Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 6: 17/24

う・よう + としない

Not willing to, Not make an effort to, To not attempt or try to, Volitional + としない

Structure

Verb［おう］ + としない

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About 〜ようとしない

Like ～ようと思う 'I think that I shall do (A)', ～ようとしない is a combination of a verb that has been grouped with the auxiliary verb う (or よう), followed by the case marking particle と, and then another verb. In this case, する. ～ようとしない is often translated as 'shall not (A)', but with emphasis on a lack of effort, or willingness.
  • 彼(かれ)は怒(おこ)っているから、誰(だれ)の話(はなし)も聞(き)こうとしない。
    Since he is angry, he is not willing to listen to what anyone has to say.
  • 家(いえ)になかなか帰(かえ)ろうとしない。
    He isn't quite trying to go home. (It doesn't seem like he is going to leave anytime soon)
Caution
As ～ようとしない implies a lack of effort, this expression is usually quite negative, and mostly refers to other people, rather than the speaker themselves. If ～ようとしない were used to refer to the speaker, it will come across as 'I shall not do (A)', which would sound very abrupt/potentially rude. If speaking about yourself, ようと思(おも)わない may be used instead, meaning 'I don't think I shall do (A)', or 'I think I shan't do (A)'.
  • 自分(じぶん)から買(か)って食(た)べようと思(おも)わないけど、誰(だれ)かに貰(もら)ったら食(た)べるかも。
    I don't think I would eat it if I had to buy it myself, but I might if someone gave it to me.
  • 私(わたし)は性格(せいかく)を変(か)えようと思(おも)わない。
    I think I shan't change my personality.

Examples

--:--

    彼(かれ)は自分(じぶん)が悪(わる)いことをしても、決(けっ)して認(みと)めようとしない。

    Even if he does something bad, he will not make an effort to admit it.

    彼女(かのじょ)は好(す)きな男(おとこ)を諦(あきら)めようとしない。

    She is not willing to give up on the man she likes.

    皆(みんな)に嫌(きら)われているのに、性格(せいかく)を変(か)えようとしないの？

    Even though you're disliked by everyone you won't try to change your personality?

    こんなに天気(てんき)がいいのに、うちの息子(むすこ)は外(そと)に出(で)ようとしない。

    Although it's nice outside, my son is not willing to go outside.

    これだけ説明(せつめい)しても信(しん)じようとしないならもういいよ。

    If you are not willing to believe me, even after I took the time to explain things to you, then so be it.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online

    • Offline

        There are no Offline resources listed for 「〜ようとしない」.

        You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!

      • Track Resources!

        Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

      〜ようとしない – Grammar Discussion

        There's currently no discussion for 〜ようとしない
        Ask questions and learn together with other Bunpro users!

      Join the Discussion