this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2026
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[–] db2@lemmy.world -4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 20 hours ago) (2 children)

Shikata ga nai

Bonus points if you get the reference.

Edit: I will not be responding. Don't waste your time.

[–] Lumidaub@feddit.org 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Reference? That's just a saying.

[–] Contramuffin@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

For anyone reading this who doesn't understand, shikata ga nai is a common saying in Japanese that literally translates to "nothing can be done." It's used very similarly to the English saying "it is what it is." It's not a reference insofar as just speaking in another language isn't really a reference to anything

[–] db2@lemmy.world -3 points 1 day ago

Repeating your incorrect assessment doesn't make it correct. You don't know what it's a reference to, that doesn't mean you know it isn't one.

[–] db2@lemmy.world -3 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] Lumidaub@feddit.org 5 points 1 day ago (4 children)

That's okay, I'm just confused/intrigued at how anyone is going to identify a reference based on a common saying. Like "Goodnight, sleep tight" or "goddammit" or "kids these days". I'll be lurking to see what happens :)

[–] farmgineer@nord.pub 1 points 22 hours ago

I'm with you. I've heard that phrase twice today already and would never think "oh, that's a reference to something".

[–] Contramuffin@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Hi

Updoot if you get the reference

[–] db2@lemmy.world -1 points 1 day ago

Cute, but wrong. Don't get upset that you don't get it.

[–] db2@lemmy.world 0 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

The other guy is very obnoxious, I went ahead and blocked him. But since he ruined it with his ignorant behavior I've kind of lost interest in the game. Dude sucked all the fun out of it with that personality flaw.

Since you seemed genuinely interested I wanted to tell you what the reference is though:

https://www.kimstanleyrobinson.info/content/mars-trilogy-glossary

Scroll to S. Also highly recommend the trilogy.

[–] Lumidaub@feddit.org 2 points 22 hours ago

lol alright I see

Thank you for explaining and making me aware of this author :)

[–] db2@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago

Now I want to tell you what it is but I don't want to make it too easy 😆

[–] pedz@lemmy.ca 1 points 21 hours ago

I've only heard shōganai by westerners describing life in Japan, and then while watching videos of the tsunami in 2011. And as others have said, it may be a reference for you, but isn't it just a common saying? Common enough that someone from the other side of the planet knows it, but not your reference.