Structure
Verb1[おう] + にも + Verb1[できる][ない]
Verb[おう] + にも + (Reason) Phrase
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Standard
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一般
About にも~ない
When combined with either of the auxiliary verbs of volition, う or よう, にも~ない conveys that 'despite wanting to (A), it can't be done'. There are usually some circumstances as to why (A) cannot be done that are beyond the control of the speaker. The same verb will be repeated in both the volitional form and the negated potential form. This means that the literal meaning of this grammar pattern is 'Even if I went to (A), I can't (A)'. This 'went to' implies the 'attempt' or 'will' on behalf of the speaker.
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もう夜遅いから電車もバスも走ってないし、全然タクシーも通らないし、帰ろうにも帰れない。Since it is late at night, there aren't any trains or buses, and I haven't seen a taxi, so I can't go home even if I wanted to.
- 色々と仕事のことで悩んでいるから、毎晩寝ようにも寝れない。I can't sleep even if I wanted to because I am worried about a lot of things regarding work.
- 昨日出てきた釣竿を買いたいけど、高いから買おうにも買えない。I want to buy the new fishing rod that came out yesterday, but since it is expensive, I can't buy it even if I wanted to.
Caution
As opposed to the similar に~ない grammar point that pairs with verbs in dictionary form, ようにも~ない tends to refer more to physical reasons for why something cannot be done. に~ない on the other hand is often used to illustrate mental limitations.-
行きたくないけど、先輩に誘われたら断るに断れない。I don't want to go, but since my senpai invited me, I can't say no even if I wanted to. (Mental reason)
- 携帯を無くしてしまったから、上司に連絡しようにもできない。Since I lost my phone, I can't call my boss even if I wanted to. (Physical reason)
Synonyms
Examples
亡き妻の笑顔は忘れようにも忘れられない。
I cannot forget the smile of my late wife, even if I try to.
藤沼探偵:「彼が犯人だと思うけど、逮捕しようにも、証拠がないんだ。」
Detective Fujinuma: 'I think that he is the criminal, but even if I try to arrest him, I have no proof.'
アクション映画、バスの運転手は警察官に:「時速が80キロを下回るとバスに隠された爆弾が爆発するから減速しようにもできないわ。」
Action movie, the bus driver to the policeman: 'If the speed falls below 80 km/h, the bomb hidden in the bus will explode, so I cannot slow down even though I want to!'
減速 doesn't have to be repeated.
コメディ、語り手:「ペイン軍曹は戦おうにも相手がいなくて困っている。とっくにすべての敵を殺したからだ。」
Comedy, narrator: 'Sergeant Pain was greatly troubled because even though he wanted to fight, he had no opponents. He already killed them all a long time ago.'
プロジェクトについて心配するあまり、寝ようにも寝られない。
I am so worried about the project that I cannot sleep even if I try.
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