「～にも～ない」- Inability Despite Intention

Explanation

～にも～ない is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express that despite having the intention to do something, it cannot be achieved due to certain reasons. The pattern follows the verb volitional form + 「にも」 + negative verb form.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
～にも～ない	Verb Volitional Form + にも + Negative Verb Form	Expresses that despite the intention to do something, it cannot be achieved due to certain reasons.

Deep Dive

• ～にも～ない is primarily used to express situations where an action or behavior cannot be completed under specific conditions. The latter part often uses the potential negative form, indicating that the action in the former part cannot be achieved due to physical or psychological reasons. It is often used with words like 「どんなに」「いかに」「何て」「誰でも」 to emphasize that no matter how the former part changes, the latter part remains largely unaffected.

Examples

• 風邪かぜで喉のどが痛いたくて、声こえを出だすにも出だせない。
• Kaze de nodo ga itakute, koe o dasu ni mo dasenai.
• I have a sore throat from a cold, and even though I want to speak, I can't get my voice out.
  

• 緊張きんちょうして話はなしかけようにも話はなしかけられない。
• Kinchou shite hanashikakeyou ni mo hanashikakerarenai.
• I'm so nervous that even though I want to start a conversation, I can't.
  

• 暑あつくて寝ねようにも寝ねられない。
• Atsukute neyou ni mo nerarenai.
• It's so hot that even though I want to sleep, I can't.
  

Real-Life Scenarios

• No matter how hard you try, you might not succeed: どんなに努力どりょくしようにも成功せいこうできないこともある。
• Donna ni doryoku shiyou ni mo seikou dekinai koto mo aru.
• No matter how hard you try, there are times when you just can't succeed.
  

• 彼かれの頼たのみを断ことわろうにも断ことわれない状況じょうきょうだ。
• Kare no tanomi o kotowarou ni mo kotowarenai joukyou da.
• It's a situation where I can't refuse his request, even though I want to.
  

Summary

～にも～ない is an advanced Japanese grammar point often used to express situations where, despite the intention to do something, it cannot be achieved due to physical limitations or psychological barriers. Mastering this structure allows for more accurate expression of helplessness and constraints under specific conditions.