There are no tickets, so there is nothing we can do, we will have to wait.
Intenté arreglarlo, pero ni modo, está roto.
I tried to fix it, but it can't be helped, it's broken.
Se canceló la reunión, ni modo, la pasaremos a mañana.
The meeting was canceled, so we will move it to tomorrow.
Similar words
no hay remedio
así es la vida
no hay nada que hacer
es lo que hay
pues nada
qué se le va a hacer
Meanings
Accepting what cannot be changed
everyday
informal
Used to accept an unwanted situation when there is no useful way to change it.
Examples
¡Ni modo, ya se fue el tren!
Oh well, the train has already left!
Intenté arreglarlo, pero ni modo, está roto.
I tried to fix it, but it can't be helped, it's broken.
No hay entradas, ni modo, tendremos que esperar.
There are no tickets, so there is nothing we can do, we will have to wait.
Perdí la partida, ni modo, fue mi culpa.
I lost the game, oh well, it was my fault.
Está lloviendo, ni modo, nos quedamos en casa.
It is raining, so we will have to stay home.
Se canceló la reunión, ni modo, la pasaremos a mañana.
The meeting was canceled, so we will move it to tomorrow.
Similar words
qué se le va a hacer
así es la vida
no hay remedio
no hay nada que hacer
es lo que hay
pues nada
Etymology
From Spanish ni meaning “not” and modo meaning “way” or “manner”, literally suggesting that there is no workable way forward.
FAQ
What does ni modo mean?
Ni modo means “oh well,” “it can't be helped,” or “there is nothing to be done,” usually after an unwanted result.
How is ni modo used in a sentence?
It often stands alone or follows a clause, as in ¡Ni modo, ya no hay nada que hacer!, meaning “Oh well, there is nothing left to do.”
Is ni modo formal?
No. Ni modo is informal and belongs mainly to everyday conversation.
Is ni modo the same as qué se le va a hacer?
They are close. Qué se le va a hacer also expresses resignation, while ni modo is shorter and more colloquial.
Does ni modo mean “no way”?
It can suggest that no option is available, especially in phrases like ni modo que, but by itself it most often means “oh well” or “it can't be helped.”
Where is ni modo common?
Ni modo is especially associated with Mexican Spanish, and it is also understood or used in other parts of Latin America.
Comments & contributions
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