Forms in Japanese

Regular II Verbs（るVerbs）

(To Eat) たべる　Becomes　たべて　（No syllable change needed）食べる　食べて

The て forms of verbs in Japanese have a variety of uses. This is a summary of some of the ways they can be used to express different things in different situations.

Present Progressive (Doing Things Right Now) or Ongoing (Things That Continue)

In this form, the て form is combined with います to make the completed verb form.

(To Do) しています (しています) （Doing it right now or doing it every day or on a regular basis）
(To Come) きています(来ています) （Coming right now or coming every day or on a regular basis）
(To Eat) たべています(食べています) (Eating right now or eating every or on a regular basis)
(To Live) すんでいます (住んでいます) (Living somewhere right now and on a regular basis)
(To Go) いっています(行っています)（Going right now or going on a regular basis）

Making Requests to Do Things: Please do…

In this form, the て form is combined with ください（下さい） to mean “Please do.”

(To Do) してください（して下さい）Please Do
(To Come) きてください（来て下さい）Please Come
(To Eat) たべてください（食べて下さい）Please Eat
(To Go) いってください（行って下さい）Please Go

Making Requests NOT to Do Things:

In this form, the て form of the verbs becomes (で) following the verb in plain negative form (Verb ない)　with “please”　ください added at the end.

This is the format for this pattern: Verb ないでください。

Note that a syllable change is required to express the Verb ない pattern.

Examples:　Please don’t….

(To NOT Do) しないでください（しないで下さい）　Please don’t do
(To NOT Come) こないでください（来ないでください）Please don’t come
(To NOT Eat) たべないでください（食べないで下さい）Please don’t eat
(To NOT Go) いかないでください（行かないで下さい）Please don’t go

Asking Permission to Do Things:

In this form, the て form of verbs is used to ask permission to do something. It is combined with the pattern もいいですか (as a question) or　もいいです(as an answer). In this pattern the adjective いい (which generally means “okay” or “good”) takes on the meaning of “it’s okay to do” as in the situation of asking permission to do something.

Examples: May I do… or You may do…

(May I do?) してもいいですか。
(May I come?) きてもいいですか。（来てもいいですか。）
(May I eat?) たべてもいいですか。（食べてもいいですか。）
(May I go?) いってもいいですか。（行ってもいいですか。）

Connecting Verbs in a Sequence Using the て　Form:

The て form of verbs can be used to connect multiple verbs in a sequence with the meaning of “and” between each. Note that the noun connectors for “and” と and や can NOT be used for this purpose and they can ONLY be used to connect nouns (they are not used for adjectives either). In this form, only the て form of each verb in the sequence is used (with no ending), but the LAST verb in the sequence that ends the sentence is in the normal, formal form.

Example: Verb AND Verb AND Verb

I will study (DO studying), and go home, and eat dinner.

わたしは　べんきょうして、うちにかえって、ばんごはんをたべます。
（私は勉強して、家に帰って、晩御飯を食べます。）

Describing things you LIKE to DO or WISH to DO or are SKILLED at DOING (and other adjective possibilities).

Verb Plain Form ＋のが＋Adjectiveです。I like/want/am skilled at doing something (or other possibilities such as enjoyable/fun/boring to do).

Examples:

I like to play (do) tennis. わたしは　テニスを　するのが　すきです。（私はテニスをするのが好きです。）

You are skilled/good at taking exams. あなたは　しけんを　とるのが　じょうずです。（あなたは試験を取るのが上手です。）

Talking About Things You PLAN to DO or INTEND to DO

You can also use the plain form before certain specific verb endings within an appropriate context. For example, you have already learned how to say you PLAN to DO something, or you INTEND to DO something, using the patterns shown here.

PLAN to DO: VerbPlainForm よていです。

INTEND to DO: VerbPlainForm つもりです。

Examples:

I PLAN to eat sushi for dinner. わたしは　ばんごはんに　すしを　たべるよていです。（私は晩御飯に寿司を食べるよていです。）
I INTEND to go to Japan next year. わたしは　らいねん　にほんに　いくつもりです。（私は来年日本に行くつもりです。）

Stating a Purpose for Going Somewhere:

Sometimes more than one verb is used in a sentence, and in this context, the MAIN verb of the sentence is “going” somewhere (at the end of the sentence), but the “purpose” for going there (what you will do when you get there) is also included in the sentence (mid-sentence).

