N3 Intentions, Efforts, and Feelings

~ようとしない: meaning, usage and examples

~ようとしない means: to not make an effort to... / to not try to...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 理由りゆうを聞きいても、息子むすこは何なにも話はなそうとしない。

   Even when I ask why, my son won't say anything.

2. 彼かれは、自分じぶんの間違まちがいを認みとめようとしない。

   He makes no effort to admit his own mistake.

3. 弟おとうとは野菜やさいを食たべようとしません。

   My little brother won't even try to eat vegetables.

4. 山田やまださんは、人ひとの話はなしを聞きこうとしない。

   Ms. Yamada doesn't try to listen to other people.

When to use it

ようとしない means that someone will not even try to do something, often something they should do: 話はなそうとしない (won't say anything), 認みとめようとしない (refuses to admit it). It describes another person's attitude, usually with frustration. It is common when complaining about family members, coworkers or children.

Nuance

Neutral register, but the feeling is negative: the speaker is annoyed or worried. It is used for other people, not yourself; for your own refusal, say したくない or しないつもりだ. It describes a continuing attitude, so the present form is common.

Compare

しない is a simple fact: 野菜やさいを食たべない (doesn't eat vegetables). ようとしない adds unwillingness: 野菜やさいを食たべようとしない (won't even try to eat vegetables). ようとする is an attempt: 食たべようとした (tried to eat). たがらない shows someone does not want to: 食たべたがらない (doesn't want to eat).

Tip: Use it to describe other people's stubbornness or refusal. For yourself, 食たべようとしない sounds odd; say 食たべたくない.