Chinese idiom · 成语
无可奈何
Meaning
Nothing can be done; helpless resignation.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountIn Strategies of the Warring States, 'Yan III,' Prince Dan is preparing to send Jing Ke against the king of Qin. Jing Ke wants to present the head of the fugitive general Fan Yuqi as a means of gaining an audience. Dan refuses to sacrifice a man who sought his protection, but Jing Ke approaches Fan privately, and Fan takes his own life to support the plan.
The prince rushes over and grieves, but the irreversible deed leaves him with nothing he can do. The text uses this exact expression at that moment. It describes helplessness in an unchangeable situation, not approval of the tragic act.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
航班因大雾取消了，我们无可奈何，只好改天出发。
Our flight was canceled because of heavy fog, leaving us no choice but to travel another day.
Having no practical way to change an unwelcome situation.