Structure
Verb［る］(A) + に + Verb［できる］［ない］(A)
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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.
- 昨日の練習で足の怪我をしてしまったので歩こうにも歩けない。I couldn't walk even if I wanted to because I injured my foot in yesterday's practice.
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今の仕事を辞めようと思っているが、次のところが見つからないから今の仕事を辞めようにも辞められない。I'm thinking of quitting my current job, but I can't find another one, so I couldn't quit my current job even if I wanted to.
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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親友から土下座をしながら頼まれては、断るに断れません。
Being requested something while my friend is on their hands and knees, I cannot refuse even if I want to.
逃げるに逃げられない状況から救ってくれたのは、いつもは厳しい先輩だった。
The one who saved me from a situation that I wanted to escape from but could not, was my senpai who is always strict.
嫌われている上司が見事に転んでしまった。従業員が笑うに笑えない、という顔をしてた。
The boss that everyone hates had a spectacular fall. The employees' faces looked as though they wanted to laugh but were unable to.
「彼はどうして学校に戻ろうとしないのかな？」
「何があったか知らないけど、言うに言えない事情があるのかな。」
'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).'
「彼女が断れば殺すと言って突然断るに断れない状態になった。」
'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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The conjunctive に
Imabi
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Try N1
Page 92
Shin Kanzen Master N1 Bunpou
Page 58
Sou Matome Bunpou N1
Page 81
A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar
Page 408
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