〜も〜ない - Expressing Unwillingness to Do Something

Explanation

〜も〜ない is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express a strong sense of reluctance or refusal. It emphasizes that even if one is forced to do something, they still feel unwilling or unable to do it.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
〜も〜ない	Dictionary form of verb + も + negative form	Expresses strong unwillingness or resistance

Basic Usage

This structure is typically used with the dictionary form of a verb to indicate that the speaker cannot accept or is unwilling to perform a certain action. For example:

• 自分じぶんの目めで確たしかめる限かぎり、そんな恐おそろしいことは
  信しんじるものがない。
• Jibun no me de tashikameru kagiri, sonna osoroshii koto wa shinjiru mono ga nai.
• Based on what I’ve seen with my own eyes, there’s no way I can believe such a terrifying thing.
  

Deep Dive

〜も〜ない emphasizes a strong emotional response, such as unwillingness or inability to accept something. It can be used in various contexts, from everyday conversations to literary works. Here are some examples:

• 彼かれは何なにを言いわれても
  謝あやまるものも謝あやまらない。
• Kare wa nani o iwarete mo ayamaru mono mo ayamaranai.
• No matter what anyone says, he won’t apologize.
  

• あの映画えいがは怖こわすぎて
  見みるものも見みられない。
• Ano eiga wa kowasugite miru mono mo mirarenai.
• That movie is too scary; I can’t even watch it.
  

• こんなに多おおい仕事しごとを一人ひとりで
  ややるものもややれない。
• Konna ni ooi shigoto o hitori de yaru mono mo yarenai.
• There’s so much work; I can’t possibly do it all by myself.
  

Real-Life Scenarios

In everyday conversations, this structure is often used to express refusal to perform an action. For example:

• A: 明日あしたの会議かいぎに出席しゅっせきする？
• B: そんなこと、
  行いくものか。
• A: Are you going to attend tomorrow’s meeting?
• B: No way I’m going to that.
  

Summary

〜も〜ない is a grammatical structure that conveys strong emotions, such as reluctance or helplessness. It is versatile and can be used in various contexts. Mastering this structure will help you express feelings of resistance or unwillingness more naturally in Japanese.

〜も〜ない Expressing Having No Choice but to Do Something

Explanation

〜も〜ない can, in certain contexts, express the idea of "having no choice but to do something, even though one doesn't want to."

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
〜も〜ない	Dictionary form of verb + も + negative form Potential form + も + potential negative form	The basic meaning of this grammar is "have no choice but to" or "have to." For example, when you miss the last train and have no choice but to take a taxi home, you can use 〜も〜ない.

Deep Dive

〜も〜ない is used to express having to accept reality and take action, even if reluctantly. For example:

• 終電しゅうでんがなくなったので、タクシーたくしーで帰かえるもんがない。
• Shuuden ga nakunatta node, takushii de kaeru mon ga nai.
• I missed the last train, so I have no choice but to take a taxi home.
  

• 具合ぐあいが悪わるいのに、仕事しごとを休やすむわけにもいかない。
• Guai ga warui noni, shigoto o yasumu wake ni mo ikanai.
• I feel unwell, but I have no choice but to go to work.
  

Comparison and Differences

Expression	Meaning	Example
〜も〜ない	Emphasizes a sense of helplessness and being forced	暑あつくて寝ねることもできない。
〜しか〜ない	Emphasizes having no other choice but to do something	彼かれが来こなければ、私わたしが行いくしかない。

Real-Life Scenarios

In work situations, if you are asked to do something you really don't want to do, you can use 〜も〜ない to express strong reluctance. In daily life, when asked if you would go to a place you really dislike, you can also use this pattern.

Examples

• 彼かれはそんなことをするもんじゃない。
• Kare wa sonna koto o suru mon ja nai.
• He would never do such a thing.
  

• あんなところあんなところは二度にどと行いくものか。
• Anna tokoro wa nido to iku mono ka.
• I would never go to such a place again.
  

• あのひどい天気あのひどいてんきでは、外出がいしゅつするもんじゃない。
• Ano hidoi tenki de wa, gaishutsu suru mon ja nai.
• I wouldn't go out in such terrible weather.
  

Summary

〜も〜ない is a grammar point used to express having no choice but to do something. Understanding its connection rules, basic meaning, and differences from similar grammar points will help you use it more effectively.