A shift lever operation structure may include a shift plate, which moves along with a shift lever so that either manual or automatic mode is selected, and has an engaging part. An engaging plate may have a connection part corresponding to the engaging part so that, during the automatic mode, the engaging plate engages with the shift plate, and during the manual mode, the engaging plate is disengaged from the shift plate. An elastic member may be assembled with the connection part of the engaging plate such that the elastic member is deformed by the insertion of the engaging part into the connection part.