In this case, the following pattern is used to express these two verbs:

Subject は　Purpose/Activity（VerbStem に）Place に　いきます（Go）.

To determine the Verb Stem of a particular verb, you simply remove the ending (る、う、Etc　OR　ます for example) and what is left is the “verb stem”.

Examples:

I am going to school to study Japanese. (For the purpose of studying Japanese, or In order to study Japanese).

わたしは　にほんごを　べんきょうしに　がっこうに　いきます。
（私は日本語を勉強しに学校に行きます。）

I am going to the department store to buy clothes. (For the purpose of buying clothes, or in order to buy clothes).

わたしは　ふくを　かいに　デパートに　いきます。
（私は福を買いにデパートに行きます。）

Saying That you WANT to DO Things

You can also use the Verb Stem combined with a special verb ending to say you WANT to DO Things (or Don’t Want to Do Things).　

NOTE: You will find this pattern for VERBS is very similar to the conjugation pattern for い-Adjectives, with the only difference being the addition of the syllable た for the verb pattern. It can be very useful to review this Verb Form at the same time as reviewing adjective conjugation.

Here is the pattern to use for this verb form (in both tenses and positive and negative forms):

WANT to DO: VerbStem＋たいです
DON’T WANT to DO: VerbStem＋たくないです
WANTED to DO: VerbStem＋たかかったです
DID NOT Want to Do: VerbStem＋たかくなかったです

Examples:

I WANT to play (do) golf. わたしは　ゴルフを　したいです。（私はゴルフをしたいです。）
I DON’T WANT to go to school. わたしは　がっこうに　いきたくないです。（私は学校に行きたくないです。）
I WANTED to go to Japan last year. わたしは　きょねん　にほんに　いきたかったです。（私は去年日本に行きたかったです。）
I DIDN’T WANT to eat vegetables for lunch. わたしは　ひるごはんに　やさいを　たべたくなかったです。

（私は昼ご飯に野菜を食べたくなかったです。）

REVIEW of the Basic Connective Form “And” Between Verbs (using the て Form of Verbs)

A simple and basic way to connect two verbs in the same sentence is by using the てForm of verbs for any of the verbs before the final verb in the sentence. This has the simple meaning of “and” between the verbs. There are many other ways to connect multiple verbs in sentences in specific contexts, but you will learn those in future levels of Japanese study.

EXAMPLES:
I will go to Japan, and eat tempura, and drink green tea.
私は日本に行って、てんぷら（天ぷら）をたべて、おちゃ（お茶）をのみます。

I get up at 6 am and go to school at 7:30 am.
私は午前六時におきて（起きて）、午前七時半に学校に行きます。

My mom likes okonomiyaki and my dad likes sashimi.

母はおこのみやき（お好み焼き）が好きで、父はさしみ（刺身）が好きです。
NOTE: In this example, the “verb” is です and its て Form is represented by で

REVIEW of the Permission Form of Verbs (Verb てもいいです)

EXAMPLE:
May I go to the restroom?
私はおてあらい（お手洗い）に行ってもいいですか。
Yes, you may go to the restroom.
はい、あなたはお手洗いに行ってもいいです。
May I wear a hat at that school?
その学校はぼうし（帽子）をかぶてもいいですか。
Yes, I don’t mind.
はい、かまいません。

NEW Form for Prohibition from Doing Something (だめです、いけません、Verb てはだめです、Verb ていけません)

These are NEW verb forms being introduced to this course now for the first time. Both versions introduced here can be used to say that something should not or cannot be done.

The first version uses the expression だめです that literally means “It’s bad” as in “It’s bad to do” something. It can be preceded by a verb in the て form plus the particle は to mean that the specific action of the verb is “bad to do” or should not be done.

EXAMPLES:
You should not (must not) talk in the library.
としょかん（図書館）ではなしてはだめです。

You should not (must not) wear hats at school.
学校でぼうし（帽子）をかぶってはだめです。

The second version uses the verb いけません which literally means “cannot do” in the sense of “should not do” or “prohibited from doing” (not to be confused with できません which means “cannot do” in the sense of “am not able to do” or “do not have the ability to do”). It is preceded by a verb in the て form to mean that the specific action of the verb is “prohibited” or “cannot/should note be done”.

