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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜ようとしない

    〜ようとしない

    〜ようとしない

    This means someone or something will not try to do something. It shows you are annoyed or let down.

    N3KMT5NeutralStandardVerb ConstructionMixedEffort And AttemptGrammar

    Verb [volitional form] + と + しないPrimary

    This means someone or something will not try to do something. It shows you are annoyed or let down.

    息むす子こはいくら言いっても、野や菜さいを食たべようとしなかった。

    No matter how much I told him, my son wouldn't even try to eat his vegetables.

    NeutralPastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeFamily & RelationshipsFood & DiningDaily Life
    言いうことを聞きこうとしない生せい徒とには、どう接せっすればいいのだろうか。

    How should one deal with students who make no effort to listen to what they're told?

    NeutralNon PastNegativePrenominalConjecturalEducation
    この古ふるいプリンターは、何なん度どやっても動うごこうとしない。

    This old printer shows no sign of working, no matter how many times I try.

    CasualNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeTechnologyWork & Career
    政せい府ふはその問もん題だいの根こん本ぽん原げん因いんを究きゅう明めいしようとしないと批ひ判はんされている。

    The government is being criticized for making no attempt to investigate the root cause of the problem.

    FormalNon PastNegativeMid SentenceHearsayPolitics & Law
    彼かれは自じ分ぶんの間ま違ちがいを認みとめようとしないので、話はなしが進すすまない。

    Because he won't try to admit his mistake, the conversation is going nowhere.

    NeutralNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEmotions & PsychologyFamily & Relationships

    This phrase shows you are unhappy. You might be critical, frustrated, or disappointed. It is not just saying something is not happening. It means someone or something refuses to do it. Like a stubborn child, or a door that just won't open.

    This is different from "~you to suru." That means someone tries to do something. This is also different from "~nai you ni suru." That means someone tries not to do something. This grammar means someone does not even try at all.

    Don't use this when you talk about yourself. For example, 'I don't try to eat' sounds strange. You use it for other people. You can use it if you are quoting someone. You can also use it if you are judging yourself very strictly.

    意向形 (よう / う)

    This form means 'let's do' something. You use it to suggest an action or invite someone to do it with you.

    〜ようとする

    This means you are trying to do something. It also means you are making an effort to do it.

    ない形

    This is how you make a verb negative. It means "do not" or "will not." It is the casual way to say 〜ません.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    Variants

    • 〜ようとする

    prerequisite

    • 意向形 (よう / う)
    • ない形

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