Processing keyword: Verb ようにも (〜you ni mo)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb ようにも (〜you ni mo)

1. Introduction

In Japanese, expressing the inability to do something despite the desire or intention is a common grammatical construction. The phrase 〜ようにも is used to convey the meaning "even if one tries to... cannot" or "would like to... but cannot." This lesson will delve into the usage, structure, and nuances of 〜ようにも, helping you understand and use it naturally in various contexts.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The grammar point 〜ようにも is used to express that even if someone wants to do something or tries to do something, they are unable to due to certain circumstances.

• English Equivalent: "Even if I want to..., I can't..." or "I would like to..., but I can't..."

Structure

The structure of this grammar point is as follows:

1. Verb Volitional Form + にも + Potential Verb Negative Form

   Component	Function
   Verb Volitional Form	Indicates the speaker's intention or will
   にも	Connective particle
   Potential Verb Negative Form	Expresses inability

2. Verb Volitional Form + にも + Same Verb Potential Negative Form This is a common variation where the same verb is used in both the volitional and potential forms.

Formation Diagram

[Verb Volitional Form] + にも + [Potential Form Negative]
Example:
行こうにも 行けない
(I want to go, but cannot go)

How to Form the Verb Volitional Form

For Group 1 Verbs (五段動詞):

• Change the u-vowel sound to the ō-vowel sound.

  Dictionary Form	Volitional Form	Meaning
  行く (iku)	行こう (ikō)	to go
  飲む (nomu)	飲もう (nomō)	to drink
  For Group 2 Verbs (一段動詞):

• Add よう to the stem of the verb.

  Dictionary Form	Volitional Form	Meaning
  食べる (taberu)	食べよう (tabeyō)	to eat
  見る (miru)	見よう (miyō)	to see
  For Irregular Verbs:

• 来る (kuru) → 来よう (koyō)
• する (suru) → しよう (shiyō)

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3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with 〜たいけどできない

While 〜ようにも and 〜たいけどできない both express inability despite wanting to do something, 〜ようにも often implies external circumstances preventing the action, and it sounds more formal or literary.

• 〜ようにも
  • Emphasis on the inability due to specific circumstances.
  • Used in both spoken and written language, often in more formal contexts.
• 〜たいけどできない
  • Directly states the desire and inability.
  • Commonly used in everyday conversation.

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4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

1. 鍵を忘れて、家に入ろうにも入れない。 Kagi o wasurete, ie ni hairō ni mo hairenai.
   • I forgot my keys, so even if I want to enter the house, I can't.
2. お金がなくて、新しいパソコンを買おうにも買えない。 Okane ga nakute, atarashii pasokon o kaō ni mo kaenai.
   • I have no money, so even if I want to buy a new computer, I can't.
3. 風邪で声が出なくて、歌おうにも歌えない。 Kaze de koe ga denakute, utaō ni mo utaenai.
   • I have a cold and can't speak, so even if I want to sing, I can't.
4. 忙しすぎて、休もうにも休めない。 Isogashisugite, yasumō ni mo yasumenai.
   • I'm too busy, so even if I want to rest, I can't.
5. 電車が止まって、行こうにも行けなかった。 Densha ga tomatte, ikō ni mo ikenakatta.
   • The trains stopped, so even if I wanted to go, I couldn't.

Context Variations

• Formal Written Context:
  • その問題は難しすぎて、解決しようにも解決できないのです。 Sono mondai wa muzukashisugite, kaiketsu shiyō ni mo kaiketsu dekinai no desu.
    • The problem is too difficult, so even if we try to solve it, we can't.
• Casual Spoken Context:
  • 雨で外に出ようにも出られないよ。 Ame de soto ni deyō ni mo derarenai yo.
    • It's raining, so even if I want to go outside, I can't.

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5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

The use of 〜ようにも can add a sense of formality or emphasis to a statement. It is suitable for both written and spoken language but is often found in literature, news, and formal speeches.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 笑おうにも笑えない Warawō ni mo waraenai
  • Even if I want to laugh, I can't (because the situation is not actually funny).
• 泣こうにも泣けない Nakō ni mo nakenai
  • Even if I want to cry, I can't (perhaps being too shocked or numb). These expressions are commonly used to depict complex emotional states.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Using the Incorrect Verb Form
   • Incorrect: 行くにも行けない。
   • Correct: 行こうにも行けない。
     • Ensure you use the volitional form before にも.
2. Neglecting the Potential Form
   • Incorrect: 行こうにも行かない。
   • Correct: 行こうにも行けない。
     • The verb after にも should be in the potential negative form.

Tips

• Mnemonic Device:
  • Think of ようにも as "even if I try to (volitional form), I can't (potential negative)."
• Practice Forming Volitional and Potential Forms
  • Mastering these forms will make using 〜ようにも more natural.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• 〜ようにも is used to express inability to do something despite wanting or trying to do it.
• The structure involves the volitional form of a verb followed by にも, then the potential negative form of the verb.
• It adds a nuance of being prevented by circumstances.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct forms:
   • 電池がなくて、電話をかけ___にもかけ___。
2. Translate to Japanese using 〜ようにも:
   • "I want to sleep, but I can't."
3. True or False:
   • The verb before にも should be in the dictionary form.

Answers:

1. 電池がなくて、電話をかけようにもかけられない**。
   Denchi ga nakute, denwa o kakeyō ni mo kakerarenai.
2. 眠ろうにも眠れない。
   Nemurō ni mo nemurenai.
3. False. The verb before にも should be in the volitional form.

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By understanding and practicing 〜ようにも, you'll be able to express complex states of inability in Japanese effectively.

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