EXAMPLES:
You should not (must not) run in the middle of the street.
みち（道）の中ではしって（走って）はいけません。

You should not (must not) eat food in the classroom.
きょうしつ（教室）で食べ物を食べてはいいけません。

Review of Plain Forms versus Formal Forms in Verbs

This was partly covered in Levels 1 and 2, and completed in Unit 4 (The Body) in Section 4 (Verb Review)
Plain or informal forms of verbs are used in everyday speech with friends and family and other people of equal or lower “rank”. They are also used in some specific verb form combinations (several of these have already been covered in previous units and courses).

This is a basic review of the plain and formal forms for verbs in all three verb groups (Irregular する・くる、Regular 1　う　Verbs, And　Regular 2 るVerbs).

REVIEW of Requesting that Something Be Done Versus Requesting Something NOT be Done (VerbPlainPositive てください　Versus VerbPlainNegative ないでください)

To request that someone should DO something, the て form of the positive verb is used with “please”　ください added after it. To request that someone NOT do something, the ない (negative) form of the verb is used along with で（to replaceて）and “please” ください。

EXAMPLES:

今やさい（野菜）を食べてください。Please eat your vegetables now.
今アイスクリームを食べないでください。Please don’t eat ice cream now.
先生は「毎日たくさん勉強をしてください。」と言いました。
The teacher said “Please study every day.”
いしゃ（医者）は「今日このくすり（薬）を飲まないでください。」といいました。
The doctor said “Please don’t take this medicine today.”

NEW Verb Form for Saying “Have the Experience of” or “Have Done” (Verbたことがあります・ありません)　Have done, Have Been, Have Not Done, Have Not Been

The plain (informal) past tense verb form た has been covered before. In this section a further use will be covered that expresses “having the experience” of doing something (using the verb in た form).

First, here is a review of the plain/informal past tense form for the three verb groups:

（Note that the た Form Is the same as the て　Form ）

Irregular Verbs:

To Do: する； した
To Come:　くる（来る）；　きた（来た）

Regular 1 る　Verbs：

To Eat:　たべる（食べる）；食べた（食べた）

Regular 2 う　Verbs：

To Go:　いく（行く）；いった（行った）
To Drink:　のむ（飲む）；のんだ（飲んだ）
To Speak/Talk: はなす（話す）；はなした（話した）
To Write:　かく（書く）；かいた（書いた）
To Buy:　かう（買う）；かった（買った）

 

This plain/informal past tense verb form can also be used in a specific pattern and context to mean “have the experience of doing” something in the following way:

VerbたForm　＋　ことがあります。　Have had the experience of doing (Have done…)
Verb たForm　＋　ことがありません。　Have NOT had the experience of doing (Have NOT done…)

Note that this ALWAYS expresses things done or not done in the PAST (and not in the very recent past, like earlier today, or yesterday).

EXAMPLES:

Q: あなたは日本に行ったことがありますか。Have you been (had the experience of going) to Japan?
A: (Positive) はい、私は日本に行ったことがあります。Yes, I have been (had the experience of going) to Japan.
A: (Negative) いいえ、私は日本に行ったことがありません。No, I have not been (had the experience of going) to Japan.

Q: あなたはさしみ（刺身）を食べたことがありますか。Have you ever eaten (had the experience of eating) sashimi (raw seafood/meat)?
A: (Positive)　はい、私は刺身を食べたことがあります。Yes, I have eaten (had the experience of eating) sashimi.
A: (Negative)　いいえ、私は刺身を食べたことがありません。No, I have not eaten (had the experience of eating) sashimi.

Q: あなたは学校のフットボールゲームを来たことがありますか。Have you ever come (had the experience of coming) to a high school football game?
A: (Positive) はい、私は学校のフットボールゲームを来たことがあります。Yes, I have come (had the experience of coming to) a high school football game.
A: (Negative)　いいえ、学校のフットボールゲームを来たことがありません。No, I have not come (had the experience of coming) to a high school football game.

Q: あなたはかんこくご（韓国語）をべんきょう（勉強）したことがありますか。Have you studied (had the experience of studying) the Korean language?
A: (Positive)　はい、かんこくご（韓国語）をべんきょう（勉強）したことがあります。Yes, I have studied (had the experience of studying) The Korean Language.
A: (Negative) いいえ、かんこくご（韓国語）をべんきょう（勉強）したことがありません。No, I have not studied (had the experience of studying) the Korean Language.

