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.)
3点
母はそろそろ寝ようとしている。
Mom is about to go to sleep.
2点
彼は会社を辞めようとしているんだ。
He is about to leave the company.
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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
V-ようとする
Where this grammar is found
User notes
火曜
0
Level: 17
(8 years ago)
（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)
0
berndbausch
0
Level: 1
(10 years ago)
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.
0Discussion about this grammar
Level: 1,
好 : 27
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1点
10 years ago (Edited 10 years ago.)
Site admin
Level: 228, 好 : 10,909
Level: 228, 好 : 10,909
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1点
10 years ago
Level: 1,
好 : 27
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1点
10 years ago
Site admin
Level: 228, 好 : 10,909
Level: 228, 好 : 10,909
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1点
10 years ago
Years Studied: not enough
Studying: Kanji and vocab: N3, pushing through N1. Grammar at the start of next year.
Level: 175,
好 : 73
Studying: Kanji and vocab: N3, pushing through N1. Grammar at the start of next year.
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1 year ago