Mimi Kara N2 Grammar: (よ)うにも〜ない (yo) u nimo ~ nai
106. ~ (よ)うにも〜ない (yo) u nimo ~ nai
Meaning: want to~ but can’t
How to use: V +(にも)+ V (negation of possibility) / other negative patterns
Example sentences:
歯が痛くて食べようにも食べられない。
I have a toothache so I can’t eat even if I wanted to.
大雪で電車が止まってしまい、学校に行こうにも行けなかった。
Because of heavy snowfall, the train had to stop, so even though I wanted to, I couldn’t go to school.
体がだるくて起きようにも起きられず、会社を休んでしまった。
My whole body was sluggish, I couldn’t get up even if I wanted to, so I stopped working.
最近太りぎみなのだが、運動しようにも場所も時間もない。
I seem to have gained weight lately, but even if I wanted to do some exercise, I wouldn’t have the time or the place to go.
働こうにもこの不況では、なかなか仕事が見つからない。
In this crisis, it is difficult to find a job.
高熱が出たのだが、すぐに病院へ行こうにも、日曜でどこも休診だった。
I had a high fever, so I wanted to go to the hospital right away, but it was Sunday and they were closed everywhere.