NEW Verb Form for Saying “Have to Do” (VerbないForm（－な）ければなりません・いけません

To express the idea that someone “has to do something” or “must do something” the plain negative form of verbs is used in an altered way. The final い in ないis used with－ければなりません　OR　ければいけません after it. One way to work out the literal meaning of this in English (if it helps) is to think of this as saying “If you DON’T DO something (the verb used), then it will become bad (or become not good).” This is a rather twisted way of thinking about this in English, but it can help work out the grammar and vocabulary used in Japanese to express this kind of sentence. The negative form of the verb in plain form (DON’T DO Verb ない) is combined with the “If you do” form of the verb (ければ) and then the polite verb that means “will not become”（なりません）. The verb なります means “become” literally, but also is used in many polite expressions separate from this verb pattern (that has not been covered yet). All put together it is like saying “if you don’t do the verb, it will not become good.” In English, the more natural, short form is to say “You MUST or you HAVE TO do the action of the verb”. It’s a less direct and polite way of saying that someone MUST do something in Japanese. It can be used to talk about what you must do yourself, or as an “order” given to someone about what they must do.

EXAMPLES:
私は学校に行かなければなりません。I HAVE TO GO to school now.
あなたは学校にいかなければなりません。You MUST GO to school now.
あなたはいしゃ（医者）と話さなければなりません。You MUST TALK with the doctor.
せんせい（先生）は「日本語のしゅくだい（宿題）をしなければなりません。」と言いました。The teacher said “You must do your Japanese homework.”

NEW Verb Form for Saying “Don’t Have to Do” (VerbないForm（－な）くてもいいですOR　かまいません)

To express the idea that someone does NOT HAVE TO DO something, the negative form of verbs is used with the い dropped and replaced by く (much like occurs in negative い adjectives and/or “don’t want to do” verbs) and then てもいいです is added to complete the form. This is essentially the negative equivalent of the positive “permission form” verb (Verb てもいいです). It literally translates to “It is okay/all right if you DON”T do the action” but in more natural English it would be stated as “You don’t have to do the action.” The いい part is simply the adjective “good/okay/all right” and in the permission form one is asking if “it’s okay to do something.” In the negative form, it is asking or saying that it’s okay NOT to do something.

EXAMPLES:
Do I HAVE TO GO to China next week?
私はらいしゅう（来週）ちゅうごく（中国）に行かなければなりませんか。

No, you DON’T HAVE TO GO to China next week. OR　No, it’s okay if you don’t go to China next week.
いいえ、あなたは来週中国に行かなくてもいいですよ。

Do we HAVE TO TAKE the test today?
私達は今日しけん（試験）を取らなければなりませんか。（Verb とります＝取ります＝Take）

No, you DON’T HAVE TO TAKE the test today. However, you MUST take it tomorrow.
いいえ、今日試験を取らなくてもいいです。でも、明日取らなければなりません。

Do we have to turn in the homework today?
私達は今日しゅくだい（宿題）を出さなければなりませんか。（だします＝出します＝Turn in）

No, I DON’T MIND IF YOU DON’T TURN IN the homework in today, but you MUST TURN IT IN the day after tomorrow.
いいえ、今日出さなくてもいいですが、あさって（明後日）出さなければなりません。

NEW Verb Form for Saying “Try to Do” (Verb（て＋みる（Any Form of the Verb みる）

Normally the verb みる（見る）Or　みます（見ます）means “to see”, “to look”, or “to watch”. It can have a special meaning and usage, however, when used with other verbs in the て Form as shown here. The pattern is constructed by taking any verb (any action) in the て Form and then attaching a form of the verb “to see” みる（みます、みましょう、Etc.）. In this case, the meaning is to “Try to do something (action verb)" with the intent of finding out more about doing that action. It implies the person may be trying the action (verb) for the first time to "see how it goes". For this special case, the Kanji for the verb "to see/watch/look" is NOT used, so it’s just みる、みます、みましょう、Etc. because the meaning is “to try” instead of the literal meaning “see/look/watch”. It’s like saying “I’ll try it and see…” in English (where you are not literally “seeing” with your eyes).

EXAMPLES:
Situation: You are trying on clothes at a dress shop.
私はそのワンピース（ドレス）をきて（着て）みます。 I will TRY ON (To SEE) that dress.

