〜としか言いようがない

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: It combines quotation と with しか and 言いようがない to say that no other suitable way of describing the matter is available.
• Basic usage: その知らせは予想外だとしか言いようがない。 says that the news can only be described as unexpected.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Shika combined with a negative
  • 残念だとしか言いようがない leaves regrettable as the only description. Because しか combines with the following ない, the phrase does not deny being able to call it regrettable.
• Method-marking よう versus the volitional
  • 言いよう adds よう to the masu-stem of 言う to refer to a way of speaking. It differs in form and function from volitional 言おう, proposing to speak.