GRAMMAR
〜に〜ない
want to ~ but can't
Explanation
NOTE
〜に〜ない means want to do something but can't — you try, yet circumstances stop you.
言うに言えない悩みがある。
I have a worry I want to say but can't.
NOTE
The same verb is repeated. It is formal and shows frustration at being unable to act.
泣くに泣けない気持ちだった。
I felt like I wanted to cry but couldn't.
The first verb is the dictionary form; the second is the negative potential form.
NOTE
Use a verb in dictionary form, then に, then the same verb in its negative potential form.
STRUCTURE
V辞にVないない
忙しくて、休むに休めない。
Isogashikute, yasumu ni yasumenai.
I'm so busy that I want to rest but can't.
真実を言うに言えない状況だ。
Shinjitsu o iu ni ienai joukyou da.
It's a situation where I want to tell the truth but can't.
恥ずかしくて、聞くに聞けない。
Hazukashikute, kiku ni kikenai.
I'm too embarrassed, so I want to ask but can't.
Practice exercises
1
忙しくて、休むに休めない毎日だ。
It's a daily life where I want to rest but can't.
Answer
休むに休めない
2
真実を言うに言えない状況だ。
It's a situation where I want to tell the truth but can't.
Answer
言えない
3
恥ずかしくて、聞くに聞けない。
I'm too embarrassed, so I want to ask but can't.
Answer
聞くに聞けない
4
彼の嘘は許しがたいが、どうにも怒る怒るに怒れない。
His lie is hard to forgive, but somehow I want to get angry but can't.
Answer
怒るに怒れない
5
彼が失敗するべくして失敗したので、問う問うに問えない。
He failed as he was bound to, so I want to question him but can't.
Answer
問うに問えない
6
衝撃が大きすぎて、言葉にする言葉にするに言葉にできない。
The shock was too great; I want to put it into words but can't.
Answer
言葉にするに言葉にできない
7
彼がかわいそうで、見ないものでもないが、助ける助けるに助けられない。
He's pitiful, and it's not that I can't bear to look, but I want to help him but can't.
Answer
助けるに助けられない
8
彼女の過ち、許したいが認める認めるに認められない。
Her mistake — I want to forgive it, but I want to acknowledge it but can't.
Answer
認めるに認められない