Situation: Some foreigner visitors come to Japan who has never tried Japanese food before.
すし（寿司）を食べてみましょう。LET’S TRY EATING sushi.

Situation: You are shopping for clothes at the department store and the clerk is helping you.
このズボンをはいて（履いて）みてください。PLEASE TRY WEARING these pants.

Situation: You are picking a restaurant for you and your friend to eat at.
私達はあのインドのレストランを食べに行ってみましょうか。
Shall WE TRY GOING TO EAT at that Indian Restaurant?

REVIEW Forms for Intentions (VerbPlainつもりです；Intend to Do; AND VerbPlainよていでした；Plan to Do) and NEW Form for Expectations (VerbPlainはずです; Expect to Do)

Verb forms for expressing what one “INTENDS to DO” and what one “PLANS to DO” have already been covered but will be REVIEWED here. In addition, a NEW form for expressing what one “EXPECTS to DO” (or EXPECST to HAPPEN) is covered here.

For expressing what you INTEND to DO the Verb Extender つもりです is used after the plain/informal form of a verb. This is generally more vague (or further in the future) than expressing what you more specifically (and perhaps immediately) PLAN to DO, which also uses the plain/informal form of a verb, but with the verb extender よていでした added. These two forms are very closely related in structure and meaning, but use the English “cue words” “INTEND” and “PLAN” to tell them apart (along with the context and situation of their use, if known).

In a somewhat related but somewhat different context and use, the verb extender はずです can be used to express what you EXPECT to DO (based on a given situation). This is NEW form introduced here, and it is better expressed in English as “something is supposed to happen” or “there is something that is supposed to be done”. The subject in sentences using this pattern are usually a 3rd person (talking about someone else) OR if the speaker is the subject, it implies that the speaker is EXPECTED to do something by someone else. This form also uses the verb in plain form, and then adds はずです at the end.

EXAMPLES:
I INTEND TO GO to Japan in the future.
私はしょうらい（将来）日本に行くつもりです。

I PLAN TO GO to Japan next summer.
私は来年日本に行くよていでした。

I am EXPECTED TO GO (SUPPOSED TO GO) to Japan next month.
私は来月日本に行くはずです。

My parents EXPECT ME TO GO to Japan next month.
私のりょうしん（両親）は私は日本に行くはずです。

Tomorrow there is SUPPOSED TO BE a big exam.
明日大きいしけん（試験）があるはずです。

The subway was EXPECTED TO ARRIVE in Tokyo at 9:30 am.
ちかてつ（地下鉄）は東京に午前九時半につく（着く）はずでした。

Note that ALL of these forms (intend to do; plan to do; expect to do) can be used in negative and/or past tense forms as well (using the PLAIN FORM of the verb in each case BEFORE はずです).

EXAMPLES:
I do NOT INTEND TO GO to Japan next year. (Present Tense Negative ない)
私は来年日本に行かないつもりです。

I had PLANNED to return home at 5 pm. (Past Tense Positive た)
私は午後五時に家に帰ったよていでした。

We DID NOT EXPECT to take a vacation last year.　（Past Tense Negative なかった）
私達は去年りょこう（旅行）をしなかったはずです。

REVIEW of Negative Questions and Answers to Them (Q：Verbませんか。A：はい、Verbません、OR いいえ、Verbます。）

Note that this is used when a question being asked uses a negative verb (EXCEPT in the case of negative invitations), then the answer should use the negative verb if the answer is “Yes” but the positive verb is the answer is “No”.

EXAMPLES:
Negative Question:  あなたはかんこく（韓国）にいきませんか。You’re not going to Korea?
Affirmative Answer:　はい、私は韓国に行きません。Yes, I’m not going to Korea.
Negative Answer: 　いいえ、私は韓国に行きます。No, I am going to Korea.

REVIEW of “Want To” and “Would Like To” Forms for Verbs (Verbたいです “Want To”　OR Verb Plain Form のがほしいです “Would Like To”

EXAMPLE:
I want to play soccer today.
私は今日サッカーをしたいです。

Iwould like (wish) to play tennis tomorrow.
私はテニスをするのがほしい（欲しい）です。

REVIEW and NEW Verbs of Motion and Particle Usage

The basic verbs of motion below have already been covered in previous courses and units, but some of the particle usage here may be new.　Be sure to pay close attention to both the verb and particle usage in each example.

