Explanation：〜ようにも〜ない
fa-check-circleMeaning
"〜しようとしてもできない / 〜したいと思っても、理由があってできない"
"Even though I try to (do something), I can't (do it)."
Used to express a situation where someone wants to do something but is unable to due to some kind of limitation or obstacle. It conveys a strong sense of being unable to act despite having the intention or desire to do so. This structure typically involves a verb in the potential form, indicating the inability to carry out the action.
fa-check-circleForm
V（volitional form） + にも + V（nai form）
fa-check-circlePoints
- Desire but Inability: "〜ようにも〜ない" expresses the speaker's desire or intention to perform an action, but some external factor or condition prevents them from doing it.
- Involves Obstacles or Restrictions: The phrase highlights that there is some kind of limitation, be it physical, circumstantial, or related to the situation, that makes the action impossible.
- Formal Expression: This structure has a formal tone and is often used in written language or serious conversations to express frustration or resignation due to the inability to act.
fa-check-circleJLPT Level
N1
Sample sentenes
トムさんに連絡をとりたいが、電話番号も知らないし、Facebookやってないし連絡をとろうにもとれない。
I want to get in touch with Tom, but I don’t know his phone number and he doesn’t use Facebook, so even though I try to contact him, I can’t.
終電を逃してしまい、家に帰ろうにも帰れない状況だ。
I missed the last train, and I’m in a situation where I can’t go home even though I try.
ずっと欲しかったカバンをようやく見つけたが、今お金がないので、買おうにも買えない。
I finally found the bag I’ve wanted for a long time, but since I don’t have any money right now, I can’t buy it even though I want to.
社長からの誘いは断ろうにも断れない。
I can’t refuse the invitation from the CEO even though I try.
まだまだ仕事が残っていて、帰ろうにも帰れない。
There’s still a lot of work left, so I can’t go home even though I try.
Vocabulary
| Japanese |
English | |
| 終電 | しゅうでん | last train |
| 誘い | さそい | invitation |
