Shows change/movement A is about to start/end
Used in referring to changes A that aren't based on will/decision of a person (movement of a train, change in seasons, etc.)
1点
母はそろそろ寝ようとしている。
Mom is about to go to sleep.
1点
彼は会社を辞めようとしているんだ。
He is about to leave the company.
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
Basic Examples:
桜が咲こうとしている (the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom)
Related Expressions
Where this grammar is found
新完全マスター文法 N2: 02課・～している（進行中）
JLPT N3 / Intermediate: Verb Suffixes ①
JLPT N1 / Advanced: Jumble Question Pack ③
JLPT N3 / Intermediate: Verb Suffixes ①
JLPT N1 / Advanced: Jumble Question Pack ③
User notes
0点
（よ）う form has conceptually overlapping categories:
1. presumptive (conjecture: ~ is probable: ~ でしょう);
2. volitional / hortative (shall)
Use in patterns where the meaning similar to English "shall" where there is a future element (probability) involved:
It will probably rain
I shall go, let's go
Shall we go?
To express what you are thinking of doing using the pattern ～（よ）うと思う (e.g. I am thinking of going, I shall/probably go)
To express (where the subject has a will) "to try to ~" using the pattern ～（よ）うとしている (e.g I am trying to write)
To express (where the subject does not have a will) "be about to ~" using the pattern ～（よ）うとしている (The trees are about to be blown over) (see DAJG p. 474)
1. presumptive (conjecture: ~ is probable: ~ でしょう);
2. volitional / hortative (shall)
Use in patterns where the meaning similar to English "shall" where there is a future element (probability) involved:
It will probably rain
I shall go, let's go
Shall we go?
To express what you are thinking of doing using the pattern ～（よ）うと思う (e.g. I am thinking of going, I shall/probably go)
To express (where the subject has a will) "to try to ~" using the pattern ～（よ）うとしている (e.g I am trying to write)
To express (where the subject does not have a will) "be about to ~" using the pattern ～（よ）うとしている (The trees are about to be blown over) (see DAJG p. 474)
7 years ago
火曜
- Level 17 0点
Under normal circumstances requires a subject that has a will (human, animal), such as 寝ようとしていた "I was about to go to sleep". Usage for things is polite (? not sure), ironic or poetic. The cherry blossoms example would fall in the latter category.
9 years ago
berndbausch
- Level 1
Discussion about this grammar
Level: 1,
好 : 22
1点
9 years ago (Edited 9 years ago.)
Site admin
Level: 111, 好 : 6,656
Level: 111, 好 : 6,656
1点
9 years ago
Level: 1,
好 : 22
1点
9 years ago
Site admin
Level: 111, 好 : 6,656
Level: 111, 好 : 6,656
1点
9 years ago
Years Studied: not enough
Studying: second half of N4, but I'm preparing to re-study all N5-N4 grammar
Level: 134,
好 : 47
Studying: second half of N4, but I'm preparing to re-study all N5-N4 grammar
0点
3 months ago