GRAMMAR
〜（よ）うにも〜ない
want to ~ but can't
want but can't
Explanation
NOTE
〜（よ）うにも〜ない means even if one tried to V, one can't — wanting to do something, but unable to.
行こうにも行けない。
Even if I wanted to go, I can't go.
The same verb appears twice: once in volitional form, once in potential-negative form.
NOTE
The nuance is inability despite will — there is a concrete obstacle that prevents the action.
NOTE
Attach うにも to the verb volitional form, then repeat the verb in its potential-negative form.
STRUCTURE
V意にもV可否定
熱があって、出かけようにも出かけられない。
Netsu ga atte, dekakeyou ni mo dekakerarenai.
I have a fever, so even if I wanted to go out, I can't.
道が混んでいて、帰ろうにも帰れない。
Michi ga konde ite, kaerou ni mo kaerenai.
The road is congested, so even if I wanted to go home, I can't.
電話番号を知らないので、連絡しようにも連絡できない。
Denwa bangou wo shiranai node, renraku shiyou ni mo renraku dekinai.
I don't know the phone number, so even if I wanted to contact them, I can't.
Practice exercises
1
今日に限って、行こうにも行けない。
Only today, I want to go but can't.
Answer
行こうにも行けない
2
彼は仕事は別として、休もうにも休めない。
Apart from work, he wants to rest but can't.
Answer
休もうにも休めない
3
彼女は立ち上がろうとしたが、足がしびれて立とうにも立てなかった。
She tried to stand up, but her legs were numb and she wanted to stand but couldn't.
Answer
立とうにも立てなかった
4
一度壊れた関係は、元に戻そうにも戻せない。
A relationship that has broken once, you want to return it to how it was, but you can't.
Answer
戻そうにも戻せない
5
嫌な出来事は忘れようにも忘れられない。
I want to forget the unpleasant incident but can't.
Answer
忘れようにも忘れられない