Go いきます（行きます）REVIEW
Come きます（来ます）REVIEW
Return かえります（帰ります）REVIEW
Enter (Go in) はいります（入ります）REVIEW
Leave (Depart)　でます（出ます）REVIEW

The following verbs are NEW in this level. Also note the particle usage for these verbs.

Depart From　でかけます（出かけます）

Get off おります（降ります）NEW
Get onのります（乗ります）NEW
Arrive　つきます（着きます）NEW

NEW Form for　Saying “Probably” or “Isn’t it?” or “Is it?” (Using でしょう)

This section introduces a new way to indicate probability and invite agreement in a conversation. The pattern for this uses plain verb forms (present/past/positive or negative) and the “softened” form of です、Or でしょう。

The pattern for this expression for verbs (adjective examples will be covered in a later unit) is as follows:
VerbPlainForm（る・う；ない；た；なかった）　＋　でしょう。

NOTE: The plain forms can all be reviewed in previous parts of THIS verb section. This verb section has reviewed the plain forms for present tense (positive and negative), and for past tense (positive), but not for past tense negative. A few examples of the plain past tense negative forms are included below the full pattern examples shown below.

NOTE: Using でしょう at the end of the sentence (after a verb or adjective) can mean “probably” (indicating it’s not certain or the speaker just doesn’t want to make it sound certain), or it can be interpreted as “seeking affirmation” of something stated (using “didn’t you?” or “did you?” at the end). These are typical patterns and expressions that indicate the “indirectness” of the Japanese language in conversation (avoiding being too “direct” in statements and opinions, but instead, saying things in an “indirect” way that doesn’t sound as harsh, judgmental or conclusive).

 

 

REVIEW “Take” “Bring” and “Return” Compound Verbs

もっていきます、もってきます、もってかえります – For INANIMATE Objects ONLY
つれています、つれてきます、つれてかえります－For ANIMATE Things ONLY (People/Animals)
Some of these verbs have been covered before (in Level Two) but will be reviewed here, and some are NEW. These are “compound” verbs, which means they are two verbs with separate meanings that can be combined into one verb with a new/different meaning/context.

もっていきます（持って行きます）To TAKE Something Inanimate (from “hold” and “go” = “take”)
もってきます（持って来ます）To BRING Something Inanimate (from “hold” and “come” = “bring”)
もってかえります（持って帰ります）To RETURN Something Inanimate (from “hold” and “return home” = “return” a thing home)
つれていきます（連れて行きます）To TAKE Something Animate (Person/Animal)
つれてきます（連れて来ます）To BRING Something Animate (Person/Animal)
つれてかえります（連れて帰ります）To RETURN With Something Animate (Person/Animal)

EXAMPLES:
私はあなたのパーティーにピザを持って行きます。I will TAKE pizza to your party.
あなたは私のパーティーにピザを持って来ます。You will BRING pizza to my party.
私達は私の家にくるま(車)を持って帰ります。We will BRING (RETURN) the car home.
私はあなたのパーティーにともだち（友達）を連れて行きます。I will TAKE a friend to your party.
あなたは私のパーティーにおにいさん（お兄さん）を連れて来ます。You will BRING your older brother to my party.
私達は私の家にいもうと（妹）を連れて帰りました。We will BROUGHT (RETURNED) my little sister home.

NEW Expressions: しょうがない・しかったがない　（Nothing can/could be done…）

These are verb expressions used to specifically mean “nothing can be done” or “nothing could be done” in a context where, in English, we might raise our shoulders and say “What can you do?”. This implies something has happened that’s not great, or not to your liking, but it’s something you can’t control or do anything about.

For example, if you are stuck in a traffic jam, and there’s nothing you can do to fix it or move any faster, you could say しょうがない。しょう comes from the verb “to do” する and　ない is just negative. Putting them together (with the particle が) literally means something more like “can’t do” but the larger meaning is “there is nothing I/you can do”.

In context, this is the equivalent of the English expression or intention of “What can you do?” or “There’s nothing I/you can do”, and is often accompanied by raising the shoulders and flailing your hands outward. If it’s in the context of talking about something that happened in the past, then the expression is しかったがない using a past tense form ofする. Technically both expressions would end with です to complete them, but that is generally not used in actual conversation.