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JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

ても始（はじ）まらない (temo hajimaranai)

～ても始まらない — “no use ～ing”

In short · Verb te-form + も + 始まらない says that doing ～ will not lead to any progress or solution: “it's no use ～ing.” It is used for regrets, worrying, or waiting that does not change anything, and often suggests taking action instead.
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Pattern

  • 動詞て形 ＋ も ＋ 始まらない te-form + も + 始まらない (後悔しても始まらない)

Meaning and connection

始まる means “to begin,” so the literal idea is “even if you do ～, nothing begins.” The te-form + も is the usual “even if.” 今さら後悔しても始まらない.

When to use it

Often used to comfort or push someone: 過ぎたことを悔やんでも始まらない. Words like 今さら (at this point) and 過ぎたこと (what's past) naturally go with it.

Next step

A second sentence often suggests action: ここで待っていても始まらないから、自分から動こう. It is close to ～てもしょうがない but sounds a bit more literary and encouraging.

Examples

  • 今（いま）さら後悔（こうかい）しても始（はじ）まらない。

    Imasara kōkai shite mo hajimaranai.

    It's no use regretting it now.

  • 過（す）ぎたことを悔（く）やんでも始（はじ）まらない。

    Sugita koto o kuyande mo hajimaranai.

    There's no use regretting what's already past.

  • ここで待（ま）っていても始（はじ）まらないから、自分（じぶん）から動（うご）こう。

    Koko de matte ite mo hajimaranai kara, jibun kara ugokō.

    It's no use just waiting here, so let's take action ourselves.

Common mistakes

  • 始まらない is a fixed ending. Do not change it to the positive: ～ても始まる is not used in this meaning.
  • It is a judgment about uselessness, so it does not fit things that actually have effect.

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