Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 5: 6/17

~に〜ないCannot even...if wants, Would like to...but cannot, Wants to...but cannot

Structure

Verb[る](A) + + Verb[できる][ない](A)

Details

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    Standard

About 〜に〜ない

に~ない is a construction which appears with repeating verbs in Japanese to indicate that one 'cannot (A) even if they want to', or 'due to some circumstances, can't (A)'. the case marking particle に will appear after a verb in its dictionary form, before the potential form of the same verb will be negated with ない. In this way, the more literal meaning is 'for (A), (A) is not possible'.

It will be important to keep in mind that する does not have a potential form, so できない will be used in the latter half of this expression when paired with する verbs.

Additionally, ない may sometimes be replaced with other structures that convey negation, such as ず.

Caution

Occasionally, the dictionary form of a verb will be replaced with the auxiliary verb う or よう volitional forms, and will then be followed by にも. The potential form of the same verb coming before ない will remain the same.

Although the meanings are the same between both of these, the dictionary form tends to highlight psychological circumstances for why one 'cannot (A)', while the volitional form highlights more concrete or physical circumstances.

Examples

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    親友(しんゆう)から土下座(どげざ)をしながら(たの)まれては、(ことわ)るに(ことわ)れません

    Being requested something while my friend is on their hands and knees, I cannot refuse even if I want to.

    ()げるに()げられない状況(じょうきょう)から(すく)ってくれたのは、いつもは(きび)しい先輩(せんぱい)だった。

    The one who saved me from a situation that I wanted to escape from but could not, was my senpai who is always strict.

    (きら)われている上司(じょうし)見事(みごと)(ころ)んでしまった。従業員(じゅうぎょういん)(わら)うに(わら)えない、という(かお)をしてた。

    The boss that everyone hates had a spectacular fall. The employees' faces looked as though they wanted to laugh but were unable to.

    (かれ)はどうして学校(がっこう)(もど)ろうとしないのかな?」
    (なに)があったか()らないけど、()うに()えない事情(じじょう)があるのかな。」

    'Why is he not willing to go back to school?'
    'I'm not sure if something happened or not, but maybe he is in a situation where he cannot talk about it (even though he may want to).'

    彼女(かのじょ)(ことわ)れば(ころ)すと()って突然(とつぜん)(ことわ)るに(ことわ)れない状態(じょうたい)になった。」

    'She said, 'If you refuse, I will kill you,' so the situation suddenly turned into one where I couldn't refuse even if I wanted.'

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      〜に〜ない – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

      • Pushindawood

        Pushindawood

        cannot even…if wants
        would like to…but cannot
        wants to…but cannot

        Structure

        • Verb1[ ] + + Verb1[Potential[ ない ]]

        [A[る]にA[Potential[ない]] is used when one wants to do action A, but circumstances make it impossible]

        [言うに言えない、泣くに泣けない and 引くに引けない are common set expressions using this pattern]

        [This pattern is generally used with に by itself. Sometimes Verb[る]にも is used, but the verb is not repeated and some other verb in negative form is used instead]

        View on Bunpro

      • veritas_nz

        veritas_nz

        For the sentence:
        「部長のその高圧的な態度のせいで、周りの従業員は部長に不満を言うに言えないでいる」

        Does the 「言うに言えない」part of the sentence get treated as a Noun/Na-adjective?
        How come it can be used with 「〜でいる」?

      • nekoyama

        nekoyama

        ないでいる means to remain in a state of not doing something, or in a state of being unable to do something. The subject must be capable of feeling and intention.

        I found this link, maybe it helps: 〜ないでいる・〜ずにいる|日本語能力試験 JLPT N3 : 絵でわかる日本語

      • veritas_nz

        veritas_nz

        Thank you!! What the fek, first time I’m seeing this.

        I feel like I’ve never seen this anywhere in the wild…
        I wonder how rare it is? Most cases just 〜ていない is used?

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