N1Grammar

う・よう + にも～ない

Cannot... even if one wants or tries, Would like but cannot, Wants or tries but cannot

Structure

Verb1［おう］ + にも + Verb1［できる］［ない］
Verb［おう］ + にも + (Reason) Phrase

Explanation

The grammar structure ようにも～ない is used to express the desire to perform an action, coupled with the inability to do so. It attaches to the volitional form of a verb (う or よう) and is followed by the same verb in its negative potential form. This highlights a situation where external factors prevent the speaker from carrying out their intention. A more direct translation would be 'Even if I try to (verb), I cannot (verb)', emphasizing the frustrating gap between will and possibility.

風(かぜ)が強(つよ)すぎて、ドアを開(あ)けようにも開(あ)けられない。
The wind is so strong that I can't open the door even if I try.
歯(は)が痛(いた)くて、ご飯(はん)を食(た)べようにも食(た)べられない。
My tooth hurts so much that I can't eat even though I want to.
パソコンを直(なお)したいけど、道具(どうぐ)がないから直(なお)そうにも直(なお)せない。
I want to fix my computer, but without the right tools, I can't fix it even if I try.

Caution

It is important to distinguish this pattern from the similar grammar point に～ない, which uses the dictionary form of a verb. While ようにも～ない typically expresses an inability to act due to a physical or external obstacle, に～ない is more often used when the reason is psychological or social.

みんなが見(み)ている前(まえ)で、恥(は)ずかしくて泣(な)くに泣(な)けない。
With everyone watching me, I was too embarrassed to cry. (Mental reason)
喉(のど)が痛(いた)くて、話(はな)そうにも話(はな)せない。
My throat is so sore, so I can't speak even if I want to. (Physical reason)

Examples

あまりのショックに、泣(な)こうにも涙(なみだ)も出(で)ずに泣(な)けなかった。

I was in such shock that I couldn't cry even if I wanted to, as no tears would come out.

仕事(しごと)が山積(さんせき)していて、帰(かえ)ろうにも帰(かえ)れない。

I have a mountain of work to do, so I can't go home even if I want to.

彼(かれ)に連絡(れんらく)しようにも、連絡(れんらく)先(さき)を知(し)らないので連絡(れんらく)できない。

Even if I wanted to contact him, I can't because I don't know his contact information.

口(くち)いっぱいにパンをほおばっていたので、何(なに)か話(はな)そうにも話(はな)せなかった。

My mouth was so full of bread that I couldn't speak even if I tried to.

この会社(かいしゃ)は嫌(いや)だけど、次(つぎ)の仕事(しごと)が見(み)つからないので、辞(や)めようにも辞(や)められない。

I hate this company, but since I can't find a new job, I can't quit even if I want to.

金縛(かなしば)りにあって、体(からだ)を動(うご)かそうにも動(うご)かせなかった。

I had sleep paralysis, so I couldn't move my body even when I tried to.

彼女(かのじょ)は聞(き)く耳(みみ)を持(も)たないので、謝(あやま)ろうにも謝(あやま)れない。

She won't even listen to me, so I can't apologize even if I want to.

あのバッグ、すごく欲(ほ)しいけど、お金(かね)がなくて買(か)おうにも買(か)えない。

I really want that bag, but I don't have the money, so I can't buy it even if I want to.

ヒーロー：「くそっ！敵(てき)に囲(かこ)まれて、逃(に)げようにも逃(に)げられないぞ！」

Hero: 'Damn it! We're surrounded by the enemy, so we can't escape even if we try!'

友人(ゆうじん)が困(こま)っているのは分(わ)かるが、遠(とお)くに住(す)んでいるので助(たす)けようにも助(たす)けられない。

I know my friend is in trouble, but since they live so far away, I can't help them even if I wanted to.

パソコンが壊(こわ)れてしまって、作業(さぎょう)を続(つづ)けようにも続(つづ)けられない。

My computer broke, so I can't continue my work even if I try.

本当(ほんとう)のことを言(い)ったら彼(かれ)が傷(きず)つくと分(わ)かっているから、言(い)おうにも言(い)えない。

I know he would be hurt if I told him the truth, so I can't tell him even if I want to.