Core Pattern Rule: -(으)래야 -(으)ㄹ 수가 없다
This pattern expresses the inability to do something despite one's intention or effort. It emphasizes a feeling of internal conflict or helplessness.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: "I can't... even if I try/want to," or "I can't help...-ing."
Structure: It's a combination of -(으)려고 해야 (even if one intends to...) and -(으)ㄹ 수가 없다 (cannot...). The first part is contracted to -(으)래야.
Key Point: The same verb is used in both parts of the pattern.
Formation
Attach -(으)래야 to the verb stem, followed by the same verb with -(으)ㄹ 수가 없다.
Vowel stem + -래야:
가다 (to go) → 갈래야 갈 수가 없다
보다 (to see) → 볼래야 볼 수가 없다
Consonant stem + -으래야:
먹다 (to eat) → 먹을래야 먹을 수가 없다
믿다 (to believe) → 믿을래야 믿을 수가 없다
Two Common Scenarios
Trying to do something, but failing: [Verb]-(으)래야 [Verb]-(으)ㄹ 수가 없다.
잊을래야 잊을 수가 없어. (I try to forget, but I can't.)
Trying not to do something, but failing (can't help it): 안 [Verb]-(으)래야 안 [Verb]-(으)ㄹ 수가 없다.
안 먹을래야 안 먹을 수가 없어. (I try not to eat, but I can't help eating.)
미워할래야 미워할 수가 없어. / 안 먹을래야 안 먹을 수가 없어. / 잠을 잘래야 잘 수가 없어.
Native Nuance: Emphasizing Internal Conflict
This pattern is more than just a simple statement of inability. It's used to add emotional weight and emphasize an internal struggle.
Simple Inability vs. Internal Struggle
Simple: 잠을 잘 수 없어. (I can't sleep.) This is a neutral statement of fact.
Emphatic: 잠을 잘래야 잘 수가 없어. (I try to sleep, but I just can't.) This highlights the effort and frustration. The speaker wants to sleep but is unable to.
Common Contexts
This pattern is often used for situations driven by strong feelings, temptations, or unavoidable circumstances.
Temptation: 안 살래야 안 살 수가 없어. (It's on sale and so pretty... I try not to buy it, but I can't help myself.)
Deep Emotion: 미워할래야 미워할 수가 없어. (I try to hate them for what they did, but I just can't.)
Unavoidable Reality: 피할래야 피할 수가 없어. (I try to avoid the problem, but it's impossible.)
피할래야 피할 수가 없어. / 좋아할래야 좋아할 수가 없어. / 믿을래야 믿을 수가 없어.
Politeness & Formality
The formality of this pattern is determined by the final verb ending. The script lines alternate between the casual and standard polite forms.
Casual Form: -없어
Use -없어 when speaking to close friends, family, or people younger than you. This is the 반말 (casual language) form.
안 웃을래야 안 웃을 수가 없어. (I can't help laughing.)
Polite Form: -없어요
Use -없어요 for most everyday conversations with people you don't know well, colleagues, or those older than you. This is the standard 해요체 (polite) form.
안 웃을래야 안 웃을 수가 없어요. (I can't help laughing.)
Notice how only the ending changes, while the core -(으)래야 -(으)ㄹ 수가 part remains the same.
잊을래야 잊을 수가 없어. / 잊을래야 잊을 수가 없어요. / 안 살래야 안 살 수가 없어. / 안 살래야 안 살 수가 없어요.