What does the phrase "Shikata ga nai" mean?

The phrase "Shikata ga nai" is a Japanese phrase with a deep meaning that doesn't fully translate into English. It is understood to mean, "it's beyond my control" or "it's beyond my control, so it cannot be helped." The phrase also is sometimes written and spoken as "shoganai."

Though the phrase has sometimes been misinterpreted as something that reflects the attitude of someone who has given up, it is actually more of an expression of peaceful acceptance of a current situation.

The phrase is sometimes used in historical literature to explain the feeling associated with dramatic historical events in the lives of those from Japan or with Japanese heritage. For example, in the book Hiroshima by John Hersey, the author shows how the use of the phrase reflected the attitudes of emergency personnel and others after the ceasing of their efforts to help those who were mortally wounded by the atomic bomb.