にも
(Ni mo)
can't (do X) even if one wanted to.
Connection rules
- ＋V volitional + にも + same V potential negative. E.g., 行こうにも行けない, 言おうにも言えない.
- ＋Double-verb structure — the same verb appears in volitional + にも and potential negative.
- ＋Literary register — common in narratives of frustrated action.
Examples
1.
言おうにも言えない状況だ。
Io u ni mo ie nai joukyou da.
It's a situation where I can't speak even if I wanted to.
「can't (do X) even if one wanted to」
2.
行こうにも足が痛くて行けない。
Iko u ni mo ashi ga itaku te ike nai.
Even if I wanted to go, my leg hurts so I can't.
「can't (do X) even if one wanted to」