う・よう + とする
Try to, Attempt to, To be about to
Structure
Explanation
When appended to the auxiliary verb う (or よう), とする conveys the meaning of 'to make an attempt to do (A)', or 'to be on the verge of doing (A)'. The case marking particle と in this pattern points toward the 'outcome' of the attempt.
To construct おうとする, convert the (A) verb into its volitional form ending in う or よう, and then attach とする.
- うちの猫はいつもテーブルの上に乗ろうとするから大変だ。My cat is such a handful because it always tries to get on the table.
- ここで写真を撮ろうとすると、店員さんに注意されますよ。If you try to take pictures here, a staff member will warn you.
Because う and よう express volition (the will to do something), とする adds the feeling that this intention is fully formed, and all that is left is to carry out the action. This can be compared to 'to attempt to do' in English, where the past tense form 'attempted to do' often suggests that the effort was ultimately unsuccessful.
- 早く宿題を終わらせようとしたが、難しすぎて出来なかった。I tried to finish my homework early, but it was too difficult and I couldn't do it.
- 彼に電話しようとしたけど、勇気がなくてかけられなかった。I tried to call him, but I didn't have the courage and couldn't bring myself to do it.
Caution
ようとする is also frequently used to show that one action was interrupted by another. In these situations, the feeling is less 'to have tried' and more 'just as (A) was about to happen, (B) occurred'. Once again, this highlights that the decision to perform action (A) was finalized, right before something unexpected happened.
- 電車に乗ろうとしたら、ドアが閉まってしまった。The doors closed just as I was about to get on the train.
- 会計をしようとしたら、財布を忘れたことに気づいた。When I went to pay, I realized I'd forgotten my wallet.
Examples
危険な場所に入ろうとするな。
Don't try to enter the dangerous area.
子どもはジャムの瓶を開けようとしても、開けることができなかった。
Even though the child tried to open the jam jar, they couldn't.
大事なことを言おうとしたのに、携帯が鳴ってしまった。
I tried to say something important, but my cell phone rang.
聞こうとしたわけではないのに、彼らの会話が聞こえてしまいました。
Even though I tried not to listen, I ended up hearing their conversation. (It's not like I tried to listen)
私は彼を手伝おうとしたのに、断られてしまいました。
I attempted to help him, but he turned down my offer.
見て！猫がレーザーポインターの光を捕まえようとしている！
Look! The cat is trying to catch the laser pointer's light!
バスから降りようとした時に、ドアが閉まってしまった。
Just as I tried to get off the bus, the doors closed.
この窓はいくら開けようとしても、びくともしない。
No matter how hard I try to open this window, it won't budge.
医者：「最近どうしましたか？」
患者：「重い箱を持ち上げようとしたら、腰を痛めてしまって。」
Doctor: 'What seems to be the problem recently?'
Patient: 'I hurt my back when I tried to lift a heavy box.'
ゴミを分別しようとしない人が多くて、管理人さんが困っている。
There are many people who don't even try to sort their trash, which is a problem for the building manager.
Ａ：「大丈夫？どうしたの？」
Ｂ：「ケーキを作ろうとしたんだけど… 見て、この有様。」
A: 'Are you okay? What happened?'
B: 'I tried to bake a cake but… look at this mess.'
Ａ：「どこへ行くの？」
Ｂ：「息子が壁に落書きをしようとしているから、止めないと！」
A: 'Where are you going?'
B: 'My son is trying to draw on the wall, I have to stop him!'