Mimi Kara Oboeru N4 Grammar: 70. ~ようとする/(よ)うとする

04/12/2020Updated 05/09/20212 min read

Translated from the Vietnamese original. View the original.

Mimi Kara Oboeru N4 Grammar: 70. ~ようとする/(よ)うとする
Here is Japanese N4 grammar study material taken from the Mimi Kara Oboeru N4 textbook.

~ようとする/(よ)うとする

1. Structure: Volitional-form verb + とする

2. Meaning:
a. Meaning 1: Intending or wanting to do something and making an effort, but… ; tried to…but…

目的地まで行こうとしたのですが、途中で迷ってしまいました。
Mokutekichi made ikou to shita nodesuga, tochū de mayotte shimaimashita.
I tried to get there, but I got lost on the way.

さっきから何度もファックスを送ろうとしているのですが、送れません。
Sakki kara nando mo fakkusu o okurou to shite iru nodesuga, okuremasen.
I have tried to send the fax several times now, but it still will not go through.

最後まで走ろうとしたが、できなかった。
Saigomade hashirou to shitaga, dekinakatta.
I wanted to run to the end, but I could not.

b. Meaning 2: Just as you were about to do something…

出かけようとしたときに、雨が降り始めた。
Dekakeyou to shita toki ni, ame ga ori hajimeta.
Just as I was about to leave the house, it started to pour.

電車に乗ろうとしたときに、ドアが閉まってしまった。
Densha ni norou to shita toki ni, doa ga shimatte shimatta.
Just as I was about to get on the train, the doors closed.

c. Meaning 3: ~ようとしない means having no intention at all of doing something.

彼は自分が悪いことをしたのに、あまやろうとしない。
Kare wa jibun ga warui koto o shita no ni, ama yarou to shinai.
He did something wrong but has no intention of apologising.

体に悪いからやめてと言っても、夫はたばこをやめようとしない。
Karadaniwarui kara yamete to itte mo, otto wa tabako o yameyou to shinai.
I told my husband to stop smoking because it is bad for his health, but he has no intention at all of quitting.

だれも反対意見を言おうとしないので、私が言った。
Dare mo hantai iken o iou to shinainode, watashi ga itta.
Nobody would voice an objection, so I did.

ぐあいの悪いそうな人が立っていたのに、だれも席を譲ろうとはしなかった。
Guai no warui-sōna hito ga tatte ita no ni, dare mo seki o yuzurou to wa shinakatta.
Even though they could see someone who looked unwell standing, nobody was willing to give up their seat.

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