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

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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.

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