try to do, be about to do

Volitional form plus とする describes attempting an action or being on the verge of it. In the past tense it often implies the attempt was interrupted or failed. It focuses on the moment of trying, not the result.

Examples

• 家いえを出でようとした時とき、電話でんわが鳴なりました。

  Ie o deyou to shita toki, denwa ga narimashita.

  Just as I was about to leave the house, the phone rang.

• 赤あかちゃんが立たとうとしています。

  Akachan ga tatou to shite imasu.

  The baby is trying to stand up.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 家 house; home
• 出る to leave; to exit
• する to do
• 時 time; when
• 電話 telephone
• 鳴る to ring, to sound

Related patterns · Volitional and intentions

• 意向形（〜よう / 〜おう） let's do, I will do (casual)
• 〜ようと思う I think I will, I intend to
• 〜つもりだ intend to, plan to
• 〜予定だ be scheduled to, plan to