Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 6: 6/17

う・よう + にも～ない

Cannot... even if one wants or tries, Would like but cannot, Wants or tries but cannot

Generally used with にも

Structure

Verb1［おう］ + にも + Verb1［できる］［ない］
Verb［おう］ + にも + (Reason) Phrase

Details

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    Standard

About にも～ない

When combined with either of the auxiliary verbs of volition, う or よう, にも～ない conveys that 'despite wanting to (A), it can't be done'. There are usually some circumstances as to why (A) cannot be done that are beyond the control of the speaker. The same verb will be repeated in both the volitional form and the negated potential form. This means that the literal meaning of this grammar pattern is 'Even if I went to (A), I can't (A)'. This 'went to' implies the 'attempt' or 'will' on behalf of the speaker.

Caution

As opposed to the similar に～ない grammar point that pairs with verbs in dictionary form, ようにも～ない tends to refer more to physical reasons for why something cannot be done. に～ない on the other hand is often used to illustrate mental limitations.

  • 行(い)きたくないけど、先輩(せんぱい)に誘(さそ)われたら断(こと)るに断(こと)れない。
    I don't want to go, but since my senpai invited me, I can't say no even if I wanted to. (Mental reason)
  • 携帯(けいたい)を無(な)くしてしまったから、上司(じょうし)に連絡(れんらく)しようにもできない。
    Since I lost my phone, I can't call my boss even if I wanted to. (Physical reason)

Examples

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    亡(な)き妻(つま)の笑顔(えがお)は忘(わす)れようにも忘(わす)れられない。

    I cannot forget the smile of my late wife, even if I try to.

    藤沼(ふじぬま)探偵(たんてい)：「彼(かれ)が犯人(はんにん)だと思(おも)うけど、逮捕(たいほ)しようにも、証拠(しょうこ)がないんだ。」

    Detective Fujinuma: 'I think that he is the criminal, but even if I try to arrest him, I have no proof.'

    アクション映画(えいが)、バスの運転手(うんてんしゅ)は警察官(けいさつかん)に：「時速(じそく)が八十(はちじゅっ)キロを下回(したまわ)るとバスに隠(かく)された爆弾(ばくだん)が爆発(ばくはつ)するから減速(げんそく)しようにもできないわ。」

    Action movie, the bus driver to the policeman: 'If the speed falls below 80 km/h, the bomb hidden in the bus will explode, so I cannot slow down even though I want to!'

    コメディ、語(かた)り手(て)：「ペイン軍曹(ぐんそう)は戦(たたか)おうにも相手(あいて)がいなくて困(こま)っている。とっくにすべての敵(てき)を殺(ころ)したからだ。」

    Comedy, narrator: 'Sergeant Pain was greatly troubled because even though he wants to fight, there is no one to fight. He already killed them all a long time ago.'

    プロジェクトについて心配(しんぱい)するあまり、寝(ね)ようにも寝(ね)られない。

    I am so worried about the project that I cannot sleep even if I try.

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