ようとする
🃏 Flashcard
ようとする
you to suru
Tap to reveal usage
try to; attempt to; be about to~
N3
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N3
Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast
Reading
you to suru
Post ID
50991
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
try to; attempt to; be about to~
📖 How to use it
Expresses an attempt or intention to do something, or being on the verge of doing it.
Attaches to
Attach to the volitional form of a verb (e.g., 行こう, 食べよう, しよう).
This pattern is used when someone makes an effort to do something, or when something is just about to happen. It often carries a nuance of intent or effort, but sometimes the attempt may not succeed. For example, 'ドアを開けようとした' means 'I tried to open the door' (but maybe it didn't open). It can also describe an action that is about to occur naturally, like a baby about to cry or a glass about to fall. In such cases, it conveys a sense of 'almost' or 'on the verge of'.
彼は何か言おうとしたが、言葉が出なかった。
Kare wa nanika iou to shita ga, kotoba ga denakatta.
He tried to say something, but the words wouldn't come out.
電車に乗ろうとしたら、ドアが閉まった。
Densha ni norou to shitara, doa ga shimatta.
Just as I was about to get on the train, the doors closed.
子供が泣こうとしている。
Kodomo ga nakou to shite iru.
The child is about to cry.
Not volitional + とする (e.g., 行こうとする) vs. ～てみる
ようとする expresses an attempt or being on the verge of an action, often without confirming success. ～てみる means 'to try doing something as a test or experiment', and the action is actually performed. For example, 'このケーキを食べてみる' means 'I'll try eating this cake', not just attempt.
Register
Neutral and used in both spoken and written Japanese. The と is not commonly dropped in casual speech; it is typically kept in all registers.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
ようとする
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat ようとする three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using ようとする. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern ようとする mean?
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Try to; attempt to; be about to~
What JLPT level is ようとする?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use ようとする in a sentence?
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Attach ようとする (you to suru) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is ようとする formal or casual Japanese?
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ようとする is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember ようとする long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.