Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
Verbる にも Verb れない (Verb-ru ni mo Verb-re nai)

Expresses: 'Even if I try/want to do something, I cannot.'

Formation

Verb-volitional + にも + Verb-potential negative

Examples

彼を理解しようにも理解できない。

Kare o rikai shiyou ni mo rikai dekinai.

Even if I try to understand him, I can't.

走ろうにも走れない。

Hashirou ni mo hashirenai.

Even if I want to run, I can't.

泣こうにも泣けない。

Nakou ni mo nakenai.

Even if I want to cry, I can't.

忘れようにも忘れられない。

Wasureyou ni mo wasurerarenai.

Even if I try to forget, I just can’t.

Long Explanation

This pattern emphasizes that a person wants or attempts to do something (often in volitional form), but is incapable of doing so. It is often used with potential verbs in negative form: 'Even if I try to ~, I can't ~.'

Detailed Grammar Notes

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