4. よう+ Verb Negative Form

4. よう+ Verb Negative Form

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When よう(よく in standard) is used with a negative form of verb, it could mean either one of the followings;

a) “not well” “not clear”
    (when used with perceptive verbs  such as 分(わ)かる,見(み)える, 知(し)る)

テレビの音(おと)小(ちい)さいから、よう聞(き)こえへん。（ST よく聞(き)こえない）


b) “no ability of doing…”
    (when used with verbs other than perceptive verbs)

外国語(がいこくご)はよ う話(はな)さん。 (ST話(はな)せない／話(はな)すことができない) 
        

あんな気持(きも)ち悪(わる)い魚(さかな)、よう食(た)べ ん。 (ST とても食(た)べられない／食(た)べることができない)

(Did you recognize the accentual difference of よう between a and b??)


However, if one cannot do something due to the situational factor, not one’s personal ability or psychological factor, potential form is usually used.

車(くるま)壊(こわ)れて、仕事(しごと)行(い)かれへん／行(い)けへん。 （not よう行(い)かん）

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<Extra 1: よう 言(い)わんわ >

When someone sayよう言(い)わん わ, s/he does not literally mean it, but rather mean “I am so amazed/disgusted that I cannot find even one word to say to you!”

僕(ぼく)、いつか女(おんな)の子(こ)になりたい。
→よう言 (い)わんわ！