What is the nuance difference between `取り返しがつかない` and `仕方がない`?

When would one use one rather than the other?
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-21T03:33:13.980
18749
2014-09-21T04:28:06.403
107
question
nuances
Difference between 取り返しがつかない and 仕方がない
取り返しがつかない refers to something that cannot be _undone_. It's mostly used to
_caution against_ an action - _'hey, if you do this, you can't take it back'_.
After the fact, it's pretty much just a plain statement of fact with minimal
emotional connotation.

仕方がない refers to something that cannot be _avoided_. It's mostly used to
_lament or complain that an action must be done_ or _a state cannot be
changed_ - describing something that is clearly suboptimal but is the only
available or reasonable choice: _'ah well, there's nothing we can do about
it'_.

Their uses basically never overlap. In theory, both might be valid
observations after an action happens, but the emphasis is quite different.
With 取り返しがつかない, the point is that the action shouldn't have been done because
it was irreversible. With 仕方がない, the point is that the action isn't worth
complaining about because no amount of complaining is going to change
anything. You can even make sentences like this:

> 取り返しがつかないことだったから、仕方がない。
>
> It was irreversable, so there's nothing that can be done about it.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-21T04:17:05.673
18750
2014-09-21T04:28:06.403
2020-06-17T08:18:27.500
-1
3639
18749
answer