Grammar Info
N1 Lesson 4: 16/17
どうにもCannot, There is no way one can, Nothing one can do, Cannot possibly not by any means, Cannot do no matter how hard one tries, Nothing will come out, It is meaningless to
Structure
どうにも(こうにも) + (Negative)Verb[できる]
どうにも(こうにも) + Verb[stem]+ ようがない
どうにもできない
どうにも(こうにも)ならない
Details
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About どうにも
どうにも is an expression that is often paired with negative structures such as できない 'cannot', ならない 'won't happen', or ようがない 'no way'. It is a combination of the adverb どう 'how', the case marking particle に, and the adverbial particle も, and may be translated as 'even however (A), still not (B)'. The whole structure itself is usually interpreted simply as 'it is meaningless to (A)', 'there's nothing one can do about (A)', or nothing will come of (A)'.
どうにも will primarily be seen either at the start or end of sentences, after or before going on to explain a situation which seems impossible due to some specific reason.
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今更頑張ってもどうにもならないよ。
Even if you try your best now, nothing will come out of it.
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そんなこと急に言われても、どうにもできないよ。
Nothing could be done, even if you suddenly tell me that.
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自分で読むだけじゃどうにも理解できないので、先生に聞くことにした。
I couldn't manage to understand it just by reading it myself, so I decided to ask my teacher.
This grammar pattern emphasizes the speaker's feelings of resignation, frustration, or regret in relation to something that is out of their control. Due to this, it often highlights the actions of someone other than the speaker.
Occasionally, どうにも is further emphasized by the addition of こうにも.
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そんなことを言われてもどうにもこうにもなりません。
No matter what you say, nothing will come out of it.
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説明してあげたいけど、どうにもこうにも説明できない。
I would love to explain it for you, but there is no way I can explain it.
Examples
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あたしがいなきゃどうにもならないでしょ?
It seems that there is nothing you can do if I am not around?
友達との話:「後悔したってもうどうにもなんない。」
Chat with a friend: 'Even if you regret it, nothing can be done now.'
どうにもできない事態に陥ったので手を借りるしかない。
I got trapped in a situation about which nothing could be done so I have no choice but to ask for help.
彼女は人の言うことを聞かないからアドバイスしたところでどうにもならないよ。
She doesn't listen to what people say, so even if you give her advice, nothing will come out of it.
「都心に向かう電車の中は、人でいっぱい。どうにも身動きしようがない。」
'Trains heading downtown are packed with people. There is no way for one to move.'
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